Madagascar (MG)
World's fourth-largest island, Madagascar offers extraordinary biodiversity (90% of wildlife found nowhere else), one of the world's lowest costs of living, warm French-speaking culture, and unique opportunities in vanilla, ecotourism, and development sectors.
Leaving Madagascar
How to properly exit — protecting your finances, rights and records.
📅 General Timeline
Begin departure preparations at least 2–3 months before planned departure. Month 3–2: give notice to employer and landlord; begin DGI tax clearance process; arrange international shipping (Bolloré Logistics Madagascar, DHL). Month 2–1: notify DGDI of departure; close bank accounts and transfer funds; cancel utilities; collect medical records. Final weeks: medevac/health insurance active until departure day; collect all documents and personal property; complete all outstanding administrative tasks. Note: customs export — personal effects and furniture may be exported duty-free with proof of residence and departure. Wildlife products (lemur skulls, tortoiseshell) require CITES permits — export without permits is illegal.
Deregistration
Notify the DGDI (Direction Générale de la Décentralisation et de l'Immigration) of your departure and Titre de Séjour cancellation — in person at their Antananarivo office (Rue Fernand Kasanga, Tsaralalàna). Return your Titre de Séjour document if requested. Ensure you have no overstay or outstanding visa violations — clear any fines before departure. Confirm your passport has sufficient validity for onward travel. Notify your home country's embassy or consulate in Madagascar of your departure.
Tax clearance
Self-employed individuals and company directors must file a final tax return (déclaration de cessation d'activité) with the DGI (impots.mg) and obtain a quitus fiscal (tax clearance certificate) confirming no outstanding liabilities. Apply at the DGI bureau in Ankorondrano, Antananarivo with: NIF, last 3 years' tax returns, proof of all payments, and a departure letter. Processing: 2–4 weeks. For employees, IRSA compliance is your employer's responsibility — confirm all withholdings have been filed.
Pension portability
CNAPS contributions are not portable to most countries — Madagascar has very few bilateral social security agreements. A limited totalization agreement with France exists but practical operation is limited. If you contributed CNAPS for fewer than 15 years, you will not qualify for a CNAPS pension on retirement. Notify your home country's pension authority of your period of CNAPS contributions. Consult a pension specialist before departure regarding home-country pension implications of your Madagascar employment period.
Health insurance
Do NOT cancel international health insurance or medevac coverage until your departure date — you remain exposed to Madagascar's health risks until you leave. After departure, notify your insurer of your change of country. If transitioning to a new country, ensure there is no gap in international health coverage during transit. Collect all medical records from your Antananarivo clinic for ongoing conditions.
Bank account
Close or transfer MGA bank accounts at BNI, BOA, BFV-SG, or BMOI — allow 5–10 business days for international wire transfer of remaining funds to your home account. Convert Ariary to USD/EUR before wiring internationally for better rates. Cancel or deactivate MVola, Orange Money, and Airtel Money accounts and withdraw all balances. Notify Wise of your change in residence address.
Utilities
Cancel Telma Fibre and Orange Fibre internet contracts — written notice required, typically 30 days. Notify JIRAMA (electricity and water) of your departure through your landlord or directly at the local JIRAMA bureau. Cancel private waste collection (if applicable). Settle all outstanding JIRAMA bills before departure. Recover any utility deposits from your landlord per lease agreement.
Rental contract
Provide notice per your lease agreement — typically 1–3 months for professional/expat-standard leases. No statutory notice period exists in Madagascar — the contract governs. Conduct a formal move-out inspection (état des lieux de sortie) with photos. Get the landlord to sign confirming key return. Recover security deposit per contract terms (negotiate in writing). Keep all move-out documentation for any subsequent deposit disputes.
Leaving the Country
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