Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the Nigeria Property Pack
Yes, the analysis of Lagos' property market is included in our pack
Lagos is Africa's largest city, a fast-paced megacity where opportunity and infrastructure challenges collide every single day.
This expat guide covers everything you need to know about living in Lagos in 2026, from realistic budgets and visa requirements to neighborhood safety and international school fees.
We constantly update this blog post with the latest data and insights so you always have the freshest information before making your move.
And if you're planning to buy a property in this place, you may want to download our pack covering the real estate market in Lagos.
Is Lagos a good place to live in 2026?
Is quality of life getting better or worse in Lagos in 2026?
As of early 2026, quality of life in Lagos is improving in private convenience but remains stagnant when it comes to public infrastructure and daily friction.
The most noticeable improvement for expats in Lagos over the past two to three years has been the expansion of premium private developments in areas like Eko Atlantic City and Lekki, where new serviced apartments, coworking spaces, and retail hubs have concentrated security and services in one place.
However, traffic congestion in Lagos remains the persistent daily challenge that even these upgrades cannot fix, and many expats still report losing two to four hours a day sitting in gridlock between the Island and Mainland, which directly affects work-life balance and overall satisfaction.
Are hospitals good in Lagos in 2026?
As of early 2026, the best private hospitals in Lagos can meet many expat healthcare needs for routine and specialist care, but they are not yet comparable to top-tier facilities in Western Europe or North America for complex procedures.
Expats in Lagos most commonly recommend Reddington Hospital on Victoria Island, Lagoon Hospitals (Iwosan) with locations in Ikoyi and Ikeja, and Euracare Hospital in Victoria Island for reliable private care.
A standard doctor consultation at a private hospital in Lagos in 2026 typically costs between 20,000 and 60,000 naira (roughly 12 to 35 USD or 11 to 33 EUR), plus registration fees of 5,000 to 20,000 naira, depending on the facility and specialty.
Private health insurance is strongly recommended for expats living in Lagos because Nigeria's public health system has limited capacity, and most expats rely on private international insurance that includes medical evacuation coverage for serious emergencies.
Are there any good international schools in Lagos in 2026?
As of early 2026, Lagos has approximately 15 to 20 reputable international schools, and the overall quality at the top-tier institutions rivals strong international schools in other African capitals.
The most popular international schools among expat families in Lagos include American International School of Lagos (AISL), British International School Lagos, and Greensprings School, all of which offer internationally recognized curricula and strong facilities.
Annual tuition fees at international schools in Lagos in 2026 typically range from 8 million to 30 million naira per child (roughly 4,800 to 18,000 USD or 4,500 to 17,000 EUR), with top-tier schools like AISL reaching 32,000 USD or higher for high school grades.
Waitlists at popular international schools in Lagos can be long, especially for in-demand year groups at AISL and British International School, so expat families should apply early and have backup options; public schools are generally not a viable alternative for most expat children due to curriculum differences and variability in quality.
Is Lagos a dangerous place in 2026?
As of early 2026, Lagos is not uniformly dangerous, but it does carry significant safety risks that vary dramatically by neighborhood, time of day, and personal routines.
The most common safety concerns for expats in Lagos include petty crime like pickpocketing in crowded markets, opportunistic theft from vehicles stuck in traffic, and occasional armed robberies in residential areas, though kidnapping risks are lower in Lagos than in northern Nigeria or the Niger Delta region.
The safest neighborhoods for expats in Lagos include Ikoyi (including Banana Island), Victoria Island, Lekki Phase 1, Oniru, and Ikeja GRA on the Mainland, all of which have a higher concentration of security-managed buildings, gated estates, and visible private security presence.
Women can live alone safely in Lagos in 2026 if they choose secure buildings with 24/7 guards, avoid street hails at night, use vetted ride-hailing apps like Bolt or Uber, and live close to work or social hubs to minimize commute exposure.
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How much does everyday life cost in Lagos in 2026?
What monthly budget do I need to live well in Lagos in 2026?
As of early 2026, a single expat living comfortably in Lagos needs approximately 3.5 million to 6 million naira per month (roughly 2,100 to 3,600 USD or 2,000 to 3,400 EUR), depending on housing choices and lifestyle.
For a modest but decent lifestyle in Lagos, a single person can manage on around 2 million to 3 million naira per month (approximately 1,200 to 1,800 USD or 1,100 to 1,700 EUR), though this means choosing Mainland housing, limiting dining out, and being careful with transport costs.
A more comfortable or upscale lifestyle in Lagos, including Island housing in Ikoyi or Victoria Island, regular restaurant meals, a private driver, and gym memberships, requires 5 million to 8 million naira per month (roughly 3,000 to 4,800 USD or 2,800 to 4,500 EUR) for a single person.
The largest expense category in Lagos is housing, which often consumes 40% to 50% of a monthly budget, but what surprises many newcomers is the hidden cost of power, where generator fuel, diesel, and inverter systems can add 150,000 to 400,000 naira monthly on top of rent.
What is the average income tax rate in Lagos in 2026?
As of early 2026, the effective income tax rate for a typical middle-income earner in Lagos (earning around 3 million naira per month gross) is approximately 16% to 20%, which is lower than the top marginal rate due to progressive brackets and standard reliefs.
The income tax bracket range in Nigeria runs from 7% on the first 300,000 naira of taxable income up to 24% on income above 3.2 million naira annually, with salary earners in Lagos paying through the PAYE (Pay As You Earn) system administered by the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service.
We did some research and made this infographic to help you quickly compare rental yields of the major cities in Nigeria versus those in neighboring countries. It provides a clear view of how this country positions itself as a real estate investment destination, which might interest you if you’re planning to invest there.
What kind of foreigners actually live in Lagos in 2026?
Where do most expats come from in Lagos in 2026?
As of early 2026, the largest groups of expats in Lagos come from West African neighboring countries (especially Ghana and Benin), South and East Asia (India, China, Lebanon), the United Kingdom, the United States, and continental Europe.
The total number of foreign residents in Nigeria is estimated at around 1.2 million according to UN migrant stock data, with a significant concentration in Lagos, though precise city-level counts are not officially published.
Expats from these top origin countries are drawn to Lagos primarily for career opportunities in finance, fintech, oil and gas, FMCG, telecommunications, and trade, as Lagos serves as West Africa's commercial and financial hub.
The expat population in Lagos is predominantly working professionals and business owners rather than retirees or digital nomads, given the city's focus on corporate activity and the infrastructure challenges that make it less attractive for lifestyle-driven relocations.
Where do most expats live in Lagos in 2026?
As of early 2026, the top neighborhoods where expats concentrate in Lagos are Ikoyi (including Banana Island), Victoria Island, Lekki Phase 1, Oniru, the Chevron Drive corridor, and Ikeja GRA on the Mainland.
What makes these neighborhoods attractive to expats in Lagos is the concentration of security-managed estates, reliable backup power infrastructure, proximity to international schools and offices, and access to quality restaurants, gyms, and healthcare facilities within a short commute.
Emerging neighborhoods in Lagos that are starting to attract more expats include Eko Atlantic City (a new development off Victoria Island), Lekki Phase 2, and parts of the Ajah corridor, where newer developments offer more space and modern amenities at slightly lower price points than traditional Island locations.
Are expats moving in or leaving Lagos in 2026?
As of early 2026, the expat migration trend in Lagos shows a slight net inflow, with new arrivals continuing despite economic challenges, though some lighter expat postings have been reduced as companies optimize package costs.
The main factor driving expats to move to Lagos right now is the concentration of career opportunities in high-growth sectors like fintech, digital payments, and renewable energy, where Lagos remains the undisputed hub for West African operations.
The main factor causing some expats to leave Lagos recently is the rising cost of living combined with currency volatility, where naira devaluation has made local salaries less attractive while dollar-linked costs for housing and schooling remain high.
Compared to similar destinations in the region like Accra (Ghana) or Nairobi (Kenya), Lagos remains more challenging for daily life but offers unmatched business density and deal flow, which keeps it attractive for career-focused expats despite the friction.
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What paperwork do I need to move to Lagos in 2026?
What visa options are popular in Lagos in 2026?
As of early 2026, the three most popular visa types for expats moving to Lagos are the Subject to Regularization (STR) visa for employment, the Business Visa for short-term visits, and the Temporary Work Permit (TWP) for technical assignments under 90 days.
The most commonly used expat visa in Lagos is the STR visa, which requires a job offer from a Nigerian employer, an approved expatriate quota position, and sponsorship by the company, followed by regularization into a CERPAC (Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card) within 90 days of arrival.
Nigeria does not currently offer a dedicated digital nomad visa or remote worker visa, so foreigners wishing to work remotely from Lagos typically need to enter on a business visa for short stays or secure employment-based authorization for longer periods.
The STR visa is typically valid for 90 days upon entry, during which the holder must apply for a CERPAC, which is then valid for one to two years and renewable through the employer; the renewal process has moved fully online as of August 2025.
How long does it take to get residency in Lagos in 2026?
As of early 2026, the typical processing time to obtain a CERPAC (Nigeria's residence permit) through employer sponsorship is 6 to 12 weeks in straightforward cases, but it can extend to 3 to 4 months if documentation issues or appointment bottlenecks occur.
Common factors that can delay the residency application process in Lagos include incomplete documentation, delays in expatriate quota approval from the Ministry of Interior, biometric appointment backlogs, and the transition to the fully digital e-CERPAC system which launched in August 2025.
To become eligible for permanent residency in Nigeria, an expat must typically live and work in the country for at least 10 to 15 years of continuous legal residence, though in late 2025 Nigeria introduced a new indefinite "Brown CERPAC" for certain categories including foreign investors, experts in STEM fields, and spouses of Nigerian citizens.
We created this infographic to give you a simple idea of how much it costs to buy property in different parts of Nigeria. As you can see, it breaks down price ranges and property types for popular cities in the country. We hope this makes it easier to explore your options and understand the market.
How hard is it to find a job in Lagos in 2026?
Which industries are hiring the most in Lagos in 2026?
As of early 2026, the top three industries hiring the most in Lagos are fintech and digital payments, banking and financial services, and telecommunications, with strong demand also in FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods), energy, and logistics.
It is realistic for expats to get hired in Lagos without speaking the local language because English is the official business language, and most corporate, tech, and professional roles operate entirely in English; however, some familiarity with Pidgin English or Yoruba can help with networking and operations-level roles.
The types of roles most accessible to foreign job seekers in Lagos are senior management positions, specialized technical roles (data science, software engineering, renewable energy), financial services leadership, and positions that require international experience or scarce certifications that are hard to source locally.
What salary ranges are common for expats in Lagos in 2026?
As of early 2026, the typical salary range for expats working in Lagos is 3 million to 15 million naira net per month (roughly 1,800 to 9,000 USD or 1,700 to 8,500 EUR), with significant variation based on seniority, industry, and whether housing and schooling are included in the package.
Entry-level to mid-level expat positions in Lagos typically offer 3 million to 7 million naira net per month (approximately 1,800 to 4,200 USD or 1,700 to 4,000 EUR), though many companies supplement this with housing allowances, transport, and health insurance.
Senior or specialized expat roles in Lagos, such as country managers, CFOs, or technical directors, can command 10 million to 20 million naira net per month or more (roughly 6,000 to 12,000 USD or 5,600 to 11,300 EUR), often with full packages including housing, driver, schooling, and hardship allowances.
Employers in Lagos commonly sponsor work visas for foreign hires, especially multinational corporations, large Nigerian banks, telecoms, and fintech companies, though smaller startups may prefer candidates who already have the right to work in Nigeria.
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What's daily life really like for expats in Lagos right now?
What do expats love most about living in Lagos right now?
Expats in Lagos most commonly love the energy and pace of opportunity, the vibrant social scene with excellent restaurants and nightlife, and the density of ambitious, talented professionals who make networking feel dynamic and rewarding.
The lifestyle benefit most frequently praised by expats in Lagos is the sense of being at the center of African business and innovation, where you can meet founders, investors, and executives in sectors like fintech and consumer goods that are genuinely shaping the continent's future.
The practical advantage expats appreciate most in Lagos is the availability of affordable household help, including drivers, cooks, and housekeepers, which frees up time that would otherwise be lost to daily tasks and makes managing a busy work life more sustainable.
The social and cultural aspect that makes Lagos particularly enjoyable for expats is the warmth and hospitality of Nigerians, combined with a rich cultural scene that includes Afrobeats music, contemporary art galleries, and beach clubs that create a sense of community and celebration.
What do expats dislike most about life in Lagos right now?
The top complaints expats have about living in Lagos are the extreme traffic congestion that can consume three to four hours a day, the unreliable public power supply that forces reliance on expensive generators, and the general sense of unpredictability in day-to-day logistics.
The daily inconvenience that frustrates expats the most in Lagos is traffic, specifically the fact that a 10-kilometer journey can take over an hour during peak times, which makes planning meetings, school pickups, and social events feel like a logistical battle.
The bureaucratic issue that causes the most headaches for expats in Lagos is the "follow-up culture" required for almost any official process, where documents, permits, and approvals often require persistent personal visits, phone calls, and relationship management to move forward.
These common frustrations are generally manageable rather than deal-breakers for most expats in Lagos, especially those who plan strategically, live close to work, and accept that some friction is simply the cost of operating in a high-opportunity frontier market.
What are the biggest culture shocks in Lagos right now?
The biggest culture shocks expats experience when moving to Lagos include the intensity of traffic that forces you to plan your entire day around commutes, the normalization of paying for your own electricity through generators and inverters, and the directness of Nigerian communication style which can feel blunt at first.
The social norm that surprises newcomers the most in Lagos is the "service stack" expectation, where having a driver, housekeeper, and sometimes a security guard is not a luxury but a practical necessity that most middle-class and expat households maintain as standard.
The aspect of daily routines that takes the longest for expats to adjust to in Lagos is the flexible relationship with time, where meetings often start late, plans shift without notice, and building relationships through extended conversations is valued more than rigid scheduling.
We made this infographic to show you how property prices in Nigeria compare to other big cities across the region. It breaks down the average price per square meter in city centers, so you can see how cities stack up. It’s an easy way to spot where you might get the best value for your money. We hope you like it.
Can I buy a home as a foreigner in Lagos in 2026?
Can foreigners legally own property in Lagos in 2026?
As of early 2026, foreigners can legally acquire property interests in Lagos, but ownership is structured under Nigeria's Land Use Act of 1978, which vests all land in the state governor and grants rights through statutory allocation rather than absolute freehold ownership.
The specific restriction that applies to foreigners buying property in Lagos is the requirement to obtain Governor's Consent for any land transaction, which is a legal step that formalizes the transfer and "perfects" the title; without this, buyers can pay in full but still lack enforceable ownership.
Foreigners in Lagos can purchase apartments, houses, and commercial properties, and they typically acquire long leasehold interests (often 99 years) or ownership of structures on properly titled land; outright land ownership is rare for non-citizens and requires additional approvals.
By the way, we've written a blog article detailing the whole property buying process for foreigners in Lagos.
What is the average price per m² in Lagos in 2026?
As of early 2026, the average price per square meter for residential property in Lagos ranges from approximately 1.5 million to 8 million naira (roughly 900 to 4,800 USD or 850 to 4,500 EUR per m²), with prime areas like Ikoyi, Banana Island, and Eko Atlantic City at the high end and Mainland locations like Ikeja GRA at the lower end.
Property prices in Lagos have trended upward over the past two to three years in naira terms, driven by inflation, FX volatility, and strong demand in prime locations, though in dollar terms prices have been more stable as naira devaluation has offset nominal gains.
Also, you'll find our latest property market analysis about Lagos here.
Do banks give mortgages to foreigners in Lagos in 2026?
As of early 2026, mortgages for foreigners in Lagos are limited and difficult to obtain, as most Nigerian banks have stringent requirements for non-citizens and prefer borrowers with stable local income and strong documentation.
Banks in Nigeria that are known to potentially offer mortgages to foreigners or diaspora buyers include Access Bank (through their diaspora mortgage program), Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (for Nigerians abroad), and some primary mortgage banks like LBIC Mortgage Bank, though foreigners without Nigerian ties face more hurdles.
Typical mortgage conditions for foreigners in Lagos include down payments of 30% to 50% of the property value, interest rates in the 20% to 30% per year range (reflecting Nigeria's high policy rate of 27% as of late 2025), and maximum loan terms of 10 to 15 years.
To qualify for a mortgage in Lagos, foreigners typically need proof of stable income, a valid residence permit (CERPAC), a Nigerian Tax Identification Number (TIN), bank statements, and often a substantial naira deposit history; many expats choose to buy with cash or offshore financing instead.
You can also read our latest update about mortgage and interest rates in Nigeria.
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What sources have we used to write this blog article?
Whether it's in our blog articles or the market analyses included in our property pack about Lagos, we always rely on the strongest methodology we can … and we don't throw out numbers at random.
We also aim to be fully transparent, so below we've listed the authoritative sources we used, and explained how we used them and the methods behind our estimates.
| Source | Why it's authoritative | How we used it |
|---|---|---|
| Nigeria National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) | Nigeria's official statistics agency for inflation and economic data. | We used it to anchor cost-of-living context to official CPI figures. We cross-checked it with private sector reports to avoid single-source bias. |
| Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) | The monetary authority and primary source for FX and interest rates. | We used it to frame currency volatility and mortgage rate context. We triangulated CBN data with market reports for practical guidance. |
| Knight Frank Lagos Market Update | A top-tier global real estate firm with formal research methodology. | We used it to ground housing costs and market trends in professional analysis. We converted their insights into practical budget guidance for 2026. |
| Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) | The statutory authority for visas, permits, and residency documentation. | We used it to structure the visa section around official categories. We verified timelines against how employers actually sponsor permits. |
| UK FCDO Travel Advice | A government risk assessment updated as conditions change. | We used it as a baseline for the safety section. We localized the guidance to specific Lagos neighborhoods for practical relevance. |
| U.S. State Department Travel Advisory | An independent government risk lens that is frequently refreshed. | We used it to cross-check safety concerns relevant to expats. We combined it with Lagos-specific data for balanced guidance. |
| Nigeria Property Centre | A large listings marketplace publishing consistent locality-level data. | We used it to translate market trends into concrete rent and price anchors. We converted those anchors into monthly budgets and salary estimates. |
| Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) | A Lagos government agency with official PAYE tax information. | We used it to cite the PAYE bracket structure in readable form. We computed effective tax rates for typical expat salary levels. |
| American International School of Lagos (AISL) | A primary source for one of Lagos's flagship international schools. | We used it to ground school fee estimates in direct, published numbers. We cross-checked with other schools to avoid treating one as the market. |
| Euracare Hospital Lagos | A primary source for a well-known private provider expats use. | We used it to identify credible healthcare options and service positioning. We paired it with fee data from healthcare directories for cost estimates. |
We have made this infographic to give you a quick and clear snapshot of the property market in Nigeria. It highlights key facts like rental prices, yields, and property costs both in city centers and outside, so you can easily compare opportunities. We’ve done some research and also included useful insights about the country’s economy, like GDP, population, and interest rates, to help you understand the bigger picture.
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