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Living in Antigua and Barbuda is an attractive option not only for job seekers but also for investors. Imagine moving to a country that has a favorable tax system, a growing economy, and an affordable cost of living. Moreover! It offers a nice climate and several options to get residency or citizenship there. But what are the things you need to know before residing there? Are there any tricks or must-know facts?
In this article, we’ll cover everything: the pros and cons of living in Antigua and Barbuda, residency and citizenship programs, tips to plan your healthcare and education, and more.
- There are several benefits of living in Antigua and Barbuda: a favorable tax system, citizenship by investment program, a growing real estate market, and a nice climate.
- The main residency programs for Antigua and Barbuda are the tax residency program and the digital nomad residency program.
- The main options to acquire citizenship in Antigua and Barbuda are citizenship by descent, citizenship by marriage, citizenship by naturalization, and citizenship by investment.
- Before moving to Antigua and Barbuda, you need to research their housing market and plan your accommodation, plan your healthcare needs, review education options for your children, and plan your budget.
Why Move to Antigua and Barbuda?
Moving to Antigua and Barbuda gives many benefits. The most remarkable ones include:
Favorable Tax System
Living in Antigua is beneficial because there are no capital gains, inheritance, or wealth taxes. Thanks to this, the country is very attractive for expats.
Citizenship By Investment Program
The country offers a widely known citizenship-by-investment program, which is specifically designed for investors, who, in exchange for a financial contribution, will be granted citizenship.
Growing Real Estate Market
Investing in the real estate market is one of the options for getting an Antigua and Barbuda passport, which ranks 27th in the world. In 2023, there were 930,000 visitors in Antigua and Barbuda, which is 43% more than during the previous year. Considering the high interest among tourists, investing in real estate and then renting it may give you high returns.
Fancy Beaches and Nice Climate
It’s often said that Antigua and Barbuda have 365 beaches: one beach for each day of the year. Besides being a paradise for beach lovers, the weather here is warm and tropical, suggesting a more relaxed lifestyle.
Residency and Citizenship by Investment Programs
There are several programs for those who want to acquire a residency in Antigua and Barbuda. Let’s discuss each of them:
Tax Residency Program
For this program, you don’t need to permanently reside in Antigua and Barbuda. All you need to do is:
- Have a residential address in Antigua and Barbuda
- Spend at least 30 days of the year in the country
- Have at least $100,000 yearly income
- Pay a flat tax of $20,000 per year
The required documents for this program are:
- Passport-size photo
- Valid passport
- Medical Insurance
- Clear Criminal Records
- Proof of annual salary of at least $100,000
- $20,000 annual tax receipt
Digital Nomad Program
The digital nomad residency program is designed for those who want to have Antigua and Barbuda residency while working remotely. To be eligible for the program, freelancers and remote workers need to:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have remote work outside of Antigua and Barbuda
- Have an annual salary of at least $50,000
- Have a clean criminal record
The required documents for this program are:
- Passport-size Photo
- Valid Passport
- Medical Insurance
- Clean Criminal Records
- Proof of annual salary of at least $50,000
As for getting citizenship, there are 4 main options:
- Citizenship by Descent
- Citizenship by Marriage
- Citizenship by Naturalisation
- Citizenship by Investment
Let’s discuss the last one - citizenship by investment.
There are 4 main investment options:
- Non-refundable Contribution to National Development Fund: The applicant should invest in industries like healthcare, education, and agriculture with at least $230,000.
- Non-refundable Donation to a Higher Educational Institution: The investor is required to have at least 5 family members with him/her in the application. All the applicants need to make at least $260,000 donation together.
- Property Investment: The applicant needs to invest at least $300,000 in real estate. It’s important to buy the property from the list of government-approved real estate․
- Business Investment: As an investor, the applicant has 2 main options to make a business investment. Either he/she can at least spend $1.5 million to develop a company in Antigua and Barbuda or make a group investment of at least $5 million, where each investor can invest at least $400,000.
Each of these options comes with a different range of additional costs and fees like processing fees and due diligence. You can learn more about the expenses from here.
After finding the perfect option for you, you’ll need to make sure you are eligible to submit an application. Here are the criteria you need to meet:
- Be at least 18 years old,
- Have a clean criminal record,
- Have proof of sufficient funds,
- Have no serious illness,
- If you are the main applicant and you’re married, your spouse needs to have no criminal records,
- For the children, there’s no age limitation if they have mental or physical incapabilities and are fully supported by you,
- The parents or grandparents need to be at least 55 years old, and fully dependent on you. They also don’t have any age limitations if they have mental or physical incapabilities and are fully supported by you,
- Siblings need to be unmarried and have parents’ or guardian’s consent if under 18.
Schedule your free consultation today and secure your future!
Prepare for Housing and Accommodation
Before starting living in Antigua and Barbuda, you need to research the accommodation. Are you planning to stay in a hotel? Or do you prefer renting? Or maybe it’d be better if you bought your own apartment? Plan how long you wanna stay there because renting and buying are beneficial for long-term commitments. Make sure you’ve calculated all the costs starting from food and ending with utility bills.
When searching for a property, make sure it meets all your needs. Consider a nearby school, supermarkets, and a good transportation system, if needed.
If your new home is unfurnished, research furniture and appliances. Consider the costs and logistics before buying.
It’s recommended to consult with a real estate agent first. They’ll understand your needs and help you find the right place. Moreover, they’ll also introduce you to the legal aspects every foreign buyer should know.
Plan Your Healthcare Needs
Before starting to live in Antigua and Barbuda, you need to plan your healthcare needs. The country comes with both public and private healthcare facilities, including the Mount St. John’s Medical Centre, which is the main hospital on the island. Surely the public healthcare system will assist you if needed. However, it’s recommended to opt for private insurance that’ll come with higher quality services and shorter wait times.
Make sure the healthcare costs fit your budget. Public healthcare may be free but you’ll still need to pay for doctors or prescriptions.
Before moving to a new country, it’s always advisable to go through a general health check. This ensures that you are in good health and decreases the chance that you’ll need immediate medical attention right after you land.
If you or your family members have specialized medical needs, research and make sure the city you relocate to offers the necessary services. Don’t forget to carry copies of your medical records, including vaccination history,
Review Education Options for Expat Children
Antigua and Barbuda has both local and international schools and universities, many of which follow either American or British curricula, making sure the education there is similar to what your children got in their hometown. What you need to do as a parent is:
- Check if the school has an accreditation system. This means that the school will follow high standards and if in the future you need to relocate again, your child’s education will be transferable.
- Take into account the schools that are near your accommodation.
- Assess the class sizes. I’d suggest looking for classes that aren’t very big so that your child gets a personalized approach.
- Once you have the preferred schools, visit them to gain a firsthand impression of their environment.
- Review the requirements like entrance exams, documents, and interviews.
- Plan school fees.
Budget for the Cost of Living
Numbeo states that the cost of living for a single person living in Antigua and Barbuda is $1,100 without the rental expenses. The monthly costs for a family of 4 are $3,900. Here are some points that’ll help you better understand the costs in this country:
- Meal for a single person in an inexpensive restaurant is $9-10
- A one-way ticket for a local transport is $1.39
- Riding 1km in Taxi usually costs $5.65
- The basic utilities (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for an 85 sq meter apartment is $290
- Mobile phone monthly plan including calls and 10GB+ Data costs $40.15
- The monthly cost of a fitness club subscription is $68
- The rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center is $1,740
Organize Employment and Business Opportunities
Tourism is currently on the rise in Antigua and Barbuda. Thanks to that, high-demand jobs in hotels, resorts, restaurants, tour operations, water sports, and cruise services. The government tries to create diversification by creating jobs in sectors like education, healthcare, and public administration.
Construction is also on the top.
The country has a business-friendly environment, including tax incentives and a smooth registration process. Tourism-specific industries like eco-tours, boutique hotels, and yacht charters are full of high ROI potential.
Understand Transportation in Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda has both public and private transport regulation systems. Buses work based on the predefined schedule from 5.30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The government also regulates taxi services, preferring fixed fares over a metered system.
If you prefer driving a car on your own, all you need to do is provide your driver’s license from your hometown and get a temporary driver’s license from Antigua. This can be easily done through car rental agencies.
Gather the Required Documents
Here’s a list of documents you’ll need while living in Antigua and Barbuda:
- Identification document: Make sure you take your passport or ID with you. Additionally, other documents like a driver’s license may be needed.
- Visa and Residency Permits: Depending on the purpose and duration of your stay, you need to research the required documents and prepare them as well.
- Birth Certificate: If you relocate with your family, don’t forget to take birth certificates with you.
- Marriage Certificate: This may be useful in cases like applying for citizenship or registering your children to school.
- Work permits or employment contracts: In the country, you’ll need to prove your qualifications and show proof of a work permit or employment contract.
- Property Documents: If you plan to buy or rent a property in Antigua and Barbuda, research the necessary documents and have them with you.
- Health and Medical Records: While staying in a new country, it’s possible that you’ll need to go to a doctor. To make sure you receive a high-quality service, take your health and medical records with you and hand them to your new doctor.
- Proof of Insurance: As we’ve already mentioned before, there are 2 types of insurance in Antigua and Barbuda: public and private. Compare the pros and cons of each and make your decision.
- Educational Records: If you have children, bring their school records, including transcripts, diplomas, and vaccination records, for enrollment in a new school.
- Financial Statements: While applying for a residency or opening a bank account, you may need to prove your financial stability.
- Police Clearance Certificate: Acquiring an Antigua and Barbuda residency permit requires a clean criminal record.
How Mirabello Consultancy Can Help You Move to Antigua and Barbuda
As a specialized consultancy, Mirabello will be ready to help you from A to Z. Our agents will first learn your needs, then based on that create a specialized strategy of how you can move to Antigua and Barbuda. After learning whether you meet the eligibility criteria or not, we’ll help you prepare all the necessary documents and apply for residency or citizenship. During that, we’ll also ensure you calculate your costs and plan your budget in the correct way. With our guidance, you’ll learn how to do tax and financial planning, review education options, and coordinate healthcare needs.
In this article, we’ve explored the main advantages of living in Antigua and Barbuda, gave some tips about finding the perfect accommodation, planning your healthcare needs, and reviewing the education options. We’ve also helped you calculate the cost of living in Antigua and Barbuda, listed the main options to acquire citizenship, and clarified how our consultancy can help you simplify the whole process.
FAQ
The easiest way for moving to Antigua and Barbuda is to acquire citizenship through an investment program.
There are 4 main options to acquire citizenship by investment. You either need to make a non-refundable contribution to the national development fund, or to a higher educational institution, make a property investment or a business investment. However, the most affordable one is the national development fund contribution, which needs to be at least $230,000.
Yes, your family members can join you as dependents and move with you to Antigua and Barbuda.
Depending on which option you choose to get citizenship (marriage, naturalization, investment, etc.), the amount of time needed to get it will vary. Naturalization takes the longest - 7 years. For the citizenship by investment program, it’ll take up to one year.
