The clocks are changing, and we batten down the hatches for another long, grey British winter.
Over in the Caribbean it’s quite the opposite, with the onset of peak season seeing beachfront bars and restaurants open again, ready for the rush.
It isn’t just half-term holiday tourists heading there either – it’s remote workers and second-home owners who are taking advantage of the islands’ digital nomad visas, new fibre broadband networks, and that laid-back lifestyle with endless sunshine.
As tax rules have been changing in the UK, we’ve seen an uptick in search enquiries on aplaceinthesun.com, with Antigua and Saint Lucia especially on the rise, but also for the less developed islands of St Kitts & Nevis and Dominica.
It is perhaps no coincidence that all four nations offer relatively low-entry ‘golden passport’ schemes that will sell you citizenship in return for buying a property or investing locally.
So why might they appeal?
Antigua & Barbuda
The yachting capital of the Caribbean is less expensive than Barbados but has the advantage of being reached by direct flights from the UK (around nine hours).
This Commonwealth island is also very Anglo-friendly – although equally popular with North Americans – and the yachting hubs of Falmouth, English and Jolly Harbours are good for longer-term living.
There’s a digital nomad visa (minimum income USD 50,000 per year), or there’s the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) scheme that offers visa-free travel to 150 countries.
You must invest at least USD 230,000 through a contribution to the National Development Fund, or a real estate investment of USD 300,000 (on an approved project), or you can buy a business.
There are no taxes on wealth, inheritance, or capital gains on global income. Foreigners need to pay for an Alien Landholding Licence to buy property (5–7%), but those who buy through the CBI do not pay it.
You can find properties for £200,000–£300,000, such as a two-bedroom townhouse on a popular marina development.
Saint Lucia
Dramatic natural beauty, friendly locals, direct flights to the UK and fibre-optic broadband all draw people to Saint Lucia. Sailing, golf, and wellness retreats are also popular.
St Lucia offers a one-year digital nomad visa (there is no minimum income), plus there’s also the golden passport (CIP) offering visa-free travel to 151 countries.
There are four different ways you can invest for citizenship, with the lowest requiring USD 240,000, although the real estate investment route requires USD 300,000. Non-citizens pay a 10% transfer tax on property.
The highest personal income tax rate is 30%. There are no inheritance, wealth, or capital gains taxes.
Expats tend to live in Rodney Bay, Marigot Bay, Cap Estate, Vieux Fort and Soufrière, and it’s possible to find a high-quality two-bedroom on a gated development for less than £200,000, or a two-bedroom townhouse in Rodney Bay for £330,000.
Dominica
Like Saint Lucia, Dominica is loved for its natural beauty but is a quieter and smaller island – there are no direct flights from the UK, with most routes via Antigua.
It has a popular Citizenship through Investment scheme, requiring investment of at least USD 200,000, giving visa-free access to 140 countries. This can be in the form of a donation to the island, or a real estate investment of USD 200,000.
You can find a four-bedroom traditional house with wraparound veranda for £230,000.
St Kitts & Nevis
Also less developed than Barbados, Antigua, and Saint Lucia, St Kitts and its tiny sister island of Nevis have a highly popular golden passport programme and an attractive tax regime.
Citizenship requires an investment of USD 250,000, or you can purchase a property for USD 325,000.
There is no direct taxation in St Kitts & Nevis: citizens are not subject to personal income tax, estate duty, inheritance, succession or gift taxes.
Property is very affordable outside the tourist hubs such as Frigate Bay, but properties must be approved as suitable for investment through the citizenship programme. You can find a three-bedroom, three-bath condo in Frigate Bay with sea views that is approved as such, for less than £350,000.
Ready to Start Your Caribbean Property Journey?
Whether you’re dreaming of island life full-time or searching for the perfect winter retreat, there’s never been a better time to explore your options in the Caribbean. From tax benefits to digital nomad visas, the region offers a lifestyle that’s hard to beat.
