Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
St Kitts and Nevis run one of the most successful citizenship by investment programs in the world.
The islands bob on the blue Caribbean Sea about 600 miles from the Venezuelan capital Caracas.
Both are known for their wondrous mountain landscapes, with the peaks often mysteriously shrouded in mist – but don’t forget the pristine, palm-fringed beaches and friendly welcome for visitors.
St Kitts and Nevis also focus on the reality of being a former colony. Both islands are scattered with plantation houses – some refurbished and serving as bed-and-breakfast accommodation, while others stand ruined as a reminder of what life was once like.
Table of contents
St Kitts is the largest of the two islands, with a skyline dominated by Mount Liamuiga, a vast dormant volcano with a lake-filled crater. Much of the island is a hiker or wildlife lover’s paradise of ancient rainforest populated by monkeys and brightly coloured birds.
The islands have a population of around 50,000, including around a thousand British expats.
However, measuring just 100 square miles, St Kitts and Nevis is the smallest sovereign state in the world.
The official language is English, although a local Creole dialect is also spoken.
Travelling to and from the capital Basseterre is easy as an international airport serves the city with direct flights to the UK and USA. London is around 10 hours of flying time from the capital.
No Tax For Expats
The good news for expats planning to move to St Kitts and Nevis is there is no personal income tax on income, dividends, interest or royalties.
But income tax is charged at the rate of 15 per cent on non-residents.
Some property taxes are levied at 0.2 – 0.3 per cent on the market value of homes and other properties, while the seller pays stamp duty at between six and 10 per cent.
The islands do not charge any capital gains tax or inheritance tax.
The islands are an attractive zero-tax zone for wealthy digital nomad expats seeking to run their businesses from a tax haven – although be warned St Kitts and Nevis files tax reports under the US Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FACTA) and the Common Reporting Standard (CRS).
St Kitts And Nevis Citizenship By Investment Options
St Kitts and Nevis have operated a citizenship by investment program since 1984. Many expats regard the scheme as the best in the world.
The scheme is a quid pro quo arrangement – an investor contributes at least US$125,000 and, in return, is granted:
- A St. Kitts and Nevis passport allowing visa-free or visa-on-arrival travel to 156 destinations, including the UK and Europe’s Schengen Zone
- Passing down citizenship by descent to future generations
- Families are welcomed, including spouses, children aged up to 31 years, parents, grandparents aged 55 and over, unmarried dependent siblings under 31 with no children, and the chance to add other dependents once citizenship is granted.
- Dual citizenship is accepted
- No minimum stay is required to qualify for citizenship
Citizenship By Investment Conditions
Until June 30, 2023:
The St Kitts and Nevis government is offering a discount on non-refundable investments until June 30. Until then, the investment options are:
- US$125,000 for the main applicant
- US$150,000 for the main applicant and their spouse
- US$170,000 for the main applicant, spouse, and two dependants
- US$10,000 for each additional dependent under 18 years old
- US$25,000 for each additional dependent over 18 years old
From July 1, 2023
From July 1, 2023, the investment ratchets up to:
- US$150,000 for the main applicant
- US$175,000 for the main applicant and their spouse
- US$195,000 for the main applicant, spouse, and two dependants
- US$10,000 for each additional dependent under 18 years old
- US$25,000 for each additional dependent over 18 years old
Additional investment options
Instead of the family investment, expats can also choose to:
- Make a non-refundable contribution of US$175,000 for the public good
- Buy real estate valued at US$200,000 or more on an approved development or pay US$400,000 for an approved private home. Both options allow resale after seven years.
Need Help with your Finances?
Becoming A St Kitts And Nevis Citizen
The citizenship by investment program takes three to six months to process, although a fast-track application can take this time down to 30 to 60 days at extra cost.
One benefit of the scheme is no minimum stay is expected to qualify for a passport, and St Kitts and Nevis has no issues with expats retaining dual nationality.
St Kitts And Nevis Cost Of Living
The cost of living in St Kitts and Nevis is moderate compared to a world city like London or New York.
The price of restaurant meals varies – from a cheap snack for two costing around US$12 to US$100 for a candlelit three-course dinner.
Renting a one-bedroomed city centre apartment costs around US$670 a month, while living in the suburbs is around half that price.
Buying a property is cheap compared with the UK – a massive 12-bedroom serviced apartment comes in at US$990,000, while numerous three or four-bedroomed detached properties are available for between US$500,000 and US$1 million.
View St Kitts and Nevis properties for sale on Rightmove
St Kitts And Nevis Citizenship By Investment Faq
Frequently asked questions about St Kitts and Nevis and their citizenship by investment program.
St Kitts is short for St Christopher, from Christopher Columbus, the first European to visit the islands. He is credited with naming the larger island of San Christobal after the saint.
Nevis is a contraction of the Spanish for Our Lady of the Snows (Nieves).
Basseterre, on St Kitts, is the capital, with a population of around 14,000.
St Kitts and Nevis has two international airports. The main one, Robert Bradshaw International, is on St Kitts and has flights to South America, North America and Europe. The other, Vance Amory International, is on Nevis and flies shorter routes to South America and the Caribbean.
No. St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment program has no conditions setting a minimum stay.
The island’s economy is dominated by tourism. Other active sectors include agriculture and light manufacturing. Sugar was the dominant crop, but has dropped away.
Related Information
Below is a list of related articles you may find of interest.
