Guide to buying property in St Maarten − Netherlands Antilles

 

Can a foreigner buy land or property? Yes

Do I need a residency permit? Yes:
a) Non working permit − proof of sufficient income from abroad
b) Working residence − for those forming a business on the island
c) Visiting vacation − 90 day permit

Is a Lawyer required?
No, a Civil Law Notary acts for both parties, and does a title search to obtain a clear transfer of title

Is a deposit required?
Yes, it is customary to pay 10% held in escrow by the Notary pending closing

How long does the transaction take?
No time limit, usually within days

Are there any property taxes to pay?
None payable in St Maarten

Will the Seller have to pay Capital Gains Tax?
None payable in St Maarten

What sort of fees will the Buyer have to pay?
Notary fees of 1−2% Transfer tax of 4% Registration tax − minimal

Will the documents be in English? Yes

Guide to buying property in St Martin − French West Indies

 

Can a foreigner buy land or property? Yes

Do I need a residency permit?
Not for an EU citizen.

A non French or non EU person needs consent to live in French West Indies. The process takes about 3 months and includes full background, economic and citizenship checks, registration with the Government, health checks and proof of income if you are planning to live and retire to French territory.

Is a Lawyer required?
No, there will be a Notary appointed by the Government whose function is to ensure the transaction is done legally. The Notary also carries out searches to ensure clear title. The Buyer may wish to appoint a Lawyer to explain the procedures involved and also regarding succession laws which are complex.

Is a deposit required?
Yes, it is customary to pay 10% which is held in escrow by the Notary pending closing

How long does the transaction take?
At least 3 months. If the property is more than 2.47 acres additional consent is required from the Government stating the land is not to be preserved for special or agricultural purposes, so can take much longer.

Are there any property taxes to pay?
Yes an annual property tax, and also an annual living tax

Will the Seller have to pay Capital Gains Tax?
Yes

What sort of fees will the Buyer have to pay?
Notary fees of approx. 6%
Transfer tax and Registration tax − 7.5%

Will the documents be in English? No

Guide to buying property in St Eustatia − Netherlands Antilles

 

Can a foreigner buy land or property? Yes

Do I need a residency permit? Yes:

a) Non working permit − proof of sufficient income from abroad
b) Working residence − for those forming a business on the island
c) Visiting vacation − 90 day permit

 

 

Is a Lawyer required?
No, a Civil Law Notary acts for both parties, and does a title search to obtain a clear transfer of title

Is a deposit required?
Yes, it is customary to pay 10% held in escrow by the Notary pending closing

How long does the transaction take?
No time limit, usually within days

Are there any property taxes to pay?
None payable in St Eustatia

Will the Seller have to pay Capital Gains Tax?
None payable in St Eustatia

What sort of fees will the Buyer have to pay?
Notary fees of 1−2%
Transfer tax of 4%
Registration tax − minimal

Will the documents be in English? Yes

Guide to buying property in Saba − Netherlands Antilles

 

Can a foreigner buy land or property? Yes

Do I need a residency permit? Yes:
a) Non working permit − proof of sufficient income from abroad
b) Working residence − for those forming a business on the island
c) Visiting vacation − 90 day permit

Is a Lawyer required?
No, a Civil Law Notary acts for both parties, and does a title search to obtain a clear transfer of title

Is a deposit required?
Yes, it is customary to pay 10% held in escrow by the Notary pending closing

How long does the transaction take?
No time limit, usually within days

Are there any property taxes to pay?
None payable in Saba

Will the Seller have to pay Capital Gains Tax?
None payable in Saba

What sort of fees will the Buyer have to pay?
Notary fees of 1−2%
Transfer tax of 4%
Registration tax − minimal

Will the documents be in English?Yes

Guide to buying property in St Kitts

 

Can a foreigner buy land or property?
An Alien Land Holding License is required

Do I need a residency permit?
a) With an Alien Land HolderÕs License, or
b) With an Economic Citizen Program requiring an investment in land of at least $350,000 plus $35,000 for first person and $15,000 for each additional person

Is a Lawyer required?Yes

Is a deposit required?
Yes, it is customary to pay 10% held in escrow by the Lawyer pending closing

How long does the transaction take?
Two to four months approximately

Are there any property taxes to pay?
Stamp Duty of 6% payable by the Buyer
Annual property tax approx. $2,000

Will the Seller have to pay Capital Gains Tax?
None payable in St Kitts

What sort of fees will the Buyer have to pay?
Legal fees of 1−2.5%

Alien Land Holding Licence − 10%
Land Assurance Fund − 0.50%

Will the documents be in English?Yes

Guide to buying property in Nevis

 

Can a foreigner buy land or property?
An Alien Land Holding License is required

Do I need a residency permit?
a) With an Alien Land HolderÕs License, or b) With an Economic Citizen Program requiring an investment in land of at least $350,000 plus $35,000 for first person and $15,000 for each additional person

Is a Lawyer required?Yes

Is a deposit required? Yes,
it is customary to pay 10% held in escrow by the Lawyer pending closing

How long does the transaction take?
Two to four months approximately

Are there any property taxes to pay?
Stamp Duty of 6% payable by the Buyer
Annual property tax approx. $2,000

Will the Seller have to pay Capital Gains Tax?
None payable in Nevis

What sort of fees will the Buyer have to pay?
Legal fees of 1−2.5%
Alien Land Holding Licence − 10%
Land Assurance Fund − 0.50%

Will the documents be in English?Yes

Guide to buying property in Antigua and Barbuda

 

Can a foreigner buy land or property?
A non Citizens Land Holding License is required

Do I need a residency permit?
A non Citizens Land Holding License is required which takes about 3 − 6 months to obtain
Otherwise 3−6 months temporary visa

Is a Lawyer required?Yes

Is a deposit required?Yes,
it is customary to pay 10% held in escrow by the Lawyer pending closing

How long does the transaction take?
Six months approximately

Are there any property taxes to pay?
Stamp Duty of 2.5% payable by the Buyer

Stamp Duty of 7% payable by the Seller
$20,000 Annual levy for residency

Will the Seller have to pay Capital Gains Tax?
None payable in Antigua and Barbuda

What sort of fees will the Buyer have to pay?
Legal fees of 1−2.0%
Non Citizens Licence − 5%

Will the documents be in English Yes

Guide to buying property in St Vincent and the Grenadines

 

Can a foreigner buy land or property?
An Alien Land Holding License is required

Do I need a residency permit?
An Alien Land Holding License is required which takes about 10 − 14 weeks to obtain. Also apply for Residency Permit afterwards − generally granted.
Otherwise 1 − 3 months temporary visa

Is a Lawyer required?Yes

Is a deposit required? Yes,
it is customary to pay 10% held in escrow by the Lawyer pending closing

How long does the transaction take?
Three months approximately

Are there any property taxes to pay?
Stamp Duty of 5% payable by the Buyer
Stamp Duty of 5% payable by the Seller
Annual levy of $6,750 for Alien Landholding Licence

Will the Seller have to pay Capital Gains Tax?
None payable in St Vincent & The Grenadines

What sort of fees will the Buyer have to pay?
Legal fees of 1.5 − 2.0%
Alien Landholding Licence − 10%
Registration fee 0.25%
Residency application $709

Will the documents be in English? Yes

Guide to buying property in Grenada

 

Can a foreigner buy land or property?
An Alien Land Holding License is required

Do I need a residency permit?
An Alien Land Holding License is required which takes about 3 months to obtain. Also apply for Residency after 5 years
Otherwise 1 − 3 months temporary visa

Is a Lawyer required?
Yes

Is a deposit required?
Yes, it is customary to pay 10% held in escrow by the Lawyer pending closing

How long does the transaction take?
Three to four months approximately

Are there any property taxes to pay?
Stamp Duty of 1% payable by the Buyer
Property Transfer Tax of 10% payable by the Buyer
Property Transfer Tax of 15% payable by the Seller
Annual levy of $750 for Alien Landholding Licence

Will the Seller have to pay Capital Gains Tax?
None payable in Grenada

What sort of fees will the Buyer have to pay?
Legal fees of 2.0%
Alien Landholding Licence − 10%

Will the documents be in English? Yes