Buying an apartment in St Kitts and Nevis in 2026
A regular foreign buyer pays 10% of the price for an alien landholding licence, while a citizenship programme buyer is exempt. A share in an approved project from $325,000, a private home from $600,000, held for 7 years.
In short
- The landholding licence for a foreigner costs 10% of the price; it is not needed under the citizenship programme.
- Citizenship through property: a share in an approved project from $325,000, a private home from $600,000, held for 7 years.
- Russian and Belarusian citizens are not accepted into the citizenship programme.
- No personal income tax.
- The main risk: a project not on the approved list gives no passport.
In detail
St Kitts and Nevis is the birthplace of investment citizenship: its programme has run since 1984, and property here is first of all a tool for getting a passport. The market is small and resort-focused: villas and hotel apartments. A regular foreign buyer obtains an alien landholding licence and pays 10% of the price for it, while a citizenship programme buyer is exempt. A detailed look at the market and transaction support is on the page property in St Kitts and Nevis; here are short answers to the main questions.
Two routes to an apartment in St Kitts and Nevis
| Route | Conditions | What it gives |
|---|---|---|
| Regular purchase | an alien landholding licence, 10% of the property value | ownership, without a right to citizenship |
| Share in an approved project | from $325,000, resale after 7 years, no licence needed | the right to apply for citizenship for the family |
| Private home under the programme | from $600,000, held for 7 years | the right to apply for citizenship for the family |
The government issues the licence after checking the buyer, so a regular deal takes longer than a purchase by a citizen. Properties under the citizenship programme must be on the approved project list.
Citizenship through property: what to know
The citizenship programme offers two main options: a non-refundable contribution to the Sustainable Island State fund from $250,000 for a family of up to four, or buying approved property. Property is chosen by those who want their money back after 7 years or rental income. Due diligence is added to either option: $10,000 for the main applicant and $7,500 for each family member aged 16 and over.
In 2026 the programme is closed to Russian and Belarusian citizens, and a second passport does not help: a 2023 order excludes every citizen of these countries, even with another citizenship, and those who live there permanently. More on the page St Kitts and Nevis citizenship and in our breakdown of what St Kitts citizenship costs.
How the purchase works
- Goal: a home, rental or the citizenship programme.
- Property checks: title, plot, building permits.
- For the citizenship programme - confirming the project is approved and filing the application together with the purchase.
- For a regular purchase - applying for the alien licence and paying for it.
- Deed of conveyance and title registration.
What the paperwork and taxes cost
- Alien landholding licence - 10% of the property value for a regular purchase.
- No personal income tax in St Kitts and Nevis.
- Renting out approved properties usually goes through the project's management company, on terms set in the contract.
The Caribbean scenery is beautiful, but the 10% licence bill does not care about the view - it goes into the budget from day one.
A 10% licence or a passport: decided before choosing the property
The law does not stop you from buying property in St Kitts and Nevis on your own. But mistakes cost more than the licence: a project not on the approved list that gives no right to citizenship, a property with no resale prospects after 7 years, money without a proven source that makes the bank and registrar refuse the deal. We check that the project is approved, compare the purchase and the fund contribution by total family cost, handle the deal, the landholding licence or the citizenship application, and plan the sale after 7 years. We guarantee professional work and a transparent process, and in most cases a result on the first application.
The cost of support depends on the route, the project and family size; our manager in the chat will calculate it.
Risks when buying
- The project is not on the approved list - the purchase gives no right to citizenship.
- Weak resale - the market is small, and a programme property can only be sold after 7 years.
- Money without a proven source - the bank and registrar will refuse the deal.
- Sanctions - a buyer on a sanctions list cannot complete a deal.
How we help
The law does not stop you from filing on your own. But mistakes in choosing the project and in the money documents cost more than the licence. We check that the project is on the approved list, compare the purchase and the contribution by total family cost, and handle the deal, the licence or the citizenship application.
Property in St Kitts and Nevis
Project checks, the deal and the landholding licence.
Learn more →St Kitts and Nevis citizenship
A contribution or approved property: terms and family costs.
Learn more →Property on Nevis
Villas and residences on the federation's smaller island.
Learn more →All programmes are in the overview St Kitts and Nevis.
FAQ
Can a foreigner buy an apartment in St Kitts and Nevis?
Does buying property give St Kitts and Nevis citizenship?
Which nationalities cannot buy property for a St Kitts passport?
How much is the alien landholding licence?
Is there income tax in St Kitts and Nevis?
When can property bought for citizenship be sold?
Don’t want to figure this out alone?
We handle the whole process end to end: we check your documents, match a program to your situation and give you honest timelines and costs. Ask your question in the chat: the free consultation starts right here. Legal representation before authorities and courts is handled by Murblz specialists together with locally licensed partners.
The Murblz consultant replies straight away in the chat on this page. Describe your situation and we will work it out together.
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