Basseterre: what to see and whether to move there

What the city lives on and who it suits

Basseterre is the capital of the federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis, with about 14,000 people, while the whole country has fewer than 50,000. The town lies on the south coast of Saint Kitts: Georgian houses around the Circus, a market, a cruise port and the green slopes of a volcano behind. The economy rests on tourism, the citizenship by investment programme, financial services, construction and medical education.

Saint Kitts is chosen by holders of the country's passport who want to spend part of the year here, wealthy people seeking a quiet island life with no income tax, and lovers of the sea and yachting. For a career, a wide choice of schools and advanced healthcare, the island is small.

History

Saint Kitts is called the mother colony of the West Indies: in 1623 the first English settlement in the Caribbean was founded here, and later the island was shared between the English and the French. Sugar plantations shaped the economy for more than three centuries, and the last sugar factory closed in 2005. The federation became independent in 1983 and remained in the Commonwealth, with the British monarch as head of state.

Districts and islands

• Central Basseterre - the Circus, government buildings, banks, shops and the market.
• Frigate Bay - a resort area a few minutes from the capital with beaches, hotels, restaurants and apartments, popular with foreigners.
• The south-east peninsula - beaches, marinas and gated resorts with villas.
• Nevis - the neighbouring island 45 minutes away by ferry: quieter, with plantation inns and villas.

Prices

The currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar, firmly pegged to the US dollar at 2.70 per dollar. Most goods are imported, so groceries, electronics and building materials cost more than in the US. Renting a villa or apartment by the sea costs about as much as in Florida's resort areas, while simple housing in town is considerably cheaper. Electricity is expensive, and many people install solar panels.

Taxes

There is no personal income tax on Saint Kitts, and citizenship does not by itself make a person tax resident. The main tax for residents is VAT on goods and services. Companies pay corporate tax, and property owners pay an annual property tax.

Practicalities

• Transport. The airport, with flights to the US, Canada, the UK and around the Caribbean, is a few minutes from the capital. Ferries run to Nevis, and people get around the island by car and minibus.
• Climate. Tropical, about 25-31 degrees all year. Hurricane season runs from June to November.
• Language. English.
• Healthcare. Basic care is available on the island, while for complex treatment people fly to the US, Barbados or Puerto Rico, so insurance with evacuation is needed.
• Safety. The island is generally calm for tourists, but Basseterre does see street crime, so it is better to drive in the evening and not leave belongings unattended.

Moving and citizenship

Saint Kitts and Nevis has the world's first citizenship by investment programme, running since 1984. In 2026 a passport can be obtained from $250,000, with processing of 4-6 months. The programme does not accept citizens of Russia, Belarus, Iran, Afghanistan, Iraq or North Korea, and a second passport does not lift this ban. The European Union has told five Caribbean countries, including Saint Kitts and Nevis, to wind down such programmes by 1 June 2028 under threat of suspending visa-free Schengen travel. More on the page about Saint Kitts and Nevis citizenship.

Leisure and nature

The main pastimes are the sea, yachting, diving and hikes up Mount Liamuiga through the rainforest. A scenic railway built to carry sugar cane circles the island along the coast, and Brimstone Hill Fortress is a UNESCO World Heritage site. People visit Nevis for its quiet beaches and hot springs.

Is Basseterre worth considering for life

Pros: no income tax, English, a currency pegged to the US dollar, the sea and nature, flights to the US and Canada and a strong passport. Cons: a small island, expensive imported goods and electricity, limited healthcare and schools, hurricane season and European Union pressure on the citizenship programme. Saint Kitts suits part of the year and a backup passport, but not an active career. Write in the chat and we will choose a programme open to your nationality.