St. George's: what to see and whether to move there

Is it worth moving to St. George's in 2026

St. George's is the capital of Grenada, a small English-speaking island in the southern Caribbean known for nutmeg, Grand Anse beach and one of the best-known citizenship by investment programmes. A Grenadian passport gives visa-free entry to more than 147 countries, including China and Schengen, and access to the US investor visa after 3 years of living on the island. Passport holders, pensioners and families who want a quiet island move here, but the programme is fully closed to citizens of Russia and Belarus.

What it costs to live in St. George's

Prices come from two independent 2026 price databases, and the East Caribbean dollar is pegged to the US dollar at 2.7 to 1. Rents vary widely: flats near the beach and the university cost more, especially during the academic year. Electricity is expensive, so air conditioning noticeably raises bills.

Where to live: districts

• Grand Anse - the island's main beach, hotels, restaurants and supermarkets.
• Lance aux Épines - a prestigious peninsula with villas and yacht moorings.
• True Blue and Morne Rouge - near the university and beaches, lots of rentals.
• St. George's - the historic town around the Carenage harbour, offices and government buildings.
• Westerhall Point - the quiet east with seafront villas.

Citizenship and entry

Citizenship by investment is granted for a fund contribution from $235,000 or an approved real estate investment from $270,000, taking about 7 months, from 4 to 9. Applications are filed only through a government-licensed agent. Since 31 March 2023 there has been a complete ban on citizens of Russia, Belarus and North Korea with no exceptions. Passport holders can obtain the US investor visa after 3 years of living on the island. More on the Grenada citizenship by investment page.

Taxes in Grenada

Income tax: the first XCD 36,000 a year, about $13,340, is tax-free, the next 24,000 is taxed at 10%, and income above 60,000, about $22,230, at 28%. Corporate tax is 28%, and VAT is 15%, or 10% for hotels and diving. A passport alone does not make you a tax resident: taxes are paid where you live.

Buying property

A foreigner needs a ministerial licence to buy land under the alien landholding law, and obtaining it is built into the transaction timeline. Through the citizenship programme, investors buy a share in a government-approved tourism project, usually a hotel or resort, with a return of about 3-5% a year, and it can be sold after 5 years. An ordinary home purchase outside an approved project does not give citizenship.

Climate and everyday life

The tropical climate keeps temperatures around 25-31 degrees all year, and hurricane season runs from June to November: in 2024 a hurricane badly damaged the neighbouring island of Carriacou, part of the country. The language is English, traffic is on the left, and minibuses run around the island, but a car is more convenient. A large medical university operates on the island, so there are many students and doctors, and the capital has a public hospital and private clinics. Private schools are available for children.

Banks and money

Local banks open accounts for residents and passport holders but ask about your place of residence and tax residence, because the automatic tax information exchange form is mandatory. A bank identifies a client by residence, not by passport. The East Caribbean dollar is pegged to the US dollar, and US dollars are accepted almost everywhere.

Getting there

The international airport is a few minutes' drive from Grand Anse. Direct flights link Grenada with London, New York, Miami and Toronto, as well as neighbouring Caribbean islands. From Russia and most of Europe people connect in London or US cities, so those who need a transit visa plan the route in advance.

Pitfalls

• The citizenship programme is fully closed to citizens of Russia and Belarus.
• Hurricane season from June to November.
• Expensive electricity and imported goods.
• A foreigner needs a licence to buy land.
• The US investor visa is available only after 3 years of living on the island.

Murblz specialists check whether the programme is open to your citizenship and suggest alternatives if not.