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

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

St. John's is the capital of Antigua and Barbuda, a small island nation in the eastern Caribbean. It is a port town of about 20,000 people with a cruise pier, markets and a cathedral, surrounded by some of the best beaches in the Caribbean. The country attracts with a warm climate all year, English, stability and light taxes: there has been no personal income tax since 2016.

Russian citizens need no visa, and for long-term living there is a two-year remote work visa. However, the citizenship by investment programme is closed to Russian and Belarusian citizens. Island life is expensive: almost everything is imported, good housing by the sea costs as much as in major European cities, and the choice of schools and healthcare is limited.

Cost of living in St. John's

Prices come from several independent price databases for 2025-2026. The local currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar, firmly pegged to the US dollar at 2.70 EC dollars per US dollar. Prices depend heavily on the area: apartments and villas by the sea in English Harbour and on the west coast cost well above average, and furnished rentals for foreigners usually start from $1,000 a month.

Where to live on Antigua: neighbourhoods

• St. John's - the capital with shops, markets, banks and government offices, convenient for work but busy on cruise-ship days.
• Dickenson Bay and the north - beaches, hotels and residential complexes 10-15 minutes from the capital.
• Jolly Harbour - marina village on the west coast with villas and waterfront homes, popular with foreigners.
• English Harbour and Falmouth - the south of the island with yacht harbours, restaurants and seasonal life.
• Barbuda - the country's second island, quiet and sparsely populated, for those seeking seclusion.

The island is small, but public transport is limited to minibuses, so most residents need a car.

Entry and residence

According to the Antigua and Barbuda immigration department's list, Russian citizens enter visa-free, with the length of stay set at the border, usually up to 90 days. For long-term living, remote workers apply for the remote work visa for up to two years: income from $50,000 a year, health insurance and police certificates are required. The government fee is $1,500 for a single applicant, $2,000 for a couple and from $3,000 for a family, non-refundable if refused. More on the page Antigua and Barbuda digital nomad visa.

Working for a local company requires a work permit arranged by the employer. Citizenship by investment from $230,000 is open to most nationalities, but Russian and Belarusian citizens are excluded. More on the page Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment.

Taxes in Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua and Barbuda has had no personal income tax since 2016, and a remote worker's income under the remote work visa is not taxed locally. The main consumption tax is the sales tax, raised from 15% to 17% on 1 January 2024, including hotel stays. Companies pay 25% corporate tax. Remember that no tax on the island does not remove obligations to the country where you remain tax resident: Russia, for example, taxes a resident's worldwide income after 183 days in the country within 12 months.

Renting and buying property

A foreigner can buy a house, apartment or land on Antigua, but first obtains an alien landholding licence from the Ministry of Justice. The licence fee is 5% of the purchase price, plus legal and registration costs. The deal cannot close without the licence, so its timing is built into the schedule. A purchase does not grant residence.

Leases usually run for a year with a deposit of one month's rent, and prices for seaside houses rise in the high season from December to April. Before signing, check hurricane protection, the water tank and the generator.

Climate and daily life

The climate is tropical and dry for the Caribbean: around 26-31 degrees all year with a constant sea breeze. Hurricane season runs from June to November, with August-October the riskiest months. The official language is English. The island's main hospital is near St. John's, and complex treatment is done in neighbouring countries or the United States. Direct flights link the island with London, New York, Miami and Toronto, and local airlines fly around the Caribbean. Water and electricity are expensive, and power cuts happen.

Pitfalls

• Citizenship by investment is closed to Russian and Belarusian citizens.
• High prices for seaside housing and imported food.
• A purchase requires an alien landholding licence with a 5% fee.
• Hurricane season from June to November.
• Limited choice of schools and healthcare.
• Even with no tax on the island, tax residence elsewhere must still be sorted out.

Murblz specialists help with the remote work visa, work permit, purchase licence and property checks. A consultant in the chat will calculate the cost of support.