Aruba: all programs

Aruba in brief

Aruba is an island in the southern Caribbean, about 29 kilometres off the coast of Venezuela. It is an autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands: it has its own parliament, government, currency and laws, while the Netherlands handles defence and foreign policy. The area is about 180 square kilometres and the population about 108,000. The capital is Oranjestad. Aruba is not part of the European Union or the Schengen area.

Aruba suits retirees and well-off people who want to live by the sea in a dry, warm climate, away from the main hurricane tracks, in a safe and calm country. US citizens can also use it for remote work for up to 90 days. It suits less those seeking low taxes, a residence-by-investment programme or local employment.

History and government

The island's first inhabitants were Arawak people. The Spanish arrived in 1499, and the Netherlands has held the island since 1636. In the 19th century Aruba had a gold rush, and in 1924 an oil refinery opened in San Nicolas that was long one of the largest in the world. On 1 January 1986 Aruba left the Netherlands Antilles and received separate status as a country within the kingdom. After the refinery closed, tourism became the main industry, above all visitors from the US.

How to move in 2026

Permits are issued by Aruba's immigration service, they do not allow employment, and residents must join the island's general health insurance. Dutch citizens move under a simplified procedure. More on the page about the Aruba workation and residence permits.

Taxes

Aruba is not a tax haven. Tax residents pay progressive income tax, and rates for high incomes are high. Instead of VAT there is a turnover tax included in prices. Workation participants staying up to 90 days do not become Aruban tax residents and pay tax in their own country. Those moving long term should calculate tax on pensions and investment income in advance and check double taxation treaties.

Property

Foreigners buy homes on the same terms as locals, with no special permits. Much of the island's land belongs to the state and is granted on long leases with an annual fee - a normal form of ownership, but its terms should be checked before the deal. Property transfer tax is 3% up to 250,000 florins, about $139,700, and 6% above, and notary fees are about 2%. The deal is handled by a notary, who checks title and debts, holds the buyer's money and registers the title with the land registry. More on the page about property in Aruba.

Cost of living

Aruba is one of the most expensive islands in the region: almost everything is imported from the US and the Netherlands. By our data, one person needs about $1,200 a month excluding rent, and a family of four about $4,200. A one-bedroom flat in the centre rents for about $1,100, while villas and flats near Palm Beach and Eagle Beach cost noticeably more. The currency is the Aruban florin, pegged to the US dollar at 1.79, and US dollars are accepted everywhere.

Where to live

• Palm Beach and Noord. The hotel zone with a long beach, restaurants and condos, the liveliest part of the island.
• Eagle Beach. A wide beach and low-rise hotels, quieter than Palm Beach.
• Oranjestad. The capital with Dutch architecture, shops, a marina and offices.
• Malmok. Villas in the north-west by the rocky shore and snorkelling spots.
• Santa Cruz. Residential areas inland, cheaper than near the beaches.
• Savaneta and San Nicolas. The quiet south with fishing villages, street art and the most affordable housing.

Practicalities

• Climate. Dry and warm all year, about 27-32 degrees, with an almost constant trade wind. Aruba lies south of the main hurricane tracks.
• Entry. All travellers need an electronic embarkation card, and a sustainability fee of $20 per person aged 8 and over is paid once per calendar year.
• Language. Papiamento and Dutch are official, and English and Spanish are widely spoken.
• Getting there. Direct flights from many US cities, about two and a half hours from Miami, and from Amsterdam, Panama and Bogotá. Curaçao and Bonaire are a short flight away.
• Roads. Traffic drives on the right, and life is easiest with a car.
• Water. Tap water comes from seawater desalination and is safe to drink.
• Healthcare and schools. A hospital in Oranjestad, with complex treatment abroad, often in Colombia. State schools teach in Dutch, and there is an international school with an American curriculum.

Work and business

Aruba's economy rests on tourism: hotels, restaurants, shops and holiday rentals provide most jobs and income. Retiree, independent means and property owner permits do not allow employment, and working for a local employer requires a separate permit, granted only if no suitable local resident was found. You can open your own company in Aruba, but doing business requires a business licence, and a foreigner also needs a work permit in their own company. That is why most people who move live on pensions or investment income or work remotely.

Leisure

Almost a fifth of the island is taken up by Arikok National Park with its cactus desert, caves with indigenous drawings and a natural pool in the rocks. The east coast is wild and windy, the west has calm sea and white beaches. Aruba is one of the best places in the Caribbean for windsurfing and kitesurfing, with many dive sites at shipwrecks. Carnival early in the year is the island's main festival.

Who Aruba suits

Aruba is a choice for retirees and people of independent means with stable income who value safety, a good climate without hurricanes and Dutch order. Those who need low taxes or a passport should look at other Caribbean countries, for example neighbouring Curaçao, or countries with citizenship programmes. Write in the chat and we will calculate the full cost of moving to Aruba for your family.