Vanuatu: all programs

Vanuatu at a glance

Vanuatu is an island nation in the South Pacific, about 1,750 kilometres east of Australia. It consists of 83 islands, about 65 of them inhabited, and its population exceeds 300,000. The capital, Port Vila, is on the island of Efate; the second-largest town, Luganville, is on Espiritu Santo. The currency is the vatu, about 120 vatu to the dollar.

The economy is small: tourism, agriculture with copra, kava and beef, financial services and citizenship programmes, which in 2026 provide about 39% of government revenue excluding foreign aid. For foreigners Vanuatu is interesting mainly for its fast passport and the absence of income taxes, rather than as a place to live permanently.

History and government

Until 1980 the islands were called the New Hebrides and from 1906 were jointly ruled by Britain and France: two administrations, two police forces and two school systems on the same land. Vanuatu became independent on 30 July 1980. This is why it has three official languages: Bislama, an English-based local language, plus English and French.

Vanuatu is a parliamentary republic. The president is chosen by an electoral college of members of parliament and provincial leaders, and the government is led by a prime minister elected by parliament. Governments change often, and citizenship programme rules have changed several times in recent years following politics.

How to move in 2026

The main product for foreigners is citizenship for a contribution to national development: from $130,000 for a single applicant, with a decision usually within one to three months and no need to live in the country or visit to apply. A second route includes a mandatory investment part and costs $260,000 for a family of three under the official fee schedule. Vanuatu allows dual citizenship. Details are on the Vanuatu citizenship page.

Keep in mind that a Vanuatu passport no longer gives visa-free access to the Schengen Area or the UK: the European Union fully suspended visa-free travel in 2023 and from February 2025 moved the country to the list with a permanent visa requirement. Applicant checks have become stricter, and citizenship obtained improperly can be revoked.

Living on the islands requires a residence permit from the Department of Immigration, granted to investors with an approved project, workers with a work permit and their family members. A foreigner cannot take a job without a work permit.

Taxes

Vanuatu has no personal income tax, corporate income tax, capital gains tax or inheritance tax. The budget relies on 15% VAT, import duties, annual business licence fees and citizenship programme revenue.

The absence of taxes in Vanuatu does not remove taxes elsewhere: tax residence is determined by where you live, not by your passport. If you keep living in Russia or Europe, your income is taxed there. In addition, banks in many countries scrutinise clients with Vanuatu passports more closely than usual.

Property

Under the constitution all land in Vanuatu belongs to its indigenous custom owners, so a foreigner cannot buy land outright. Instead, buyers take a registered long-term lease of up to 75 years; you can build on it, sell it or pass it on by inheritance until the term ends. Apartments and houses in developments are sold the same way.

Before a purchase it is important to confirm that the lease is registered and that any disputes between landowning families are settled, as such disputes are common. Our investment property team handles property checks and the transaction.

Cost of living

Almost everything except local fruit, vegetables, fish and beef arrives by sea, so imported food, electronics and fuel cost more than in Australia. Houses for foreigners in Port Vila are rented furnished, at prices comparable to Australian suburbs. Electricity is expensive, and the internet is slower and pricier than in the larger countries of the region.

Healthcare is limited: Port Vila has a hospital and private clinics, but complex cases are evacuated to Australia or New Zealand. Insurance with medical evacuation is essential for living on the islands even where the law does not require it.

Where to live

Foreigners almost always live in Port Vila and its lagoon-side suburbs, where the banks, schools, hospital, supermarkets and airport are. Luganville on Espiritu Santo is quieter and cheaper, with beaches and dive sites nearby. The other islands are good for holidays but not for permanent living: communications, power and transport there are limited.

Practicalities

Vanuatu lies in a cyclone and earthquake zone. The cyclone season runs from November to April, and in December 2024 a strong earthquake damaged buildings in Port Vila. Several islands have active volcanoes. Build and buy with these risks in mind and arrange insurance in advance.

Direct flights link Port Vila with Brisbane, Sydney, Auckland, Nadi and Nouméa, with onward connections from there. The national airline went into liquidation in 2024, so check schedules before every trip. Opening a local bank account is possible, but checks take time and international transfers are slower than in Australia.

Who Vanuatu suits

Vanuatu suits those who need a fast second passport for travel in Asia and parts of the world outside Schengen, those who want citizenship without relocating, and ocean lovers ready to live far from big cities. It suits less well those who need visa-free access to Europe, the UK or the US and strong healthcare nearby. We will check whether the programme fits you, prepare the documents and handle the application; our consultant in the chat will calculate the cost of support.