Investment property: Curaçao

Updated 5 October 2026

Curaçao is an island within the Kingdom of the Netherlands with a Dutch legal system, steady tourist flows and strong demand for seaside rentals.

Foreigners buy property freely without special permits, and a purchase above a set amount grants the right to live on the island. The market is small: villas and apartments in Willemstad and on the coast - Jan Thiel, Jan Sofat, Coral Estate, Westpunt. Since 31 March 2025 the island has used the Caribbean guilder, pegged to the US dollar at 1.79.

Types of land title

Purchase and holding costs

• Transfer tax - 4% of the price on a resale purchase, paid by the buyer.
• Notary and cadastre registration - at the notary's and cadastre's tariffs.
• New builds from a developer usually carry turnover tax instead of transfer tax - we check the contract.
• Annual property tax - on a tiered scale based on value, from 0.4% to 0.6%.
• For leased government land - the annual lease fee.

How a purchase works

• A preliminary sale agreement with inspection and financing conditions, deposit usually 10%.
• The notary checks title at the cadastre, mortgages and liens, and for leased land the lease terms.
• Funds are wired to the notary's client account.
• The final deed before the notary, tax payment and cadastre registration.

From agreement to transfer usually takes 1-3 months. Local banks lend to foreigners on a limited basis and with a higher down payment, so many buyers pay with their own funds and consider a loan only after obtaining residence.

Investor permit through property

Buying property in Curaçao can give the right to live on the island: with investment from 500,000 guilders, about $279,400, a 3-year renewable permit; from 750,000 guilders, about $419,000, 5 years; from 1.5 million guilders, about $838,000, indefinite. The permit does not allow paid employment but lets you live on the island with your family. We prepare the purchase and the permit application together.

Letting

Tourist rentals in Curaçao require permits and registration, and income is taxed by the island. Demand for seaside villas holds year-round thanks to tourists from the Netherlands, the US and South America, but returns depend on the area and management, so we calculate them month by month before purchase.

Common buyer mistakes

• Buying on short-term leased land without checking renewal terms.
• Budgeting without the 4% transfer tax and annual land lease fee.
• Expecting an investor permit at a price below 500,000 guilders.
• Tourist letting without a permit and registration.

What we do

We choose a property for your goal: a home, rental or investor permit. We check the land title, cadastre and lease terms with the notary, calculate taxes and costs, open a local bank account, and handle the deal and the residence permit application.

What we do

• Property shortlist for your investment goal
• Legal due diligence on the property
• End-to-end transaction support
• Ownership structuring (company, trust)
• Property management and letting

See also

Business account · Personal account · All country programs

FAQ