Moving to Curaçao
10 ways to move to Curaçao in our guide: 1 nomad / remote-work visa, 3 investor routes, 2 pay-to-stay routes, 1 business / startup route, 1 work visa, 1 student visa, 1 spouse visa.
Remote workers: @HOME remote worker. Smallest investment: Investor · 3 years, XCG 500k+ ≈ $279k. Checked against official sources on .
Curaçao is a small island with a mix of short-stay permits for winter visitors and remote workers, and longer residence routes for investors, retirees and business owners. The rules are set out clearly, and the website will show you the figures that apply.
Nomad / Remote work · 1
@HOME remote worker
First stay: 6 mo
Investing · 3
Investor
Investment needed: from XCG 500k ≈ $279k
Retire or live on savings · 2
Rentier permit
Fee: XCG 1,865+ ≈ $1,040
Pensioner permit
Fee: XCG 1,865+ ≈ $1,040
Business / Startup · 1
Sole proprietor permit
First stay: 3 yrs
Work · 1
Work permit
First stay: 3 yrs
Student · 1
Student permit
Income needed: XCG 1,000+ a month ≈ $560
Spouse visas · 1
For people married to, or in a partnership with, a citizen or permanent resident.
Spouse of a resident
First stay: 3 yrs
Tax
People living in Curaçao pay income tax on a progressive scale, and foreign-source income is also taxable with relief to avoid double taxation. Liability follows where you live, not the type of permit. Foreign retirees may qualify for the penshonado scheme, which taxes foreign-source income at a special rate, but this is separate from the residence permit.
Standard rules
Personal income tax: progressive 9.75% to 46.5% for people living in Curaçao
Progressive rates
Details
- Limit: XCG 39k/yr ≈ $22k
People living in Curaçao pay income tax on a progressive 2026 scale from 9.75% to 46.5%, and foreign-source income is also taxable with relief against double taxation.
Taxed on
Income of taxpayers who live in Curaçao, including income from foreign sources, with relief to avoid double taxation; domestic income of non-residents.
Who it applies to
- Taxpayers who live in Curaçao are taxable on income including foreign sources, with the inspector assessing relief against double taxation.
- 2026 scale: 9.75% up to XCG 39,094 (≈ $21,800); 15% up to XCG 52,127 (≈ $29,100); 23% up to XCG 78,190 (≈ $43,700); 30% up to XCG 110,769 (≈ $61,900); 37.5% up to XCG 162,894 (≈ $91,000); 46.5% above.
Exclusions
- People who live in Curaçao only for part of the year are taxable for that part.
Limits
- XCG 39,094 a year (≈ $21,800) · Upper limit of the 9.75% band in 2026
- XCG 52,127 a year (≈ $29,100) · Upper limit of the 15% band in 2026
- XCG 78,190 a year (≈ $43,700) · Upper limit of the 23% band in 2026
- XCG 110,769 a year (≈ $61,900) · Upper limit of the 30% band in 2026
- XCG 162,894 a year (≈ $91,000) · Upper limit of the 37.5% band in 2026; 46.5% applies above
Tax residence
Liability follows where a person lives, not the type of permit.
Visas
Immigration status does not decide tax liability.
Other taxes
Premiums for old-age insurance (AOV/AWW), special medical expenses (AVBZ) and the basic health insurance (BVZ) are charged separately.
Checked against official sources on , some details partly verifiedChange log
Special regime
Penshonado scheme: foreign-source income of foreign retirees taxed at 10%
10% tax
Details
- Who: The person is 50 or over and has lived outside Curaçao for at least 60 consecutive months
- Limit: ANG 450k ≈ $251k
Foreigners aged 50 or over who move to Curaçao can have their foreign-source income taxed at 10%, or choose a fixed foreign-source income of ANG 500,000 (≈ $279,000) taxed at the normal rate.
Taxed on
Foreign-source income (employment abroad, foreign business, foreign property, bank interest, foreign dividends and periodic payments).
Who it applies to
- The person is 50 or over and has lived outside Curaçao for at least 60 consecutive months.
- The person asks the tax inspector within two months of registering in the population register.
- Within 18 months of registration the person owns a home worth at least ANG 450,000 (≈ $251,000) for own use, or a protected monument of that value.
- The person, and a spouse, does not work in Curaçao.
Exclusions
- Local income is taxed at the normal progressive rate.
- The scheme lapses if the person or spouse earns local work income, with the right lost entirely after two consecutive years.
- Choosing the fixed foreign-source income of ANG 500,000 (≈ $279,000) removes relief for double taxation under the Netherlands-Curaçao tax arrangement.
Limits
- ANG 450,000 (≈ $251,000) · Minimum value of the home required
- ANG 500,000 a year (≈ $279,000) · Fixed foreign-source income option taxed at the normal rate
Tax residence
The person must be registered in the population register and live in Curaçao.
Visas
Works alongside a rentier or retiree residence permit.
Other taxes
AVBZ and basic health insurance premiums, and AOV/AWW depending on age, are still due.
Checked against official sources on , some details partly verifiedChange log
Checked against official sources on Change log
Curaçao in pictures
Shorter stays · 1
Retire or live on savings
Hibernator short stay
Savings needed: XCG 36k+ ≈ $20k
Arriving in Curaçao: first steps
- Make sure you have health insurance that covers you in Curaçao.
- Arrange a place to live, as some permits ask for a Curaçao home or address.
- Open a local bank account if your route needs a bank statement or guarantee.
- Register with the population register if you are staying longer term.
- Keep your passport valid and gather documents like birth certificate and certificate of good conduct.
Questions people ask
What is the Curaçao digital nomad visa income requirement in 2026?
Curaçao has 1 nomad or remote-work visa. @HOME remote worker gives a first stay of 6 months that can be renewed.
How much do you need to invest for residency in Curaçao?
Curaçao has 3 investor routes. Investor · indefinite asks for an investment of at least XCG 1,500,000 (≈ $838,000). Investor · 3 years asks for an investment of at least XCG 500,000 (≈ $279,000) and gives a first stay of 3 years that can be renewed. Investor · 5 years asks for an investment of at least XCG 750,000 (≈ $419,000) and gives a first stay of 5 years that can be renewed.
Can I retire or live in Curaçao on my savings or pension?
Curaçao has 2 retirement or pay-to-stay routes. Rentier permit asks for a fee of XCG 1,865 (≈ $1,040) and gives a first stay of 3 years that can be renewed. Pensioner permit asks for a fee of XCG 1,865 (≈ $1,040) and gives a first stay of 3 years that can be renewed.
Can I move to Curaçao by starting a business?
Curaçao has 1 business or startup route. Sole proprietor permit gives a first stay of 3 years that can be renewed.
What work visas does Curaçao offer foreigners?
Curaçao has 1 work visa. Work permit gives a first stay of 3 years that can be renewed.
How do I get a student visa for Curaçao?
Curaçao has 1 student visa. Student permit asks for an income of at least XCG 1,000 a month (≈ $560) and gives a first stay of 3 years that can be renewed.
Can I join my spouse or partner in Curaçao?
Yes. Curaçao has 1 spouse visa. Spouse of a resident gives a first stay of 3 years that can be renewed.
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≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.
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