Curaçao · Retire or live on savings

Curaçao Pensioner permit

Fee: XCG 1,865+ ≈ $1,040

Residence permit for retirees (pensioners)

First checked against official sources on 11 Oct 2026, some details partly verifiedChange log

Key facts

Pensioner permit is a retire or live on savings route for Curaçao. The fee is XCG 1,865+ ≈ $1,040. You can stay 3 yrs, renewable. You can't take local work. Checked 2026-10-11 against the official source.

Government fees: XCG 635 ≈ $350 · +2 more
First stay: 3 yrs

Cost, time and long term

Government feesXCG 635 ≈ $350 · +2 more

XCG 635 (≈ $350)First application for a residence permit (own business, rentier or pensioner purpose) requested for 1 year; fees and levies combined.
XCG 1,250 (≈ $700)First application for a residence permit (own business, rentier or pensioner purpose) requested for 2 years; fees and levies combined.
XCG 1,865 (≈ $1,040)First application for a residence permit (own business, rentier or pensioner purpose) requested for 3 years; fees and levies combined.

RenewalRenewable

The permit can be extended. You can ask for an extension from four months before it expires, and each application can cover up to three years.

Toelatingsorganisatie Curaçao, Ministry of Justice of Curaçao Admission Organisation (Toelatingsorganisatie), Ministry of Justice, Curaçao

Permanent residenceAfter 10 years of residence

An indefinite residence permit is granted after ten years of uninterrupted lawful residence, or earlier to someone who qualifies for the penshonado tax scheme.

Admission Organisation (Toelatingsorganisatie), Ministry of Justice, Curaçao

CitizenshipGeneral rule: 5 years of residence

Dutch nationality by naturalisation needs five years or more in the Kingdom with a valid residence permit that allows you to stay permanently, plus the integration test. Some exceptions shorten the five years.

Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND), Netherlands

ProcessingOfficial timeline

The Admission Organisation has four months from the date of the application to decide.

Toelatingsorganisatie Curaçao, Ministry of Justice of Curaçao

Where to applyFrom abroad

You must wait outside Curaçao for the decision on a first application; for an extension you can wait in Curaçao.

Toelatingsorganisatie Curaçao, Ministry of Justice of Curaçao

Why this route may not fit

Check this before you apply.

Applications are made from outside Curaçao, not after arriving
Work isn't allowed on this route

What you'll need

Who can apply3

The applicant plans to live in Curaçao on a pension.
The bank statement must show sufficient means for the applicant and the family.
To admit a spouse, a foreign applicant must show at least XCG 3,000 (≈ $1,680) gross a month, plus XCG 250, (≈ $140) 350 or 500 a month for each child aged 0-5, 6-11 or 12 and over.

What you must show and pay3

A fee of XCG 635 (≈ $350) · First application for a residence permit (own business, rentier or pensioner purpose) requested for 1 year; fees and levies combined.
A fee of XCG 1,250 (≈ $700) · First application for a residence permit (own business, rentier or pensioner purpose) requested for 2 years; fees and levies combined.
A fee of XCG 1,865 (≈ $1,040) · First application for a residence permit (own business, rentier or pensioner purpose) requested for 3 years; fees and levies combined.

Documents4

A copy of the valid passport and a birth certificate not older than one year, legalised or apostilled where needed.
A certificate of good conduct from the last place of residence, not older than three months.
An original bank statement saying the applicant has enough means to support themselves and their family.
Anyone using the penshonado scheme also needs an original statement from a locally established accountant.

Steps2

Apply online through the permit portal after paying the fee; the permit can be requested for up to three years.
The immigration office has four months to decide, and a first application is decided from abroad.

After you arrive1

An extension can be requested from four months before the permit expires.

When you become tax resident

How Curaçao decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records.

Stay on this route

Up to 3 years at first, renewable

Tax residence

Liability follows where a person lives, not the type of permit.

Foreign-source income

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.

Regime tied to this route

Foreign-source income of foreign retirees · 10% tax

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.

All tax rules for Curaçao Tax records checked 10 Oct 2026

Official site

What you need to arrange

Bank account / funds
The bank statement must show sufficient means for the applicant and the family
Certified translation
A copy of the valid passport and a birth certificate not older than one year, legalised or apostilled where needed
Police certificate and civil documents
A copy of the valid passport and a birth certificate not older than one year, legalised or apostilled where needed

Taken from this route's requirements above. The authority's own list is the one that counts.

Full official text

Residence permit for foreigners who plan to enjoy their pension in Curaçao, with the option of the penshonado tax scheme. ^{1 2 3}

What you must show and pay

A fee of XCG 635 (≈ $350) · First application for a residence permit (own business, rentier or pensioner purpose) requested for 1 year; fees and levies combined. ³
A fee of XCG 1,250 (≈ $700) · First application for a residence permit (own business, rentier or pensioner purpose) requested for 2 years; fees and levies combined. ³
A fee of XCG 1,865 (≈ $1,040) · First application for a residence permit (own business, rentier or pensioner purpose) requested for 3 years; fees and levies combined. ³

Requirements

The applicant plans to live in Curaçao on a pension. ¹
The bank statement must show sufficient means for the applicant and the family. ¹
To admit a spouse, a foreign applicant must show at least XCG 3,000 (≈ $1,680) gross a month, plus XCG 250, (≈ $140) 350 or 500 a month for each child aged 0-5, 6-11 or 12 and over. ¹
A copy of the valid passport and a birth certificate not older than one year, legalised or apostilled where needed. ¹
A certificate of good conduct from the last place of residence, not older than three months. ¹
An original bank statement saying the applicant has enough means to support themselves and their family. ¹
Anyone using the penshonado scheme also needs an original statement from a locally established accountant. ¹
Apply online through the permit portal after paying the fee; the permit can be requested for up to three years. ¹
The immigration office has four months to decide, and a first application is decided from abroad. ¹
An extension can be requested from four months before the permit expires. ¹

Stay

Permit requested for up to three years; extension possible.
First stay: up to 36 months, decided case by case.
Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal.

Nationality

Foreign nationals; Dutch and US citizens and people with a Dutch parent born in Curaçao use declarations instead of permits.

Work

No local work; the penshonado tax scheme requires not working in Curaçao.

Family

Spouse and children can apply for a family permit.

Checked 2026-10-11 · partly verified

Official sources

Rentier and retiree permits · Toelatingsorganisatie Curaçao, Ministry of Justice of Curaçao · checked 2026-10-11
Penshonado scheme · Belastingdienst Curaçao · checked 2026-10-11
Payment order form 910: fees and levies by permit type and period · Department of Immigration (Admission Organisation), Ministry of Justice, Curaçao · checked 2026-10-11
Implementation of policy changes as of 1 April 2026 · Admission Organisation (Toelatingsorganisatie), Ministry of Justice, Curaçao · checked 2026-10-11
Becoming a Dutch national in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom · Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND), Netherlands · checked 2026-10-11

Pensioner permit and its alternatives

Route	Money needed	Stay	Work
Pensioner permit	Fee XCG 1,865+ ≈ $1,040	3 yr, renewable	No
Rentier permit	Fee XCG 1,865+ ≈ $1,040	3 yr, renewable	No
Hibernator short stay	Needs savings of XCG 36k+ ≈ $20k	6 mo	No
Retiree permanent residence Mexico	Needs income of MXN 134k+ a month ≈ $7,310	–	Yes
Pensioner visa M Colombia	Needs income of COP 5.3M+ a month ≈ $1,640	3 yr	Yes

Questions people ask

How much money do I need for the Pensioner permit?

A fee of XCG 635 (≈ $350). First application for a residence permit (own business, rentier or pensioner purpose) requested for 1 year; fees and levies combined. A fee of XCG 1,250 (≈ $700). First application for a residence permit (own business, rentier or pensioner purpose) requested for 2 years; fees and levies combined. A fee of XCG 1,865 (≈ $1,040). First application for a residence permit (own business, rentier or pensioner purpose) requested for 3 years; fees and levies combined.

How long can I stay on the Pensioner permit?

Permit requested for up to three years; extension possible.

How long does the Pensioner permit take to process?

The Admission Organisation has four months from the date of the application to decide.

Can I work on the Pensioner permit?

No. No local work; the penshonado tax scheme requires not working in Curaçao.

Can I bring my family on the Pensioner permit?

Spouse and children can apply for a family permit.

Does the Pensioner permit lead to permanent residence in Curaçao?

Time on the Pensioner permit counts toward permanent residence in Curaçao, which the rules allow after 10 years of residence. The general rule for citizenship is 5 years of residence.

Is there a tax break for Pensioner permit holders in Curaçao?

Penshonado scheme: foreign-source income of foreign retirees taxed at 10%: 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. It's separate from the visa and has its own conditions.

Tax

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 10 Oct 2026, some details partly verifiedChange log

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≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.

Ask the AI about this route AI

An AI assistant answers from the published records on this page and cites them. It can't assess your personal eligibility. Don't include personal details.

How this was checked

Checked on 2026-10-11 against 5 official sources. Status: partly verified; the page marks the facts an official source does not fully confirm.

Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out.

Rentier and retiree permits · Toelatingsorganisatie Curaçao, Ministry of Justice of Curaçao · checked 2026-10-11
Penshonado scheme · Belastingdienst Curaçao · checked 2026-10-11
Payment order form 910: fees and levies by permit type and period · Department of Immigration (Admission Organisation), Ministry of Justice, Curaçao · checked 2026-10-11
Implementation of policy changes as of 1 April 2026 · Admission Organisation (Toelatingsorganisatie), Ministry of Justice, Curaçao · checked 2026-10-11
Becoming a Dutch national in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom · Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND), Netherlands · checked 2026-10-11

Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the changes page, and the methodology page explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email contact@stayglobe.app with a link to the official source.