Palm Trees, Paperwork, and Practicalities: An Insider’s Take on Caribbean Citizenship

After more than five years on La Vida’s Client Relations team, and enough Caribbean citizenship files to classify as my own personal version of weight-training. I’ve learned something important: the idea of “moving to the Caribbean” floats somewhere between a whimsical daydream and a fully-fledged lifestyle manifesto.

What begins as a simple desire for visa-free mobility quickly evolves into colourful visions of turquoise horizons, barefoot breakfasts, and tax regimes so friendly you half expect them to give you a warm hug. And after speaking with hundreds of families, entrepreneurs, retirees, and the occasional wonderfully eccentric free spirit, I can confidently say this: Caribbean citizenship is far richer, more nuanced, and occasionally far funnier than the glossy brochures would ever dare let on.

And in 2025? The dream is very much alive, just slightly more refined. As are the dreamers pursuing it.

Why Everyone Seems to Be Falling in Love with Caribbean Citizenship

Let’s be honest: the Caribbean does not need marketing help.
Crystal waters. Sunshine. Rum. (Should I mention the rum twice? Probably.)

But today’s Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programmes from Antigua & Barbuda to St Kitts & Nevis have evolved well beyond the classic “passport plus beach” concept. Increasingly, they attract people seeking lifestyle diversification, personal autonomy, and that all-important Plan B… ideally one with an ocean view.

These islands offer political stability, genuine community warmth, and some of the lowest collective stress levels known to humankind. For many new citizens, this isn’t just a backup passport, it’s a lifestyle upgrade with a generous side of sunshine.

Residency Rights: The Bit Everyone Thinks They Understand

Yes, Caribbean citizenship allows you to live there indefinitely.
No, it doesn’t require you to pack your bags and adopt a hammock-based routine immediately (however tempting that may be).

Every week, the same questions make a steady march into my inbox:

Do I have to live there? (No.)
Can I move there if I want to? (Absolutely.)
What if I just want a holiday home? (Also, yes.)
Do they have good Wi-Fi? (Increasingly, yes. And this one never fails to make me smile.)

Here’s the reality:

Residency obligations are minimal; Antigua & Barbuda’s five-day visit within five years is the only firm requirement. New citizens can relocate with ease, buying property, accessing healthcare and education, and even opening bank accounts. Full-time residents enjoy tax advantages, deeper community integration, and the joy of living somewhere where people genuinely ask how your day is (and truly mean it).

Case Study:

I’ve had clients grumble endlessly about Antigua’s five-day residency requirement, usually with the same enthusiasm one reserves for assembling flat-pack furniture. My advice is always the same: go, enjoy the sunshine, tick the box, and head home. Simple.

Except, of course, when it isn’t.

One client, determined not to relocate under any circumstances, completed his obligatory five days and promptly did the opposite. Two years later, he’s happily settled in Antigua and regularly reminds me, “Best move of my life! I’m two hours from Miami and I play golf every day.”

Not quite the burden he expected.

Quality of Life: Slower, Sunnier, and (Sometimes) Surprisingly Practical

A Caribbean lifestyle means slower mornings, a strong sense of community, and a blessed escape from the frantic pace so many of my clients are desperate to leave behind.

Of course, even paradise comes with practicalities:

• Infrastructure: Generally strong, with St Kitts and Grenada often leading for digital connectivity.
• Cost of living: Imported goods can be pricier, but local produce, services, and property can be refreshingly reasonable.
• Education: Solid international-style schooling options are readily available in Antigua, St Lucia, and Grenada.
• Healthcare: Excellent for routine needs, with major procedures typically carried out in Barbados or the US.

Taxes: Or Why Half the World Suddenly Wants to Be a Caribbean Resident

• No tax on worldwide income.
• No capital gains tax.
• No inheritance tax.

This is the moment on a Zoom call when I can practically see shoulders drop in real time.

For globally mobile families with international businesses and assets, the Caribbean offers remarkable flexibility. I do, however, always remind clients to seek independent tax advice particularly if they come from a jurisdiction with global taxation obligations.

And banking? It’s well-regulated, professional, and thorough.
Translation: prepare your documents, embrace the compliance process, and try not to be offended when asked for your entire life story. It’s nothing personal, it’s just Tuesday.

Final Thoughts from Someone Who’s Seen It All (Or Very Nearly)

After guiding more Caribbean CBI applications than I can count without resorting to fingers and toes, here’s what I know:

Caribbean citizenship is about far more than a passport. It’s about possibility.

For some, it means security.
For others, it means freedom.
And for an increasing number, it marks the joyful first step toward a new life in the sun.

In the words of one of my clients:

“You have been nothing but the most important people I had to meet and deal with for the last 30 years. I understand it is a business, but the amount of time everyone here has put, and all the dedication is beyond imagination. You all have given me the ability to acquire the most expensive thing earth had to offer: Freedom!”

Ultimately, the best outcomes come from pairing the dream with the realities, embracing the beauty while acknowledging the practicalities.

The Caribbean offers opportunity, authenticity, and a lifestyle many only imagine. And for those willing to say yes, it often becomes not just a second citizenship, but a second home.

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Tags: Chelita, Insights