Buying Property in Antigua & Barbuda

AN INFORMATIONAL GUIDE TO BUYING PROPERTY IN ANTIGUA & BARBUDA FOR FOREIGN BUYERS

Known to have a shoreline washed almost entirely by the Caribbean Sea, Antigua & Barbuda has a small but reputable and well-established property market across the Caribbean region.

If you are interested in buying a property in Antigua & Barbuda, but, as a foreign buyer, you have no idea where is the best location, then we’re here to help you.

This informative guide provides vital information in the process of buying a property in Antigua & Barbuda from start to finish. It also contains details on the real estate market, the process of purchasing property and the taxes and fees that you need to pay.

Table of Contents

SHORT BACKGROUND OF THE ANTIGUA REAL ESTATE MARKET

Famous for the tagline “Two Islands Offering One Paradise”, Antigua & Barbuda is known worldwide for its 365 powdery white sand beaches. It is the definition of the Caribbean dream. Surrounding the 95 miles of sun-soaked coastline are crystal clear blue waters, a perfect destination for world-class sailing and deep-sea fishing. When it comes to real estate business, benefits could be derived, such as good international access, tax incentives, national security and political stability.

Its strong real estate market is attributable to its attractive range of benefits to offer to potential investors and realtors. Celebrities, fashion designers and businessmen are attracted to the luxury beachfront homes and condos available in the market. Some of the famous people are Eric Clapton to Giorgio Armani who own real estate in Antigua.

The increasing profit rate in the real estate market has been bolstered when a new airport terminal was opened in August 2015. This event has made the island more accessible. The Antigua’s Citizenship by Investment program also helped in attracting investors and realtors. This unique program is intended for those who invested in designated Antigua citizenship by investment real estate or who have contributed largely to boost the economy by giving them the opportunity to acquire full citizenship.

BUYING PROPERTY IN ANTIGUA
FOREIGNERS CAN BUY PROPERTY IN ANTIGUA

Fortunately, the Government of Antigua welcomes overseas buyers and investors. In fact, no prohibitions are being imposed upon foreign buyers acquiring real estate in Antigua as they also have the same rights and privileges as those Antiguan citizens. To buy real property in Antigua, overseas buyers should apply for a Non-Citizens Land Holding Licence (NCHL or NCL) and pay 5% of the purchase price as a fee. In the alternative, the buyer of any property in an approved real estate project may avail of the full citizenship of Antigua through the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Program.

THE PROCESS OF BUYING PROPERTY

The following simple steps may be followed in buying a property in Antigua:

  1. Start your search for real estate.
  2. Look for the perfect property and make an offer to buy it.
  3. Apply for an Alien Landholding License if you are a foreign buyer who wants to acquire any real estate in Antigua.
  4. Pay 5% of the property’s value as an application fee for an Alien Landholding License. Wait for four months for your application to be approved.
  5. Settle and pay all required taxes.
PAYMENT OF LEGAL FEES

We encourage you to hire a reputable lawyer to guide you in buying the real property of your choice.

Pay the corresponding legal fees, which is typically equivalent to 1% to 2% of the total purchase price.

PAYMENT OF STAMP DUTY/TRANSFER TAX

A government transfer tax of 2.5% is required to be paid by foreign buyers to complete the property purchase.

ANTIGUA REAL ESTATE 

As an expert in luxury Caribbean property, contact us for great listings of the best residential property in Antigua.

DISCOVER HOMES FOR SALE AND CONDOS FOR SALE

If you are looking for more villas, vacation homes and houses for sale in Antigua as well as apartments and condos for sale, contact us.

LOOK FOR LAND FOR SALE

You can choose to purchase vacant or undeveloped land. This choice will allow you to make a concrete plan to build your dream home in Antigua.

Whether you are looking for a real property fronting the beach or property located in the business center of the island, we are always available to assist you in finding a perfect lot of land for sale in Antigua.

For real properties with a bigger area, please contact us about our commercial real estate listings.

FIND HOTELS FOR SALE

Looking for hotels for sale in Antigua? Contact us for Hotels, B&Bs and guests houses.

SEARCHING FOR THE PERFECT PROPERTY FOR SALE IN ANTIGUA

Find the latest real estate investment opportunities in Antigua and discover the benefits that could be derived from your investment.

To pick the perfect property in Antigua, contact us regarding our Antigua real estate listings.


BEST LOCATIONS TO BUY PROPERTY IN ANTIGUA

BARBUDA
DICKENSON BAY
ENGLISH HARBOUR
GALLEY BAY
HODGES BAY
JOLLY HARBOUR
NONSUCH BAY
RUNAWAY BEACH
WILLOUGHBY BAY


ANTIGUA RESIDENCY & CITIZENSHIP

DURATION OF STAY OF A FOREIGN CITIZEN IN ANTIGUA

Citizens of the USA, EU, Canada and the UK can stay in Antigua for a vacation or business purpose up to 6 months without the need of a visa.

BECOMING A RESIDENT OF ANTIGUA

People who have independent means of income, like homeowners and retirees, who have legally resided in Antigua & Barbuda for 2 years may apply for a Resident Permit which offers certain benefits like right to live, work and study. If your application is successful, you will hold a Resident Permit Card which is valid for 1 to 3 years, renewable by applying with the Immigration Department.

BECOMING A CITIZEN OF ANTIGUA

To apply for citizenship, any holder of Resident Permit must have legally resided in Antigua & Barbuda for 7 years.

Also, qualified investors in Antigua & Barbuda may avail of Citizenship by Investment Program. This program is a great opportunity for them to become full citizens of Antigua & Barbuda in consideration of their significant contribution to the nation’s economy. It may be in the form of financial contribution to any government funding source or through investment in any real estate project approved by the government.

Explore more: Antigua Citizenship by Investment

REAL PROPERTY MORTGAGES IN ANTIGUA

Are you looking for any institution to finance the purchase of property in the Caribbean region?

Contrary to what people know, foreign nationals who desire to invest in Antigua real estate may absolutely apply for a mortgage loan.

For more details, contact us

SENDING MONEY TO ANTIGUA

If you want to get the best rate for your property purchase and save money in your real property investment in Antigua, you can hire a foreign exchange expert. 

To know the ways how you could save money, contact us

GETTING TO ANTIGUA

To reach Antigua, you can avail of the regular direct flights to VC. Bird Airport from anywhere in North America and Europe.

If you are travelling from any city in the US, you can book tickets with American, Continental, Delta and US Airways which fly from various American cities. In case you are coming from New York JFK, JetBlue has non-stop flights to Antigua.

For travellers from Canada, Air Canada also offers direct flights from Toronto to Antigua.

If from the UK, you may fly through British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and BMI to Antigua.

For inland travels, there are various regional airlines available. These airlines include Liat, Seaborne Airlines and Caribbean Airlines interCaribbean Airways.

GETTING TO BARBUDA

To go to Barbuda, any traveller may use a different mode of transportation by plane, helicopter or ferry.

AVAILABLE FLIGHTS TO BARBUDA

Travel by air to Barbuda is made possible by Fly Montserrat.

Departure is from Antigua’s VC. Bird International Airport and arrival is at Barbuda Codrington Airport.

It will take approximately 20 minutes to fly from Antigua to Barbuda.

TRAVEL BY HELICOPTER

You may also travel by helicopter from Antigua to Barbuda.

If travelling between the islands, there are various companies which operate helicopter charter services for travellers.

TRAVEL BY FERRY

For those who are not in a rush to travel from Antigua to Barbuda, you may do so by ferry.

You may take the ferry from St John’s Harbour in Antigua to Barbuda via the Barbuda Express which operates ferry service 6 days per week.

The journey usually takes 90 minutes on the high-speed ferry.

ADVANTAGES OF INVESTING IN ANTIGUA & BARBUDA
  • You can avail of the Citizenship by Investment Program in exchange for investment or project funding.
  • There is a high potential for lucrative income in real estate and tourism because it is one of the fastest-growing markets.
  • It is also very accessible to reach due to the availability of direct international flights to Antigua from any major city in the USA, Canada and Europe.
  • There are more than US $1 billion worth of tourism and real estate related projects within Antigua.
  • You can find here 365 stunning white sand beaches and luxurious hotels and resorts.
  • Real estate business is even more popular and reputable due to the investments put up by celebrity investors, namely: Eric Clapton, Giorgio Armani and Robert de Niro.
  • Tourists come again and again to its annual events like the Antigua Sailing Week. It is also famous for having the largest man-made marina in the Eastern Caribbean.

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