Making an Antigua and Barbuda real estate investment is a ripe opportunity for investors wishing to diversify their portfolios, protect their assets, and enhance their global mobility. Home to world-class beaches, reefs, endless sunshine, and vivacious culture, Antigua and Barbuda is irrefutably located in paradise. Even better, it offers something many small nations don’t – the chance to own a second passport in exchange for an investment.
In this complete guide, we provide detailed information on the nation’s real estate market so that you can buy a property with confidence in this slice of paradise and obtain a high-ranking passport.
Why make an Antigua and Barbuda real estate investment?
Whether you’re looking to retire on an island oasis, buy a holiday home, or invest in real estate for a passport, buying a property in Antigua and Barbuda is a fantastic investment. In Antigua and Barbuda, you can enjoy:
Stable property prices
Vast property types on offer, including plenty of beachfront luxury villas
A beneficial taxation system — No income, capital gains, wealth, or inheritance tax
A path toward securing an Antigua and Barbuda passport for yourself and your family members
A relaxing lifestyle in a safe, peaceful island nation
Check out our article: Your Guide to Buying Property in the Caribbean – What You Need to Know.
Antigua and Barbuda Real Estate Investment
It’s perfectly possible to secure a property investment without physically residing in Antigua and Barbuda. In fact, it’s encouraged, especially if you’re a foreign investor looking to broaden your horizons and obtain a second passport without actually needing to relocate.
One of the most attractive options for investors is to purchase property via Antigua and Barbuda’s Citizenship by Investment Program. The investment program allows investors to acquire a passport in three to four months in exchange for making a qualifying investment in the nation.
While the program offers four investment routes, investing in real estate is the best way to earn a profit in return and simultaneously own a second home in paradise. In fact, celebrities like Oprah Winfrey and iconic fashion designer Giorgio Armani already own properties in Antigua.
Antigua and Barbuda real estate investment requirements (under the citizenship by investment program):
- You must buy shares of Antigua and Barbuda property for sale valued at a minimum of $200,000.
- The property must come from a ‘pre-approved’ list of areas, and the property must be selected from the government’s approved development projects list.
- The investment must be held for a minimum of five years.
- Property registration, processing fees, and taxes must be paid in addition to the property purchase.
For more detailed information on the real estate route, National Development Fund, and more, check out our comprehensive guide to Antigua and Barbuda’s Citizenship by Investment Program below.
Approved areas
Real estate projects for Antigua and Barbuda’s Citizenship by Investment Program must be approved by the government, as per Regulation Six of the Citizenship by Investment Act 2013. The Government will identify approved development areas and then approve specific projects within these areas. There are a number of projects eligible for investment by applicants under the Citizenship by Investment Program, including eco-resorts, ecological villas, and more.
International Demand for Property Investment in Antigua and Barbuda
Tourism makes up more than 60 percent of Antigua’s national income, and there is great international demand for investment properties. Around 60 percent of buyers are found to be British, while 25 percent of buyers come from other European nations. Furthermore, Antigua and Barbuda has seen increased interest from American buyers.
Across the island, you’ll find 20 independent hotels, 13 upscale properties, and seven luxury properties. On average, beachfront apartments tend to go for $665 per square meter, beachfront villas tend to go for around $1,250 per square meter, and other types of properties tend to average around $650 per square meter.
Real Estate Investment Benefits
You might be wondering – Why would I want to purchase real estate on this Caribbean island nation? Truth be told, it’s a fantastic investment opportunity, one which many investors from around the world have taken advantage of already.
Let’s say you want to invest in a building or a hotel share with your joint partner. You can tap into the following benefits:
- Guaranteed bookings
- High rental return
- Acquire a passport for yourself and all your family members in three to four months.
- Visa-free travel to over 140 destinations, including the UK, the Schengen area, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Russia.
Where to buy?
In this tiny two-island nation, you’ll get the winning combination of golden sun and sea paired with tropical rainforest and mountainous terrain. Local traditions blend with British architecture, providing a wonderful range of property types. Whether you are looking for a condo with a swimming pool, a luxury villa overlooking the Caribbean sea, a beachfront property, or a dwelling in one of many sprawling resorts reminiscent of a colonial era — you name it, real estate listings provide plenty of options to choose from.
Antigua and Barbuda is divided into the parishes of Saint George, Saint John, Saint Mary, Saint Paul, Saint Peter, and Saint Philip on the island of Antigua and the dependencies of Barbuda and Redonda.
Here’s our curated list of where to buy property in Antigua and Barbuda:
- Barbuda
- Dickenson Bay
- English Harbour
- Falmouth Harbour
- Galley Bay
- Hodges Bay
- Jolly Harbour
- Nonsuch Bay
- Runaway beach
- Willoughby Bay
In these locations, you’ll find attractions like marinas, golf courses, shopping centers, and an array of fabulous restaurants and bars catering to every taste and cuisine. One thing’s for sure, no matter where you look, there is no shortage of exquisite waterfront properties on the market!
Market Overview
Antigua and Barbuda’s real estate market is well established. As we mentioned above, the nation’s condos and luxury villas on sale have attracted some of the world’s biggest celebrities. The location’s appeal was boosted by the 2014 establishment of its prestigious Citizenship by Investment Program, which offers a comfortable real estate investment route. The opening of the VC Bird International Airport’s new terminal in 2015 was another major factor in bolstering its tourism sector by making the island more accessible than ever. In fact, the island has air travel connections to 27 destinations and 18 countries.
On average, the Antigua real estate market offers the opportunity to earn a high rental income if you opt to purchase real estate for tourism purposes, earning from short-term rentals or villa rentals. In fact, Antigua and Barbuda’s world-renowned status as the ‘it’ tourism destination in the region is something more and more investors are taking advantage of, and there are plenty of property management services to support this.
What are prices like?
The price range of Antigua and Barbuda homes is between $255,000 – $12,000,000. This is, of course, dependent on what property type you choose and your income bracket. According to Numbeo, it costs an average of $12,418.13 per square meter to purchase an apartment outside the city center and $16,781.26 per square meter in the city center.
Generally speaking, the following prices apply:
- A spacious one-bedroom apartment costs around $250,000
- A 22-acre private island in sheltered crystal clear blue waters costs around $1,500,000
- A two-bedroomed villa located on the North Finger of Jolly Harbour costs around $265,000
- A 12-bedroomed commercial building in St Johns costs around $395,000
Step-by-Step Guide to Buying Real Estate
Buying property in this island nation is a streamlined, straightforward process. Nevertheless, consulting with an experienced attorney when buying property abroad is always advisable.
Once you’ve combed through Antigua and Barbuda real estate listings and have sought assistance from estate agents or an independent buyer’s agent regarding your Antigua and Barbuda search, the following five steps must be taken to secure your dream property.
- Have an attorney assess the deed and ensure there are no encumbrances on the purchase of the property.
- Prepare the sales and purchase agreement.
- Apply for the non-citizen’s Landholding License, which is 5 percent of the purchase price (not applicable if you are buying property as part of the citizenship by investment process).
- While you wait for your license to be approved (it takes around five months), secure the property by paying a 10 percent deposit to the seller.
- If you opt to work with an attorney, get them to register a restriction blocking others from dealing with the property without your consent.
Alien Landholding License
Obtaining an Alien Landholding License (ALHL) is required for foreigners purchasing real estate in Antigua and Barbuda. The license is charged at a minimum of five percent of the property’s value. The process of obtaining the license is costly and can take between three and six months to complete.
Real estate purchase for the CIP program
Please note that the process is slightly different if you decide to buy property in Antigua and Barbuda as part of the Citizenship by Investment Program. You must choose from a list of properties previously approved by the government, and since you are being granted citizenship, there is no need to pay the non-citizen’s Landholding License.
The minimum value of the purchase must be $200,000, and the property must be maintained for at least five years. If you prefer to invest in a tangible asset, you may prefer to invest in real estate. Furthermore, the property can be used to generate rental income, which is an attractive benefit for many investors. It is important to note that the closing costs will vary depending on the chosen property. Additionally, an address is required when opening a local bank account, another advantage of investing in real estate.
Global Citizen Solutions: Who We Are and How We Can Help You
Seek specialized assistance for your property hunt
Did you know that as a boutique citizenship by investment consultancy firm, we work in Antigua and Barbuda? That’s right, we help investors acquire passports in Antigua and Barbuda, particularly for applicants interested in the property investment route.
With offices in Portugal, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, and Brazil, our multilingual team guides individuals and families from start to finish, providing expert advice considering freedom, mobility, taxation, and security.
We’ve partnered with real estate registered agents in the twin-island nation and can help you with your property hunt and journey toward citizenship. Contact us today for more information.
Transaction Costs
After obtaining your Landholding License, you must close the deal by paying the remaining balance of the purchase price and stamp duty.
When taking Antigua and Barbuda property for sale transaction costs into account, factor in the following:
- Alien Landholding License fee – five percent of the property’s value
- Stamp Duty – The buyer pays about 2.5 percent of the purchase price towards transfer charges, while the seller pays 7.5 percent.
- Legal fees – at least two percent of the property’s value
- Insurance cover against risk – two percent
- Commission fees – usually about five to seven percent of the purchase price and are applicable when using the services of a real estate agent, accountant, attorney, or other professional during the purchasing process.
- If you want to sell your property down the line, you’ll need to pay a seven percent stamp duty fee, two to three percent in legal fees, plus a five percent appreciation tax.
Property taxes
Property owners in Antigua and Barbuda are required to pay property tax. Property tax is usually charged at the market price point, and rates vary from 0.1 percent to 0.5 percent, depending on the property value and use.
Property tax also depends on whether you’re purchasing a plot of land — in which case you’ll be taxed a relatively low sum — or whether you’re levied on buildings and other residential property. Allowances and tax rebates apply.
Do note that if you’re a non-resident owner of undeveloped land, you must pay a land tax of 10 percent to 20 percent on the value of the land, depending on how long you’ve owned the plot. Equally, non-resident leasing out of properties on the island is subject to a 25 percent tax rate of the net rental income.
Frequently Asked Questions about Antigua and Barbuda Real Estate
1. Why should I buy property in Antigua and Barbuda?
Buying property in Antigua and Barbuda enables you to enjoy fantastic advantages, including the right to own a passport with visa-free access to over 140 countries – including the UK, the Schengen area, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Russia, generous tax exemptions for non-residents, a bustling tourism industry, and a well-performing property market.
If you plan to earn an income from villa rentals or short-term rentals, there is no shortage of property management services to assist you in your Antigua and Barbuda search. If you’re looking to buy property to relocate, then Antigua and Barbuda is equally perfect. Whether you’re looking for a home with a swimming pool, sea view, or luxurious feel, the peace and stability of the nation, coupled with an abundance of sun and gorgeous beaches, will get you feeling right at home here.
2. Can foreigners own property in Antigua?
Absolutely yes, foreigners are eligible to buy as many properties as they want in this Caribbean island nation, and there are plenty of real estate listings to choose from. In fact, the country welcomes investment from overseas buyers and has set up an economic citizenship program to promote foreign investment in the nation.
There are no restrictions on foreign buyers acquiring land or building. The only thing to note is that foreign buyers must first apply for a non-citizen’s Landholding License. The license costs five percent of the property price.
3. Is buying real estate in Antigua and Barbuda a good investment opportunity?
It is a fantastic investment opportunity. Optimal rental returns, a well-performing, stable property market, as well as the possibility of earning a second passport have already prompted many investors to purchase property in the country.
4. Should I consult real estate agents in Antigua and Barbuda for help?
We recommend you enlist the help of local agents in Antigua and Barbuda since they have a birds-eye view into what properties are available and can help you scout for lesser-known properties on the island that sometimes don’t even show on real estate listing sites.
5. How much does a home cost in Antigua?
Antigua and Barbuda homes prices depend on the type of property. For example, luxury villas can cost anything from $600,000 upwards. A two-bedroom waterfront cottage in Jolly Harbour can be purchased for $695,000, whereas a waterfront villa in St Johns, with five bedrooms and an infinity swimming pool, will set you back around $3.4 million.
6. Does Antigua have property tax?
Yes, you must pay property tax in Antigua. The rate is usually 0.1 percent to 0.5 percent of the property value.
7. How much does a home cost in Antigua?
The average cost of a home in Antigua ranges anywhere between $255,000 and $12,000,000, depending on the type of property and its location.
8. Is Antigua a good place to buy property?
Yes, Antigua is a good place to buy property for a number of reasons, including good rental returns, a well-performing and stable property market, as well as the chance to earn a second passport with visa-free access to over 140 locations.
