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Who has never longed to spend their retiring days in the tropics, facing turquoise waters while sipping a fresh pomelo juice? You’re in luck; your dream can come true. Thanks to the Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment Program, get a second passport and spend your retirement in one of the most beautiful countries in the world. By retiring in Vanuatu, endless sunshine, visa free travel to 112 countries, including Singapore, and Russia, and tax advantages are guaranteed!
Benefits of Retiring in Vanuatu
Live in a paradisiac island
Invest and get a second citizenship
Visa free travel to 112 countries
A short flight to Australia, New Zealand, and the Asia Pacific
Relaxed pace of life under the sun
Favorable tax regime
What does it mean to retire in Vanuatu?
If you are wondering what retirement in Vanuatu entails, let us enlighten you. Picture crystal clear blue waters, white-sand beaches, mesmerizing coral reefs, and tropical weather. That’s Vanuatu for you. This country of 80 islands is called a paradise on earth for a reason.
Every year, tourists come in droves to enjoy the relaxed pace of life and things to do in Vanuatu. The booming tourism industry has allowed the country to develop while preserving its traditions and identity. Indeed, multiculturalism is beaming over here! While the main languages are Bislama, English, and French, there are over 110 spoken languages throughout the Vanuatu island chain.
The country’s positive outlook on foreign investment is highlighted by Vanuatu’s favorable real estate market. There are no restrictions for foreigners wishing to purchase Vanuatu property and no property tax. If you’re in to purchase beachfront villas at ridiculously low prices, Vanuatu is your place.
The cost of retiring in Vanuatu
The Vanuatu cost of living is relatively high, but definitely affordable. Because the country is composed of small islands, it needs to import products from abroad, such as milk, cheese, meat, and clothes. As you can imagine, imported products are more expensive than average. However, goods produced locally are cheap, and you’ll find plenty of delicious tropical fruits and vegetables at affordable prices — breadfruit, pomelo, lychees, banana, and rose apple, to name just a few.
If you’d like to rent property in Vanuatu, you can find a one-bedroom apartment in the city center for $1,790 per month, or $1,340 if located outside the city center. Looking for a bigger space? A three-bedroom apartment will cost around $2,300 in the city center and $1,750 outside the city. However, if your plan is to retire in Vanuatu, our advice is to buy property. The real estate market in Vanuatu is just so attractive, and opportunities to get returns on your investment are real.
How to Get a Vanuatu Passport
Vanuatu Real Estate Investment
Whether you’d like to purchase property in Vanuatu to live in or as an investment, there are plenty of property investment opportunities to accommodate your needs. With a stable property market and many affordable properties for sale in popular cities like Port Vila, Vanuatu is definitely a great place to invest in.
Vanuatu Tax Benefits
If you become a Vanuatu national, you’ll benefit from a very favorable tax regime. Getting a Vanuatu passport is, therefore an excellent ‘plan B’ for individuals who’d rather keep their savings instead of spending it on Vanuatu taxes. In Vanuatu, there is no income tax, capital gains tax, or estate taxes; as well as no wealth, gift, or other personal income taxes.
What are the visa requirements for retiring in Vanuatu?
The Vanuatu government offers several residence visa options for retirees to live in Vanuatu permanently. The circumstances under which you can become a Vanuatu resident as a retiree include the following:
- Self-funded resident: You provide national bank statements proving a monthly income of 250,000 VATU ($2,100) deposited into a Vanuatu bank account.
- Foreign investor: You’re a foreign investor with a certificate of approval from the Vanuatu Investment and Promotion Authority (VIPA).
- Leasehold property owner: You own leasehold real estate in Vanuatu valued at least 10 million VATU ($83,000).
- Citizen by investment: You’ve been granted dual citizenship by the Vanuatu Citizenship Commission (VCC) through investing in the Vanuatu citizenship program.
How to Get Citizenship in Vanuatu
The best option to get citizenship in Vanuatu is to apply to the Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment Program. In just one to two months, get a Vanuatu passport in exchange for a donation of at least $130,000 to Vanuatu’s local development fund or $150,000 to the Cocoa Sustainable Fund (CSF), with the option to recoup $50,000 after five years.
The Vanuatu passport will give you visa free access to 112 countries — including Singapore, Hong Kong and Russia.
Take a look at our Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment Ultimate Guide
Frequently Asked Questions about Retiring in Vanuatu
Can I retire in Vanuatu?
Yes, you can absolutely retire in Vanuatu! Thanks to the Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment Program you can now acquire Vanuatu citizenship in exchange for an economic investment.
How can I get Vanuatu citizenship as a retiree?
In order to get the Vanuatu passport via the Vanuatu dual citizenship by investment program, you’ll need to make a donation of at least $130,000 to the Vanuatu local development fund and show that you have at least $250,000 in your bank account. Alternatively, you can donate $150,000 to the Cocoa Sustainable Fund (CSF), with the option to recoup $50,000 from the initial investment after five years.
Is the cost of living in Vanuatu expensive for retirees?
The cost of living in Vanuatu is not cheap, because Vanuatu imports many products. However, it is definitely affordable, with a lower average cost of living than the United States, and the big plus is you can purchase dream properties at very affordable prices in Vanuatu.
What are Vanuatu tax benefits?
Vanuatu citizens and retirees with tax residence in the country pay no income tax or inheritance tax; as well as no wealth, gift, or capital gains taxes.
What are the cons of retiring in Vanuatu?
While there are many benefits of retiring to Vanuatu, including Vanuatu being safe for foreigners, there are cons that may make it unsuitable for some expat retirees. The country scores relatively high on the Criminality Index by the Global Organized Crime Index due to issues such as illegal trade and cybercrime. Additionally, although there are several investment options for citizenship, concerns raised over the CBI program have led to the suspension of visa free access to the UK and European Union for Vanuatu passport holders.
