Buying a home on Curaçao: what should you keep in mind?

Are you considering buying a house or villa on the beautiful tropical island of Curaçao? Curaçao has been popular for years among those who dream of owning a vacation home on an island with a tropical climate. The climate and the ever-present azure blue sea ensure that you can enjoy a pleasant stay there all year round. Investing in real estate on the island is also a smart move for entrepreneurs, thanks to an attractive tax system.

Our listings mainly consist of properties in the luxury segment. At Burbach Roycroft, personal attention is our priority, partly because of our high-end segment. We also define each exclusive home as its own brand. We ensure that every home is shown to its best advantage.

If you are looking for your dream home on Curaçao and want an experienced real estate agent with knowledge of the market, read more about our approach here.

In the 1980s, Curaçao’s popularity skyrocketed, partly due to the opening of a leading hotel. Since then, the island, which has been an autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands since 2010, has emerged as a top destination for bon vivants who love sun, sea, snow-white beaches, and golf.

The temperature fluctuates between 26 and 31 degrees Celsius throughout the year, while a constant breeze provides cooling. You will also notice that most homes on Curaçao have a spacious outdoor area, as most islanders spend a large part of their lives outside.

The island boasts picturesque beaches and bays. A must for water sports enthusiasts is the uninhabited Klein Curaçao, where you may come face to face with sea turtles while swimming. There are also beautiful golf courses: the Old Quarry Golf Course (18 holes), the golf course at Blue Bay Golf & Beach Resort (18 holes), and the Curaçao Golf & Squash Club (9 holes).

The favorable tax system makes Curaçao an attractive location for businesses. Companies that serve customers outside the island can establish themselves in the so-called ‘e-zone’. Here, a reduced income tax rate of only 2% applies, which is a significant attraction for companies. This makes the purchase of a vacation home on Curaçao, as part of a broader consideration, even more attractive.

Some neighborhoods and resorts are particularly attractive and sought-after within our high-end market segment. These are prime locations where you would love to buy a home or villa on Curaçao. The following neighborhoods and resorts are luxurious, exclusive, and attractive:

• Jan Thiel, a very popular tourist neighborhood, known for its beautiful beaches, restaurants, and luxury homes. Within Jan Thiel, Vista Royal is specifically mentioned as a location with exclusive villas, often with sea views.
• Jan Sofat, a luxury villa neighborhood with 24-hour security, located on the Spanish Water. The neighborhood is known for its tranquility, space, and villas with water views.
• Seru Boca Estate, located within the Santa Barbara Beach & Golf Resort, offers exclusivity, privacy, and tranquility. You also have access to luxury amenities such as golf courses and marinas.
• Coral Estate, a resort known for its spacious lots, luxury villas, and coastal location. The focus here is on nature and tranquility.
• In Blue Bay, you will find the Blue Bay Golf & Beach Resort, a resort with a golf course, a beautiful beach, and various amenities, where luxury homes are available.

Yes, that is quite easy, because there are no restrictions. There are no restrictions for American buyers. You also do not need a residence permit to buy a home. If you want to emigrate to the island to live there permanently, you will need to apply for a Declaration of Legal Status. In this blog, you can read more about emigrating to Curaçao. This process is separate from the home purchase process.

When you start your search, it is important to hire a real estate agent. A local agent with knowledge of the market and the area. With a good dose of people skills, an experienced agent will also know which neighborhood or area best suits you and your family. Our portfolio consists mainly of high-end properties on Curaçao. Does one of the properties in our portfolio appeal to you? You can, of course, schedule a viewing via our website.

The purchase is recorded in a written purchase agreement. After signing, you as a private buyer have a legal cooling-off period of three days. The transfer of ownership takes place through a notary on Curaçao. The notary takes care of the deed of transfer and registration in the Land Registry.

When buying a home on the island, you must take into account additional costs, such as:

• Transfer tax (currently 4% of the purchase price)
• Notary fees, which vary between 1% and 2.5% of the purchase price
• Real estate agent fees (usually a percentage of the purchase price)
• Land Registry fees
• The costs for applying for a Declaration of Legal Title

For wealthy Dutch or American citizens, applying for a mortgage may be unnecessary, but if you still wish to do so, you will need to take out a mortgage with a local bank in Curaçao. The conditions are often different from those in the Netherlands. For example, a higher down payment is usually expected (often around 30 to 40% of the purchase price) and the terms are shorter. There may also be an age limit for fully repaying a mortgage, for example 65 years.

Have you decided to buy a house or villa on Curacao and have you found a beautiful property? Take a good look at the status of the property, any leasehold arrangements, and zoning plans. Many properties, particularly in certain resorts or old buildings, are located on leasehold land.

You may then be allowed to use the land for a certain period (often 60 years) in exchange for an annual lease payment. Always check the remaining term of the leasehold contract, the amount of the payment (and whether the leasehold has been bought out), and also look at the conditions for renewal.

Would you like the entire purchasing process to run smoothly, under the watchful eye of an experienced real estate agent with knowledge of the local market? Then please contact us. You can also sign up for our Burbach Roycroft update. This update will keep you among the first to know about our new listings.