Your life in Barbados starts here
Make your move to Barbados
Warm all year with a long-standing English-speaking community, Barbados offers a well-established route for remote workers and a path to permanent residency. Its famously tax-friendly regime makes this a welcoming island.
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Photo: Brian Yurasits / Unsplash
At a glance
Barbados, in brief.
How Barbados compares with the 80+ destinations we cover. Barbados ranks among the best for english-friendliness (4th of 81) and visa ease (22nd of 81) and tax friendliness (30th of 81).
Compare destinations- Cost of living
- Very high
- Property
- Moderate
- Healthcare
- Moderate
- Safety
- Some concerns
- Climate
- Warm (~27°C)
- English
- Native / official
- Expat community
- Established
Welcome Stamp or SERP, 5yr PR, English, dual
Remittance for non-doms, 28.5% top rate
Life in Barbados
Where, when and why did you move abroad? I’m Marianne, I’m 31, and I’m a digital marketer. Four years ago, I moved to the beautiful Caribbean island of…
Health insurance in Barbados
Covered from day one.
The dream is the easy part. Compare tailored expat health insurance quotes from trusted international insurers, in minutes and with no obligation.
Get health insurance quotes In partnership with Moving your belongings too? Get up to five free quotes from international moversSending money abroad? Compare money transfer rates
Your move plan
Barbados, one step at a time.
Thirteen steps, in the order most people tackle them. Each one links to the guide that walks you through it.
- 01Check which visa fits your moveRead the guide : Check which visa fits your move
- 02Work out your monthly budgetRead the guide : Work out your monthly budget
- 03Arrange health cover for your moveRead the guide : Arrange health cover for your move
- 04Understand how the health system worksRead the guide : Understand how the health system works
- 05Bring your pet, if you have oneRead the guide : Bring your pet, if you have one
- 06Find somewhere to rentRead the guide : Find somewhere to rent
- 07Open a local bank accountRead the guide : Open a local bank account
- 08Know your residency steps after you arriveRead the guide : Know your residency steps after you arrive
- 09Find a doctorRead the guide : Find a doctor
- 10Understand your tax positionRead the guide : Understand your tax position
- 11Sort out your driving licenceRead the guide : Sort out your driving licence
- 12Set up a phone and internetRead the guide : Set up a phone and internet
- 13Plan schools, if you're moving with childrenRead the guide : Plan schools, if you're moving with children
Plan your move
Answers for your move.
Free tools that turn big questions about Barbados into clear answers.
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- Compare cost of livingWhat your money is worth in Barbados.01
- Check retirement affordabilityWhere your pension clears the requirement.02
- Find visa optionsEvery route you could qualify for.03
- Get moving quotesUp to five free quotes from international movers.04
- Compare money transfer ratesFor large international transfers.05
The complete picture
The Barbados moving guide.
54 guides, from your visa to finding a vet. Start with the three most people need first.
Moving guide sponsored by- Start here · 01
Visas
Which visa fits your move, and how to apply.
- Start here · 02
Residency
Your residence permit, from first stay to long term.
- Start here · 03
Banking
Opening an account and moving money.
Visas, residency and work
6
Healthcare
7
Buying property
5
Health and wellbeing
8
Travel and transport
5
Driving and cars
5
Health cover designed for life in Barbados
Whether you're relocating with your family, taking up a new role or retiring abroad, Cigna Global plans are built around expat life: worldwide cover, direct billing and 24/7 support in English.
Fresh from Barbados
Latest articles.
Bridgetown for Expats: Living in Barbados’s Capital
Set against a backdrop of shimmering blue waters, Bridgetown, the capital of Barbados, exudes an irresistible charm. Offering a mix of colonial heritage, vibrant…
How To Apply For A Visa In Barbados
Depending on your nationality, you may be able to get a visa upon arrival in Barbados and be granted a specified period of stay.…
How To Open A Bank Account In Barbados
If you're planning to live and work in Barbados, a local bank account is essential – after all, nobody wants to face a transaction…
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