FAQ

It is absolutely worth getting St Lucia property. Get the property of your dreams in one of the most beautiful Caribbean islands and benefit from a high quality of life. With very favorable tax exemptions, a low cost of living, and an excellent real estate market, St Lucia is the place to purchase property in the Caribbean. Thanks to the St Lucia Citizenship by Investment Program, buy pre-approved property and obtain the St Lucia passport in no more than three months.

Traditionally in St Lucia, the real estate commission is paid by the seller unless otherwise is agreed upon. Legal fees are regulated in St Lucia and average 3% – 5% of the purchase price. Real estate commissions are on average 5% to 6%. *The real estate commissions are normally paid by the seller.

St. Lucia doesn’t have a credit system like you would find in North America. Mortgages are available to St Lucians, permanent residents, and foreign investors through a majority of St Lucia banks, institutions, credit unions and mortgage firms. It is best to get in touch with a bank or institution in Saint Lucia as soon as you decide to buy a house. RE/MAX Golden Apple can provide you with a list of our most trusted service providers.

Real estate in St Lucia is often sold freehold. There are a few leasehold property exclusions. The majority of these assets are Crown Land (government-owned) holdings that are leased for farming or development.

One will have to use the services of a local attorney-at-law when purchasing property in St Lucia. The local attorney who represents the buyer also provides an opinion on the title to the property in addition to confirming that the title paperwork is correctly completed and in excellent condition. The attorney is responsible for searching and registering the property at the Land Registry.

Yes. There are many firms selling insurance that represent significant worldwide

Yes, you can buy Saint Lucia real estate for sale as a foreigner. You will have to apply to an Alien Landholding License in order to buy St Lucia property. You can also apply to the St Lucia Citizenship by Investment Program and purchase pre-approved property in exchange for receiving a St Lucia passport.

How much do I need to invest in real estate to get St Lucia citizenship by investment?

You can receive St Lucia citizenship by investing a minimum of $200,000 in real estate, from a list of pre-approved projects. Alternatively, you can also obtain citizenship by making a donation of at least $100,000 to the country’s National Economic Fund.

There are two ways of purchasing real estate in St Lucia if you are a non-national:

• Purchase property in St Lucia by applying for an Alien Landholding License.
• Purchase St Lucia property through the Citizenship by Investment Program. Invest in pre-approved property and get St Lucian Citizenship.

Requirements for non-nationals

• Look for property and make an offer once you find the right one.
• Once your offer has been accepted, instruct a local attorney to prepare the Deed of Sale, conduct due diligence, and apply for the Alien Landholding License.
• Pay a deposit of 10% which will be held in escrow.
• Pay all required taxes and fees.
• Pay the property price.

St Lucia transaction costs

Below are the buyers’ required fees to purchase St Lucia real estate based on the property value:

• Alien Landholding License = depends on the size
• Stamp duty = 2%
• Legal fees = 0.5% – 2.50%

What are the costs of obtaining an Alien Landholding License:

• Up to 1 acre: $5,000
• 1 acre up to 10 acres: $10,000
• 10 acres up to 20 acres: $20,000
• 20 acres up to 50 acres: $30,000
• 50 acres up to 100 acres: $40,000
• Over 100 acres: $50,000

Yes, dual citizenship is allowed in St Lucia.

Large multi-million villas to small condominiums or residences are among the many types of real estate that draw investors to the St. Lucia. The desire for investment homes with excellent property returns has been fueled by the gorgeous settings of St Lucia properties and a secure investment environment. People are continually drawn back to the St Lucia because of the way of life there. While preserving the laid-back environment renowned to the Caribbean, communities here have grown to include substantial lifestyle, fitness, epicurean, and social possibilities that are of the highest caliber.

St Lucia real estate property options are various: you can find family homes, luxury villas, modern condos, charming bungalows, apartments, and historic colonial villas for a wide range of prices.

For land in St Lucia, prices are comparatively low and can go higher based on the location. Top end real estate on island can go as high as $20 USD/ sq ft. You can also find properties as low as $1 USD/ sq ft. or less if they are sold in large portions, or are earmarked as agriculture/farmland. Generally great spots are in the $10 USD/ sq ft. range.

Depending on the type of property and location, prices vary. Starting from about $250,000 USD you can purchase a beautiful local home. Modern condos and bungalows’ prices are around $350,000 USD, while beachfront villas cost about $1,500,000+.

Additionally, you can find properties such as apartments in gated waterfronts development, historic colonial homes, and cottages for a wide range of prices.

Pre-approved government property prices start at $200,000 and are mostly high-end branded hotels and resorts, or boutique properties.

St Lucia can be a fantastic place to live and invest. Renowned for its natural and untouched beauty, quality of life, tax incentives, and booming real estate market, St Lucia has much to offer.

A true gem of the Caribbean, St Lucia is an island renowned for its beauty. Home to the mesmerizing Piton mountains, it is blessed with clean long sandy beaches, lush rainforests, refreshing waterfalls, and colourful coral reefs. Well connected to the rest of the world – with direct flights to the US, UK, Canada, and Germany – and a cost of living cheaper than in most of the Caribbean countries as well as a very dynamic real estate market, St Lucia is a fantastic place to buy property.

There are different types of properties for sale in St Lucia. You can find family homes, luxury villas, modern condos, charming bungalows and historical colonial villas for a wide range of prices. Some of the best places to buy property in St Lucia are located in the northwest part of the island – such as Rodney Bay, Marigot Bay, and Castries.

Since 2015, the government has established the St Lucia Citizenship by Investment Program, granting individuals who made a significant investment to the country’s economy a St Lucia passport. It is now possible to obtain St Lucia citizenship by investment real estate.

Top Reasons to Buy St Lucia Real Estate:

• Fantastic Caribbean island
• Low cost of living
• Very profitable real estate market
• Tax exemptions
• Get St Lucia citizenship by purchasing pre-approved property
• Well connected to the rest of the world

Have a look at the real estate listings on our website and you will find St Lucia homes for all tastes. And if you are planning on renting your St Lucia real estate investment, there are plenty of companies offering property management services so you can have rental income stress free and have your vacation home available for when you need it.

Some of the best places to buy property for sale in St Lucia are Rodney Bay, Marigot Bay, Savannes Bay, Cannelles, Cap Estate, and Castries.

Cap Estate– At the northernmost point of the island is the Cap estate, a well sought-after development close to the largest golf course in Saint Lucia. In Cap Estate there are resorts, restaurants, the country and golf clubs and the beach at Pigeon Point not more than a short 5 minute or less drive away. The best lots have incredible views of Gros-Islet as well as views of both the sunrise and the sunset – being true north and being able to see the waters of the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean meet.

Rodney Bay – Close to Cap estate is Rodney Bay, popular tourist area with dozens of hotels and shops. Rodney Bay is one of the fastest growing hubs of economic activity on the island. You have the Rodney Bay Marina, Rodney Bay Shopping Centre which are the northern hubs for some of the region’s amenities, schools, restaurants, galleries, duty-free shops, entertainment, bars, coffee shops, banks, beaches and much more.

Marigot Bay –  Marigot Bay is located 5 miles south of Castries on the west coast of St Lucia, the sheltered leeward side of the island facing the Caribbean Sea. It is the deepest natural harbour in the Eastern Caribbean, divided into two by the La Bas beach spit projecting from the north side. The inner bay is further protected by the beach spit and is a recognised “hurricane hole’, probably the safest natural harbour in the Caribbean.‍ Marigot Bay is a historic landmark, having been the site of a number of battles between the French and British navies. The bay was used as the setting for the 1967 film adaptation of Hugh Lofting’s Doctor Dolittle books.

Marigot Bay has developed as a high-end tourism destination, with the Five Star Marigot Bay Resort and Marina (formerly Discovery at Marigot Bay and Capella Marigot Bay) on the south side of the inner bay and a full suite of supporting tourism facilities.

Soufrière – Home of the World Heritage Site – the famous pitons and also the Sulphur springs. Soufriere’s backdrop of the Pitons, sea and rainforest provides a picture perfect setting to settle down in this laid-back and relatively undeveloped town in the south of St. Lucia. Enjoy lovely unpopulated beaches, and have access to restaurants and bars around the town with so much to see and explore.

Considering that its name is French for “Sulphur,” it should be no surprise to discover the wealth of hot springs and mineral baths. Other great spots located in Soufriere include Diamond Botanical Gardens, a slew of pretty beaches and the bike trails that wind through sugar plantation Anse Mamin.

Vieux Fort – To the south of the island is Vieux Fort, where the international airport is located, which has this name because of an ancient military fort overlooking the waters south of the country. Find resorts, hotels, shopping, schools, banks, beaches and more.

Cannelles in Vieux Fort is also an up and coming hub for developments – with modern homes and prepackaged lots ready to be built on with beautiful ocean views.

Home to Moule-a-Chique, (the southernmost peninsula where the waters of the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean meet) with captivating scenery of Vieux Fort. Vieux Fort is also well known for the Maria Islands. These two small islands, Maria Major and Maria Minor, are home to Saint Lucia’s indigenous iguanas, and the Saint Lucia Racer, the latter being the world’s smallest snake.

There are also many uncovered gems on island, you can build your own oasis or find something completely unique on many parts of the island.

• Real Estate Commission
• Vendor’s Tax
• Legal Fees

If one is a citizen of St. Lucia or a foreign national, the formula below would help to calculate the Vendor’s Tax.

• First $50,000 – Exempt
• Next $25,000 – 2.5%
• Next $75,000 – 3.5%
• Remainder – 5%

Deed Of Sale/Transfer – Aliens / Non-Citizens Of Saint Lucia

NB: If one is not a citizen of Saint Lucia the Vendors Tax is 10% of the Transaction.