Have you ever heard of St. Barts? Also known as Saint Barthélemy, this small island in the Caribbean belongs to France as an overseas collectivity. With its stunning beaches, luxury resorts, designer shops, and celebrity visitors, St. Barts is still not a glamorous holiday destination only. It is also a place to enjoy a high quality of life and acquire valuable citizenship.
If you are looking for a tropical paradise where you can live, retire, or invest trouble-free, here are some of the benefits of life in St. Barts and acquiring its citizenship.
French lifestyle in the Caribbean
One of the main attractions of St. Barts is its unique blend of French and Caribbean cultures. As a French territory, St. Barts follows the laws and regulations of France. Here, you will enjoy the same rights, benefits, and services as any French citizen, including universal health care, social security, education, and legal protection. You can also use EUR as your currency, and travel visa-free to the European Union and beyond.
At the same time, St. Barts retains its Caribbean charm and identity. When staying there, you will experience the warm and friendly hospitality of the locals, who speak French, English, and Creole. You have a unique opportunity to savor the delicious cuisine, influenced by French, African, and Indian flavors. To fully enjoy your St. Barts experience, go immerse yourself in the vibrant music, art, and festivals that celebrate the island’s rich history and diversity!
Safe and stable environment
One of the safest and most stable places in the world, the island boasts a low crime rate, a strong police presence, and a peaceful political climate. It is claimed to be one of the safest places to visit in the Caribbean. The nation is well-prepared for natural disasters, such as hurricanes, with efficient and reliable emergency services and infrastructure. In St. Barts, you will find a modern hospital, a fire station, and a disaster management center. Knowing that both you and your property are reliably protected, you will feel secure and comfortable living in St. Barts.
High living standards
Sitting right in the heart of the Caribbean, St. Barts offers a lifestyle of comfort and sophistication with its modern amenities and services. The island’s meticulously developed infrastructure includes a well-maintained road network, public transportation, and reliable utilities that make both residents and visitors feel comfortable and well taken care of. St. Barts boasts an exemplary healthcare system with top-tier medical facilities and skilled professionals, which makes it a leader in the Caribbean where the matter concerns healthcare excellence.
Education thrives here with an efficient system of public and private schools following the esteemed French curriculum. Bilingual classes in French and English promote higher education opportunities locally and abroad, which is a great stimulus for students’ personal growth.
St. Barts also comes with diverse leisure options catering to every taste. Whether enjoying outdoor activities like swimming, snorkeling, or golfing, or indulging in shopping, dining, and nightlife, residents and visitors experience unparalleled luxury. The island’s rich cultural heritage, including historical sites like the Wall House Museum, adds depth to its allure, making you wish to visit it over and over again.
Profitable investment opportunity
Besides being a luxurious destination for the wealthy, St. Barts is also a lucrative investment opportunity, with its strong economy, favorable tax policies, and a flourishing real estate market. Centered around tourism, trade, and services, the island maintains resilience and stability, as evidenced by its status as the Caribbean’s leader in GDP per capita according to a report by the Caribbean Development Bank for 2019.
One of the key draws for investors is an attractive tax regime in St. Barts, characterized by a low tax burden devoid of income, capital gains, wealth, or inheritance tax. It is due to this tax-friendly environment that the island is an appealing choice for the affluent as well as those businesses that seek to optimize their financial portfolios.
Driven by high demand, limited supply, and impressive rental yields, the real estate sector in St. Barts offers tempting opportunities for future buyers. Considering a scarcity of available properties coupled with consistently high occupancy rates, the island’s real estate market ranks among the most expensive in the world, with the average price for a villa of approximately USD 3.5 million.
For those contemplating investment in St. Barts, numerous opportunities exist, including property acquisition or leasing, establishing a business presence, or participating in investment funds. Local lawyers, accountants, bankers, and real estate agents offer invaluable support to investors helping them successfully cope with any legal, financial, and practical intricacies that may come along the way.
These investors significantly benefit from the protection and advantages afforded by the French legal system, which governs St. Barts, ensuring property rights, contract enforcement, and efficient dispute resolution.
Path to EU citizenship
St. Barts comes with an enticing opportunity beyond its shores, and this is a pathway to EU citizenship. As a French territory, it offers the chance to apply for French citizenship after residing on the island for five years, a period that can be shortened if you have familial ties to France, e.g., a French spouse, parent, or child. Moreover, depending on individual circumstances and eligibility criteria, your opportunities to acquire French citizenship extend to naturalization, marriage, or descent.
In 2012, St. Barts gained status as an EU overseas territory, which is a significant development that grants the island the authority to regulate the immigration of foreign workers, including non-French Europeans.
Becoming a French citizen also grants access to EU citizenship, unlocking a wealth of privileges like the right to live, work, study, and travel freely within any of the 27 EU member states, along with countries holding agreements with the EU.
At International Wealth, we are ready to answer any questions you may have about St. Barts. You can trust us to keep everything confidential. If you want to book an initial individual consultation and talk to our industry experts about any issues related to St. Barts, please look here. Don’t hesitate to contact International Wealth anytime! On our corporate website, you will find various communication channels to suit all your preferences.