Yes — and straightforwardly so. Non-Bahamians have the same right to purchase property as Bahamian citizens. For residential properties under two acres that you intend to occupy, no prior government approval is needed. You simply register the acquisition with the Investments Board after closing.

The Bahamas also places no restrictions on repatriating profits, which matters if you're thinking about this as both a home and an investment. It's one of the genuinely open real estate markets in the world.

Yes — you'll need a qualified Bahamian attorney to handle your title search, prepare the conveyance, manage stamp duty and VAT, and register your purchase with the Investments Board on your behalf. I can recommend good local attorneys so you have someone squarely in your corner from day one.

The main cost to be aware of is the 10% VAT on the conveyance — commonly still called stamp duty — calculated on the purchase price. By convention this tends to be split equally between buyer and seller, and needs to be clarified in your Agreement for Sale. On top of that:

• Legal fees: approximately 2.5% of the purchase price, plus 10% VAT
• Investments Board registration fee: a nominal government fee payable on registration

From accepted offer to completed conveyance, most transactions take between 60 and 120 days. The title search, legal documentation, KYC due diligence, and Investments Board registration all feed into that timeline. Cash purchases with clean title can close more quickly; financing or more complex structures may take longer.

The single most effective thing you can do to keep things moving is appoint an experienced local attorney early — ideally before you make an offer.

Yes. Properties in The Bahamas can be purchased through Bahamian companies, International Business Companies (IBCs), or trust structures — and for many buyers with estate planning, privacy, or asset protection goals, it makes a great deal of sense. The right structure depends on your nationality, tax residency, and long-term intentions, so this is a conversation worth having early with a Bahamian attorney and your international tax advisor before the purchase rather than after.

Yes. A minimum real estate investment of $1,000,000 USD qualifies you to apply for Economic Permanent Residency (EPR). The investment needs to be held for at least 10 years, and Permanent Residency is granted for life unless revoked — giving you the right to live and work in The Bahamas, though not to vote.

If you invest $1,500,000 or more in a single residential property, your application receives accelerated processing, typically resolved within 21 days. For many buyers, residency is as much a part of the decision as the property itself.

There's a well-suited middle ground. As a property owner, you're eligible for a Home Owner's Resident Card — issued under the International Persons Landholding Act — which gives you convenient, streamlined entry to The Bahamas without the commitments of full residency. It's designed for people who own a home here while maintaining their primary life elsewhere.

The processing fee is $200.00 non-refundable, with an additional $500.00 on approval. You'll need a recent medical certificate and police certificate as part of the application.

No — and this is an important distinction. Bahamian Permanent Residency is not citizenship, and it doesn't require giving up yours. Many residents here hold multiple nationalities and live internationally across the year. What it doesn't do, however, is automatically eliminate your home country tax obligations. That depends on your country of origin, applicable tax treaties, and how your days are structured across jurisdictions — US citizens, for example, remain subject to federal filing requirements wherever they live.

This is exactly the kind of thing to map out carefully with a qualified international tax advisor before making any move.

No — and that's not a technicality or a loophole. There is no personal income tax, no capital gains tax, no inheritance tax, and no wealth tax in The Bahamas. It's a deliberate feature of the national economy, not an oversight, and it's one of the most meaningful parts of the picture for people seriously considering a move here.

The taxes that do apply to residents and property owners are Real Property Tax and VAT (currently 10%) on goods and services. Both are manageable and well understood.

Real Property Tax is an annual tax assessed by the Department of Inland Revenue based on your property's assessed value. It applies to all owners — Bahamian and foreign — and the amount depends on the value and use of the property. A few things worth knowing:

• Bills are typically issued in mid-October and are due by December 31
• A 10% discount applies if you pay by March 31 of the tax year — worth acting on
• Late payment attracts a 5% interest penalty
• Properties significantly in arrears can be sold to recover unpaid taxes — so staying current matters
• Real Property Tax is not subject to additional VAT, as it is itself a government tax

Not on the property price itself, no. VAT at 10% applies to the professional services involved in your transaction — legal fees, agent commissions, appraisals, and title search fees. The conveyance (the legal transfer of ownership) attracts a 10% VAT on the purchase price — the figure commonly called stamp duty — which is typically shared between buyer and seller. Real Property Tax itself doesn't attract additional VAT.

Yes. The Bahamas has been a centre for private banking and wealth management since the 1960s, and that infrastructure is still very much here. Non-residents can open accounts at qualifying institutions — often entirely remotely via video verification — and the range of services available (wealth management, trusts, corporate structuring) is among the most developed in the region.

Standard account opening typically requires a minimum deposit of $10,000–$250,000. Private banking generally starts at $250,000–$1,000,000. You'll need a passport, proof of address, and clear source of funds documentation. Not every bank accepts non-residents, so it's worth getting a referral from your local attorney or advisor to find the right fit for your profile.

Yes, and the government is genuinely active about attracting the right kind of investment. Approved projects can access concessions on customs duties for construction materials, exemptions from Real Property Tax for defined periods, and in some cases access to government-owned land. There are no restrictions on profit repatriation.

Proposals are submitted to the Bahamas Investment Authority, which reviews them against national policy priorities. Minimum thresholds and eligible sectors apply, and a strong local partner or advisor can make the process considerably smoother.

This is the question that really shapes everything else. The Bahamas is more than 700 islands, and the life you'll lead depends enormously on which one you choose. The short version:

• Nassau (New Providence) — The capital and by far the most connected island. International schools, private hospitals, financial services, excellent restaurants, and some of the country's most established private communities including Lyford Cay and Old Fort Bay. The natural choice for families or those who want full amenity alongside the tropics.
• Paradise Island — Connected to Nassau by bridge, with a more resort-style feel and strong marina infrastructure.
• Exuma — Extraordinary water, serious privacy, and a well-established community of people who arrive by private aviation and leave when they choose. One of the most beautiful places on earth for those who want that.
• Eleuthera — Stretching over 100 miles, Eleuthera offers something for everyone — from the pink sand beaches and boutique intimacy of Harbour Island to the surf and laid-back pace of Governor's Harbour. A particular kind of quiet refinement runs through all of it.
• Abaco — World-class sailing, a strong expat community, and excellent marina facilities. A natural fit for those who spend meaningful time on the water.

Outside Nassau, infrastructure — schools, medical care, retail — is more limited. It's one of the most honest things we can tell you, and it genuinely matters if you're planning to live here full-time.

It's higher than most people expect — particularly for everyday goods. Because The Bahamas imports the majority of what it consumes, import duties add meaningfully to the cost of groceries, vehicles, and household items. Utilities, especially electricity, can be a real line item given the climate.

That said, for most people seriously considering a move here, the absence of income tax, capital gains tax, and inheritance tax more than compensates — often dramatically. The Bahamian dollar is pegged 1:1 to the US dollar, which protects USD-denominated assets and removes currency risk from the equation.

Nassau has the country's most comprehensive healthcare, with both public and private facilities and reasonable access to specialist care. For most routine and outpatient needs, it's perfectly adequate. For complex surgical procedures or highly specialised treatment, most residents — Bahamian and expat alike — look to Miami, which is under three hours away.

On the Family Islands, medical infrastructure is much more limited. If you're planning to live outside Nassau, comprehensive international health insurance — including medical evacuation coverage — is strongly recommended.

In Nassau, yes — and the options are solid. Several accredited international schools offer IB, British A-Level, and US-aligned curricula, all in English. It's a real asset for families making the move, and one reason Nassau tends to be the default choice for those with school-age children.

On the Family Islands, schooling options are very limited. Some families on the Out Islands opt for homeschooling — which is permitted in The Bahamas subject to registration with the Ministry of Education — but it's worth being clear-eyed about the trade-offs before choosing a more remote island as your base.

Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, and it's something every buyer should understand — not fear, but understand. The Bahamas is well-practised at this. Good construction, thoughtful siting, and proper insurance are the basics, and they matter.

When you're evaluating a property, it's worth asking about construction standards, storm history, elevation, and proximity to the coast. Comprehensive insurance covering hurricane and storm surge damage is essential — not optional — and costs vary considerably by island and property type. The Government of The Bahamas publishes official preparedness guidance through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for those who want to go deeper.

Yes — your pet can absolutely make the move with you. There's a process, but it's manageable. An import permit is required for all animals entering The Bahamas, issued by the Bahamas Agricultural Health and Food Safety Authority (BAHFSA) through the government's Click2Clear ePermitting system. For dogs and cats, the essentials are:

• Minimum age of six months
• ISO 11784/11785-compliant microchip
• Rabies vaccination administered between 30 days and 10 months before travel
• Veterinary health certificate issued within 48 hours of departure
• A valid import permit obtained before you travel — no permit, no entry

Start the process at least four weeks before your move date. Expedited processing is available if you're working to a tighter timeline.

The Bahamas is one of the world's great sailing and yachting destinations — this is something it does exceptionally well. Vessels arriving from outside the country clear Customs and Immigration at a designated Port of Entry and obtain an annual cruising permit. Current fees are: vessels under 50ft — $500/year; 50–99ft — $1,000/year; 100ft and above — $3,000/year. Vessels 50ft and over are also required to carry AIS (Automatic Identification System).

Throughout the islands you'll find well-equipped marinas ready to receive vessels of all sizes — from intimate Out Island anchorages to superyacht-capable facilities including Hurricane Hole Superyacht Marina on Paradise Island, and Albany Marina on New Providence. The cruising grounds are genuinely extraordinary, and the infrastructure to support serious time on the water is well established.

Remarkably so — it's one of the things that makes The Bahamas work so well as a base. In addition to several international airports, there are many FBOs and private airstrips spread across the islands. The Bahamas sits roughly 50 miles east of Miami — a short hop by private aircraft, and under three hours by commercial flight from most of the eastern US.

For pilots flying in, your first landing must be at a designated Customs airport of entry, where you'll complete Form C7A (Inward Declaration and Cruising Permit) — which then gives you the flexibility to hop between islands without further paperwork. VFR at night is permitted only within the airport traffic areas of Nassau and Freeport.