Buying a home with your pension on Curacao: What you need to know

by Pamela Núñez on May 28, 2025

Your retirement is the time to finally make that long-cherished dream come true: living under the sun, in a quiet and safe environment. Curacao is often mentioned as an attractive destination for retirees looking for peace, sun and comfort. And not without reason. The island offers a combination of familiarity, tropical beauty and a relaxed lifestyle. Are you considering buying a house with your pension on Curacao to enjoy your retirement in the sun? Then this blog is especially for you.

Why Curacao is ideal for retirees

Curaçao is an attractive destination for retirees who want to spend their retirement years in a sunny and relaxing environment. Curaçao offers a comfortable and peaceful living environment with amenities that meet the needs of retirees. The island combines a relaxed lifestyle with a pleasant mix of culture, nature and community, making it an attractive place to enjoy your retirement. In addition, English and Dutch are widely spoken on the island in addition to Papiamentu, making daily life accessible to a wide range of international residents. With vibrant culture, friendly people and beautiful nature from white beaches to rugged rocky coastline, Curaçao is an ideal place for many to enjoy their well-deserved retirement.

Buying a house after retirement: what is possible and allowed?

Even if you do not live on Curaçao, as a retiree you may simply buy a home on the island. Many people do this as:

• Second home for wintering or vacation.
• Main residence after permanent emigration.

You can choose between ownership land, leasehold land or rental land. Owned land gives you full control over the piece of land. With leasehold land you pay an annual fee to the government for the use of the land (usually between 50 and 75 jaar).

Mortgage options for retirees

Compared to working people, retirees often have a fixed but generally lower income, which can make obtaining a mortgage on Curacao more difficult. Retirement benefits, such as government or private pensions and annuities, are considered when applying, but banks often apply stricter conditions and careful review for these.

Alternatives may include:

• Paying for the home entirely in cash, such as with savings or proceeds from the sale of another home.
• Taking out a mortgage in the country of origin to finance the purchase of the home in Curaçao.

Costs and taxes when buying a home on Curaçao

If you buy a house on Curaçao, there are a number of important costs you should take into account:

• Transfer tax: usually you pay 4% of the purchase price.
• Notary fees: these are often between 1% and 2% of the purchase price.
• Leasehold canon: if your house is on leasehold land, you usually pay an annual fee for this.

If you decide to live on Curaçao for more than 183 days a year, you become a tax resident of the island. That means you pay taxes on Curaçao on your worldwide income. Curaçao has tax treaties with several countries, so you can often avoid double taxation. For example: if your pension income comes from abroad, you usually only pay taxes on Curaçao on that pension.

Residence permit for pensioners

For long-term residence, you need a so-called Penshonado permit. This is a residence permit specifically for people in retirement. The conditions are:

• You must prove that you have at least 150,000 XCG (approximately €75,000) in annual pension income or savings, or
• You must own real estate on Curaçao with a value of at least 450,000 XCG.
• You may not work on the island.
• You must undergo a medical examination and have health insurance.

Living as a retiree on Curacao: practical tips

1. Get a low-maintenance home – preferably choose new construction or well-renovated homes.
2. Look for nearby amenities – supermarkets, doctor, hospital, and social gathering places are important.
3. Be alert to moisture and salt – oceanfront homes are beautiful but require more maintenance.
4. Consider a home in a gated community – added security and often like-minded neighbors.

Conclusion

Buying a house with your pension on Curacao can be a fantastic step toward a relaxing and rewarding new chapter in your life. With good preparation, the right guidance and clear financial insights, your dream will become a reality.

Moret Real Estate helps retirees in every step of the process, from orientation to key transfer. Would you like personal advice or a selection of properties that fit your retirement plans? Feel free to contact us.