Retiring in the Caribbean is the dream for many senior citizens, and the dual island Caribbean destination of St Kitts and Nevis offers an idyllic setting to live out your golden years in a blissful tropical climate with numerous pristine beaches, nature, and welcoming locals.
Besides the ideal setting to enjoy island life in the Caribbean, the steps to retire in St Kitts and Nevis are straightforward through the country’s citizenship by investment program.
Why Consider St Kitts and Nevis for Retirement
- A beautiful tropical country with a high standard of living compared to many other Caribbean islands
- Proximity to the United States, with numerous flights to cities across the country
- Tax benefits, including no personal income tax on local or worldwide income, capital gains, wealth, or inheritance taxes
- Obtain permanent residency in St Kitts and Nevis through the country’s investment program and gain citizenship and a second passport
- A stable economy, with the Eastern Caribbean Dollar pegged to the US dollar
- Access a quality healthcare system through several public and private hospitals
Cost of Living in St Kitts and Nevis for Retirees
Concerning the cost of living in the Caribbean, St Kitts and Nevis is ideal for retired foreign nationals looking to lower their living costs.
Grocery costs
At markets like Basseterre Market, you’ll find local produce like breadfruit, coconuts, onions, sweet potatoes, and carrots at low prices compared to the US and the UK.
Like most countries across the Caribbean Sea, imported food items are typically more expensive in St Kitts and Nevis than in the US and the UK. Here is a comparison of the average cost of groceries in St Kitts and Nevis to those in the US and UK.
Item | Saint Kitts and Nevis | United States | United Kingdom |
Potatoes (1kg) | $1.11 | $2.98 | $1.42 |
White rice 1kg | $2.96 | $24.54 | $2 |
Fresh white bread (500g) | $1.54 | $3.57 | $1.55 |
Oranges (1kg) | $1.85 | $4.48 | $2.69 |
Eggs (12) | $5.77 | $3.68 | $3.73 |
Onions (1kg) | $1.57 | $3.04 | $1.35 |
Beef (1kg) | $4.81 | $16.02 | $13.27 |
Restaurant costs
As a popular Caribbean retirement destination, St Kitts and Nevis has plenty of high-quality restaurant options in cities like Basseterre, Sandy Point Town, and Charlestown.
Dining out is relatively expensive in the twin-island country. An inexpensive meal at an inexpensive restaurant in St Kitts and Nevis costs around $22 on average, compared to $20 in the USA. However, drinks, including domestic and imported beers and cappuccinos, are cheaper than in the United States.
Utility costs
Due to the reliance on fossil fuels for electricity generation in St Kitts and Nevis, utility expenses may exceed those in other Caribbean nations. The average monthly cost for essential utilities, including electricity, water, and garbage collection, is around $315, higher than in the United States but lower than in certain Caribbean countries like the US Virgin Islands.
Rent in St Kitts and Nevis
For retirees aiming to stretch their social security income, Saint Kitts and Nevis stands out as an ideal Caribbean retirement destination. Monthly rent prices for one-bedroom apartments in both the city center and outskirts are affordable compared to the US and many other countries, averaging as low as $850.
Healthcare in St Kitts and Nevis
Given the significance of healthcare for retirees, any worries are alleviated with the high standard of healthcare in St Kitts and Nevis. The country’s two islands offer several medical facilities. Joseph N France General Hospital in St Kitts and Alexandra Hospital in Nevis are the country’s two primary hospitals.
Both public and private hospitals on the islands offer a range of treatments, though expat retirees might be advised to seek specialized care abroad in certain situations. Renowned expat health insurance providers include Allianz, Pacific Prime, and Sagicor Life. Private healthcare policies, including evacuation coverage and treatment at private clinics, cost around $200 to $300 per month.
St Kitts and Nevis Taxes for Retirees
Taxes in Saint Kitts and Nevis are an appealing feature of living there as a retiree. There is no retirement income tax on funds held in St Kitts and Nevis banks. Tax residents do not pay inheritance, wealth, or capital gains tax.
Take a look at our St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Ultimate Guide
Best Cities to Live as a Retiree in St Kitts and Nevis
The twin islands of St Kitts and Nevis are some of the best Caribbean retirement destinations. Both islands offer a relaxed lifestyle, stunning beaches, a friendly, inclusive community for retirees, and several of the Caribbean’s best things to do.
Basseterre, the country’s capital city, Sandy Point Town, Frigate Bay, and Bath are some of St Kitts and Nevis’s best places to retire. Despite their lower profile, certain towns offer retirees affordable, high-quality lifestyles. Cities like Frigate Bay and Bath are popular among retiring foreign nationals buying St Kitts and Nevis property and have established retirement communities.
St Kitt's Immigration Options
Senior citizens from the United States can travel to St Kitts and Nevis with a valid passport for a period of up to three months without having to obtain residency. Retirees contemplating a move to St Kitts and Nevis have several options for gaining permanent residency.
- Permanent residence permit: You can obtain St Kitts and Nevis permanent residence permit if you have legally resided in the country for at least four years or have owned property in the country for seven years.
- Citizenship by naturalization: Citizenship by naturalization in St Kitts and Nevis has a relatively long naturalization period of at least 14 years of residency before being eligible for citizenship.
- Citizenship by investment: The St Kitts citizenship by investment program allows foreign retirees to obtain citizenship and a St Kitts and Nevis Passport by making an economic investment through investment options such as donating to the country’s Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC) or Public Benefit Option (BPO) or purchasing approved luxury villas or luxury private housing. The minimum investment to obtain a St Kitts and Nevis passport is $250,000.
Compare St Kitts vs Dominica Citizenship in our detailed comparison Guide
St Kitts and Nevis Expat Communities
The exceptional lifestyle in St Kitts and Nevis has led to the formation of a significant expat retiree community from North America and Europe and makes St Kitts one of the Caribbean’s most popular destinations. The country’s small size allows foreign retirees to easily meet like-minded expats.
Expat platforms like MeetUp and InterNations, as well as Facebook and TripAdvisor groups, provide valuable resources for St Kitts’ retirement communities. They help retirees integrate into the community by providing recreational programs for retirees.
St Kitts and Nevis Culture
Retirees living in St Kitts and Nevis will experience the country’s rich cultural heritage and history formed from African, European, and indigenous Caribbean influences and spanning almost six centuries.
Basseterre, the nation’s capital, offers retirees a chance to explore its historic architecture, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park, and Nevis island is the tropical paradise of the country.
Music and dance are central to St Kitts culture, and the annual St Kitts and Nevis Carnival highlights this with vibrant parades, lively calypso and Soca music, traditional dances, and elaborate costumes.
Frequently Asked Questions about Retiring in St Kitts and Nevis
The official retirement age in St Kitts and Nevis is 62, and residents qualify for social security if they have at least 500 weeks of paid or credited contributions.
St Kitts and Nevis offers a peaceful lifestyle with natural beauty and safety. You’ll find plenty of world-class restaurants, golf and boating clubs, and beautiful hiking trails to keep you occupied. Additionally, you can lower your living expenses through options to rent property at lower rates.
The St Kitts government offers a citizenship program granting a St Kitts and Nevis passport, making it straightforward for foreigners to retire in St Kitts and Nevis. The St Kitts and Nevis citizenship program requires a significant contribution to the Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC) or Public Benefit Option or purchasing approved real estate to get St Kitts and Nevis citizenship. You can also buy St Kitts and Nevis real estate by obtaining an Alien Landholding License (ALHL) with ten percent of the property value and applying for permanent residency, which requires annual renewal.
Retiring permanently in St Kitts and Nevis requires an investment of at least $250,000 in the country’s dual citizenship by investment program.
Retiring in St Kitts and Nevis appeals to many foreigners due to its tropical climate, beautiful landscapes, beaches laden with palm trees, and relaxed pace of life. With English as the official language and a large expat community, retirees can quickly adapt to island life. The country runs one of the world’s best citizenship programs, supporting retirees.
St Kitts and Nevis offers many things to do, and retired residents can easily travel between the country’s two islands with an hourly ferry service. Retirees living in St Kitts and Nevis benefit from several tax exemptions, including no personal income tax on local or foreign income, no inheritance tax, capital gains tax, or wealth tax.
Additionally, St Kitts’ Bradshaw International Airport offers direct international flights to major cities in North America, Europe, and other destinations in the West Indies, ensuring easy access for retired residents.
Many retirees in St Kitts and Nevis access their pensions from abroad by setting up direct deposits to their local bank accounts in St Kitts. Others keep an account in their home country and use international transfer services like Wise, Western Union, or MoneyGram. International debit or credit cards enable convenient cash withdrawals and point-of-sale transactions, with many waiving foreign transaction fees.
St Kitts and Nevis is the Caribbean’s safest islands for retirees. With a low crime rate and long-standing political stability compared to many other Caribbean countries, St Kitts is a safe destination for retirees.
