St Lucia is one of the most idyllic Caribbean retirement destinations. Known for its remarkable landscapes, superior quality of life, and wide range of activities, the island is a growing favorite among retirees. This guide presents the immigration options to retire in St Lucia in 2024 and life on the island as a senior citizen
Why Consider Retiring in Saint Lucia
- A relaxing island in the Caribbean brimming with lush vegetation and stunning beaches
- Benefit from lucrative investment opportunities in one of the Caribbean’s fastest-growing tourism sectors
- English-speaking local population and various retiree communities
- Reduce taxes through no worldwide income tax, inheritance, wealth, or capital gains taxes
- One of the Caribbean’s cheapest islands to retire from the US
- Invest in St Lucia’s economic growth through several investment routes and obtain dual citizenship
- Direct flights to major US, Canadian, and European cities, with more flight routes being added in 2024
Cost of Living for Retirees in St Lucia
Grocery costs
Living costs in St Lucia are low compared to the United States. Local produce is affordable, and you can buy the island’s fresh fruits and crops like bananas, onions, avocados, and potatoes at Castries Market and other local markets.
Regarding items like foreign wines and imported beers, they tend to cost more but are still relatively affordable.
Item | St Lucia | United States | United Kingdom |
Milk (1 liter) | $2.02 | $1.05 | $1.57 |
Fresh white bread (500g) | $1.37 | $3.57 | $1.55 |
Bananas (1kg) | $1.54 | $1.69 | $1.47 |
Eggs (12) | $3.63 | $3.68 | $3.73 |
Onions (1kg) | $2.45 | $3.04 | $1.35 |
Cheese (1kg) | $9.72 | $12.83 | $8.86 |
Chicken (1kg) | $10.36 | $12.04 | $8.34 |
Imported beer (0.33 liter) | $3.33 | $3.51 | $3.02 |
Cost of dining out
Saint Lucia’s cultural heritage, woven from European, African, and Indian influences, has created a rich culinary identity, offering various food options and international cuisine. You can find expensive world-class restaurants and local diners in cities like Castries, Rodney Bay, and Soufriere.
Meals at a local inexpensive restaurant cost around $7, compared to $20 in the US, and a three-course meal for two in a mid-range restaurant amounts to $55.
St Lucia rent prices
American retirees living in St Lucia pay lower average rent than in the US. One-bedroom apartments in the city center of Castries cost around $510 per month, but prices outside the city center are cheaper. Here is a comparison of the average rent prices in St Lucia to those in the US and the UK.
Property Type | St Lucia | United States | United Kingdom |
One-bedroom apartment (city center) | $510 | $1,750 | $1,345 |
One-bedroom apartment (outside the center) | $340 | $1,440 | $1,105 |
Three-bedroom apartment (city center) | $890 | $2,935 | $2,225 |
Three-bedroom apartment (outside the center) | $650 | $2,385 | $1,710 |
St Lucia Healthcare
The quality of healthcare in St Lucia is a crucial consideration when planning to retire in St Lucia. All major cities in St Lucia have health and wellness centers, including Victoria Hospital and Tapion Hospital in Castries and St Jude Hospital in Vieux Fort. These facilities provide free medical treatments to St Lucia citizens and legal residents.
While health care services providing free medical treatments are available, the system is privately funded and may lack the quality of specific services. Several health insurance companies offer affordable premiums. Seniors living in St Lucia can purchase a private policy covering air evacuation with providers like Pacific Prime and Sagicor Life for $200 to $300 per month.
St Lucia Taxes for Retirees
St Lucia operates a favorable tax framework. St Lucia is a popular retirement destination because tax residents do not pay foreign income tax or taxes on inheritance, capital gains tax, or wealth.
Take a look at our St Lucia Citizenship by Investment Ultimate Guide
Best Cities to Retire in St Lucia
Home to the impressive Piton mountains, St Lucia is undoubtedly the best Caribbean island for retirement. Thanks to the country’s active efforts in nature preservation, living near tropical rainforests and nature is easily attainable.
Castries is the heart of Saint Lucia’s vibrant cultural scene. It is also the economic hub, where cruise ships anchor, and provides access to the island’s best healthcare services. As the country’s most populous and developed city, the real estate market has abundant options and offers modern living.
Rodney Bay is a perfect choice if your ideal life includes owning a waterfront home. Situated on the island’s north side, the bay boasts a large foreign retiree community, easing the transition to island life and providing enough development for convenient daily living.
Soufriere, located on the south west coast, is a charming seaside town that attracts many foreign retirees. Close to the famous Gros Piton and Nature Trail, it offers dramatic views of the Piton Mountains and opportunities for outdoor activities.
St Lucia Immigration Options
US passport holders can travel to St Lucia for a period of up to three months visa free. Retirees contemplating a move to St Lucia have several choices for establishing permanent residence on the island.
- Permanent residence permit: You can apply for a St Lucia permanent residence permit if you have legally resided in the country for at least five years.
- Citizenship by naturalization: St Lucian permanent residents can apply for St Lucia citizenship by naturalization after seven years of residency (three years for the spouse of an Antiguan citizen).
- Citizenship by investment: The St Lucia citizenship by investment scheme allows foreign retirees to obtain citizenship by making an economic investment in the country. St Lucia provides more investment options than most other Caribbean islands, including establishing a business or contributing to infrastructure projects, donating to government funds, and real estate acquisitions. The minimum investment amount to obtain a St Lucia passport is $100,000.
St Lucia Expat Communities
St Lucia’s economic immigration program has elevated the island’s profile, with retirees worldwide acquiring citizenship.
The friendliness of both expats and the locals in St Lucia makes it easy to feel welcomed and form new connections. St Lucia draws many retirees from North America and other parts of the world to enjoy what the volcanic island offers. Many Americans retire in cities like Soufriere, Castries, Rodney Heights, and Marigot Bay.
Facebook, TripAdvisor, and Reddit groups provide valuable resources for St Lucia’s retirement communities. They help retirees integrate into the community and provide advice regarding this popular Caribbean retirement destination’s vibrant nightlife and bureaucratic processes.
Compare St Lucia vs Antigua Citizenship in our detailed comparison Guide
Frequently Asked Questions about St Lucia as a Retirement Destination
Saint Lucia’s average cost of living is relatively affordable compared to countries like the US, Canada, the UK, and European Union countries. Although some imported are expensive, you can live on this small Caribbean island for as little as $1,000 to $1,500 monthly.
You must legally reside in St Lucia for five years to get St Lucian permanent residency. This would initially require a valid residence permit, such as a work permit or marriage to a St Lucian citizen. An alternative way to live permanently in St Lucia is through the citizenship by investment program, which offers Saint Lucia citizenship to foreign nations who donate to the country’s National Economic Fund, acquire government bonds, purchase pre-approved property, and make other qualified investments the program offers.
Although there is no dedicated St Lucia retirement visa, the country is one of five Caribbean nations offering economic citizenship, allowing senior citizens to make a qualifying investment to obtain citizenship and permanently retire on the beautiful island.
St Lucia is one of the best islands to retire in the West Indies due to low rate of criminality, stable governance, and political stability, making if a safe destination for retiring abroad.
Saint Lucia offers retirees numerous lifestyle and tax advantages, such as low living costs and property prices, a tropical climate, lush rainforests, no worldwide income taxes, and an English-speaking population.
The country’s official currency is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar, which is pegged to the US dollar and ensures economic stability. Beyond benefits like a warm climate, beautiful beaches, and affordable living costs, Saint Lucia’s second citizenship program makes it easy to retire by the Caribbean Sea, with the added perk of enhanced visa free travel with a second passport.
Before deciding to retire in Saint Lucia, it’s essential to consider a few potential drawbacks. One notable issue is the island’s healthcare system; although facilities like Tapion Hospital and OKEU Hospital provide adequate care, they may fall short of the standards familiar to foreign nationals accustomed to more advanced medical services.
Another issue could be the extensive bureaucratic procedures and paperwork associated with banking and administrative tasks, which retirees might find cumbersome.
Additionally, while the island’s two airports, Hewanorra International Airport, and George Charles Airport, offer direct flights to many major cities, flight options are limited compared to international flights in larger cities. This can affect travel convenience and accessibility for retirees wishing to visit family or explore other destinations worldwide.
