Barbados

Barbados is an independent island Country of 432 sq Km in the Lesser Antilles with a population of less than 300,000 people, part of the Commonwealth. 

Independent since 1966, Barbados is expected to remove the Queen and to become a republic  by November 2021.

The capital of this former British colony is Bridgetown.

The economy is mixed and well developed. Historically, the local economy was based on sugar cane cultivation but gradually tourism and finance became the main drivers.

In the recent years, Barbados attracted an average of 1,2M tourists equally divided between cruises and stayovers. Almost 90% of the tourists came from UK and North America, very few from Europe and almost exclusively from Germany.

Due to hurricanes season, the tourism peaks between December and April and in July.

Stayovers accommodation is mainly in hotels and resort even though the offer of houses and apartment is growing.

The prices of real estate properties are middle-high but it seems possible to find sustainable and affordable opportunities in the market, even if most of the choices are on the high end market.

Barbados is an excellent destination scuba diving, famous for its wrecks. Coral reefs on the island has been affected by bleaching in the past but now the local government with the help of environmental group understand the importance of an health environment and sustainable tourism.

Residence permit is subject to demonstrate you will not be a burden for the Barbados but the law does not fix figures. In principle, owning properties and running a profitable business is normally sufficient to obtain the residence VISA.

Barbados may be an interesting destination for our project. At the moment the island profile is somehow distant from our idea but there are signs of changes and opportunities may rise in the future. We will keep it on our list.

  

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