Living in St Barts – The 7th Heaven Properties Guide
Known for offering a unique lifestyle which blends the sophistication and glamour of the French Riviera with the laidback charm of the Caribbean, year-round warmth with barely a day without sunshine and 14 exceptional beaches, St Barts is an alluring destination like no other. For many years, this French Caribbean island has attracted many of the world’s most discerning property investors. If you too are considering buying a home on the island with a view to living in St Barts, this guide is for you. Here we’ll cover all aspects of moving to this paradise island, including the practicalities of investing in real estate, how to obtain a residency permit and essential information for would-be residents such as healthcare, so you can start planning your move the right way.
Find out about living in St Barts in our guide
Contents
The Best Things About Living in St Barts
How to Move
Healthcare
Buying a Home
Find Out More About Living in St Barts
The Best Things About Living in St Barts
Known as “the St Tropez of the Caribbean,” the tiny island of St Barts is an Overseas Collectivity of France. Spanning less than 10 square miles, the island is small in size but large in character, oozing laidback style and glamour from its elegant waterfront capital Gustavia to its rolling hills and exclusive villas tucked into the green hillsides.
During the day the island’s exceptional beaches are undoubtedly one of its principal attractions. The island is fringed by 22 powder-soft white sand beaches overlooking crystal clear turquoise waters and, as a resident, you would have the opportunity to get to know them all. St Jean on the northern coast, for example, is a postcard-worthy stretch of white sand just a stroll from hotels such as Eden Rock and Nikki Beach, boutiques and restaurants. Whether you plan on dining at one of the beach restaurants, sipping cocktails or enjoying water sports, St Jean Beach is a great place to spend the day. In contrast, Colombier Beach on the western coast of the island can only be reached by either a half an hour walk or from the sea, making it ideal for yachting, swimming, snorkeling and diving. Nature lovers will adore watching birds swoop across the quiet and wild Saline Beach, while high profile residents in search of privacy are sure to love the isolated and peaceful Gouverneur Beach.
As day turns into night, the island truly comes into its own. Its food scene is well known. Its nightlife is legendary. So, whether you enjoy indulging in gourmet dining or dancing the night way, St Barts is offers something for everyone, with a wide variety of restaurants and bars to discover.
Besides the island’s natural beauty and lifestyle there are plenty of other great things about living in St Barts. For example, residents who are resident in St Barts for tax purposes pay no personal income tax, no corporate income tax and no VAT.
How to Move to St Barts
As St Barts is a French overseas territory (known officially as the “Collectivité territoriale de Saint-Barthélemy”), any holder of an EU passport may live and work on the island.
Citizens of the USA and Canada are permitted to stay as tourists for up to 90 days without a visa which is great for those looking to live on the island part time. However, holders of passport from the US, Canada (and any other country that requires a visa for France) who wish to remain longer than 90 days must apply to a French Embassy for a visa which specifically covers St Barts.
To become a full time resident of St Barts, an applicant must have legally resided on the island for over 6 months each year for a period of 5 years.
Read more: Buying Property in St Barts
Healthcare
When it comes to hospital treatment, there is only one small hospital on the island. Hôpital de Bruyn in the capital Gustavia provides can cater to routine treatments and provides an emergency service.
For more specialized care you will need to travel to larger nearby islands such as St Maarten, Martinique or Guadeloupe. With this in mind, we would recommend you take up private health insurance.
Buying a Home
With a strong and established real estate sector geared towards the top end of the market, St Barts is well known for offering some of the most desirable real estate in the Caribbean. Here you can find everything from ultra-contemporary beachfront estates to charming traditional red-roofed villas nestled into the hills overlooking the beaches and the sea.
One of the most tempting things about St Barts for investors is that there are absolutely no restrictions on foreign buyers and the purchase process is relatively straightforward. As you may expect, the average price for properties is higher than other Caribbean destinations, with prices for detached homes starting at anywhere from US $2 to $4 million.
Browse: St Barts real estate
Find Out More About Living in St Barts
Would you like to find out more about living in St Barts? Would you like to browse property perfect for enjoying life on this glamorous island?
We would be delighted to help. Explore St Barts real estate on our website.
Alternatively, contact 7th Heaven Properties, the Luxury Caribbean Property Specialist, to begin your property search and to discuss your options in more detail.