The Insider's Guide to Buying Property in St Lucia
Welcome to the 7th Heaven Properties guide to buying property in St Lucia, your essential companion for navigating the enchanting appeal of one of the most dramatically beautiful islands in the Caribbean.
With golden sand beaches, luscious rainforest, soaring mountains, and magnificent bays, St Lucia presents a feast for the senses as well as a property market which lures buyers from around the world.
Discover the charm of this stunning Eastern Caribbean island, find out why property buyers are investing in real estate in St Lucia and delve into the real estate market with a showcase of property listings and blog posts highlighting the island’s unique draws and advantages.
From the ins and outs of buying property in St Lucia to an essential overview of relevant taxes, this is your ultimate go-to resource.
Overview - The St Lucia Real Estate Market
From the iconic twin peaks of the Pitons rising from the sea to golden sand beaches, lush rain forest-covered mountains and cascading waterfalls, St Lucia is blessed with dramatic scenery.
The island’s spectacular natural beauty, high quality amenities, the marinas at Rodney Bay and Marigot Bay and a challenging 18-hole championship golf course at Cap Estate, have all helped to place St Lucia firmly on the overseas property investor’s radar.
In recent years, interest in villas and apartments in St Lucia has grown considerably as buyers from North America and Europe look to own their own slice of this spectacularly beautiful tropical island.
A Citizenship by Investment Program introduced in 2016 which offers investors the opportunity to apply for full citizenship of St Lucia has helped to further stimulate investment in St Lucia’s real estate market and the economy in general in a similar way to programs in nearby St Kitts & Nevis and Antigua.
Overseas buyers are particularly drawn to locations such as Cap Estate and Rodney Bay in northern St Lucia, Marigot Bay and Soufriere on the western coast and tranquil Vieux Fort in southern St Lucia. Prices are generally lower than for comparable homes in islands such as Barbados, but, as demand has grown, prices have risen commensurately.
“The island’s spectacular natural beauty, high quality amenities, the marinas at Rodney Bay and Marigot Bay and a challenging 18-hole championship golf course at Cap Estate, have all helped to place St Lucia firmly on the overseas property investor’s radar”
Buying Process, Fees & Taxes
- Can foreigners buy property in St Lucia?
Yes, foreigners can buy property in St Lucia and the Government of St Lucia welcomes investment from overseas buyers. There are no restrictions on foreign buyers acquiring real estate in St Lucia. In order to purchase real estate in the country, foreign buyers need to apply for an Alien Land Holding Licence (ALHL) for which there is a non-refundable application fee of EC $5,400 plus license fee which varies according to the size of the land from EC $5,000 to EC $50,000 (100 acres +). Alternatively, purchasing property in an approved real estate project may qualify the buyer for full citizenship of St Lucia through the island’s Citizenship by Investment Program.
- Buying process
Buying property in St Lucia is a relatively simple process, which typically involves the following steps:
- Begin your property search.
- Find your perfect property and make an offer.
- Once you have made an offer on a property and that offer has been accepted, you should instruct a local attorney to prepare the Deed of Sale, conduct due diligence and apply for the Alien Landholding License.
- The buyer is typically required to pay a deposit of 10% which will be held in escrow.
- Pay all required taxes and fees.
- Pay the balance of the purchase price.
Alien Land Holding Licence
Cost of an Alien Landholding License as follows:
- Up to 1 acre: $5,000
- 1 acre to up to 10 acres: $10,000
- 10 acres to up to 20 acres: $20,000
- 20 acres to up to 50 acres: $30,000
- 50 acres to up to 100 acres: $40,000
- Over 100 acres: $50,000
- Fees & taxes
Stamp Duty
Buyers are responsible for paying a one-time stamp duty of 2% of the purchase price to register the Deed of Sale.
Legal Fees
We would advise you to seek the advice of a local attorney. Legal fees typically amount to 4% of the purchase price.
Property Tax
There is also a small annual property tax.
Latest Real Estate Listings in St Lucia
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Residency & Citizenship
- How long can a foreign citizen stay in St Lucia?
Citizens of the USA, Canada and the UK are permitted to remain in St Lucia on holiday without a visa for up to 6 weeks. Citizens of all other EU member countries are permitted to remain in St Lucia on holiday without a visa for up to 3 months.
- How do you become a resident of St Lucia?
Individuals who would like to remain in St Lucia longer than 6 weeks (or 3 months in the case of EU citizens) can apply to the Immigration Department for an extension. Extensions are granted on a discretionary basis.
Property owners (such as individuals looking to retire in St Lucia who have no need for work) can apply to the Ministry of Home Affairs and National Security for the right to reside on the island.
Individuals who have lawfully resided in St Lucia for 5 years can apply for permanent residency in St Lucia.
- How do you become a citizen of St Lucia?
Individuals who have lawfully resided in St Lucia for 7 years can apply for citizenship by naturalization.
St Lucia also operates a Citizenship by Investment Program which offers qualified investors the opportunity to obtain full citizenship of St Lucia in exchange for a significant contribution to the nation’s finances, either through a financial contribution to a government fund or via investment in an approved real estate project.
Read more: St Lucia Citizenship by Investment.
Mortgages in St Lucia
Looking for financing to fund the purchase of property in the Caribbean?
Contrary to popular misconception, it is possible for foreign nationals looking to invest in St Lucia real estate to apply for a mortgage.
Our partner – a very well respected international financial organization – offers mortgages for qualifying non-residents buying, building or improving a second home in St Lucia.
For more information, see our page on: Caribbean mortgages.
How to Get There
There are direct flights to St Lucia’s Hewanorra International Airport from the UK, Germany, the USA and Canada.
Located in the south of St Lucia near the town of Vieux Fort, Hewanorra International Airport is an easily accessible gateway to the island.
From the USA, there are direct flights to St Lucia from various cities including Atlanta (Delta), Chicago, Miami and New York (American Airlines).
From Canada, Air Canada operates direct flights from Montreal and Toronto to St Lucia.
From the UK, there are direct flights from London and Manchester to St Lucia operated by British Airways and Virgin Atlantic.
- Miami to St Lucia 3h 30m
- New York to St Lucia 4h 25m
- Atlanta to St Lucia 4h 30m
- Toronto to St Lucia 5h
- London to St Lucia 8h 50m
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