Real Estate in Antigua and Barbuda

The real estate sector in Antigua and Barbuda is a key pillar of the economy, closely connected to tourism, foreign investment, and the country’s Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programme. As an island nation blessed with stunning coastlines and a laid-back lifestyle, its property market is internationally oriented, drawing investors, retirees, and vacation-home buyers. The sector ranges from luxury resorts and oceanfront villas to smaller residential properties for the local market.

Key Segments of Real Estate

• Residential Property: Includes waterfront villas, condominiums, hilltop homes with panoramic views, and modest housing for locals. Overseas investors are a major driver, particularly for larger luxury properties.
• Commercial Property: Primarily hospitality-driven—hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals dominate, reflecting the centrality of tourism to the economy. Retail spaces and office buildings are relatively smaller in scale, with business activity concentrated in St. John’s, the capital.
• Rental Market: Active in tourist areas, driven by short-term vacation rentals, seasonal visitors, and demand from expatriates. Long-term rental demand is modest and mostly tied to government workers, students, and expatriate communities.

Regional Variations

• Antigua: The hub of the market, with high-end properties clustered around the west and south coasts (e.g., English Harbour, Jolly Harbour, and the Five Islands area). Jolly Harbour is especially notable for its marina community of waterfront villas.
• Barbuda: Far less developed and more exclusive. Famous for Pink Sand Beach, property opportunities tend to centre on boutique eco-resorts and selective luxury projects. After Hurricane Irma in 2017, redevelopment and investment interest have increased, but the market remains much smaller than Antigua’s.

Recent Market Trends

• Citizenship by Investment Programme: A primary driver of international demand. Approved CBI real estate projects include major resorts, villas, and luxury developments, making property acquisition both an investment and a pathway to a second passport.
• Tourism Recovery: Post-pandemic tourism resurgence is supporting property demand, especially in vacation-home and short-term rental sectors.
• Eco-Friendly Developments: Growing interest in sustainable, low-density resorts and green housing.
• Foreign Buyer Activity: Predominantly from North America, Europe, and increasingly, wealthier buyers from Asia and the Middle East.

Types of Property Ownership

• Freehold Ownership: Standard for local buyers and citizens.
• Alien Landholding License (ALHL): Required for foreign nationals purchasing property outside of approved CBI projects; typically 5–10% of the purchase price.
• CBI-Linked Ownership: Buyers qualify for citizenship through purchasing approved real estate projects (usually minimum USD $200,000–$400,000 investment, depending on government stipulations).

Legal and Regulatory Framework

• Governed largely by English common law.
• Real estate transactions typically involve title searches, purchase agreements, and the use of licensed attorneys.
• Stamp duties, property taxes, and ALHL fees apply for foreign investors.
• Government oversight ensures compliance, particularly in CBI-related developments, though bureaucracy can sometimes cause delays.

Foreign Investment

Foreign buyers are at the centre of Antigua and Barbuda’s property market. Attracting this investment has been carefully woven into the country’s long-term development strategy:

• The CBI programme provides a straightforward route to property plus citizenship.
• No capital gains tax, inheritance tax, or wealth tax sweetens the deal.
• Resort developments, marina communities, and waterfront homes are the most sought-after assets.

Challenges and Opportunities

• Small Market Size: Limits liquidity and resale options, meaning investors must often look long-term.
• Infrastructure Traditions: While improving, infrastructure outside major resort areas can be limited compared to global standards.
• Tourism Dependency: The market’s fortunes are closely tied to global travel trends.
• Opportunities:
  • Growth in boutique luxury (eco-resorts, wellness tourism).
  • Renewed development opportunities in Barbuda.
  • Rising global demand for “lifestyle investments” combining property ownership with second residency or citizenship.

What GCIP Offers You

Antigua and Barbuda’s Citizenship by Investment Program (CBI) is one of Caribbean’s most family -friendly routes to a second passport.GCIP work with it’s partners and network of experts in investment migration to ensure clients investment protection and guarantee in getting their second citizenship and residency.Contact us today for a free consultation