Saint Kitts and Nevis: Country Overview

The Carribean twin-island state

The Caribbean island nation of St. Kitts and Nevis is an island federation consisting of two islands: St. Kitts Island and Nevis Island. The country attracts many wealthy individuals worldwide through its citizenship-by-investment program. At Pallas, we support you in obtaining citizenship and a passport quite quickly through real estate investment or government fund donations. Once a citizen, you can enjoy low tax policies and a powerful passport that grants visa-free travel to more than 150 countries. Find out more about this paradise-style island with white beaches and lush rainforests.

Saint Kitts and Nevis – Country Highlights

Economy

GDP (nominal): $1.07bn
Comparable to Vanuatu and Grenada

GDP/capita: $18,158
Higher than Chile and Costa Rica

GDP growth: 4.9% (annual, 2023)
around 3.0% annually forecasted (2024-2028)

Population

Size: 47,7 thousand people

Median age: 35 years
Compared to Costa Rica 34 and Greece 45.8

Density: 183.1 people/km²
Compared to 200 people/km² in Italy

Climate

Average temperature: 28°C
Ø low of 24°C and Ø high of 31°C

Sunshine hours/year: 3,394h
Compared to 1,749h in Switzerland or 2,258h in Costa Rica

Average precipitation/year: 1427mm
Compared to 1292mm in Bahamas and 1622mm in Thailand

Language

English (official)
English is the only official language. A dialect called Saint Kitts Creole is widely spoken in addition and also based on English.

Religion

Christian 94.6%
Protestants 81.3%, other Christians 13.3%, no religion 2.6%, Hinduism 1.5%, other 1.3%
Freedom of religion and worship

Security

Legatum Safety Ranking
St. Kitts and Nevis considered among the safe islands of the Carribbean. Crimes against tourists are rare.

St Kitts and Nevis is not involved in any major international disputes and has a 300 people strong defence force.

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Real estate market

Average Price per Square Meter: $1,200 – $1,800 (Basseterre)

Gross Rental Yield
In City Center: 4.9% – 5.3%

Growing luxury real estate segment

Politics

Free Country
Freedom Score 89/100 according to the Freedom House World Report

Constitutional Monarchy
Executive: Prime Minister and Cabinet
Legislative: National Assembly
Judiciary: High Court of Justice and the Court of Appeal

Taxes

Territorial tax law
0% tax on foreign-sourced income
0% on local income
0-17% VAT

Tax haven
0% capital gains tax
0% crypto tax
0% dividend tax (15% for non-residents for dividends obtained in St. Kitts & Nevis)
0% inheritance tax

Cost of living

Annual Inflation (CPI): 3.6% (2023)

Cost of fuel: $0.89/liter

Cost of electricity: $0.31/KWh

Annual cost of food: $3,812

Healthcare

No universal healthcare
The government still provides free healthcare to citizens under 18 and over 62. For the age group 18-62 basic healthcare is heavily subsidized.

Doctors per capita: 3.03
per 1,000 people, WHO Global Workforce Statistics, 2020

Life expectancy: 71.7
(HMD 2023)

Education

Compulsory schooling from ages 5 to 16
97.8% adult literacy rate

Tertiary Education attainment: 20%
of adult population

Living in Saint Kitts and Nevis: Unique Benefits

No military service

There is no conscription to the military. Citizens of 18 years age can voluntarily do military service. The military has only 300 people and is rarely ever used.

Member of the British Commonwealth

St Kitts and Nevis is a member of the British Commonwealth since 1983. Besides being closely connected to the United Kingdom this grants you a few additional benefits, such as being able to get consular assistance from British embassies in countries in which St. Kitts and Nevis doesn’t have their own embassy.

No traffic jams

There are absolutely no traffic jams on both islands: St Kitts and Nevis. The speed of life here is very relaxed.

Member of the OECS

The Organisation of the Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) is an economic and political union between: Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

US Dollar fixed currency

St Kitts and Nevis uses the Eastern Caribbean Dollar as official currency. The great benefit of this local Carribbean dollar is that it is fixed to the US Dollar. This prevents local inflation and creates a stable environment for investment. The exchange rate is USD$1 = EC$2.70

Multiple citizenships allowed

According to the constitution of St. Kitts and Nevis not only dual citizenship, but even multiple citizenships are allowed in this island nation. Keep all your original passports and add the St. Kitts & Nevis passport on top for a maximum of freedom.

Saint Kitts and Nevis: surprising must-knows and fun facts

Smallest sovereign state in the Americas

St. Kitts and Nevis is the smallest sovereign state in all of North and South America. Both in area and population there is no smaller nation in the Americas, with just about 261 square kilometers and around 47,000 residents.

UNESCO World Heritage site

Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park in St. Kitts is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known as the “Gibraltar of the Carribbean” for its historical military significance and well-preserved fortification. It was originally build in the 17th century and used by French and British military.

Cricket excellence

The Warner Park Stadium in St. Kitts is one of the premier cricket facilities in the Caribbean and was a host venue for the 2007 Cricket World Cup.

Carribbean island railway

The island St. Kitts is home to the last remaining railway in the West Indies. The St. Kitts Scenic Railway takes passengers on a 29km long tour around the island, showcasing breathtaking coastal landscapes and historical sugar cane fields. It’s a must visit when you visit the country!

Driving on the left

Like many former British colonies, traffic in St. Kitts and Nevis drives on the left-hand side of the road, a practice that dates back to British colonial rule.

Island of healing waters

Nevis was historically known as “Oualie” (Land of Beautiful Waters) by the indigenous Caribs and was famous for its therapeutic hot springs which are still active today. Relax in the Nevis hot springs!

Discover citizenship by investment in Saint Kitts and Nevis

Saint Kitts and Nevis offers a unique opportunity for individuals who want a second citizenship. At Pallas, we help our clients to get a second citizenship and passport quickly by investing in real estate or donating to a government fund. This program gives you a strong passport that allows visa-free travel to over 150 countries, low taxes, and a life of ease among beautiful beaches and green forests.

Why Choose Saint Kitts and Nevis?

When you get a citizenship by investment in Saint Kitts and Nevis, you’re choosing more than a new passport. You’re choosing a peaceful life in a place known for its stable economy and good growth. The economy is worth about $1.07 billion, and it’s expected to grow around 3% every year from 2024 to 2028. The country also offers exciting real estate investment opportunities and a safe environment, with one of the top safety ratings in the Caribbean. Economic insights: A growing economy For its small size the economy of Saint Kitts and Nevis is doing well, with a GDP per capita higher than Chile and Costa Rica at $18,158. The islands have seen a GDP growth of 4.9% in 2023. Investors find this growth attractive, especially with the tax benefits like no tax on foreign income and other financial incentives.

Population and lifestyle in Saint Kitts and Nevis

About 47,000 people live in Saint Kitts and Nevis, and the average age is 35. This creates a community that’s perfect for both families and retirees. The whole countries population is not larger than a small country town, so you will quickly get to know everyone who is important in this small nation. The weather is almost always sunny, with an average temperature of 28°C, making it an ideal place for outdoor and beach activities.

Language and culture

Everyone speaks English here, which makes moving and settling in easy. There’s also a local dialect called Saint Kitts Creole, which adds to the island’s charm. Culturally you will find many influences from the United Kingdom here, since it was a colony of the British Empire in former times. This makes it very easy for you to adjust. The majority of the population, 94.6%, follows Christianity, which plays a big role in the community’s values and social life.

Safety and security

Saint Kitts and Nevis is one of the safest Caribbean islands, with very low crime rates. The crimes which are happening are often among the less wealthy locals and rarely ever affect tourists or wealthy immigrants. On an international level the country is very peaceful, not involved in any major global disputes, and has a small defense force of 300 people, ensuring a secure environment for its residents and visitors.

Real estate investment opportunities in St. Kitts

The real estate market here is booming, especially in luxury properties. Prices for real estate range from $1,200 to $1,800 per square meter in places like Basseterre. The investment in real estate not only provides a home but also a chance for a good return on investment through rental income and property value increase.

Stable and democratic governance

Saint Kitts and Nevis is a free country with a high freedom score of 89 out of 100. It’s a constitutional monarchy with a reliable system of governance that includes a Prime Minister, a National Assembly, and judicial courts. The monarch has only a representative and is the British King Charles, exactly like it is the case in Canada or Australia. This stable political environment is a great basis for investors and new citizens.

Tax Benefits

The islands offer no tax on foreign income, capital gains, dividends, or inheritance. This makes Saint Kitts and Nevis a so called “tax haven” and an attractive place for business people and investors looking to keep their earnings as high as possible. Healthcare and education The government provides free or subsidized healthcare to people under 18 and over 62, with affordable options for others. Education here ensures that 97.8% of adults can read and write, and schools are compulsory until age 16. There are good opportunities for higher education too, such as international private schools. Enjoy live in Saint Kitts and Nevis Living in Saint Kitts and Nevis means enjoying a peaceful life with no rush hour traffic and a slow pace of life. The islands are part of several international groups like the British Commonwealth and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, which provides benefits like help from British embassies abroad. Start your journey with Pallas Let Pallas help you begin your new life in Saint Kitts and Nevis. If you want to live in St. Kitts, we guide you through every step, from choosing your investment to moving in. If you simply want to get the passport of Saint Kitts and Nevis to enjoy more travel freedom, we can do the whole passport application process for you. Our focus is to take all the administrative work off your shoulders, so that you can keep focus on your day-to-day business. Call us today to learn more about how you can start your journey to a passport of St. Kitts and Nevis and enjoy visa-free travel to most countries in the world.