St. Lucia: Country Overview

The hidden gem in the atlantic ocean

St. Lucia is a caribbean island nation known for its stunning natural beauty and vibrant culture. It fascinates visitors with its lush rainforests, pristine beaches, and majestic volcanic peaks. The island’s economy thrives on a diverse range of sectors, including tourism, agriculture, and offshore financial services.

St. Lucia attracts travellers from all over the world, who are drawn to its year-round tropical climate, with warm temperatures and refreshing sea breezes. The passport of St. Lucia is one of the most attractive ones world-wide, because it can be obtained without actually visiting the country within only 3 months and offering visa-free access to 147 countries including the EU.

Immigration options – the different programs

St. Lucia: Citizenship/passport by investment

Apply / Learn More

St. Lucia – Country Highlights

Economy

GDP (nominal): $2.26bn
Comparable to San Marino in Europe

GDP/capita: $13,572
Higher than Turkey or Brazil

GDP growth: 3.2% (annual, 2023)
1.5% to 2.3% forecasted (2024-2028)

Population

Size: 185.000 people

Median age: 34 years
Comparable to Costa Rica and United Arab Emirates

Density: 295 people/km²
Compared to 1620 people/km² in Malta

Climate

Average temperature: 26°C
Ø low of 22.5°C and Ø high of 29°C

Sunshine hours/year: 2,891h
Compared to 1,749h in Switzerland or 2,258h in Costa Rica

Average precipitation/year: 2301mm
21th highest precipitation in the world

Language

English/French
English is the official language, 95% of the population speak French Creole as well

Religion

Roman Catholic 61.5%
Protestant 25.5% (includes Seventh Day Adventist, Pentecostal, Baptist, Anglican, Church of God), other Christian and unaffiliated
(2020, World Religion Database)

Security

Murders: 36.7 per 100,000 people
4th highest murder rate in 2022 globally

St. Lucia has no military only the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force. Therefore St. Lucia will not take part in any international conflicts.

Apply Now

Real estate market

Housing prices rising steadily
Average of 5-6% annual appreciation
Foreign buyers dominate luxury market

Government

Free Country
Freedom Score 91/100 according to the Freedom House World Report

Parliamentary Democracy
Representative: King Charles III, Governor General
Executive: Prime Minister
Legislative: House of Assembly & Senate
Judiciary: District and High Court

Elections are every 5 years. St. Lucia ist part of the British Commonwealth.

Taxes

Territorial tax law
0% tax on foreign-sourced income
30% on local income (maximum)
12.5% value added tax

Tax haven
0% capital gains tax
0% crypto tax
0% dividend tax
0% inheritance tax

Cost of living

Annual Inflation (CPI): 3.65% (2023)
Latest 1.96% (Feb 2024); forecasted at 2%

Cost of fuel: $3.63/liter

Cost of electricity: $0.33/KWh

Annual cost of food: $n/a

Healthcare

No universal healthcare
A National Health Scheme is in place. Private treatment can be expensive. Not recommended for major procedures.

Doctors per capita: 0.7
per 1,000 people, WHO Global Workforce Statistics, 2017

Life expectancy: 71.1
(HMD 2023)

Education

Free public school through high school
90% adult literacy rate

Tertiary Education enrollment: 16.36%
of adult population; St. Lucia ranks 125th globally

Few private schools. The most expensive private school starts at $6,000 per year.

Living in St. Lucia: Unique Benefits

No military service

St Lucia doesn’t have a military. Therefore there is no military service for St. Lucia residents or passport-holders. Citizens of St. Lucia never fight in wars.

Member of Commonwealth

St. Lucia is a member of the British Commonwealth, an organisation headed by King Charles III. These countries work and trade together, and share a common set of values, including fair political elections and the respect of human rights.

Member of Eastern Caribbean States

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.

Local currency tied to USD at fixed rate

Saint Lucia has the Eastern Caribbean Dollar which is tied at a fixed rate to the USD and therefore it has a very stable currency without local inflation. The exchange rate is USD$1 = EC$2.70

Iconic landscape

The two sharp mountains “The Pitons” of St. Lucia in combination with the white beaches make St. Lucia the epitome of a caribbean island paradise.

St. Lucia allows dual citizenship

The country St. Lucia not only allows dual citizenship, in fact St. Lucia allows you to have as many citizenships as you want. Enjoy ultimate freedom by travelling always with the one passport which offers you better visa-free options.

St. Lucia: surprising must-knows and fun facts

The world’s only drive-in volcano

Sulphur Springs is a geothermal field not far from the town Sourfriere, where the French operated a sulphur mine in the 19th century. It is St. Lucia’s biggest tourist attraction with 200,000 yearly visitors.
Part of the springs have mud baths with 45 Celsius hot water, which are said to have healing properties.

Highest rate of Nobel Laureates in the world

St. Lucia has the highest rate of Nobel Laureates per capita in the world, because it is such a small island nation and has already two nobel prize winners amongst its citizens:
Sir Arthur Lewis nobel prize for economics in 1979
Derek Walcott nobel prize in literature in 1992

Indepenent since 1979

Saint Lucia achieved independence on February 22, 1979, remaining a parliamentary democracy within the British Commonwealth.

Ancient globe where saint lucia was first mentioned

First country named after a woman

St. Lucia is the first country named after a historical woman. Saint Lucia was a Roman Christian martyr and one of eight women explicitly commemorated by Catholics in the Canon of the Mass. Already a globe in the Vatican from the year 1520 shows the island named as Sancta Lucia, indicating that the island was named by early Spanish explorers.

The island of rum

Rum distillers on St. Lucia produce 25 different rums! Enjoy the local brands during a rum tasting at one of the distilleries between the wide sugar cane fields.

Pirates of the Carribbean

The stone arch at Anse Feré Bay was used in a scene of the “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl.” In addition, many other locations around St. Lucia island were used in the movie production. The scenic stone arch is also called Lady’s Slipper Arch and Lover’s Rock by locals. You can see it by driving the Mellenium Highway and turning west at the SOL gas station onto an access road.

Featured articles

a beach with a bunch of umbrellas and palm trees

Sulphur Springs The World’s Only Drive-in Volcano

Saint Lucia’s Independence

Book a consultation

Explore the charm of St. Lucia

St. Lucia, a small carribbean island nation attracts tourists and residents with lush rainforests, pristine beaches, and volcanic peaks. Known for its small but diverse economy including tourism, agriculture, and financial services, this caribbean island is a getaway with a relaxed culture and warm, year-round tropical climate. Ideal for those considering a new life or a second passport, St. Lucia provides a straightforward citizenship by investment program, allowing for a passport acquisition within just three months without needing a visit in person at all. Enjoy the freedom of visa-free travel to 147 countries, including the European Union, making St. Lucia one of the most attractive passport options for global citizens.

St. Lucia’s stable economy and demographics

With an economy comparable to San Marino, St. Lucia boasts a GDP of $2.26 billion and a higher GDP per capita than countries like Turkey or Brazil. The island’s GDP growth is steady creating a stable financial environment for investors. Home to approximately 185,000 people, St. Lucia offers a community with a median age similar to Costa Rica and less crowded living conditions than Malta. This blend of economic stability and comfortable demographic layout makes St. Lucia a prime location for real estate investment and residency.

A year-round paradise: Climate and environment

St. Lucia is blessed with an average temperature of 26°C, mild throughout the year, and significantly more sunshine hours than Costa Rica. It also receives a high amount of rainfall, contributing to its lush greenery and abundant water resources. The island’s natural beauty, highlighted by iconic beach spots like Sugar Beach and the majestic Pitons mountains, provides amazing views for residents and tourists. Explore the tropical coral reefs or just relax on the soft beaches… if you like tropical islands, you will love St. Lucia.

Citizenship opportunities in St. Lucia

Pallas simplifies the process of obtaining St. Lucia citizenship through investment for you. Getting this second citizenship is especially appealing to entrepreneurs, retirees, and anyone looking for a second passport. This program not only facilitates a quick and efficient citizenship process but also offers potential tax advantages, such as no inheritance or capital gains taxes, and zero tax on foreign-sourced income. Investing in St. Lucia real estate or other qualifying ventures can secure a future in this politically stable and economically growing country, providing peace of mind and a host of benefits to investors and their families.

Living the St. Lucian dream: Real estate and lifestyle

St. Lucia’s real estate market is growing, with average annual appreciation rates of 5-6%. The luxury market, in particular, attracts foreign buyers looking for vacation homes or permanent residences in exclusive areas like Cap Estate and Rodney Bay. Living in St. Lucia comes with the unique benefits of no military obligations, membership in the British Commonwealth, and fixed currency rates tied to the USD, ensuring economic stability and a high quality of life. Whether it’s purchasing property near the celebrated resorts like Sandals Grande or Jade Mountain, residents enjoy a blend of luxury and tranquility.

Cultural and recreational highlights

St. Lucia is not just about scenic landscapes and economic benefits; it’s also rich in culture and recreation. The island celebrates many festivals, showcasing its deep-rooted heritage. From the thrilling St. Lucia Jazz Festival to the colorful carnival celebrations, there’s always something happening. For the adventurous, activities like hiking the Tet Paul Nature Trail, snorkeling in the clear waters of Anse Chastanet beach, or visiting the world’s only drive-in volcano at Sulphur Springs, ensure that there’s never a dull moment.

Why choose St. Lucia?

Choosing St. Lucia as your home or investment destination offers numerous advantages. As a passport holder, you gain access to visa-free travel across many countries, a stable political environment, and the chance to live on a dream-like carribbean island. The government’s citizenship by investment program is ranked among the best for its efficiency and benefits, making St. Lucia a top choice for those seeking dual citizenship or a peaceful and prosperous place to call home. In conclusion, St. Lucia stands out as a premier destination for those looking to invest in real estate, secure a second citizenship, or simply enjoy a high quality of life in one of the Caribbean’s most beautiful islands. Pallas is here to guide you through every step of the process, ensuring a seamless transition to your new life in St. Lucia. Explore the possibilities today and start your journey.