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Our professional team will make you moving to the Bahamas or buying a home in the Bahamas easy!
Non-Bahamians who don’t own property in the Bahamas and who are buying less than two acres for single family use need only to register their investment with the government. The same principle applies to non-Bahamians buying improved property under 2 acres which is developed as a single family residential property.
Second homeowners in the Bahamas may apply to the Immigration director for an annual home owner’s resident card. If the director’s satisfied that the person is of good character, can support himself and his dependents and so on, he’ll issue a card for a fee.
See The International Persons Landholding Act
If a Bahamas property purchase is for other than single family use or is over 2 acres in size, then a GOVERNMENT permit is required.
Lawyers, Surveyors and Architects
The Government Stamp Duty on Property Conveyances
A graduated tax is payable on the conveyance of all real property based on the following value:
The first $250,000 on owner occupied residential property is tax exempt.
For unimproved Bahamas property other than that exempt under the provisions of the Real Property Tax Act (section 39):
For any other property, including non-exempted owner-occupied property:
Bahamas property owned by Bahamians and situated in the Family Islands is exempt from a property duty. Bahamas property approved as commercial farm land (by the Ministers of Agriculture, Trade and Industry and Finance) is eligible for property tax exemptions.
Also exempt from property tax:
These laws and policies are subject to change.
Proprietors of owner-occupied rental homes of one or more bedrooms are required to collect a ten percent hotel guest tax from their tenants.
What is an owner-occupied rental home? It’s a home that the owner uses exclusively as a dwelling house on a permanent or seasonal basis.
Licences to rent are available through the local Family Island Administrator’s Office, or the Hotel Licensing Department of the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation in Nassau, Bahamas.
For further information and to download forms, visit tourism today
Major international investors and owners of residences valued at $1.5 million or more receive speedy consideration for permanent residency permits.
Applicants must be of good character, show evidence of financial support and commit in writing they wish to live permanently in the Bahamas. Wives and dependent children (under 18 years) usually resident in a household may be endorsed on the certificate when the original application is made. For details contact:
The information contained on this page is subject to change. This information is meant to be used only as a guide and anyone entering into any type of real estate transaction, including but not limited to a lease, rental or sale, should have legal representation. Coldwell Banker Lightbourn Realty is not responsible for any errors or ommissions contained on this page.
Visas are not required of citizens of the USA, United Kingdom, or Canada provided their stay does not exceed 3 weeks and that they have a return ticket leaving the Bahamas. Visas are not required of US citizens if stays are less than 8 months. Bahamas Immigration Department permits are needed to reside, work or engage in any business.
Need information on electricity and telephone services before you buy Bahamas Real Estate? Below is a list of private schools and utility corporations.
New Providence, upon which the capital of Nassau sits, has several private schools – from St. Andrew’s, the international school, in the east to Lyford Cay School in the west.
