St Kitts and Nevis

Things to know about the country: taxes, prices, cost of living, and other important facts

February 21, 2024
Reading Time: 12 min
License IMA 2023

St Kitts and Nevis is a Caribbean country formed on February 27th, 1967, due to the merger of two small states. The country has a developed economy and a high level of healthcare and education.

St Kitts and Nevis lives off tourism, agriculture, and foreign investment. Cosmopolitans obtain St Kitts and Nevis citizenship to travel to 156 countries around the world visa‑free, including the Schengen states, the UK, Singapore and Hong Kong.

Geography of St Kitts and Nevis

St Kitts and Nevis is located on two islands of the same name. They are part of the Lesser Antilles archipelago of the West Indies. The eastern part of the country is washed by the Atlantic Ocean, and the western part — by the Caribbean Sea.

The length of the St Kitts island is 37 km. It has a mountain range that includes the dormant Liamuiga volcano, the highest point in the country. The volcano's top reaches 1,155 m above sea level. The landscape of the island's southeastern part is flat, with an uneven coastline.

St Kitts and Nevis: island landscape
Due to volcanic formations, descent to the water in St Kitts is more difficult on the Atlantic Ocean side. Sandy beaches on the Caribbean Sea side are accessible

The island of Nevis is located 3 kilometres from St Kitts. The Narrows strait separates them. The landscape of Nevis is also mountainous.

  • Area ― 261 km²
  • Capital — Basseterre
  • Average annual temperature ― +29℃
  • Most comfortable months — April, May, and June
  • Population — ≈ 50,000 
  • Official language — English
  • National currency — Eastern Caribbean Dollar

Climate and nature of St Kitts and Nevis

The climate in St Kitts and Nevis is humid and hot. Strong winds arrive from the southeast. 

The best months to visit the country are April, May and June. There is no real monsoon season: precipitation is even, and the average humidity is 75%. Hurricanes arrive in August and last until November. 

The temperature on the islands is stable and rarely falls below +20℃.

Monthly climate averages for St Kitts and Nevis

The nature of Saint Kitts and Nevis is a bounty tropical paradise with mountain peaks, salt lakes, coconut plantations, and sandy beaches surrounded by coral reefs and palm trees.

On the islands, there are dormant volcanoes with nearby hot springs beat. In the crater of the highest volcano, Liamuiga, a lake eventually formed. In the lowlands, there are plantations with crops: avocados, sugar cane and carrots are grown here.

Breadfruit trees, tamarind, coconut palms, mango and papaya grow in the forests. Breadfruit trees were introduced by the British in the early 19th century. The local climate was perfect for these trees that need a lot of sun, rain and high humidity.

The Caribbean Sea is home to about 450 fish species, sharks, rays, and shellfish. Tourists travel to St Kitts and Nevis for yachting, diving, snorkelling and spearfishing.

St Kitts and Nevis: nature of the islands

A strip of sandy lagoons runs around the major part of the islands. St Kitts and Nevis has plenty of private beaches for relaxing holidays

St Kitts and Nevis: snorkelling in the Caribbean

Underwater fishing is popular in St Kitts and Nevis. Prices for a four-hour session with a local guide start at $350. You can go shark, barracuda and kingfish hunting yourself by renting a boat in Basseterre Bay

St Kitts and Nevis: island nature, breadfruit tree

Breadfruit is the largest tree fruit in the world. One tree can bear up to 200 fruits a year. One fruit can weigh up to 34 kg

St Kitts and Nevis: Nevis Volcano

To get to Nevis Peak, hikers sign up for a walking, horseback or cycling tour. Local guides created about 17 hiking trails on the volcano slopes

Political and economic structure of St Kitts and Nevis

St Kitts and Nevis is a federation, i.e. a union state that consists of two independent states. 

The Federation is based on the UK democratic parliamentary system. St Kitts and Nevis used to be a British colony and gained independence relatively recently, in 1983. Now the state is an independent member of the Commonwealth of Nations, where a UK monarch reigns. The Governor-General represents the monarch’s interests in the country.

The Parliament is represented by the unicameral National Assembly led by the Prime Minister. The country has a Supreme Court and a system of magistrates' courts.

Nevis, home to only 20,000 people, has a separate parliament and its own administration. The Prime Minister also leads it. Nevis has the right to withdraw from the Federation at any time.

St Kitts and Nevis: flag

The green colour on the St Kitts and Nevis flag symbolises the fertility of the land, red means the local population’s fight for freedom, and black stands for the African cultural heritage

St Kitts and Nevis: coat of arms

The national emblem of St Kitts and Nevis is rich with symbols: essential crops, birds, and plants. At the top, there is a crown, as well as black, white and mixed-colour hands holding the freedom torch

St Kitts and Nevis: passport

St Kitts and Nevis passport allows visa-free travelling to 156 countries, including the Schengen states, the UK, Hong Kong, and Singapore

In addition to the Commonwealth of Nations, St Kitts and Nevis is a member of other international organisations such as:

  • the United Nations;
  • CARICOM;
  • the International Monetary Fund (IMF);
  • the World Trade Organisation (WTO);
  • the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD);
  • and the Organisation of American States (OAS).

The majority of the country's population is of African descent. The descendants of Arawak and Carib peoples also live in St Kitts and Nevis. A small percentage of the inhabitants are European immigrants and mixed-raced individuals. 

The official language is English, but local dialects with a specific lilt are often used in everyday life.

Residents of St Kitts and Nevis practice Christianity — 94.6%. They are mostly Anglicans, Methodists and Catholics. A small percentage of residents identify with a different religion or are atheists altogether:

  • folk beliefs and other religions — 2%;
  • atheism — 1.6%;
  • Hinduism — 1.5%;
  • Islam — 0.3%.
St Kitts and Nevis: Anglican Church
St George's Anglican Church is located in central Basseterre, the country's capital. The cathedral survived multiple fires and was once destroyed. The last restoration was completed at the end of the 20th century

St Kitts and Nevis has one of the highest GDP per capita in the Caribbean and Latin America: $18,082. The country’s economy is based on agriculture, tourism and the citizenship by investment program. 

Tourism brings a larger percentage of GDP to the country, so the government invests in infrastructure development: ports, marinas, hotels, and earthquake-resistant houses.

Residents grow various crops both for themselves and for import. The lowlands have private vegetable patches and sugar cane, fruit, and coconut plantations.

The Citizenship by Investment Program of Saint Kitts and Nevis was launched in 1984. Thanks to the program, investments in tourism, the island's infrastructure and the social sphere are growing.

Infrastructure of St Kitts and Nevis 

The country has two international airports ― Robert L Bradshaw in St Kitts and Vance W Amory in Nevis. Planes from Europe, South and North America, and the Caribbean fly to the islands.

Each island has modern marinas and berths that can accommodate vessels of all sizes. The country’s main marina is Christophe Harbour, Port Zante.

The Christophe Harbor Marina offers 24-hour access to the docks, a deep-water harbour, and refuelling. The harbour is equipped with 250 berths, 60 of which are for large yachts.

There are hotels, restaurants, sports clubs, horse clubs, and golf and tennis courts on both islands. Guests can go diving, surfing and yachting on-site.

St Kitts and Nevis: Port of Basseterre

Port Zante in Basseterre welcomes cruise liners, yachts and other vessels. Nearby there is a market with local goods and souvenirs

St Kitts and Nevis: Basseterre Bay

Basseterre Bay can accept up to two large liners and dozens of smaller vessels at the same time

St Kitts and Nevis: yacht repair

A boat yard near Brimstone Hill Fort in St Kitts accepts small yachts and boats for repairs

St Kitts and Nevis: Cruise ship arrival

A cruise ship arrives in Basseterre Bay in the capital of St Kitts and Nevis. Liners bring tourists from Europe and the US. Prices start at $1,200 for 4 nights

Taxation in St Kitts and Nevis

In St Kitts and Nevis, there are no taxes on residents' capital gains, gifts, inheritances, or dividends.

Basic taxes for individuals are the following:

  • on dividends, interest and royalties — 0%;
  • social contributions — 5% of the salary;
  • property tax — 0.2 to 0.3%, depending on the property’s purpose;
  • stamp duty to transfer ownership rights on the property — 6 to 10% for the seller.

Basic taxes for legal entities are the following: 

  • corporate tax for companies registered in St Kitts and Nevis — 33%;
  • social contributions — 6% of the salary;
  • property tax — 0.2 to 0.3%, depending on the property’s purpose;
  • stamp duty to transfer ownership rights on the property — 6 to 10% for the seller.

Living in St Kitts and Nevis

Quick integration into society helps tourists and new residents to get acquainted with the country. Here are the things to know about rentals, public transport, and shopping in St Kitts and Nevis.

Accommodations. Tourists can rent a room in local hotels, apartments, or villas. Rental prices in Basseterre start at $350. In the city centre, prices start at $600.

Prices. In St Kitts and Nevis, prices are relatively low, but imported goods are always more expensive.

Approximate grocery prices in St Kitts and Nevis are the following:

  • bread, 500 g — $4;
  • milk, 1 l — $3;
  • local cheese, 1 kg — $11;
  • eggs, 12 pcs — 1 $;
  • chicken fillet, 1 kg — $5.3;
  • oranges, 1 kg — $1.85;
  • bananas, 1 kg — $2.45;
  • mid-range wine, 1 bottle — $14.80.

For a couple, a three-course dinner in a mid-range restaurant will cost around $92. A monthly fitness club pass costs around $83, and a movie ticket for an international release costs around $7.

Transport. Buses run between the country's cities and towns, and a one-way ticket costs around $1.3. A ferry ride between the islands costs around $25. Taxi prices start at $3.70.

St Kitts and Nevis: public ferry
A ferry connects St Kitts and Nevis, transporting people and vehicles across the Narrows strait. A ride takes approximately 25 minutes

Education. There are public and private schools in St Kitts and Nevis. Children aged 5 to 16 attend public schools for free.

The country has four medical universities, a branch of the University of the West Indies, and technical and teacher colleges. 

The University of the West Indies is a higher education institution that operates only in the Commonwealth of Nations. The university's campus is located in Basseterre. Initially, the university was created as a division of London College and followed British education standards.

Citizens of St Kitts and Nevis have the right to enrol in British universities on preferential terms since the country is part of the Commonwealth.

Healthcare. St Kitts and Nevis's healthcare quality is high and based on British standards. There are three public hospitals in St Kitts: Joseph N France General Hospital, Mary Charles Hospital, and Pogson Medical Centre. Nevis has one public Alexandra Hospital. There are also several private clinics in the country.

Joseph N France General Hospital is the country's main hospital with acute care and trauma departments.

Tourists are advised to apply for private healthcare insurance, which will include emergency evacuation services in case of an emergency.

Best cities to live in St Kitts and Nevis 

Basseterre is the capital city, where the financial, industrial, and political life of St Kitts and Nevis is concentrated. Most of the urban population resides here. 

While Basseterre is one of the country's most expensive places, it also has everything you might need, from banks and ATMs to medical facilities and schools. 

The Robert L Bradshaw International Airport is a short car ride away, and the main Port Zane can be reached by foot. Due to the location, it will take you less than an hour to drive to any part of St Kitts from Basetterre. 

The city charms you with historic buildings, lush gardens, buzzing squares, and spectacular beaches. Stores and restaurants are ready to serve you, and during the daytime, you can explore local markets for fresh produce and street food. 

Best cities to live in St Kitts and Nevis: Basseterre
The view on Basseterre from the cruise Port Zante

Frigate Bay is an area formed by a duo of bays: the northern overlooks the Atlantic Ocean, and the southern one faces the Caribbean Sea. 

While not technically a separate town, Frigate Bay might as well be one: it is expats’ favourite destination. A good choice of affordable real estate is one of the secrets to this popularity. 

Frigate Bay also offers incredible views from the shores, fine retail stores, restaurants, and, of course, beaches. But remember, the neighbourhood can feel quite crowded — especially during tourist season. 

Best cities to live in St Kitts and Nevis: Frigate Bay
Frigate Bay is usually referred to two natural bays located close to one another on the island of St Kitts

Charlestown is a town in Nevis and the island’s main port. It carries itself as a true capital despite its modest size, with many venues available day and night. 

Charlestown has several schools and colleges, including Charlestown Secondary School and Nevis Music Academy. Medical services are available in Alexandria Hospital and several health centres. There are banks, berths, and repair shops — all conveniently located.

Charlestown is known for the Hamilton Estate, Botanical Gardens of Nevis, and amazing beaches overviewing the island of St Kitts. 

Bath is a small but well-known and respected town in Nevis. It is laid back and quiet. However, it is located right next to Charlestown, so if you prefer less buzz but still want access to the robust infrastructure, choose a residency in Bath. One of the best things about the town is its volcanic thermal springs. 

Best cities to live in St Kitts and Nevis: Charlestown
Charlestown, the island of Nevis. Colonial architecture is a hallmark of these Caribbean towns

Attractions, festivals, and entertainment in St Kitts and Nevis

Those who want to learn about authentic life in the country should start with guided tours to cities, towns, and villages. Those who prefer active leisure can get right to water sports, horseback rides, and hiking.

Attractions. Timothy Hill is the most popular spot in St Kitts. It offers scenic views of the southeast shores, the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.

The nearest beach to Timothy Hill, Carambola Beach, is only three minutes away if you take a bus or drive a car. It is one of the beaches with paid access, with prices starting at $5.  

The St Kitts and Nevis islands have plenty of secluded wild beaches. Their sand is more often darker in colour due to its volcanic origin.

The sandy South Friars Beach is a 15-minute drive from the Basseterre. Cockleshell Bay south of St Kitts. And the famous Atlantic Ocean’s Turtle Beach is located next to the old sugar factory.

Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park is a UNESCO-protected heritage of the country. St Kitts and Nevis is full of Victorian buildings and old British plantations, with their elegant wooden architecture well preserved.

The National Museum, which opened in 2002 in the old Treasury building, is located in Basseterre. On its 900-meter territory are exhibitions of everyday life and traditional clothing of the indigenous tribes and formerly enslaved Africans.

The city of Charleston is dubbed “an open-air museum”. It has colonial architecture, classic British houses, rural huts and old churches, still used for their intended purpose.

Among the most popular souvenirs of St Kitts and Nevis are spices, flower honey, and red clay ceramics.

St Kitts and Nevis: view from Timothy Hill

Timothy Hill is usually the first place tourists visit in St Kitts and Nevis

St Kitts and Nevis: city of Basseterre

St Kitts and Nevis cities are very sparsely located: a lot of space is left to nature

St Kitts and Nevis: National Museum

The National Museum of St Kitts and Nevis opened in 2002. Before that, the building housed the Treasury of the country, and residents used it as an exit to the pier

St Kitts and Nevis: Brimstone Hill Fort

Brimstone Hill Fort ruins, formerly known as Gibraltar of the West Indies, are located in the National Park

St Kitts and Nevis: windmill ruins

Ruins of a sugar plantation. St Kitts and Nevis used to be the main supplier of sugar cane to the Caribbean for centuries. Now the former plantation is open to tourists

The island of Nevis has well-preserved colonial buildings. The most remarkable are the Charleston houses, Cottle Church, Bath Hotel, and Spring House.

Bath Hotel was built with hand-cut stones in 1778 for famous and wealthy visitors. The hotel had therapeutic hot spring baths, which can still be taken today. The complex consists of five thermal baths. It is believed that spring water contains minerals that relieve chronic rheumatism and gout.

In the Nevisian Heritage Village, the evolution of the island’s homes is presented. There are the exact replicas of homes built in the Native American era. The houses are furnished with household items of the respective periods. The exhibits include residential buildings, a blacksmith shop, a rum distillery, and a shoe workshop.

The Botanical Gardens of Nevis was opened in 1998. It was created by a US married couple, Joseph and Martha Murphy. They chose the picturesque Montpelier Estate that overlooks Nevis Peak. The garden is filled with sculptures, fountains and plants: roses and vines, cacti, fruit trees, and orchids. A winter garden with tropical rainforest plants is modelled on the Royal Botanic winter garden in the UK.

Botanical Gardens of Nevis
A fountain with a view of Nevis Peak in the Botanical Gardens

Festivals and entertainment. At the end of December, tourists gather for a costumed carnival with performances and dances. And one of the most popular attractions is the New Year horse races and the Kite Festival in April.

St Kitts hosts a salsa and jazz festival every July, followed by equestrian tournaments.

You can join wildlife tours, island hikes, cycling, horse riding, yachting, diving, kayaking and snorkelling all year round. 

St Kitts and Nevis has strong volunteer initiatives: some tourists use their holidays to volunteer and help locals in any way possible. For example, clean up abandoned beaches from the trash that periodically appears after storms.

Children in St Kitts and Nevis will find local water and amusement parks and educational tours — like a railway trip with a guide. The latter will captivate grown-ups too. 

A narrow scenic railway that passes through the island of St Kitts was built in 1912 to transport sugar cane from the plantations to the factory in Basseterre. The factory is defunct these days, but the railway isn’t: a tourist train travels through the island, helping visitors explore it. 

St Kitts and Nevis: local beaches

Hikes and horseback rides activities are organised on the local beaches. You can also buy tour tickets in Basseterre Bay or from tour operators

St Kitts and Nevis: railway

“The last railway of the West Indies” is the tagline of a popular tourist route in St Kitts. In the colonial era, cane sugar was transported via this road

St Kitts and Nevis: local homes

Many colourful historic buildings are now turned into museums. This one is dedicated to the famous hand-painted batik of Saint Kitts and Nevis

Top 10 interesting facts about St Kitts and Nevis

#1. St Kitts and Nevis is the smallest country in the Western Hemisphere, thanks to its territory and population. Cities and towns on the island are sparsely located, with acres of tropical forest in between. Despite that, life on the island is anything but dull or isolated.

#2. Both islands are baseball-shaped. The St Kitts island is shaped like a bat, while Nevis is almost circular, much like a ball.

#3. Swimmers are allowed to cross the Narrows waterway between the two islands. Once a year, a Cross Channel Swim event is held: amateur swimmers compete by crossing the 4-kilometre strait between St Kitts and Nevis. Equipment such as wetsuits is allowed, but, of course, no vessels. 

#4. Old names for the islands were Liamuiga and Oualie. St Kitts island got its name from the ingenious Kalinago tribe: Liamuiga can be translated as “fertile land". They referred to the Nevis island as Oualie — “land of beautiful waters".

#5. Hamilton the musical boosted local tourism. It’s not like St Kitts and Nevis had previously suffered from the lack of visitors. But the mind-blowing popularity of a broadway musical about Alexander Hamilton, one of the US founding fathers, increased tourism by 30% in 2016. Hamilton was born in St Kitts and Nevis in 1755.  

#6. Goat Water is the country’s signature dish. It may sound suspicious, but it’s just a thin stew. It is made of goat meat, bones, spice and herb mix, thyme, and cloves.

#7. St Kitts Creole dialect sprinkles the country’s official English language. The most common terms are easy to pick up. For example, “limin” means enjoying your island life to the fullest, “m'ain know” means “I don't know”, and “ent it?” means “isn't that so?”.

#8. Bats are the only mammals native to St Kitts and Nevis. While the islands are home to multiple mammal species, most were brought here from other parts of the world. St Kitts and Nevis bats are significant to the islands’ ecosystem.

#9. Vervet monkeys will steal your cocktail. Speaking of the mammals brought to the island; these species were transported to St Kitts and Nevis 300 years ago. The French kept them as exotic pets, but the monkeys escaped into the wild and quickly adapted. They can be mischievous, sneaking into open-air bars to steal food and alcoholic beverages.

#10. St Kitts has a roundabout that mimics London’s Piccadilly Circus. Its Victorian-style Berkeley Memorial Clock tower is possibly the most popular meetup spot. 

What are the benefits of the St Kitts and Nevis passport?

St Kitts and Nevis passport grants free entry to 156 countries. The list of visa-free destinations includes the Schengen states and the European Union, the UK, Singapore, and Hong Kong.

St Kitts and Nevis CBI Program has been operating since 1984. It is the first citizenship program in the Caribbean. Over the years, more than 20,000 investors from all over the world have participated in the St Kitts and Nevis passport program. 

The program remains popular due to relatively small investments and quick procedures.

The St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment program has three options:

  1. $250,000+ is a non-refundable contribution to the state fund.
  2. $250,000+ is the Public Benefit Option in social and infrastructural real estate projects.
  3. $400,000+ is the purchase of the government-approved real estate.

Investors are required to hold the real estate property for 7 years. After that, they can resell it for profit. During the holding period, they can rent the property out. 

The non-refundable fund contribution usually attracts most investors from all over the world. 

In addition to the investment, applicants pay stamp duties, as well as administrative, Due Diligence, and document processing fees. The total amount will depend on what family members are included in the application. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is St Kitts and Nevis located?

St Kitts and Nevis is located on two islands of the same name, which are part of the Lesser Antilles archipelago of the West Indies. The Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean wash the islands.

Do I need a visa to visit St Kitts and Nevis?

Any foreigner can spend 24 hours in St Kitts and Nevis without a visa. 

St Kitts and Nevis has visa waiver agreements with 156 countries. Citizens of these countries can spend up to 180 days a year in St Kitts and Nevis without a visa. Citizens of other countries apply for tourist or business visas. 

How to get St Kitts and Nevis citizenship?

Citizenship of St Kitts and Nevis is obtained through naturalisation, marriage, or investment. 

The fastest way is through an investment program. Investors put money into the country’s economy: either make a non-refundable contribution to the state fund, invest in social and infrastructural projects, or purchase real estate.

The minimum contribution to the fund should be $250,000.

The minimum investment in the Public Benefit Option projects is $250,000.

To invest in real estate, applicants buy government-approved properties for at least $400,000. They can rent the properties out for an annual yield of up to 5% and resell them in 7 years. 

What benefits does an investor with a St Kitts and Nevis passport get?

St Kitts and Nevis passport allows investors to travel in 156 countries visa-free. This includes the EU, the Schengen Area, the UK, Hong Kong and Singapore.

Children of investors will be able to study in the UK on preferential terms and receive scholarships since St Kitts and Nevis is part of the Commonwealth of Nations.

Investors who choose tax residency in St Kitts and Nevis optimise their taxes. No taxes on capital gains, gifts, inheritances, or dividends exist in the country.

What attractions can you see in St Kitts and Nevis?

St Kitts and Nevis has something for everyone. The national park occupies one-third of the island of St Kitts, with the famous Fort Brimstone Hill in the centre. Inside the fort is a Museum of Colonial History, and in the capital Basseterre there is a National Museum with exhibits of the country’s history.

In the local village of Challengers, you can see an ancient rock painting of the Caribs. The cities have preserved British buildings of the colonial era.

On the island of Nevis, the most striking buildings of the Victorian period are the houses of the Charleston district, the Bath Hotel and Spring House and the Cottle Church.

Is St Kitts and Nevis a good place to live?

Yes. St Kitts and Nevis is a safe, well-developed, beautiful Caribbean country with rich history and sunny tropical climate. St Kitts and Nevis has one of the best beaches in the Americas. 

Local cities and towns have diverse real estate offers, including premium properties. St Kitts and Nevis has international schools, universities, medical centres, and banks.

Is St Kitts and Nevis passport powerful?

Yes. It allows you to visit 156 countries visa-free, including the Schengen Area, the EU, the UK, Singapore, and Hong Kong.

How rich is St Kitts and Nevis?

The country has one of the highest GDP per capita in the Caribbean and Latin America: $18,082.

What language is spoken in St Kitts and Nevis?

English is the official language of St Kitts and Nevis. Local dialects, especially Creole, are often used by the nationals.

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Zlata Erlach
Caribbean Investment Program Expert
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