Buying Dominica Real Estate for Citizenship by Investment: The Complete Guide

Also known as the Caribbean’s “Nature Island” for its untouched beauty, Dominica real estate listings offer beneficial opportunities, including a Caribbean home and the option to obtain the country’s citizenship by investment.

Dominica Real Estate Market Overview

Dominica has been preserved from mass tourism, which is why the real estate market mainly comprises family villas and beautiful hotels amongst the island’s lush rain forests. Dominica’s beachfront is not massively developed, meaning you can buy land, or your dream home, at lower prices than in the rest of the Caribbean islands.

Despite the relatively low property prices, real estate in Dominica appreciates at an average rate of four percent per year, ensuring a tidy return on investment when resold.

The best cities to buy real estate in Dominica

• Portsmouth: A charming town on the northwest coast that is a popular tourist destination with a number of hotels, resorts, and restaurants. Southsea Beach, located within walking distance of the town center, is one of the most popular beaches here, as well as Coconut Beach.
• Roseau: The capital city of Dominica, located on the southwest coast. A vibrant city and business center with a mix of old and new architecture, government offices, schools, and businesses.
• Soufrière: A town on the southwest coast known for its natural beauty. It’s a popular eco-tourism destination, and one of its draws is the Bubble Beach Spa, a hot sulfur spring.
• Salisbury: A village on the west coast known for its beaches.
• Calibishie: A village on the east coast with a rugged coastline and lush rainforests that is a popular destination for eco-tourism and nature lovers.
• Marigot: A relatively large village on the east coast, it is a thriving community and is home to the island’s main airport.
• Castle Bruce: A village on the east coast of Dominica that overlooks the bay. A good choice for waterfront properties.

Dominica Property Prices

A glance at Dominica real estate listings shows that prices vary according to the location but are generally surprisingly affordable. Prices can range between $500 and $5,000 per square meter, depending on the Dominica property type (e.g., family homes, villas, apartments), size, location, etc. Property values in Portsmouth, Roseau, Salisbury, and Soufrière tend to be ten percent higher than the country average, so look outside of these areas if you’re in the market for cheap houses for sale in Dominica.

Dominica Property Taxes

Property tax rates in Dominica are favorable as only those properties located in the two largest cities – Roseau and Canefield – incur annual property tax. The Dominica tax rate is 1.25 percent on the market value.

Dominica rental income tax is charged at a progressive rate of 15 to 35 percent:

• 15 percent on income up to $7,400
• 25 percent on income from $7,401 to $18,500
• 35 percent on income over $18,500

Ten Reasons to Buy Dominica Real Estate

1. Prices are more affordable than in many other Caribbean islands
2. Provides a route to obtain a Dominica passport for you and your family
3. Own residential and commercial property in an untouched island in the Caribbean
4. Proximity to the United States
5. Environmentally sustainable island with eco-friendly property options
6. Low cost of living compared to the United States and England
7. Tropical climate with beautiful, warm weather all year round
8. Relaxed pace of life
9. Good profit potential on Caribbean rental or resale value
10. No wealth, gift, inheritance, property, or capital gains taxes

Finding Property for Sale in Dominica

Numerous resources are available to find residential or commercial property to buy in Dominica. Several international real estate websites list government-approved Dominica citizenship by investment (CIP) real estate developments in numerous towns across the Caribbean island. These Dominica real estate websites include:

• 7th Heaven Properties
• Blue Sky Realtors
• Realty Dominica
• A Place in the Sun

Approved Antigua and Barbuda CIP properties for sale

Portsmouth: The Anichi Resort & Spa, in association with Marriott International, offers luxury suites along Picard Beach through approved Dominica real estate developer Oriental Developers (Caribbean) Ltd, from $220,000 for shares of a suite.

Soufriere: Jungle Bay Villas, developed by Ay Ay Holdings Caribbean Ltd, offers luxury eco-friendly villas with views of the Caribbean Sea from $255,000.

Portsmouth: The Residences at Secret Bay development offers numerous properties, from luxury suites to ocean-view villas with three beds, for $208,000 for shares or $1.49 million for sole ownership.

Laudat: Vital Developers Ltd offers shares in the Sanctuary Rainforest Eco Resort and Spa in the island’s interior between Morne Watt, Morne Micotrine, and Morne Trois Pitons from $200,000.

Other real estate for sale in Dominica

Buying Dominica Property to Obtain Citizenship

Buying property in Dominica may provide eligibility for the country’s citizenship by investment program and a Dominica passport. To qualify for the investment program, you must invest in government-approved Dominica real estate shares worth at least $200,000. The investment must be held for three years from when your Caribbean citizenship was granted. A real estate investment in Dominica-approved areas allows an entire family to obtain Dominica citizenship; however, the main applicant must pay government fees for each applicant.

Step-by-Step Guide Buying Real Estate in Dominica

1. Access property listings through an authorized real estate agent or on your own, and search for one that interests you.
2. Hire a lawyer and have them draft a Purchase and Sale contract. You’ll normally have to pay a ten percent deposit for the property to be secured under your name.
3. Get a certified surveyor to conduct the valuation and prepare documents for the title transfer – if titles can’t be transferred, your deposit will be refunded.
4. Once approved, documents will be submitted by the lawyer to the Land Registry to register you as the new owner of the property.

Dominica transaction costs

Here are the fees that you will need to pay for Dominica island real estate transactions:

• Legal fees: Three percent (15 percent VAT might apply)
• Alien Landholding License (applicable for foreign buyers not under the CBI Program): ten percent
• Judicial fees: Four percent
• Assurance Fund Fee: One percent
• Stamp Duty: Four percent
• Valuation fees

CBI Program Investors

1. Select the Dominica pre-approved real estate investment option.
2. Complete all application forms in consultation with your specialized agent at Global Citizen Solutions and provide all relevant documents.
3. Application submission by your agent on your behalf as required by the government.
4. Receive Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) approval in approximately three to four months.
5. Make the minimum investment of $200,000, pay the additional fees, and send proof to the CIU.
6. Citizenship approval, passport issuance and delivery to an address of your choosing.

Additional Program Fees

• Government fee: $25,000 for a single applicant, $35,000 for a family of up to four, $50,000 for a family of up to six
• Due diligence fee: $7,500 for a single applicant, $4,000 for each additional family member over 16
• Processing fee: $1,000 per application
• Interview fee: $1,000 per interview for applicants over 16
• Passport fee: $500 per passport
• Oath of Allegiance/Certificate of Naturalization fee: $250 per person

Is it worth getting property in Dominica?

Dominica is famous for its beauty, relaxed lifestyle, and low living costs and is a place to consider if you want to invest in Caribbean property. Due to its preservation from mass tourism, real estate listings in Dominica are relatively cheaper than the rest of the Caribbean islands.

Purchasing property for sale in Dominica is an excellent investment. Not only will you be able to provide for a viable and long-term investment for you and your family, but if you choose to invest in the island’s Citizenship by Investment Program, you and your family will be granted Dominica passports.

You can enjoy the benefits of being a Dominican citizen, which includes increased visa free travel to more than 140 countries and Dominica’s low cost of living.

Properties, particularly Dominica tourist accommodations pre-approved by the government, have a potential average rental income of four percent of their value per year. Furthermore, owners can resell at a profit after the stipulated timeframe.

Why use Global Citizen Solutions?

Global Citizen Solutions is a multidisciplinary firm offering bespoke residence and citizenship solutions in Europe and the Caribbean. In a world where the economy and politics are unpredictable, having a second citizenship opens up opportunities and creates flexibility for you and your family.

So, why work with Global Citizen Solutions to obtain Caribbean citizenship?

• Global approach by local experts: We are corporate members of the Investment Migration Council, with local expertise in all five Caribbean CBI programs.
• 100 percent approval rate: We have never had a case rejected and will offer you an initial, free-of-charge, due diligence assessment before signing any contract.
• Independent service and full transparency: We will present to you all the investment options available, and all expenses will be discussed in advance, with no hidden fees.
• An all-encompassing solution: A multidisciplinary team of immigration lawyers, investment specialists, and tax experts will take into consideration all your and your family's mobility, tax, and lifestyle needs.
• Confidential service and secure data management: All private data is stored within a GDPR-compliant database on a secure SSL-encrypted server.

Frequently Asked Questions about Dominican Real Estate

Can foreigners buy property in Dominica?

Yes, foreign investors can buy properties in Dominica or own the perfect piece of land on the island. If not going through the Dominica CBI Program, you must obtain a Caribbean Alien Landholding License. When you search for properties, you can explore listings to find the best options. If you plan to build your perfect place, you can also look for land for sale.

How can I get Dominica citizenship?

You can get a Dominica passport through the Dominica Citizenship by Investment Program. Investments can be made through donating to the country’s Economic Diversity Fund (EDF) or purchasing real estate in Dominica worth at least $200,000.

What are the property options?

When looking for a real estate investment in the Commonwealth of Dominica, you can find villas, family homes, apartments, hotels, and luxury resorts for sale at a range of prices. You can also find land for sale in Dominica. Whether looking for Dominica residential or commercial properties, you’ll find plenty of options.

What are the best places to buy property for sale in Dominica?

Some of the best places to make a Dominica real estate investment include Portsmouth, Soufrière, Salisbury, and around the country’s capital and business center of Roseau. Most are located along the west coast overlooking the Caribbean Sea and are ideal for Dominica waterfront real estate.

Is real estate via citizenship by investment expensive?

The cost to invest in Dominica and obtain a passport through the island’s citizenship by investment program is at least $200,000 when buying shares in pre-approved property in Dominica.

Can I rent out my property as a vacation rental in Dominica?

Dominica property investors can rent out their properties as vacation rentals.

How much does it cost to build in Dominica?

The construction cost to build a house in Dominica varies depending on the materials, location, and Dominica construction company. Generally, investors can build a Dominica dream home for between ECD 180 to EC 200 (65 to 75 USD) per square foot.

Can you own land in Dominica?

The Dominican government permits citizens, residents, and foreigners alike to own land within the country.