Are you planning to buy real estate in Curaçao, such as a house, apartment, villa, or a plot of land? Then it is important to know which additional costs you should take into account. You will often come across the term “buyer’s costs” (in Dutch: kosten koper). This means that the transfer tax, notary fees, and Land Registry fees are for the account of the buyer. In this article, we assume standard transactions between...

In another article on our website, we discuss inheritance and gift tax in Curaçao. In this article, we explain who is entitled to what in an estate when the deceased (the testator) was resident in Curaçao. To keep things clear, we do not address situations such as half-siblings, stepchildren, foster children, and other special cases.Inheritance and...

In 2014, the property tax (onroerendezaakbelasting or OZB) was introduced in Curaçao, replacing the former land tax (grondbelasting). There are several differences between land tax and property tax. The terms “immovable property” and “real estate” have the same meaning. Since 1 September 2019, there has also been a filing obligation for OZB.What Is Property Tax (OZB)...

The Pagatinu System in CuraçaoPagatinu is the prepaid electricity system used by Aqualectra in Curaçao. This system is commonly found in rental properties, but it is also very suitable if you own the property yourself. Essentially, it works the same way as a prepaid mobile phone card. You purchase a certain amount of electricity credit and can then use electricity for a number of days. The number of days...

Gift and Inheritance Tax (Estate Tax) in CuraçaoHas someone in your family passed away? And are you receiving an inheritance under a will or under the inheritance laws of Curaçao? Or is someone giving you a substantial gift? If so, you may have to pay tax on what you receive. Inheritance tax and gift tax are jointly referred to as estate and gift tax "successiebelasting".Curaçao has had...

Have you decided to sell your house or apartment in Curaçao? Then there are a number of important steps to take. In this blog, we list these steps for you. Want to list your property yourself through Livinggoed? Leave your details here and we will contact you as soon as possible. 1. Hiring a real estate agent? A real estate agent costs money, but usually you only pay an agent...

Amount of buyer’s costs in Curaçao When you buy a property, in most cases you negotiate the asking price. Eventually, you arrive at a purchase price: the price at which the property is sold. Unfortunately, there are almost always additional costs when buying a home. Behind the asking price, you often see “k.k.”, meaning “buyer’s costs”. Almost all homes in Curaçao are sold on a “buyer’s costs” basis...

Are you planning to buy a property in Curaçao? In our blogs, we try to help you get started. Of course, we are also happy to help with your questions. Do you not want to read a blog, but instead want to see all properties for sale? Click here. Buying a home is an important decision and probably the largest purchase of your life. Naturally, you want to be well prepared. Buying or...

Tax on renting out a house or apartment in Curaçao Do you own a house or apartment in Curaçao? And do you want to rent it out? Or are you thinking of buying something to rent out? In this article, we explain the tax consequences of renting out real estate in Curaçao. Do you want to rent out your property successfully yourself? We are happy to help. Click here for more information. Income tax on renting out real estate...

Step 1: Determine your borrowing capacity Before you start looking for a home, it is wise to first find out how much you can borrow. You do this by making an appointment with a mortgage adviser or bank. During this meeting, they will look at: your income (based on payslips and/or an annual statement); any other loans (such as student debt or a car loan); your savings; your...

The buyer of a house or lot chooses a notary to draw up the deed of transfer (and possibly the mortgage deed). The buyer chooses the notary because they pay these costs, unless the property is sold “Vrij Op Naam” or there is a project notary. Notary fees in Curaçao are determined by the Joint Court of Justice and are the same for all notaries on...

Selling a house is not something you do lightly. It is an emotionally important decision, and certainly a financial one as well. It involves a lot of money. A wrong decision can cost you a lot. With our blogs, we try to point you in the right direction when it comes to the business side. Reliability of real estate agents in Curaçao In Curaçao, many people are active who call themselves real estate agents, but there is...