Regional Information - Foreign Ownership > Anguilla, Caribbean

Feature Island

Regional Information

Anguilla's nickname is “tranquility wrapped in blue”. Its five small islands, with their near perfect climate, lack the casinos and high rise hotels found elsewhere in the Caribbean. Anguilla is an excellent investment for high net worth individuals and institutions because of its political stability and tax-free environment. However, “sandy” waterfront cannot be owned by foreigners and any foreigner who wants to purchase property in Anguilla must first receive an Alien Land Holding License. Anguilla, the most northerly of the British Leeward Islands, retains the laid-back character of a sleepy backwater. It's small and lightly populated, but the islanders are friendly and easy-going. Anguilla also has some of the finest beaches in the Caribbean.

Anguilla, Caribbean

Foreign Ownership of Islands in Anguilla, Caribbean

If you’re island shopping in Anguilla, be informed that sandy beaches are reserved strictly for tourism or commercial development. Foreign buyers are left with rocky coastline, cliffside or something inland with a view. But don’t despair; the private island market in Anguilla is as small as the territory itself.

If you are not a resident of Anguilla and you find yourself in a position to obtain an island there, or a part thereof, you will need to apply for an Alien Land Holding License. An interview with someone from the Chief Minister's office is required for every applicant. The interview is usually only 15 minutes, but the entire licensing process takes about 2-3 months if there are no problems. In order for your license to be approved, you will require a bank reference letter, a police reference letter from your place of residence for the past seven years, and a personal reference letter from a public figure who is well known to you.

If the License is granted, stamp duty on the License is 12.5% of the purchase price. That and a transfer tax of 5% of the purchase price are made payable to the Government of Anguilla. The stamp duty is waived only in very specific cases, like if the buyer is a Caribbean National who has been living in Anguilla for over seven years. If the property is vacant, you’ll also need to make a deposit of 10% of the purchase price to the Government of Anguilla. If construction of a residential home is not completed within 18 months, the deposit can be forfeited. Larger projects may apply for longer periods to develop, like 24-30 months.

Regional Statistics for Anguilla, Caribbean

Location:: Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico
Population:: 13,477
Languages:: English (official)
Capital:: The Valley
Currency:: East Caribbean dollar
Climate:: moderated by northeast trade winds
Temperature Range:: +27 to +30
Terrain:: flat and low-lying island of coral and limestone
Natural Hazards:: requent hurricanes and other tropical storms (July to October)