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10 Tips for Living in BarbadosOctober 3, 2022

In June of 2020, Barbados introduced the Barbados Welcome Stamp which allows people to live and work in Barbados for up to 12 months. Our article, 10 Tips for Living in Barbados, is a good primer for anyone considering a move to Barbados. Here are some highlights:

What is it like living Lifestyle in Barbados

"I love the island life and the weather. I needed to get away from the rat-race and the pace in Barbados suits me. The weather is great most of the year. Barbados is rarely affected by hurricanes. The quality of life is higher then many alternative Caribbean countries. Barbados is a commonwealth country which is a bonus for us as we are more familiar with the political and law systems in place," reported one expat. "Life is lived at a very different pace in Barbados. Do not expect things to be done too quickly or you will just become frustrated at the natural pace of things there. It is better to accept it and learn to slow down and go with their pace. It becomes much less stressful. Also once they see you are not so uptight they tend to help you out more as they are now not afraid to be around the foreigner who wants them to work faster," wrote another member.

What is the cost of living in Barbados?

"The cost of flights in and out of Barbados is quite expensive. The cost of food and water is also much higher than alternatives... The cost of living being more then alternative retirement locations. However we also manage to live here on a semi-modest budget and have found ways to save money here and there. Eating local food and not what you are use to in your home country will make a big difference in your cost of living here. Also the housing market changes dramatically depending on which ever you are looking at," wrote one expat. When asked about a yearly budget, one expat said, "This is a tricky question as it depends a lot on how much quality of life you are accustomed to. If you are the type that goes out and eats out often you will need considerably more then someone who prefers home cooked meals and having card nights with friends. I would suggest that you could live quite comfortably on $60,000 a year but that is very dependent on the person."

Do Hurricanes hit Barbados?

"Even though Barbados is located in the eastern Caribbean, it is just outside of the principal hurricane zone, and the country has not experienced a major hurricane since 1980. The rainy season, which runs from June to October, brings occasional flooding, which can cause significant travel disruption, particularly in rural areas," reported one expat.

How do I apply for the 12 month Barbados Welcome Stamp?

"This new remote work programme establishes a visa to allow people to work remotely in Barbados for a maximum of 12 months. The visa is available to anyone who meets the visa requirements and whose work is location independent, whether individuals or families," states the Barbados Welcome Stamp website. The visa costs $2,000 for an Individual or $3,000 for a Family. Our article, Visas for Digital Nomads in Barbados, provides information about how to apply for the 12 month Barbados Welcome Stamp.

Do people have access to quality medical care in Barbados?

"Yes, they have both a government hospital as well as private hospital. These are located in the south east part of the island near Bridgetown. They also have many clinics around the island and an ambulance service. As in most places healthcare for major issues can be quite expensive. Make sure you have private healthcare insurance and understand your coverage before needing it," explained one member. Our article, 11 Tips about Healthcare & Health Insurance in Barbados covers healthcare and health insurance in depth.