Can you get dual citizenship for Barbados as a Brit?
If you’ve taken a look at our ownership opportunities here at Royal Westmoreland, you may well be thinking about the practicalities that come with buying property in Barbados.
If you think Barbados citizenship sounds lucrative, you’re not alone. Barbados has one of the most prosperous economies in the Caribbean, a stable government, fantastic infrastructure and medical care, making it an incredible place to buy property, work and live.
However, if you are thinking about living in Barbados, it’s important to understand the terms under which you will be allowed to spend time here. The GOV.UK website has a helpful section on living in Barbados that outlines the essentials.
As a visitor to Barbados, you must prove that you can support yourself financially during your stay. You will not be allowed to work in the country without a valid work permit.
If you wish to retire to Barbados, you can still access your UK state pension. You can look forward to joining a large expat community of British retirees, both within our estate and on the wider island.
As a British citizen looking to live in Barbados, you may be wondering whether getting dual citizenship is a possibility. We’ve put together this guide to demystify the subject and give you all of the information you may need.
Why should you apply for dual citizenship in Barbados?
If you move permanently overseas for an extended period of time, having dual citizenship can afford you privileges and benefits that you would not have as a visitor.
For example, those with Barbados citizenship are able to vote, join a trade union or political party and hold a Barbadian passport.
Of course, the most obvious benefit of citizenship is the right to live in Barbados without having to reapply for the right to stay.
Another benefit of acquiring citizenship in Barbados is the right to work – non-nationals often have difficulty finding work and must apply for a permit. In addition, employers must first advertise jobs to Barbadian locals before opening applications up to non-nationals.
You can find out more about relocating to Barbados and some of the limitations on the barbados.org relocation information page.
Is dual citizenship of Barbados allowed?
In most countries, if you apply for citizenship elsewhere, you must renounce your original citizenship. However, in the UK you are allowed to apply for dual citizenship without running this risk.
This makes getting dual citizenship as a Brit looking to live in Barbados a lot easier than it may be for those from other nations.
How do I become a citizen of Barbados?
So, how do you go about acquiring Barbadian citizenship? If you wish to become a citizen of Barbados, there are a number of different routes. Of most relevance to Brits is the route of citizenship by naturalisation.
In order to apply for naturalisation, you must meet the following criteria. According to Barbadian nationality laws, you must:
- have resided in Barbados for five of the seven years prior to applying
- have resided in Barbados for twelve consecutive months prior to applying
- intend to reside in Barbados thereafter
- swear allegiance to the Queen.
You can also gain Barbadian citizenship by registration, descent and marriage.
Contact us
We might not be able to help with your application for Barbados citizenship, but we can certainly help you find the perfect place to live!
If you’re still exploring the citizenship process in Barbados, why not look into fractional ownership with us? Under this agreement, you’ll be able to experience all the magic we have to offer without committing to living here full-time.
Or, if you’ve already completed your citizenship process, we’ve got you covered. Discover full-time ownership on our amazing range of properties.
Contact us today to find out more about our range of properties.