A guide to the real estate buying process in St. Lucia
May 28, 2025 Reading Time: 10 minutes
St. Lucia Property Guide
Buying property
- No restrictions to non-nationals purchasing property in St. Lucia
- Nil Capital Gains Tax
- Nil Inheritance Tax
Transaction Costs:
- Attorney Fees are 1% – 2% plus 17.5% VAT
Purchase Procedure:
- Verbal offer and acceptance
- Appointment of an attorney-at-law
- Exchange of contracts for sale and payment of a 10% deposit to the vendor’s attorney-at-law. The remaining 90% of the balance due is paid at time of conveyance.
- Conveyance time is approximately three months
The freehold title may be in an individual’s name or through a corporate vehicle set up to own the property. Non-residents of St. Lucia tend to purchase property through a company which may be incorporated outside of St. Lucia.
Overseas purchasers can secure a 50% to 65% mortgage through a bank in St. Lucia.
Selling Property
- Nil Capital Gains Tax
- Nil Inheritance Tax
- Stamp Duty is 1% (nil if owned by offshore company)
- Property transfer tax is 2.5% (nil if owned by offshore company)
- Attorney Fees are 1% – 2% plus 17.5% VAT
- Real Estate agent’s fees are 4% to 5% plus 17.5% VAT
Selling Procedure:
- Verbal offer and acceptance
- Appointment of an Attorney-at-law
- Exchange of contracts for sale and payment of a 10% deposit to the attorney-at-law. The remaining 90% of the balance is paid at time of conveyance.
frequently asked questions
According to the guide, non-nationals face no restrictions on buying property in St. Lucia. Freehold title can be held by an individual or a corporate vehicle, and non-residents tend to buy through a company that may be incorporated outside St. Lucia.
A verbal offer and acceptance, then appointing an attorney-at-law, exchanging contracts with a 10% deposit paid to the vendor's attorney, and paying the remaining 90% at conveyance, which takes about three months.
The guide states there is no capital gains tax or inheritance tax, and attorney fees of 1% to 2% plus 17.5% VAT.
The guide lists stamp duty of 1% and property transfer tax of 2.5% (both nil if owned by an offshore company), attorney fees of 1% to 2% plus 17.5% VAT, and real estate agent fees of 4% to 5% plus 17.5% VAT.
The guide says overseas buyers can obtain a 50% to 65% mortgage from a St. Lucia bank. Terms vary by lender.