Retirement in Belize

With its stunning climate, beautiful scenery, friendly people, tax advantages and close proximity and good transport links with the US and Mexico, Belize is growing in popularity as a retirement destination for those seeking a lower cost of living in retirement and a great place to put their feet up and enjoy life.

With its stunning climate, beautiful scenery, friendly people, tax advantages and close proximity and good transport links with the US and Mexico, Belize is growing in popularity as a retirement destination for those seeking a lower cost of living in retirement and a great place to put their feet up and enjoy life.

One of the most attractive features for those considering retirement in Belize is the Retired Persons Incentive Program which allows qualifying individuals to live 100% tax free.  This article examines many of the attractions of this Central American country for those seeking horizons new.

To qualify for the Belize Retired Persons Incentive Program you have to be aged 45 or over, you can come from any country in the world, you have to prove you have a qualifying non-Belizean based income that is at least USD 2,000 a month and with which you will support yourself and you will be subject to certain background checks.  If you qualify you can bring your family, import all your used personal effects and a means of transportation (e.g., car, boat, plane) tax free.  You can then live 100% tax free in Belize.  All income you get - whether from investments or business ventures - will be tax free so long as it is not generated from the Belizean economy.

These criteria are really fairly basic and easy to achieve for so many people which is one of the main reasons the country has grown massively in popularity among American, British and Northern Europeans looking for a low cost, sunny, beautiful tax haven in which to retire. 

Real estate in Belize remains competitively priced and the very first retirement communities are in the stages of planning and construction already.  If you prefer to seek independent housing the most popular areas are on the Cayes, around Belize City, and now Northern Belize is also growing in popularity with expatriate settlers.

The cost of living day to day is very cheap, water, electric, telephone etc., are reasonably priced and if you buy local goods and produce you will find your Belizean dollars go far further than you would even expect.  If you purchase imported brand named goods however you will pay more.

There are frequent flights in and out of the country, you can drive to Mexico and you can even drive to the United States if you choose!  Belize suffers quite an intense wet season which does put some people off the country - but it is because of the rainy season that the country is so lush and beautiful and so rich in stunning flora and fauna.  If you are looking for an overseas, low cost of living and attractive country in which to retire, consider visiting Belize both in the dry and the wet season and see if it takes your fancy.