The 5 Best Islands To Retire to in 2025

The 5 standout islands to retire to in 2025 via citizenship-by-investment (CBI) are Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Saint Lucia. Each of these idyllic islands offers a stable CBI pathway, solid due diligence, and a retiree-friendly lifestyle.

Retiring to a Caribbean island through a reputable CBI program lets you combine lifestyle with mobility and long-term security. These 5 island nations pair natural beauty with transparent legal frameworks and clearly defined investment thresholds for straightforward citizenship pathways. This makes ideal choices if you want a peaceful base with global access for family, healthcare, travel, and occasional business.

This guide brings you the costs and CBI program overviews, lifestyle fit, and due diligence checks for each island. And we’ll show you how Knightsbridge Group can make your retirement to your dream island smooth and stress-free, from the first call to landing on your new shore.

Why consider retiring on an island in 2025

Retiring on a Caribbean island in 2025 means a slower pace of life surrounded by natural beauty, a lower cost of living than major cities, and investor-friendly tax and visa options that include full citizenship for your family. For many retirees, that’s a rare mix of lifestyle, cost control, and long-term security.

Slower pace of life and natural beauty

Caribbean island life is built for unhurried living in spectacular settings – beaches, bays, rainforests, and warm weather year-round. All 5 of the best islands to retire to in 2025 boast daily rhythms that revolve around sea swims, fresh markets, and small, social communities. That slower tempo – plus easy outdoor time – often supports healthier habits and a greater sense of belonging, especially for second-chapter careers or part-time consulting.

Lower cost of living compared to big cities

On all of these 5 islands, your retirement budget typically stretches further than in major Western cities. Everyday costs – utilities, fresh produce, local services, and non-prime property – often come in under big-city baselines. You can choose simple seaside living or amenity-rich communities and keep monthly costs predictable. The lifestyle dividend is real: more time outdoors, less commuting, and strong community networks.

Friendly tax environments and visa options

Many CBI jurisdictions offer straightforward citizenship routes with tax-efficient regimes and family-friendly policies. For globally mobile retirees, this can mean simplified tax reporting, no wealth or inheritance taxes in many cases, and the ability to include close family on a single application.

Always confirm personal tax exposure with a qualified advisor in your home and destination countries, as outcomes vary by domicile, residency, and source of income. Knightsbridge Group has a team of immigration specialists, particularly in matters related to second citizenship and tax exposure.

Best islands to retire to in 2025

Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Saint Lucia are the 5 best islands to retire to in 2025. Here’s insight into each island’s CBI program costs, operations, and highlights:

Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua and Barbuda is a family-friendly choice with multiple CBI routes, most notably a US$230,000 National Development Fund (NDF) option, approved real estate from US$300,000, a US$260,000 University of the West Indies (UWI) Fund for families of six or more, and a business route for major investors.

Gentle trade winds, 365 beaches, and a laid-back social scene make Antigua and Barbuda easy to love. The NDF route is the simplest path for smaller families who want speed and predictability. The UWI Fund is tailor-made for bigger households and even includes a one-year tuition-only scholarship for one family member – handy if a child or grandchild plans to study in the region. Real estate appeals if you want a tangible asset, although closing and holding costs are higher than those associated with a donation and a five-year hold. For entrepreneurs, the business investment route starts at USD 1.5M solo or USD 400,000 in a USD 5M joint deal.

At-a-glance:

·        NDF: USD 230,000 (one-time contribution)

·        Real estate: minimum USD 300,000 (5-year hold)

·        UWI Fund: USD 260,000 for families of 6 or more; plus a scholarship perk

·        Business: USD 1.5M solo or USD 5M joint (minimum USD 400,000 per investor

Dominica

Dominica’s CBI remains one of the most straightforward citizenship paths: US$200,000 to the Economic Diversification Fund (single applicant) or US$250,000 (main applicant plus up to three dependents), or US$200,000 in approved real estate (which you must hold for 3–5 years).

Nicknamed the Nature Island, Dominica draws hikers, divers, and wellness-minded retirees who prefer rainforest trails, hot springs, and small-town friendliness over glitz. The program’s emphasis on robust due diligence and efficient processing is highly regarded for its transparency and effectiveness. The donation route is clean and fast – with no extra government fees attached to the donation. The real estate route lets you combine lifestyle with potential rental usage in boutique eco-resorts.

At-a-glance:

·        EDF donation: from USD 200,000 (single); USD 250,000 (families of 4); no additional government fees on donations

·        Real estate: USD 200,000; hold for 3-5 years; government fees apply on approval

Grenada

Grenada offers two clear citizenship-by-investment tracks: a USD 235,000 National Transformation Fund (NTF) contribution, or approved real estate from USD 270,000 (shared) or USD 350,000 (sole ownership) plus a USD 50,000 government fee; it’s also the only Caribbean CBI program that preserves access to the US E-2 investor visa for its citizens.

Known as the Spice Island, Grenada blends low-key charm with strong resort developments ideal for part-time use and rental income. The NTF route is the simplest on paper for singles or small families; real estate suits buyers who want a brand-name resort share or a villa in a project with structured rental programs.

A noteworthy advantage is E-2 treaty eligibility: qualifying Grenadian citizens can apply for a US E-2 visa to run a business in America (note this does not lead directly to a green card and comes with investment and operational requirements).

At-a-glance:

·        NTF donation: USD 235,000

·        Real estate: generally USD 270,000 plus USD 50,000 government fee; 5-year holds are standard across the projects

·        US E-2 eligibility: Grenadian citizens can apply to run a business in the US under E-2 rules

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Saint Kitts and Nevis is home to the Caribbean’s oldest and most respected CBI program. Today, the flagship Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC) starts at USD 250,000 (for a main applicant or a family of up to four), and real estate starts at USD 325,000 (with a 7-year hold), all of which come with due diligence and processing fees.

If you want polished infrastructure, heritage charm, and a measured pace, Saint Kitts and Nevis appeals strongly to retirees. The SISC route is the flagship and is the most direct path to citizenship. It is a contribution-based route with a defined add-on amounts for extra dependents. If you prefer an asset, developer real estate starts at USD 325,000, which has a 7-year hold after which the property becomes resalable.

At-a-glance:

·        SISC: USD 250,000 for main applicant or family up to 4; per dependent add-on costs beyond 4

·        Real estate: USD 325,000; resalable after 7 years

Saint Lucia

Saint Lucia’s modern CBI programs offer a US$240,000 National Economic Fund (NEF) contribution (covers a single applicant or family up to three dependents), US$300,000 approved real estate, and enterprise or government bond routes.

For retirees who want postcard mountains, a lively marina scene, and strong connectivity to North America and Europe, Saint Lucia shines with its natural beauty and connectivity. The NEF donation is the simplest route for quick execution, while real estate offers a five-year hold in approved developments and a minimum USD 300,000 investment. Enterprise investment and government bonds may appeal to specific retirees who prefer capital-protective structures (bonds) or participation in local ventures (enterprise).

At-a-glance:

·        NEF donation: USD 240,000 (main applicant or family of 4)

·        Real estate: USD 300,000 minimum; 5-year hold

·        Enterprise/bonds: defined options alongside NEF and real estate options

What to consider before retiring abroad

Before you choose your dream island to retire to, confirm the citizenship or residency rules for the whole family, map out the healthcare and legal systems, and understand the property ownership rules and the total cost of ownership.

Residency or second citizenship requirements

CBI grants citizenship without mandatory annual residence days, but you still need to meet program rules and keep documents current. Understand whether oaths, interviews, police certificates, or renewals have timing requirements, and how family dependents qualify by age or relationship. You’ll also need to confirm whether naturalization documents and passports are issued locally or through embassies, and how future additions (such as a new spouse/child) are handled.

Healthcare and legal systems

Care is adequate for everyday needs on the island, with regional referrals for specialty treatment. The legal system is generally based on English common law. Many retirees maintain international health insurance that covers treatment in nearby hubs (Barbados, Trinidad, Puerto Rico, or Miami). Confirm local private clinics, hospital access, and medical evacuation options with your health insurance provider. Ask your attorneys to align wills, powers of attorney, and beneficiary designations across jurisdictions with your new citizenship.

Property ownership and costs

Foreign ownership is permitted, but rules, fees, and hold periods vary by island and CBI option. Approved-project real estate typically has minimum price thresholds and required holding periods (commonly five years). In Grenada, for example, shared ownership from US$270,000 or sole ownership from US$350,000 is a standard benchmark for approved projects; Antigua sets US$300,000 as the minimum for real estate under its CBI. Factor in stamp duties, association fees, insurance, HOA/condo fees, and hurricane hardening into your total cost of ownership.