Curaçao: Your
Ideal Business
Destination.

You can travel to Curaçao by air with direct or connecting flights from North America, South America, Central America, Europe, and the Caribbean and by sea on a cruise or yacht. 

Ensure you check entry requirements such as passports, visas (if applicable), and any travel advisories before planning your trip: See the Rules and Regulations page for visa requirements 

Airlines currently operating in Curaçao: https://curacao-airport.com/airlines/    

In Curaçao, the official languages are Papiamentu, Dutch, and English. Papiamentu, a Creole language that blends elements of Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch, and African languages, is the most widely spoken language among the local population. Spanish is also widely spoken by most of the natives.

Curaçao's local currency is the Netherlands Antillean guilder (ANG), commonly referred to as the Florin. The Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten (CBC) is actively working on introducing the Caribbean Guilder, slated to become the new currency for both Curaçao and Sint Maarten. The anticipated launch date for the Caribbean Guilder is March 31, 2025. This new currency will be legally pegged to the U.S. dollar at an exchange rate of US$1 = 1.79 Caribbean Guilder, while maintaining a 1:1 exchange rate with the Netherlands Antillean guilder. Additionally, the U.S. dollar is widely accepted on the island. For more information:

https://exch.centralbank.cw/functions/banknotes-coins/caribbean-guilder

Visit the Caribbean Guilder website (https://www.caribbean-guilder.com/) for all the details regarding the new design. 

Curaçao offers a diverse range of business opportunities due to its strategic location, favorable tax regime, a well-developed infrastructure, and access to various international markets through its economic ties. Additionally, the government provides various incentives and a supportive business environment, making it an attractive destination for diverse business ventures. 

Curaçao primary sectors for business are:

• Tourism 
• Financial Services
• IT Services
• Oil Refinery and Renewable Energy
• Creative Industries
• Medical and Wellness Tourism
• Education services
• Blue Bioeconomy

The formal steps required to set up your business include:

• Drawing up of a notarial deed. This applies for public and private limited liability corporations, as well as (private) foundations.
• Signing the notarial deed in the presence of the notary. It is also possible to grant power of attorney.
• The notary is in charge of registration of the legal entity at the Curaçao Chamber of Commerce.

Visit the investment process page for more information. 

Yes, In order to do any type of labor work during your stay in Curaçao, you need to have a work permit.

As of January 1, 2023, the minimum wage in Curaçao has been increased to ANG 1,953.70 gross per month for employees aged 21 or older working a 40-hour week. This corresponds to a gross hourly wage of ANG 11.28. The mentioned hourly wage equates to USD 6.30 gross per hour.

Investing in Curaçao offers numerous advantages. The island's strategic location in the Southern Caribbean makes it a key hub for trade between North America, South America, and Europe. Curaçao boasts a rich heritage in facilitating global commerce. Curaçao also presents a spectrum of both tax and non-tax incentives, further solidifying its status as an investment haven. Collaboratively, government institutions and the private sector stand united in extending a warm welcome to prospective investors, fostering an environment ripe for growth and opportunity.

For more details about our sectors, please visit our Invest page.

Curaçao has a wide variety of fiscal and investment incentives for businesses and individuals who want to start or continue a business in Curaçao. For businesses, Curaçao offers incentives such as:

• Territorial Tax system
• Favorable Corporate Tax Rate
• Preferential regime for certain qualifying activities
• Tax Holiday
• Participation Exemption
• Curaçao Investment Companies
• Curaçao Private Foundation & Trust
• Tonnage tax for international shipping companies
• Favorable Sales Tax
• Treaties to prevent double taxation & Tax Information
• Exchange Agreements
• National Decree Prevention of Double Taxation
• European Union Customs Policy
• E-Zone regime
• Residency permits for high-net-worth individuals.

See our Incentive page for more information

To be granted permission to enter Curaçao, every visitor should comply all of the following requirements:
- Your passport must not be more than 10 years old.
- Your passport must be valid for the entire period of stay.
- You must have proof that you can return to your country of departure, or transit through another country. This could be a passport, residence permit or visa.
- You can provide proof of the purpose of the trip. For instance, a hotel reservation or an invitation from family or friends.
- You must have enough money to cover your stay and any other expenses. When staying in a hotel on

the island of Curaçao, approximately 150 US dollar per person, per day. When staying with family approximately 100 US dollars per person per day is needed. 

Visa requirements

When traveling to the Caribbean part of the Kingdom, you are not always required to apply for a visa. Dutch and US nationals, for instance, do not need a visa to travel to or between the countries within the Caribbean part of the Kingdom. There are also other countries with visa exemptions, for the complete list please visit: www.netherlandsworldwide.nl/caribbean-visa

At CINEX we provide the following services:

• Branding & Promotion of Curaçao as a Foreign Direct Investment Destination
• Seek International Investors for Local Projects
• Facilitate the process of Investment ( Incl. obtaining permits, licenses, etc.)
• Facilitate contact with authorities
• Investment matchmaking
• Provide relevant business information
• Establish the necessary buy-in and ownership within the respective ministries
• Support with the communication strategy.
• Inform and create alignment regarding ministries’ specific departmental plans/projects, as supported by their budget allocation, that contributes to the implementation of the NES.
• Support with the training/coaching to get the Local Entrepreneurs to export their products