Caribbean Netherlands Property Transfer Tax Calculator
Compute statutory real estate transfer tax (5.0% Overdrachtsbelasting), civil-law notary conveyance fees, Kadaster registration, and annual Vastgoedbelasting across Bonaire, Saba, and St. Eustatius.
Purchasing property in Bonaire, Saba, or Sint Eustatius incurs statutory 5.0% Overdrachtsbelasting on the higher of the contract purchase price or economic market value. Total buyer closing costs (kosten koper) typically range between 7.0% and 8.5% when factoring in civil-law notary deed drafting (~1.2%–1.8%), 8% ABB on legal services, and Kadaster BES title registration fees ($450–$950 USD). Primary homes (eigen woning) are 100% exempt from annual federal Vastgoedbelasting.
🏠 Transaction & Property Details
Belastingdienst CN evaluates tax on highest of declared price or Kadaster valuation.
In the Caribbean Netherlands, real property transfer is exclusively valid upon execution and notarization of the deed of conveyance (notariele akte van levering) by an appointed civil-law notary, followed by inscription in the public registers of the Kadaster BES.
📊 Caribbean Netherlands Real Estate Statutory Tax Schedule
| Tax / Tariff Item | Legal Authority | Statutory Rate | Payable By | Exemption Rules |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overdrachtsbelasting | Wet overdrachtsbelasting BES | 5.0% Flat | Buyer (K.K.) | New build subject to ABB; Spousal partition |
| Notary Conveyance Tariff | Notariswet BES Fee Scale | ~1.0% – 1.5% | Buyer | Regulated sliding scale |
| Notary Mortgage Deed | Notariswet BES Fee Scale | ~0.8% – 1.2% | Borrower | Waived on unencumbered cash sales |
| Kadaster BES Title Inscription | Kadasterbesluit BES | $450 – $950 USD | Buyer | Per deed entry in public registry |
| Vastgoedbelasting (Second Home) | Wet vastgoedbelasting BES | 0.91% Annual | Owner | Primary residence (Eigen woning) 100% EXEMPT |
| Vastgoedbelasting (Commercial/Hotel) | Wet vastgoedbelasting BES | 0.80% Annual | Owner/Entity | Hotels & commercial structures |
Lead software engineer and computational compliance specialist with over a decade of experience designing verified legal calculators and economic modeling engines. This Caribbean Netherlands Property Transfer Calculator strictly complies with the Wet overdrachtsbelasting BES, Wet vastgoedbelasting BES, and conveyancing tariff schedules of the Kadaster BES and Civil-Law Notaries.
❓ Caribbean Netherlands Real Estate & Transfer Tax FAQs
What is the statutory property transfer tax rate in the Caribbean Netherlands? ▼
Under the Wet overdrachtsbelasting BES, the statutory transfer tax across Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba is a flat 5.0% of the property's purchase price or fair market value (whichever is higher). It is collected by the civil-law notary at closing and remitted to Belastingdienst Caribisch Nederland.
Are newly constructed properties subject to Overdrachtsbelasting? ▼
Newly constructed real estate built and delivered by a commercial developer is generally subject to Algemene bestedingsbelasting (ABB: 8% on Bonaire, 6% on Statia/Saba) rather than transfer tax. Under statutory anti-cumulation rules, if ABB is fully charged on the delivery of new construction, the 5% Overdrachtsbelasting is waived to prevent double taxation.
What additional closing costs (kosten koper) are paid at the notary? ▼
In addition to the 5% transfer tax, buyers typically pay civil-law notary deed tariffs (~1.0% to 1.5% for deed of conveyance, plus another ~1.0% if registering a mortgage deed), 8% ABB on legal services, Kadaster BES registration and title search fees ($450 - $950 USD), and minor administrative disbursements.
What is Vastgoedbelasting and does it apply to primary homes? ▼
Vastgoedbelasting BES is an annual federal real estate tax assessed on the economic value of property. Crucially, a resident's primary home (eigen woning) is 100% EXEMPT from Vastgoedbelasting. The tax applies only to second homes, vacation rental villas, and commercial real estate at an effective annual rate of approximately 0.80% to 0.91%.
Can non-residents purchase property in Bonaire, Saba, and Sint Eustatius? ▼
Yes. Foreign nationals and non-residents enjoy full legal rights to purchase freehold real estate (eigendomsgrond) or leasehold land (erfpacht) in the Caribbean Netherlands. There are no statutory restrictions on foreign property ownership, and identical 5% transfer tax rates apply to citizens and foreigners alike.
📊 Caribbean Netherlands (Bonaire, St Eustatius, Saba) Statutory Matrix
| Statutory Component / Legal Deduction Item | Calculated Amount (USD) |
|---|---|
| Primary Net / Statutory Payable Amount | $0.00 |