News Smart WorkPlace
3 min.
Is your work mainly online and are you considering relocating to Curaçao for a while? Well, why not?! Digital nomads are more than welcome on the island, though there are some things you should take into account when moving there. From the time difference to the special digital nomad permit, we will list some of the most useful tips here below.
1. The time difference
Are you working remotely, but are you still in touch with clients or colleagues in the Netherlands from time to time? In that case, keep the time difference in mind. Compared to Standard time in the Netherlands, Curaçao is 5 hours ahead, while it's 6 hours during daylight saving time in the Netherlands. As a result, it's important to clearly communicate your availability and we recommend to switch your phone to silent at night as well, just to avoid being woken up by an unwanted call.
2. Renting an appartment
You can save a lot of money by going for a long-term rental in Curaçao instead of staying at a hotel or resort. Check out Airbnb, for example, where you can sometimes find discounts of up to 50% for stays longer than 28 days. Another good suggestion is to check out active Facebook groups like Vakantiegids Curaçao of DurftevragenCuraçao, which are usually rich sources of information and rental opportunities. As far as nice areas for digital nomads go, Blue Bay, Jan Thiel, en Pietermaai district come recommended, while Jan Sofat and Coral Estate also have good reputations.
3. Maximum stay
As a Dutch national with a tourist visa, you can stay on the island for six months without needing a special permit. Thanks to the @Home in Curaçao program, you can even extend that period to twelve months now. In comparison to the regular residency and working permit, the advantage of this is that you don't need to pay taxes to the local authorities. Application for a so-called “convenient work and living permit costs €250.
Note for Dutch residents
If you reside in a foreign country for more than eight months, you must deregister as a resident in the Netherlands. That means you no longer need to pay taxes in the Netherlands, but also take into account that this can have a big impact on your insurances and your social security. In most cases, for example, you will lose your right to unemployment benefits ((WW-uitkering) and a state pension (AOW).
4. Transport in Curaçao
The best option as a digital nomad in Curaçao is to rent a car for your entire stay. Like that, you are free to go wherever you want whenever you want, especially because the island is just 60 kilometres wide at its widest point. From Jan Thiel to Westpunt, for example, where you can find the most beautiful bays and natural reserves, takes about an hour by car. If you really want to discover Curaçao, a car is essential.
What also plays here, is the fact that the public transport services are probably a bit less punctual than you were used to in the Netherlands. On top of that, taking the bicycle is not really an option as the roads are not fitted for bicycle traffic. The same goes for scooters, especially when the roads become slippery after heavy rainfall.
5. Pleasant places to work
The island of Curaçao boasts an abundance of nice and convenient places to work for digital nomads. Boosty Curaçao, for example, offers delicious sandwiches, good coffee, fast internet connections, and functioning airconditioning. The two Starbucks locations at the Rif Fort and the Renaissance Hotel are similarly fitting for digital work. If you prefer a real desk instead of a coffee table, you can check out flexible workspaces at Coworld and Workspot Curacao.
Or do you prefer working by the sea? Then take your laptop to Mambo Beach Boulevard where you can find Mood Beach, Madero Ocean Club, Chill Beach Bar & Grill, Hemingway, en nog veel meer ideale locaties voor een tropische werkplek. Hetzelfde geldt voor Jan Thiel Beach, where Zanzibar and Koko's offer decent internet connections In combination with the possibility to take a refreshing plunge in the ocean just two metres down the road. On top of that, these places can count on back-up generators in case there is a power outage on the island. You'll appreciate this to no end once you get caught in an outage mid-deadline for the first time.
The basis for this article was originally published on www.tipscuracao.nl in 2021.
