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Aruba
Caribbean
Lucky Nomads World Index
65.90 / 100
Global rank
#105
Corporate tax
22%
Personal tax
52%
Lucky Nomads Proprietary Indices
22 scoring dimensions scored independently using a deterministic methodology built on primary sources and structured analytical inference.
- SafetyShield Index7.5 / 10
- Affordability Index5.2 / 10
- Entry Ease Index6.2 / 10
- Tax Freedom Index3.5 / 10
- WiFi Index7.2 / 10
- Admin Ease Index7.5 / 10
- Healthcare Index7.8 / 10
- City Comfort Index8.1 / 10
- WeatherComfort Index6.7 / 10
- Banking Index8.3 / 10
- GeoStability Index9.3 / 10
- Justice & Order Index8.5 / 10
- Quality of Life Index7.9 / 10
- Open Society Index8.4 / 10
- Flight Index5.6 / 10
- Environmental Quality Index8.2 / 10
- English Index7.5 / 10
- Wealth Protection Index8.1 / 10
- AI Access Index6.3 / 10
- Economic Openness Index7.6 / 10
- Market Depth Index3.8 / 10
- ClimateShield Index5.4 / 10
Country snapshot
- Capital
- Oranjestad
- Population (approx.)
- 106,000
- Area (km²)
- 179 km²
- Currency code (ISO 4217)
- AWG
- Currency name
- Aruban florin
- Main airport IATA code
- AUA
- Airport name
- Queen Beatrix International Airport
General facts
- Minimum monthly cost
- From $2,400/month
- Main languages
- Papiamento
- Jurisdiction type
- Territory
- Region
- Caribbean
- Web TLD
- .aw
- Phone calling code
- +297
Web TLD and phone codes are general references and can differ for territories or special numbering plans.
Tax system
- Marginal CIT (corporate income tax)
- 22%HighWorldwide
- Marginal PIT (personal income tax)
- 52%Very highWorldwide
Corporate taxation basis: Worldwide. The country generally taxes worldwide income of resident companies.
Resident companies taxed on worldwide income with participation exemption available for shares in qualifying foreign entities subject to a real profit tax. Non-residents taxed on Aruba-source income via permanent establishment under OECD Model Convention principles.
Flat 22 percent profit tax (winstbelasting) reduced from 25 percent in 2023 and from 28 percent before 2016. Free Zone qualifying income taxed at 2 percent under substance requirements. New 2026 Start-up and Urban Redevelopment regimes provide yearly exemption (5 years) and a 10-year full exemption for qualifying redevelopment in Oranjestad and San Nicolas city centers respectively.
Personal income tax basis. Worldwide. Resident individuals are generally taxable on their worldwide income, subject to relief under applicable tax treaties.
Residents (more than 183 days physical presence test) taxed on worldwide income. Non-residents taxed on Aruba-source items only (immovable property, mortgage interest on local real estate, business via PE, substantial-interest shares in resident corporations).
Progressive 0 to 52 percent post January 2025 reform. Tax-free amount then four brackets 0 percent, 21 percent, 42 percent, 52 percent. The 52 percent top rate applies above of table income (gross above approximately , USD 92,400). Capital gains taxed as ordinary income. No wealth, inheritance, or gift tax (abolished July 2018).
Tax percentages here are editorial reference figures for comparison, not individualized tax advice.
Special tax regimes
For companies
Free Zone Aruba (Zona Franca)
AvailableFree Zone regime taxing qualifying income at 2 percent corporate income tax versus the 22 percent standard rate.
Start-up Tax Incentive Scheme (Startersregeling)
Available5-year corporate income tax exemption of AWG 50,000 per year for newly incorporated companies (on or after 1 January 2026) operating in promising…
Urban Redevelopment Exempt Company Regime (Oranjestad and San Nicolas)
Available10-year Exempt Company regime (1 January 2026 to 31 December 2035) for qualifying real estate redevelopment projects in designated zones of…
For individuals
Expatriate Regime (Tax Treatment of Cost Allowances and Fringe Benefits for Inbound Employees)
AvailableTax-favored treatment for inbound foreign employees on Aruban payroll.
You either qualify for Aruba's special tax regimes, or you don't. GeoCompass determines your eligibility, highlights the applicable conditions, and helps estimate your potential tax exposure.
Check my eligibilityVisa and mobility
Your access
Visa need and length of stay for Aruba. Saved on your device.
Overview
- Citizenship by investment
Not currently available
- Residence by investment
Available
- Remote work visa (digital nomad visa)
Available
Programmes
Aruba lists several residency and mobility routes across residence by investment, work (employer sponsored), retirement routes, family and dependant routes, student and graduate routes, and remote work visas. Lucky Nomads tracks these programmes as editorial reference points. Thresholds, documents, and personal eligibility are evaluated in GeoCompass against your exact profile.
6 programmes listed · 6 are marked available in our editorial review
Residence by investment
1 programmeCapital, property, fund, or declared investment routes that can lead to longer-term residence.
- Available
Investor and Shareholder Residence Permit
Work (employer sponsored)
1 programmeEmployer-linked permits and skilled employment passes for hired professionals.
- Available
Work Permit and Employer-Sponsored Residence Permit
Retirement routes
1 programmeRetirement-age or pension-linked residence options.
- Available
Pensioner / Retiree / Interest Rate Earner Residence Permit
Family and dependant routes
1 programmeSpouse, dependant, and family reunion style permits.
- Available
Family Reunification and Family Formation Residence Permit
Student and graduate routes
1 programmeStudy-linked permits and post-study transition routes.
- Available
Student and Trainee Residence Permit
Remote work visas
1 programmeRemote work or digital nomad style permits.
- Available
Work from Aruba (One Happy Workation)
Not all residency routes are accessible. Some require minimum income, investment thresholds, local substance, or strict eligibility conditions. GeoCompass evaluates which options you can actually secure in Aruba.
Evaluate my residency optionsVisa and programme labels reflect editorial research, not individualized legal advice. Thresholds, documents, and personal eligibility are evaluated in GeoCompass. Always confirm rules with official government sources before you plan a move.
Dimensions breakdown
Strongest dimensions
- GeoStability Index9.3 / 10Exceptional geostability index
- Justice & Order Index8.5 / 10Very strong justice & order index
- Open Society Index8.4 / 10Very strong open society index
Weakest dimensions
- Tax Freedom Index3.5 / 10
- Market Depth Index3.8 / 10
Published ranks by index
One row per leaderboard we publish (the composite index plus each proprietary dimension). A rank appears only when this country is currently in the published top 10 for that list. Open a row to see the full ranking. Hover an index name for the same short definition as elsewhere on the site.
This jurisdiction is not in the published top 10 on any of these lists right now.
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Founder, Lucky Nomads · Wealth manager
Researched from official sources, leading global indices and Lucky Nomads' own scoring.
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