Promote:
Invest in Antigua and Barbuda
A short guide for companies expanding into Antigua and Barbuda: the economy at a glance, the rules and steps to set up, and who can help, each with its source.
1. Antigua and Barbuda at a glance
PopulationEstimate
94,209
The World Bank reports a population of 94,209 in 2025.
Source: World Bank, population 2025, updated October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
GDPEstimate
US$2.34 billion
The World Bank reports GDP of US$2,338,196,296 in 2025, in current dollars.
Source: World Bank, GDP 2025, updated October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
GDP per personEstimate
US$24,819
The World Bank reports GDP per person of US$24,819 in 2025, in current dollars.
Source: World Bank, GDP per person 2025, updated October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Real GDP growthEstimate
5.0%
The World Bank reports real GDP growth of 5.0 percent in 2025.
Source: World Bank, real GDP growth 2025, updated October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Inflation
7.0%
The National Bureau of Statistics reports a twelve-month consumer price inflation rate of 7.0 percent for September 2026, its latest month.
Source: National Bureau of Statistics, consumer prices, September 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of September 2026
Foreign direct investment inflows
US$307.1 million
UNCTADstat reports inward foreign direct investment of US$307.065 million in 2025, on an asset and liability basis.
Source: UNCTADstat, foreign direct investment flows, Antigua and Barbuda (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
The currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar.
Source: WTO Trade Policy Review, Antigua and Barbuda, 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2023
2. Before you set up
The investment agency, any one-stop route, the sectors reserved for nationals and the zones, as the guide found them.
The Antigua & Barbuda Investment Authority is the investment promotion agency of Antigua and Barbuda.
Source: Investment Authority, about page, read October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
As of 2023, the WTO review says the Investment Authority serves as a one-stop shop for investors.
Source: WTO Trade Policy Review, Antigua and Barbuda, 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2023
As of 2023, the WTO review says fishing, fisheries and agriculture are the only sectors reserved for domestic investors, and it names no instrument.
Source: WTO Trade Policy Review, Antigua and Barbuda, 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2023
The Free Trade and Processing Zone lists one zone, of about 100 acres at Coolidge near the main airport.
Source: Free Trade and Processing Zone, about page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
3. Steps to set up
The main steps, in order, each with the body responsible and its official page.
Setting up in Antigua and Barbuda
- Reserve the company name and incorporate through ABIPCO; an external company registers with ABIPCO before it carries on business.Antigua and Barbuda Intellectual Property and Commerce OfficeAs of 2023, per the WTO review: two to three weeks and about XCD 120 for the registration stepsOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: ABIPCO, external companies guide, read October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Register with the Inland Revenue Department for a tax identification number, then with Social Security, Medical Benefits and the Board of Education.Inland Revenue DepartmentOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: WTO Trade Policy Review, Antigua and Barbuda, 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2023
- Apply to the Investment Authority for an investment certificate and concessions, using its application form and supporting documents.Antigua & Barbuda Investment AuthorityOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Investment Authority, incentives and eligibility page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- For financial services, apply to the Financial Services Regulatory Commission for the license that matches your activity.Financial Services Regulatory CommissionOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Financial Services Regulatory Commission, home page, read October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Show 2 more set-up steps
- Prepare the permits your staff need: residence permits through Immigration, and work permits through the Department of Labour.Department of ImmigrationOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Free Trade and Processing Zone, regulations page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- If you will buy land or hold shares in a company that holds land, apply for a non-citizen land holding license.Cabinet of Antigua and BarbudaStamp duty of 3 to 7 percent of market value by tenure, and a 100-dollar application fee, under the 2020 amendmentOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Laws of Antigua and Barbuda, land holding amendment 2020 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 5, 2020
4. Organizations that help investors
Start with ABIA and Customs and Excise. Each card links to the organization’s own site.
Each card says what it can help with:Get adviceFind financeMeet requirementsResearch markets
Investment and business setup
- Get advice
Investment and export promotion agency
ABIA
Antigua & Barbuda Investment Authority
Helps companies with investment certificates and concessions, and by law also gives exporters information on markets, quality and labeling requirements.
Visit ABIA (opens in a new tab)Source: Investment Authority Act, 2006 (Ministry of Legal Affairs) (opens in a new tab) · as of December 14, 2006
- Meet requirements
Company and intellectual property registry
ABIPCO
Antigua and Barbuda Intellectual Property and Commerce Office
Registers companies, external companies and business names, and runs e-filing and a one-stop shop.
Visit ABIPCO (opens in a new tab)Source: ABIPCO, companies guide, read October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Show 3 more organizations
- Get advice
Free trade zone authority
Free Trade Zone
Antigua and Barbuda Free Trade and Processing Zone
Licenses companies to operate in a zone of about 100 acres near the main airport.
Visit Free Trade Zone (opens in a new tab)Source: Free Trade and Processing Zone, about page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Meet requirements
Immigration and residency authority
Immigration Department
Department of Immigration
Handles visas, permits, extensions and residency applications.
Visit Immigration Department (opens in a new tab)Source: Department of Immigration, home page, read October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Legal affairs ministry
Ministry of Legal Affairs
Keeps the official laws website with Acts, bills and the gazette link.
Visit Ministry of Legal Affairs (opens in a new tab)Source: Ministry of Legal Affairs, Laws of Antigua and Barbuda (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Customs and tax
- Meet requirements
Customs authority
Customs and Excise
Customs and Excise Division
Processes export declarations in ASYCUDA World and publishes export procedures and customs laws.
Visit Customs and Excise (opens in a new tab)Source: Customs and Excise Division, export procedure, read October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Meet requirements
Tax authority
Inland Revenue
Inland Revenue Department
Issues tax identification numbers and administers corporate income tax and the sales tax.
Visit Inland Revenue (opens in a new tab)Source: Inland Revenue, corporate income tax registration guide, 2021 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Chambers and industry associations
- Get advice
Tourism business association
ABHTA
Antigua Barbuda Hotels & Tourism Association
Represents hotels, restaurants and other tourism businesses, and runs training and a trade showcase.
Visit ABHTA (opens in a new tab)Source: Hotels and Tourism Association, home page, read October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
5. Worth knowing
Climate and water
The 2026 budget statement makes climate resilience a 2026 priority, citing Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, Beryl in 2024 and Melissa in 2025.
What to do: Check hurricane-season delivery, insurance and supplier arrangements before you commit to dates.
Source: Antigua and Barbuda, 2026 Budget Statement, December 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Public debt and arrears
The IMF staff estimate says public debt fell from about 100 percent of GDP in 2020 to 67 percent in 2024.
What to do: Read the latest IMF report and budget before you rely on government payments or incentives.
Source: IMF, Antigua and Barbuda Article IV, April 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Reserved sectors
As of 2023, the WTO review says fishing, fisheries and agriculture are reserved for domestic investors.
What to do: Ask the Investment Authority whether the reservation covers your activity before you start a project.
Source: WTO Trade Policy Review, Antigua and Barbuda, 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Land purchase license
Non-citizens need a Cabinet license to hold land, and since 2020 it carries stamp duty of 3 to 7 percent of market value, by tenure.
What to do: Ask the Investment Authority and a local lawyer which license you need before you sign a purchase.
Sources: Laws of Antigua and Barbuda, land holding amendment 2020 (opens in a new tab); WTO Trade Policy Review, Antigua and Barbuda, 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Show 3 more
Performance-linked concessions
The 2026 budget statement says concessions will be tied to jobs, export expansion and local content, and the process is moving online.
What to do: Ask the Investment Authority which performance conditions apply before you file for concessions.
Sources: Antigua and Barbuda, 2026 Budget Statement, December 2025 (opens in a new tab); Investment Authority, incentives and eligibility page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Zone incentives changed
Since 2019, zone license applicants apply to the Investment Authority for incentives, while the zone website still lists older exemptions.
What to do: Ask the zone and the Investment Authority which incentive package applies before you apply for a license.
Sources: Free Trade and Processing Zone (Amendment) Act, 2019 (opens in a new tab); Free Trade and Processing Zone, incentives page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Zone law amended 2026
The Special Economic Zone (Amendment) Act, 2026 adds operator permits, zone guidelines and one-stop service departments.
What to do: Ask the Ministry of Finance and the Investment Authority whether a licensed zone admits new businesses before you build around one.
Source: Special Economic Zone (Amendment) Act, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
6. How Promote:Global helps
- Compare Antigua and Barbuda with other countriesSet Antigua and Barbuda beside other countries on investment momentum, fundamentals and trade access, before site, tax and legal work.
- Find advisors and service firmsAsk an advisory firm a scoped, paid question, or browse firms that list their own services, from legal work to logistics.
- Organize your next stepsKeep each product and market in a project, with a roadmap of steps you work through.
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Promote:Antigua and Barbuda is an independent guide by Promote:Global, not an official government portal. The organizations named here are independent public and membership bodies, not Promote:Global partners, and every link goes to their own site.
Facts read from public sources, with an editorial cut-off of October 30, 2026. Nothing here is investment, legal, tax or sanctions advice. Check current status with the organization before you rely on it.