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Invest in Curaçao
A short guide for companies expanding into Curaçao: the economy at a glance, the rules and steps to set up, and who can help, each with its source.
1. Curaçao at a glance
PopulationEstimate
156,263
The World Bank reports a population of 156,263 in 2025.
Source: World Bank WDI, population of Curaçao, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
GDP
US$3.56 billion
The World Bank reports GDP of US$3,561,178,212 in 2024, in current dollars.
Source: World Bank WDI, GDP of Curaçao, 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2024
GDP per person
US$22,833
The World Bank reports GDP per person of US$22,832.90 in 2024, in current dollars.
Source: World Bank WDI, GDP per person of Curaçao, 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2024
Real GDP growth
5.0%
The World Bank reports real GDP growth of 5.0 percent in 2024.
Source: World Bank WDI, real GDP growth of Curaçao, 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2024
Inflation
2.0%
Inflation was 2.0 percent in 2025, the annual figure the Central Bureau of Statistics publishes.
Source: Central Bureau of Statistics Curaçao, inflation rates page (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Foreign direct investment inflows
US$183.3 million
Foreign direct investment inflows were US$183.298 million in 2025, in UNCTADstat data.
Source: UNCTADstat, foreign direct investment in Curaçao (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
The currency is the Caribbean guilder (XCG), the common currency of Curaçao and Sint Maarten.
Source: Kingdom regulations database, common currency system (in Dutch) (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
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.
CINEX Foundation promotes Curaçao as an investment destination and helps investors with permits, licenses and registration, and it helps local companies prepare to export.
Source: CINEX Foundation, About CINEX page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
No page read calls CINEX or the Vergunningenloket a one-stop shop: the permit counter takes establishment and work permit applications, and CINEX helps investors reach the authorities.
Source: Government of Curaçao, permit counter, establishment permit (in Dutch) (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
The Vestigingsregeling requires a business permit, with exemptions in Article 3, and lists no sectors reserved for nationals; Article 17 exempts Dutch citizens born in Curaçao aged 21 or older.
Source: Government of Curaçao, establishment ordinance, consolidated text 2026 (in Dutch) (opens in a new tab) · as of May 6, 2026
Curinde lists two Free Economic Zones, Harbor and Airport, and two industrial parks, Brievengat and New Haven.
Source: Curinde, facilities page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
3. Steps to set up
The main steps, in order, each with the body responsible and its official page.
Setting up in Curaçao
- Incorporate the company by notarial deed; the notary registers it with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry.Curaçao Chamber of Commerce and IndustryOne day for an NV or BV, as CINEX describes itOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: CINEX Foundation, investment process page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
- Apply for the establishment permit.VergunningenloketOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Government of Curaçao, permit counter, establishment permit (in Dutch) (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
- Get a CRIB tax number.Belastingdienst CuraçaoOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Belastingdienst Curaçao, business CRIB number page (in Dutch) (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
- In a free economic zone, apply for the zone license and a lease with the zone operator.Curaçao Industrial and International Trade Development Company N.V.Official page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Curinde, requirements and incentives page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
Show 3 more set-up steps
- For foreign staff, report the vacancy to the labor center, apply for a work permit, then apply for a residence title.Vergunningenloket; Toelatingsorganisatie CuraçaoXCG 500 to XCG 3,000, by permit lengthOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Government of Curaçao, permit counter, work permit (in Dutch) (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
- Open a bank account with the company documents and the establishment permit.Commercial banks in CuraçaoOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: CINEX Foundation, investment process page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
- Where the activity needs one, ask the central bank for a foreign exchange license.Centrale Bank van Curaçao en Sint MaartenOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: CINEX Foundation, investment process page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
4. Organizations that help investors
Start with MEO and Douane. Each card links to the organization’s own site.
Each card says what it can help with:Get adviceFind financeMeet requirementsResearch markets
- Curaçao has 156,263 people, so this guide lists every national body found with evidence dated 2025 or later. Source (opens in a new tab)
Investment and business setup
Ministry of economic development
MEO
Ministerie van Economische Ontwikkeling
Sets trade, export and foreign investment policy, and its Minister grants the business establishment permit.
Permit counter
Vergunningenloket
Takes applications for establishment permits and work permits at one counter, in person or online.
Show 2 more organizations
- Get advice
Free zone operator
Curinde
Curaçao Industrial and International Trade Development Company N.V.
Runs the Harbor and Airport Free Economic Zones and two industrial parks, and guides companies through zone setup.
Visit Curinde (opens in a new tab)Source: Curinde, facilities page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
- Meet requirements
Immigration and residence permit office
Toelatingsorganisatie
Toelatingsorganisatie Curaçao
Takes applications for the residence title that a foreign worker needs beside a work permit.
Visit Toelatingsorganisatie (opens in a new tab)Source: Government of Curaçao, permit counter, work permit (in Dutch) (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
Customs and tax
- Meet requirements
Customs authority
Douane
Douane Curaçao
Takes export declarations in ASYCUDA World and registers exporters in the REX system for sales to the European Union.
Visit Douane (opens in a new tab)Source: Douane Curaçao, Registered Exporter system note (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
- Meet requirements
Tax authority
Belastingdienst
Belastingdienst Curaçao
Gives businesses their CRIB tax number and administers profit tax, sales tax and payroll tax.
Visit Belastingdienst (opens in a new tab)Source: Belastingdienst Curaçao, business CRIB number page (in Dutch) (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
Chambers and industry associations
- Get advice
Chamber of commerce and registry
Chamber of Commerce
Curaçao Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Keeps the Commercial Register, issues certificates of origin for re-export, and advises companies that trade from Curaçao.
Visit Chamber of Commerce (opens in a new tab)Source: Curaçao Chamber of Commerce and Industry, About page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
5. Worth knowing
Currency and settlement
The Caribbean guilder (XCG) replaced the Netherlands Antillean guilder, and official fees at the permit counter are now listed in XCG.
What to do: Check which currency each fee, contract and invoice uses before you price.
Sources: Kingdom regulations database, common currency system (in Dutch) (opens in a new tab); Government of Curaçao, permit counter, work permit (in Dutch) (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
Director's license change
Since August 15, 2023, a director's license is no longer required, although some investor guides still list it.
What to do: Confirm the current permit list with the Vergunningenloket before you file.
Sources: Government of Curaçao, permit counter, establishment permit (in Dutch) (opens in a new tab); CINEX Foundation, investment process page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
Free zone rules
The economic zones decree was republished in consolidated form in 2026, replacing an October 2025 consolidated text of the former Landsbesluit Vrije Zones.
What to do: Ask Curinde for the current zone rules and lease terms before you sign.
Sources: Government of Curaçao, economic zones decree, 2026 (in Dutch) (opens in a new tab); Curinde, requirements and incentives page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
Territorial tax and real presence
Profit tax covers domestic profit, and a company must show a real presence in Curaçao to exclude part of its profit as foreign income.
What to do: Ask the Belastingdienst how your income would be classified before you set up.
Source: CINEX Foundation, incentives page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
Show 2 more
Work permit timing
An employer must report a vacancy to the labor center at least five weeks before it can apply for a work permit.
What to do: Report the vacancy early and schedule hiring around the five weeks.
Source: Government of Curaçao, permit counter, work permit (in Dutch) (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
Minimum tax for large groups
From January 1, 2025, Curaçao parent entities of groups with turnover of at least 750 million euros owe a 15 percent income-inclusion charge; the domestic top-up is left empty.
What to do: If your group has that turnover, ask the Belastingdienst how the minimum tax affects any 3 percent regime before you set up.
Sources: Government of Curaçao, minimum tax ordinance page (in Dutch) (opens in a new tab); Government of Curaçao, minimum tax ordinance text, 2026 (in Dutch) (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
6. How Promote:Global helps
- Compare Curaçao with other countriesSet Curaçao 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:Curaçao 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 November 1, 2026. Nothing here is investment, legal, tax or sanctions advice. Check current status with the organization before you rely on it.