Belice

"Sub umbra floreo" ("Under the shade I flourish")

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Welcome to Belize

Belize, located on the Caribbean coast of Central America, is known for its tropical rainforests, coral reefs, and rich Mayan history. Its economy revolves around tourism and agriculture, making it a popular choice for expatriates.

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Belize Essentials

Himno nacional

Land of the Free

Día de la Independencia

September 21, 1981

Haiko

Mayan ruins stand / Barrier reef teems with life / Jungles whisper tales

Interesting Tradition

Celebrates La Ruta Maya River Challenge a grueling four-day canoe race

Weirdest Local Superstition

Pregnant women shouldn't look at ugly things

Strangest Law Still on the Books

Illegal to keep an unmuzzled ferocious dog

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Come for the history, stay for the future

Come for the reefs, stay for the richness: Belize's extraordinary combination of Caribbean coastline and pristine rainforest creates an unparalleled living experience. Here, morning meetings can be followed by afternoon dives along the world's second-largest barrier reef, while weekends might mean exploring ancient Maya cities or joining neighbors for traditional hudut feasts. The country's progressive approach to remote work, combined with its English-speaking environment and growing expat communities, has transformed this tropical paradise into a vibrant hub for location-independent professionals.

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Come

Discover where go slow" isn't just advice but a pathway to prosperity. Here between barrier reefs and rainforests you're writing the next chapter of Caribbean possibility."

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Welcome to Belize

Home to the Great Blue Hole Belize is the perfect spot for diving into the unknown—literally!

Belize isn't just a country—it's a natural wonderland. Here, time moves at jungle pace, and even a simple snorkel can turn into an encounter with ancient marine life. This is a land where Mayan mystery and Caribbean flair blend like the colors of its barrier reef.

From the coral gardens of the Cayes to the rainforest depths of the Cayo District, Belize offers adventure for every type of explorer. Whether you're drawn to the marine life of the Blue Hole, the ancient ruins of Xunantunich, or the laid-back vibes of Placencia, you'll find a country that preserves its treasures both above and below the waves.

Estadísticas

Savor the Flavor

Eat

rice and beans (coconut-flavored rice with beans) - fry jacks (puffy fried bread)

Drink

seaweed punch (smoothie made from seaweed) - belikin (local beer)

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Thirsty?

Beer

Annual consumption (liters per capita)

41

Wine

Annual consumption (liters per capita)

3

Coffee

Annual consumption (liters per capita)

16.15

Tea

Annual consumption (liters per capita)

0.62

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Cultural Tips and Etiquette

#1
Marine conservation is part of daily culture
#2
Garifuna culture influences music and dance
#3
Hot sauce is present at every meal
#4
River and jungle knowledge is highly valued
#5
Creole language use shows respect for local culture

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Belize Essentials

Representative Novel

Beka Lamb by Zee Edgell (Set in Belize, exploring its society and history)

National Animal

Baird's tapir

National Pasttime

Fútbol

Recuerdo nacional

Mayan chocolate

Plato nacional

Rice and beans

Festival Famosos

Costa Maya Festival

Danza famosa

Punta

Música famosa

Punta

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Did You Know?

Belize is home to the world's only jaguar preserve.

The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary offers a rare chance to spot these majestic big cats in their natural habitat.

Belize is home the second-largest barrier reef in the world.

Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and Honduras are home to the Great Mexican Reef diver's paradise teeming with colorful marine life.

Belize is home to over 450 tropical islands.

Locally known as cayes, each one has its own unique charm and character.

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Belize’s Key Historical Events

1,798

Abril de 2014

Spain tries to remove British settlers from the area by force but fails, marking the Battle of St. George's Caye.

1862

Julio de 2014

Belize formally declared a British crown colony and named British Honduras.

1964

Febrero de 2015

New constitution gives Belize full autonomy and introduces universal adult suffrage and a two-chamber parliament.

1981

Marzo de 2015

Belize becomes independent, but Guatemala refuses to recognize it.

2022

Octubre de 2016

Guatemala and Belize submit their initial briefs on the border dispute to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for consideration.

MOBILITY

Access Belize Residency Rights on the GlobalPassport™ Platform 

NO. OF Mobility Assets

3

MOBILITY

Citizenship Pathways and
Residency Requirements

Citizenship by Birth
Citizenship by DESCENT
Citizenship by MARRIAGE
1 years
DUAL Citizenship
RESIDENCY BY Naturalization
5
PASSPORT VALIDITY
10 years, 5 years for children

MOBILITY

Passport Power

Visa Free Countries

88

Performance Class

Emerging Explorer

Pasaporte Grado

C-

Rango

111

Score

57.8

This visa grants access to:

• 22% of the world's population 

• 29% of UNESCO sites 

• 17% of global GDP 

• 36% of the world's land area 

MOBILITY

Acceso sin visado a:

MOBILITY

Number of American Emigrants to Belize by Year 

Year
1990
1995
2000
2005
2010
2015
2020
Belice
3,468
3,454
2,916
3,157
3,428
3,572
3,606

MOBILITY

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Select up to 3 Mobility Assets
Activo de movilidad
Approval Time (est.)
Appointment Availability
Term (i.e. duration)
Minimum Investment
Requisito de presencia física
Coste de la vida
English Usage
Quality of Life
Healthcare Ranking
Passport Power
Visa-free Country Access
Number of American Expats
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Rankings

Belize's Global Rankings 

Belize presents a mixed profile with lighter tax burden (#67) but faces challenges in healthcare (#91) and rule of law (#80). Our comprehensive analysis covers key aspects of life quality indicators.

Exceptional performance
Standard performance
Needs Improvement
Rankings are based on 2023-2024 Global Indices and Assessments from recognized international organizations. Updated quarterly to reflect the most recent available data
Coste de la vida
2024
Quality of Life
2024
Safety
2024
Happiness
2024
67
Tax Burden
2024
Light Load
English Proficiency
2023
80
Rule of Law
2024
Weak
91
Healthcare System
2024
Minimal Coverage
Pleasant Climate
2024

Healthcare

Healthcare Overview

Key Health Indicators

Edad media

25.9

years

Life Expectancy

73.7

years

Obesity Rate

24.20%

Tobacco Use

12.80%

Sources

Health care Indicators

Health Expenditure

4.98%

of GDP

Hospital Beds

1.04

per 1000 people

Doctors

1.1

per 1000 people

Out-of-pocket

22.76%

of total expenditure

Sources

Healthcare

Did you Know?

Public and Private Care

Belize offers both public and private healthcare services, with public hospitals being more affordable but private clinics offering faster access.

Medical Evacuations

For advanced treatments, medical evacuation services are available from Belize to nearby countries like the USA or Mexico for specialized care.

Healthcare for Expatriates

Expatriates living in Belize can access private healthcare options for high-quality care, and many opt for private insurance to cover costs.

Affordable Healthcare System

Healthcare in Belize is relatively affordable compared to many Western countries, with low out-of-pocket costs for basic services.

Pharmaceutical Access

Belize provides easy access to pharmaceutical drugs, with pharmacies offering both local and international medications at affordable prices.

Healthcare

United Healthcare Coverage Service Index (2000 - 2021)

Healthcare

Healthcare Cost Calculator

cost of living

Coste de la vida

Belize offers a moderate cost of living, attractive to expats and retirees. Coastal areas and tourist spots are more expensive than inland regions. Housing costs vary widely, with beachfront properties commanding premium prices. Food is generally affordable, especially local produce. Utilities can be expensive, particularly electricity. Transportation costs are moderate, with fuel prices being a significant factor.

Cost of Gasoline

$1.96

per liter

Cost of Meal

$5.94

(Inexpensive Restaurant)

Monthly Rent

$354.64

(1 bedroom, City Center)

Monthly Utilities

$42.09

(85m² Apartment)

Domestic Beer

$2.25

(0.5 liter draught)

Tipo del IVA

12.50%

cost of living

Cost of Living plus Rent Map

cost of living

Cost of Living Calculator

cost of living

Rent Calculator

Fiscalidad

Fiscalidad

Before moving to Belize, it's crucial to understand its tax environment.+Belize does not impose personal income tax on residents; however, non-residents face a 25% tax on Belize-source income. Property taxes apply as well and social security contributions are mandatory for employed individuals. A Tax Identification Number (TIN) is necessary for business activities.+Belize does not have a double taxation treaty with the United States, which may affect expatriates' financial planning.

Tax Residency Requirement

183 days

Worldwide Income Taxation

No (Territorial system)

Higher Rates for Foreign Assets

No

US Double Taxation Treaty

No

Ingresos personales

Progressive tax rate based on income levels

25%

Personal Capital Gains

Flat rate on investment gains

0%

Herencia

Based on inherited amount and relationship

0%

Ingresos de las empresas

Standard corporate tax rate applied to business profits

25%

Plusvalías de las empresas

Tax rate applied to capital gains from corporate investments

0%

Dividendos

Withholding tax rate applied to dividend distributions

0%

Interés

Withholding rate interest payment to non-residens

15%

Derechos de autor

Withholding tax rate for royalty payments

0%

Work Assignment

Foreign individuals are considered tax residents after residing in Belize for 183 days or more in a calendar year

Overall Ranking

Global position in PWC’c Ease of Paying Taxes ranking

60

Ease of Paying Taxes Score

Overall score based on multiple factors

79.9

Total Tax and Cotribution Rate

TTCR percentage including all mandatory contributtions

31.1
%

Time to Comply

Annual hours required to comply with tax regulations

147
HOURS

Number of Payments

Total number of tax payments required annually

29

Post-filing Index

Score measuring the ease of processes after filing taxes

85.1
%

taxation

Tax Burden Map

taxation

Income Tax Calculator

CLIMATE

Climate Type

Tropical climate; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to November) and dry season (February to May)

Average Temperature

25.70 °C

Humidity

82

%

Average Annual Precipitation

1,705

mm

Rainless Days per Year

243

Best Time to Travel

December-April

¿Preguntas?

Frequently Asked Questions About Gaining Residency or Citizenship in Belize

Find answers to common questions about GlobalPassport™ and our tools guiding you towards residency or citizenship in Belize.

What Mobility Assets are available to me in Belize?

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What language do the speak in Belize?

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Can my family members apply for residency or citizenship in Belize with me?

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How will the GlobalPassport™ help me move to Belize?

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