Living in Barbados: residence beyond 182 days, tax of 11.5 %, then 27.5 % beyond $75,000, withholding of 15 %

This page reports information published by the Barbados Revenue Authority (BRA), the Government of Barbados, and the BOFiP (Burundi Office of Public Finances). According to the BRA, a person who spends more than 182 days in total during the tax year in Barbados, or who has ordinary resident status, is considered a resident for tax purposes. For the 2026 tax year, the BRA reports a rate of 11.5% on the portion of income between $25,000 and $75,000, and 27.5% on the portion exceeding $75,000.

The BRA also indicates a withholding tax of 15 % in general. The BOFiP does not list any tax treaty between France and Barbados, nor any bilateral information exchange agreement.

Tax residence: 182 days or ordinary residence

The BRA's "Individuals" page states that individuals who spend more than 182 days in total in Barbados during an income year, or who have "ordinarily resident" status, are considered residents for tax purposes. It then distinguishes between two cases:

• A person resident and domiciled in Barbados is taxed on their worldwide income;
• A resident but non-domiciled person is taxed on income from Barbadian sources, and on income from foreign sources when a benefit is received in Barbados.

This page does not define domicile or ordinary resident, and does not discuss non-residents. The BRA's "Income Tax" page clarifies that tax is levied on the income of both resident and non-resident individuals, that the system is based on self-reporting, and it includes the phrase "There is no tax on capital.".

Income tax: rates for the year 2026

BRA Policy Note OGC No. 001/2026, published in April 2026, applies from the 2026 tax year onwards the reduced rates announced on March 16, 2026 in the 2026-2027 budget proposals. It presents them as follows for individuals, in Barbados dollars.

The note does not provide a rate for the portion up to $25,000 and does not indicate a general personal allowance amount. Its calculation examples assume a personal allowance of $25,000, then apply 11.5% of the first $50,000 of taxable income and 27.5% of the remainder.

The BRA's page on income tax for employed or retired individuals adds that employees whose annual income exceeds $25,000 must file a return, that the return is due by April 30 of the year following the year of income, and that contributing retirees whose income exceeds $75,000 (effective 2025 income year) must also file.

Withholding tax and capital income

The BRA's "Withholding Tax" page, which is undated, indicates that the withholding tax under the Income Tax Act is generally 15 %. For payments to countries with a tax treaty with Barbados, it provides the following ranges.

The page adds that interest on Barbados government bonds held by a non-resident as beneficial owner is exempt. It does not specify the applicable rate for rental income.

The tax rate on dividends and interest received by a resident, as well as that on capital gains for individuals, is not detailed here.

Real estate: property tax and transfer tax

The BRA publishes the land tax on residential properties. A joint statement from the Ministry of Finance and the BRA dated August 24, 2026, regarding the re-issuance of invoices for residential properties valued at over $450,000, outlines the following tax brackets, applied to the improved value of the property.

The BRA's FAQ page indicates an enhanced value of 0.95 % for non-residential properties with a building other than a residence, and a rate of 0.8 % to 1.0 % of the land value for vacant lots, depending on the area and value. It distinguishes properties based on their use and does not specify whether residents and non-residents are treated differently.

The text of the Property Transfer Tax Act (Cap. 84A, revised in 2007), published by the courts of Barbados, sets this tax at 2.5 % and makes it payable by the transferor. The thresholds it establishes date from this revision; the current amounts are not detailed here.

Relations with France: no listed agreement

The BOFiP's list of tax treaties (BOI-ANNX-000306), which covers agreements in force on January 1, 2026, does not include any entry for Barbados. The list of bilateral agreements for the exchange of tax information (BOI-ANNX-000307, version of June 21, 2019) also does not include any. The BOFiP refers to the OECD website for countries covered by the Multilateral Convention on Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters, which this page does not detail.

Without a tax treaty, no treaty exists to differentiate between dual residences. France applies its domestic law: according to the BOFiP (BOI-IR-CHAMP-10, version of July 28, 2016), Article 4 B of the French General Tax Code (CGI) defines tax residence as the home or principal place of residence in France, the exercise of a professional activity in France, or the center of economic interests in France. For income from foreign securities, the BOFiP (BOI-RPPM-RCM-20-10-20-60, version of December 29, 2016) indicates that income from a country without a tax treaty is not eligible for any credit against French tax: it is subject to French tax on its net amount after foreign tax. It must be declared on form 2047, attached to tax return 2042.

Leaving France falls under exit tax and tax residence, which are discussed in our pages on these topics.

What this page does not cover

It does not detail the definition of domicile and ordinary resident, nor the taxation of dividends, interest, and capital gains for individuals, nor inheritance and gift taxes, nor social security contributions, nor VAT, nor the current thresholds for property transfer tax, nor the acquisition of property by a foreigner, nor residence permits. These matters fall under Barbadian law and should be verified with the BRA (Barbados Revenue Authority). Balmont Conseil is not a law firm or a local tax advisor: local tax matters should be verified with a professional based in Barbados. Matters pertaining to France, particularly the departure declaration and the accounts to be declared, are addressed in our pages on tax domicile and exit tax.

What changes depending on your situation

• The number of days spent in Barbados in the income year and the existence of ordinary resident status.
• Domicile, which distinguishes the taxation of worldwide income from that of income solely from Barbadian sources or received locally.
• The nature of the income: salary, pension, dividends, interest, rent, sale of real estate.
• Your tax residence in France and Barbados, year by year.

The rule depends on your situation. No results are guaranteed.