Banking and financing in Curaçao
Opening a bank account, paying for a property from abroad and getting a mortgage as a non-resident.
Yes, foreigners can open a bank account in Curaçao, even without living here. For non-residents it usually takes several days to several weeks, because banks carry out extra checks on your identity and the source of your funds. Non-residents can also get a mortgage in Curaçao, subject to the bank’s conditions. Start early: banking is often the step that delays a purchase.
How does banking work in Curaçao?
Curaçao has several local and international banks, including Maduro & Curiel’s Bank, Banco di Caribe, RBC Royal Bank and Orco Bank. They are supervised by the Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten (CBCS).
The currency is the Caribbean guilder (XCG, symbol Cg), which replaced the Netherlands Antillean guilder on March 31, 2025. It is pegged to the US dollar at a fixed rate of USD 1 = XCG 1.79, so the exchange rate does not move from day to day. The US dollar is widely accepted, especially in tourism, although businesses may use their own exchange rate.
International transfers take more time than many people are used to. Banks check larger incoming payments, ask where the money comes from, and Curaçao’s foreign exchange rules distinguish between regular payments and larger capital transactions. For a property purchase, that means planning ahead.
How do you open a bank account in Curaçao as a non-resident?
Opening an account as a non-resident is possible, but the bank decides case by case. The requirements differ per bank, so ask your bank for a current checklist before you apply. In general, you can expect to provide:
- Identification: a valid passport, sometimes a second ID, and a certified copy if you apply remotely.
- Proof of address: a recent utility bill, phone bill or other official document with your name and address.
- Income and work: an employment letter, pay stub or other proof of income, or details about your business.
- Source of funds: where the money comes from, such as salary, savings, the sale of a home, a business, investments or an inheritance.
- Bank reference: some banks ask for a reference from your current bank. Banco di Caribe, for example, asks non-resident applicants for an original bank reference.
- Tax information: a tax residency self-certification and your tax identification number (TIN), used for the international CRS exchange of information.
- Purpose of the account: for example, buying and managing a property, paying local costs and receiving rental income.
If your documents are complete, a resident account can sometimes be opened within a few business days. For non-residents, allow several days to several weeks, and longer if documents have to be legalized abroad.
Once you move to Curaçao and register as a resident, you can usually convert to a resident account, which requires less paperwork. Keep in mind that a local bank account does not give you the right to live in Curaçao.
How do you pay for a property from abroad?
In Curaçao, the purchase price is paid through the notary, not directly to the seller. You transfer the money to the notary’s client account, and the notary handles the settlement.
Before closing, the notary sends you a settlement statement with the remaining purchase price, the transfer tax, the notary fees and any other costs. A deposit paid earlier is deducted. If you have a mortgage, the bank releases the loan through the notary. After the deed of transfer is signed and registered, the notary pays the seller and settles any existing mortgages.
Three things to watch when you pay from abroad:
- Never pay the seller directly unless the notary explicitly instructs you to.
- Verify payment details by contacting the notary’s office directly if anything looks unusual.
- Allow time. International transfers and source-of-funds checks by the notary and banks can take longer than expected. Confirm the exact amount and the deadline with the notary well before closing.
Can you get a mortgage in Curaçao as a non-resident?
Yes, in principle. Local banks can finance a property for buyers who do not yet live in Curaçao. The bank looks at your income, financial capacity, own funds, the value of the property and your existing obligations. Because your finances are based abroad, you will usually need to provide extra documentation.
Expect different conditions than at home. Mortgages are issued in guilders, and non-residents often have to contribute a considerably larger share from their own funds than residents. Fixed-rate periods tend to be shorter than in the United States or the Netherlands, and some banks apply an age limit. Whether you buy a second home, a residence or an investment property also affects the terms.
Some buyers finance the purchase in their home country instead, or pay in cash. Compare both routes with a bank or mortgage advisor before you start viewing, so you know what is realistic and how much of your own money you need. Discovering halfway through the purchase that the financing does not work is the most expensive way to find out.
What do banks ask from international buyers?
Banks in Curaçao are required to know exactly who their customers are. For non-residents, the CBCS requires them to pay extra attention and to understand why you want a banking relationship on the island. That is why they ask about your identity, your address, the origin of your income and wealth, and the purpose of the account.
These Know Your Customer and anti-money-laundering checks are not a sign of distrust. They are standard, and they take time. The best way to speed things up is to prepare a clear file in advance: identification, proof of income, recent bank statements and documents that show where the purchase money comes from.
Timing: when should you arrange what?
Link your banking to the steps of the buying process in Curaçao:
Orientation
talk to a bank about financing and about opening an account.
Viewing properties
start the account application and gather your source-of-funds documents.
Purchase agreement
include a financing contingency if you need a mortgage, and pay the deposit through the notary.
Notarial phase (usually six to eight weeks)
complete the appraisal and mortgage approval, and prepare the international transfer.
Before closing
make sure the funds are in the notary's account before the agreed deadline.
After the transfer
use your local account for utilities, insurance, maintenance and any rental income.
Where purchases stall
In my experience, this is where purchases stall most often. Buyers find the right home, sign the purchase agreement and only then start opening an account and collecting proof of where their money comes from. With documents that need to come from abroad, those weeks run out quickly and the closing date comes under pressure. Start the banking side as soon as you are serious about buying, not when you have found the house.
When should you bring in a specialist?
This page gives orientation, not financial advice. Conditions, rates and procedures differ per bank and change over time, so always check your situation with the right party:
- The bank or a mortgage advisor for your account, your borrowing capacity and the mortgage terms.
- The notary for the transfer, the settlement statement and the payment instructions.
- A tax advisor for the tax consequences in Curaçao and your home country, especially with rental income or a purchase through a company.
Frequently asked questions about banking in Curaçao
Yes. Foreigners can generally open a bank account in Curaçao without being a resident. Banks carry out extra checks on non-residents, including the purpose of the account and the source of funds, and each bank decides case by case. Note that a bank account does not give you the right to live in Curaçao.
Usually a valid passport, proof of address, proof of income or employment, information on the source of your funds, a tax residency self-certification with your tax number and sometimes a reference from your current bank. Requirements differ per bank, so ask for a current checklist before you apply.
With complete documents, a resident account can sometimes be opened within a few business days. For non-residents, allow several days to several weeks because of additional checks. Documents that need to be provided or legalized from abroad can add time, so start well before a property purchase.
Yes, in principle. Local banks can finance property for non-residents, based on your income, own funds, the property value and existing obligations. Expect to provide extra documentation and to contribute a larger share from your own funds. Conditions differ per bank, so talk to a bank early in your search.
Curaçao uses the Caribbean guilder (XCG), which replaced the Netherlands Antillean guilder on March 31, 2025. It is pegged to the US dollar at USD 1 = XCG 1.79. US dollars are widely accepted, especially in tourism, although businesses may use their own exchange rate.
Through the notary. You transfer the amount on the notary’s settlement statement to the notary’s client account before closing, and the notary pays the seller after the transfer. Never pay the seller directly, verify payment details with the notary, and allow extra time for international transfers and source-of-funds checks.
How buying in Curaçao works
Read how buying property in Curaçao works and which taxes in Curaçao apply to owners. For the bigger picture, see moving to Curaçao. If you want help planning your purchase and financing, have a look at private advisory.