Aruba

Retiree / Interest Rate Earner Residence Permit

Aruba's Retiree / Interest Rate Earner Residence Permit allows foreign nationals to reside in Aruba on the basis of passive income — pensions, annuities, interest earnings, investment returns, or rental income — without permission to engage in paid employment. The program is administered by DIMAS (Department for the Integration, Management and Admission of Foreign Nationals) and covers two distinct categories based on age and income source. As Aruba is an autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, long-term residents may eventually pursue Dutch citizenship through naturalisation.

Applicants must qualify under one of two categories:

Category 1 — Pensioner with Guaranteed Income (age 55+):

• Minimum age: 55 years
• Minimum annual gross income of Afl. 50,000 (~USD 28,000) from a guaranteed pension, annuity, or interest from deposits held for 2 or more years at recognized commercial banks
• Income must originate from qualifying jurisdictions (Kingdom of the Netherlands countries, OECD members, UNASUR, CARICOM, Euro-Med partners, or MERCOSUR members)

Category 2 — Rentier / Retiree without Guaranteed Income (age 18+):

• Minimum age: 18 years
• Minimum annual income of Afl. 100,000 (~USD 55,556) from bank balances or investments at authorized commercial banks in qualifying countries, or from rental income from real estate in qualifying jurisdictions

All applicants must:

• Own adequate housing in Aruba (proven by notarial deed of property ownership)
• Maintain valid health and accident insurance
• Demonstrate financial self-sufficiency via bank references
• Hold a clean criminal record

• Valid passport
• Two identical passport-sized photographs
• Police clearance certificate (verklaring van goed gedrag) from country of origin or residence (not older than 2 months)
• Official birth certificate
• Medical certificate (not older than 1 month) certifying no contagious disease or mental illness
• Proof of health and accident insurance
• Proof of income (pension statements, bank statements, investment certificates, or rental agreements)
• Bank references demonstrating financial self-sufficiency
• Notarial deed proving ownership of adequate housing in Aruba
• Home and business addresses for the previous 10 years
• All documents not in Dutch must be translated and apostilled

The permit is issued for 1 year and must be renewed annually. Renewal applications must be submitted at least 3 months before the current permit expires. Applicants must continue to meet all income and documentation requirements at each renewal. After 10 years (120 months) of continuous legal residence with a valid permit, holders may apply for an indefinite residence permit. After 5 years of continuous legal residence, holders may apply for Dutch citizenship through naturalisation, subject to a naturalization test, Dutch language proficiency, a clean criminal record, and generally renunciation of prior nationality.

Spouses and financially dependent minor children may apply for family reunification residence permits under the LTUV. Each dependant must submit a separate application with their own documentation (passport, photographs, police clearance, medical certificate). Dependants do not receive independent work authorisation.

Holders may not engage in any paid employment in Aruba. Transitioning to a work permit requires a separate application subject to the DPL labour market assessment.

Aruba tax residents are subject to worldwide income taxation at progressive rates. The 2025 schedule provides a tax-free threshold of Afl. 30,000, then 0% up to Afl. 34,930; 21% from Afl. 34,930 to Afl. 63,904; 42% from Afl. 63,904 to Afl. 135,527; and 52% above Afl. 135,527. AZV (national health insurance) premiums are compulsory for residents. From January 1, 2026, pensioners aged 65+ pay 0% on the first Afl. 30,000 of income and 10.5% on income above that threshold (maximum premium wage Afl. 85,000).

Applications are submitted in person at DIMAS, Paardenbaaistraat 11, Oranjestad. Two completed petition forms (obtained from the DIMAS office) must be filed with all required documentation. DIMAS is transitioning to a new online customer portal.

Fees: a submission fee (retributie) of AWG 65 is payable upon filing; a permit fee of AWG 100 is payable upon approval. A mandatory security deposit (waarborgsom) — varying by country of origin, covering return transportation costs and potential government debts — must be paid before the permit is issued. Dutch nationals not born in the Netherlands Antilles are exempt from the security deposit.

Processing time is approximately 10 weeks from application submission. Upon obtaining the permit, holders must register with the Censo (civil registry) to establish continuous lawful residence for permanent residency and citizenship purposes.

Links

• https://www.dimasaruba.aw/en/applicants/living/retiree-interest-rate-earner/
• https://www.gobierno.aw/nl/tijdelijk-verblijfsvergunning-renteniergepensioneerde-zonder-werk
• https://www.gobierno.aw/nl/verblijfsvergunningen-en-waarborgsommen

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