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Buying property in Aruba as a Dutch citizen
Aruba is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and it shows — in the land register, the notary, and the word erfpacht. What that does and does not get you.
Can Dutch citizens buy in Aruba?
Yes, without restriction — the same as any other foreign buyer. The system will feel familiar: a public land register, a civil-law notary controlling the transfer, and erfpacht working much as it does at home.
For a Dutch buyer the mechanics of an Aruban purchase are unusually recognisable. The civil code is modelled on the Dutch one, deeds are executed in Dutch, and the distinction between eigendom and erfpacht is the one you already understand.
But the Kingdom is not the EU
Dutch nationality does not give an automatic right to live in Aruba. There is an admission procedure, generally simpler for Dutch nationals than for others, but it is a procedure — not a right.
This is the single most common misunderstanding among Dutch buyers. Aruba is a constituent country with its own admission rules, and it is not part of the EU or the Schengen area. Owning property does not change your position.
Currency is the one thing that differs
The Aruban florin is pegged to the US dollar, not the euro. A euro buyer therefore carries dollar exposure — worth planning around when converting a large sum.
What it costs
Foreigners buy in Aruba without restriction. Budget 4–7% above the price: transfer tax of 3% on the first AWG 250,000 and 6% above it, plus notary fees of about 1–2%. Allow six to eight weeks from signed agreement to transfer of title.
Questions from Dutch buyers
Can Dutch citizens buy property in Aruba?
Yes, and like every other foreign buyer, without restriction. Aruba is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, so the legal system and the notarial process will feel familiar to a Dutch buyer.
Can Dutch citizens live in Aruba?
Dutch nationals do not have an automatic right of residence in Aruba — the Kingdom does not work like the EU in that respect. There is an admission procedure, but it is generally more straightforward for Dutch nationals than for third-country nationals.
Is the legal system the same as in the Netherlands?
Closely related. Aruba has its own civil code, modelled on the Dutch one, with a public land register and a civil-law notary who controls the transfer. Erfpacht works much as it does at home.
Are contracts in Dutch?
Deeds are executed in Dutch, which is an advantage for you and a reason many Dutch buyers find Aruba simpler than the Spanish or French Caribbean.
What about the euro-to-florin exchange?
The florin is pegged to the US dollar, not the euro, so a euro buyer does carry dollar exposure. Worth planning around if you are converting a large sum.
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Nicolás speaks Dutch, Papiamento, English and Spanish. Tell him what you are looking for and in which language you would rather discuss it.
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