Can a US citizen live in Curaçao?

Yes. As a US citizen you can enter Curaçao visa-free for up to 90 days at a time as a tourist, with extensions possible in some cases. Living there long-term requires a residence permit issued by the Curaçao immigration department. The main routes are an employer-sponsored work permit (limited to specialised roles not easily filled locally), a retirement-based permit requiring proof of stable retirement income, an investor permit tied to qualifying business investment, and the Penshonado regime for retirees aged 50+ with non-Curaçao income. Curaçao is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands but maintains its own immigration policy, so EU rules do not apply automatically. Buying property does not grant residency. Curaçao’s moderate cost of living is $3,100 per person per month, slightly below the US average ($3,525). For the full picture, see our Curaçao cost of living page.