# Bermuda Economic Investment Residential Certificate

Bermuda grants five-year renewable residency to non-Bermudians who invest and maintain BM$2.5m (US$2.5m) for five years across qualifying investments such as real estate, business or charity, with a 90-day-per-year presence requirement. No income or capital-gains tax.

- **$2,500,000** From
- **Not officially published** Processing
- **Bermuda residence only** Mobility
- **90 days** Min. stay

## What is the Bermuda Economic Investment Residential Certificate programme, in short?

Bermuda grants five-year renewable residency to non-Bermudians who invest and maintain BM$2.5m (US$2.5m) for five years across qualifying investments such as real estate, business or charity, with a 90-day-per-year presence requirement. No income or capital-gains tax. This is residency only, not Bermudian status or citizenship.

### Evidence

- 01 Government fees [www.gov.bm](https://www.gov.bm/online-services/economic-investment-certificate-residential-certificate) Official 2026-06-04
- 02 Minimum investment [www.gov.bm](https://www.gov.bm/online-services/economic-investment-certificate-residential-certificate) Official 2026-06-04
- 03 Path to citizenship [www.gov.bm](https://www.gov.bm/online-services/economic-investment-certificate-residential-certificate) Official 2026-06-04
- 04 Processing time [www.gov.bm](https://www.gov.bm/online-services/economic-investment-certificate-residential-certificate) Official 2026-06-04
- 05 Tax position [www.gov.bm](https://www.gov.bm/online-services/economic-investment-certificate-residential-certificate) Official 2026-06-04

## What is the Bermuda Economic Investment Residential Certificate programme?

Bermuda Economic Investment Residential Certificate grants a residence permit in exchange for a qualifying investment from $2,500,000. The programme is run by the government, which decides every application; Mirabello Consultancy prepares and coordinates your side of the application. A Mirabello specialist then confirms the right route and the full cost for your family.

Bermuda grants five-year renewable residency to non-Bermudians who invest and maintain BM$2.5m (US$2.5m) for five years across qualifying investments such as real estate, business or charity, with a 90-day-per-year presence requirement. No income or capital-gains tax. This is residency only, not Bermudian status or citizenship.

- No income or capital-gains tax
- 5-year renewable residency; 90 days/year presence

**Bermuda's Economic Investment Residential Certificate (EIRC) gives a non-Bermudian the right to live on the island in return for a qualifying investment of at least BM$2,500,000 in the Bermuda economy, maintained for at least five years.** The Bermuda dollar is pegged one to one to the US dollar, so the threshold is equivalent to US$2.5 million. The programme is run by the Government of Bermuda through the Department of Immigration, with the Bermuda Business Development Agency (BDA) acting as the first point of contact for applicants.

The most important thing to understand is what the certificate is not. **The EIRC is a residence right, not citizenship.** It does not confer Bermudian status, it does not lead to a Bermudian or British passport through the programme, and it does not change how you travel: you continue to use the passport you already hold. For families who want a secure, low-tax island home with an English common-law legal system, that is exactly the point. For anyone who wants a second passport, it is the wrong instrument.

### What is the Bermuda Economic Investment Residential Certificate?

The Bermuda Economic Investment Residential Certificate is an investor residence programme that took effect on 1 March 2021 as the Economic Investment Certificate. Under the original 2021 policy, an investor held that certificate for five years before applying for a separate Residential Certificate. A revision effective 31 March 2023 allowed the Minister to grant the Residential Certificate without that five-year wait, which is why the programme is now known as the Economic Investment Residential Certificate. The policy was revised again in June 2024.

The programme has a public track record. In December 2025 the Government of Bermuda reported that associated investment had **passed BM$600 million**, with real estate and new businesses accounting for the largest shares.

### How can the BM$2.5 million be invested?

The investment can be placed in one qualifying category or spread across several, provided the total reaches BM$2,500,000 and is kept in place. The categories confirmed across the government's announcements and the BDA's current guidance are:

- **Real estate:** residential or commercial property in Bermuda.
- **A new Bermuda-based business:** developing and launching a new venture on the island.
- **Equity in an existing Bermuda-based business:** excluding exempted undertakings.
- **A registered Bermuda charity:** with a focus on sports, youth, seniors or health.
- **Another venture that benefits Bermuda:** as approved by the Minister.

The original policy also listed government bonds, contributions to the Sinking Fund (Bermuda's public debt reduction fund) and contributions to the Bermuda Trust Fund. The BDA's current summary no longer lists these public-fund options, so their availability under the June 2024 policy should be confirmed before you plan around them.

One threshold covers the family. **The BM$2.5 million does not increase with the number of dependants.**

### What does it cost beyond the investment?

The Department of Immigration's fee schedule, updated on 3 September 2026, lists **BM$2,755** for an economic investment certificate, and the same amount for other eligible persons and their spouses. You may still see an older figure of BM$2,625 quoted; that was the fee announced in 2021 and has been superseded by the current schedule. The schedule does not show a separate line for children, so whether dependent children attract their own fee is being confirmed.

Several costs sit outside the government fee and should be budgeted separately:

- **Property transaction costs** on the real estate route, including stamp duty and the licence required when a non-Bermudian buys property.
- **Legal and professional fees** for structuring the investment and preparing the application.
- **Running costs** of island life, which are high by international standards.

Our cost calculator on this page sets out the government fee alongside the investment so you can see the full figure for your family.

### Which requirements catch applicants out?

The headline number is simple. The conditions around it are where planning matters.

- **Physical presence.** The BDA states a minimum residence requirement of **90 days per year**. This is a real obligation, not a formality, and it should fit comfortably around your existing commitments before you apply.
- **The five-year hold.** The investment must be maintained for at least five years. Selling a property or exiting a business early, without replacing it with another qualifying investment, puts the certificate at risk.
- **Property rules for non-Bermudians.** Bermuda restricts which properties non-Bermudians may buy and requires a licence to do so. Not every property on the market is available to you, so confirm eligibility before you commit.
- **Good character and source of funds.** Applicants must be of good character, and the origin of the investment capital is examined as part of due diligence.
- **Family scope.** The BDA states that the holder's spouse and dependants, meaning **children under 18, or up to 25 if in full-time education**, may be included.

### Can the family work in Bermuda?

The investor receives automatic approval to work in connection with the qualifying investment, which is a meaningful advantage for anyone building or acquiring a business on the island. The same right does not extend to the family: **a spouse or dependant who wishes to work must apply under Bermuda's standard work permit policy.**

### How long does the process take?

The Government of Bermuda does not publish a processing time, and applications are handled confidentially. The practical sequence is an expression of interest through the BDA, preparation of the investment and supporting documents, submission to the Department of Immigration and, on approval, issue of the certificate in a wallet-size format to make re-entry to Bermuda straightforward. Timing depends largely on how quickly the investment itself is completed, particularly on the property route.

### How is an EIRC holder taxed?

The Government of Bermuda states plainly that **individuals in Bermuda do not pay personal income tax**, and there is no capital gains tax. That makes Bermuda attractive for preserving wealth, but it is not a tax-free jurisdiction in every sense. Government revenue comes from payroll tax (levied on employers, with a portion withheld from employees), land tax payable twice a year by homeowners and long-term tenants, customs duty on imported goods, and stamp duty. Your home country may also continue to tax you depending on your citizenship and where you are treated as resident. Take qualified advice in both jurisdictions before relying on any tax outcome.

### Does it lead to permanent residence or citizenship?

The Residential Certificate gives the holder, spouse and dependants the right to reside in Bermuda, and the Government describes that right as indefinite, conditional on the investment being maintained for the required period. What it does not do is lead to Bermudian status or citizenship. Bermudian status is tightly protected and is not acquired through this programme.

### Who does the programme suit, and who should look elsewhere?

The EIRC suits a family with substantial liquid wealth that genuinely wants to spend meaningful time in Bermuda: an entrepreneur ready to establish or buy a local business, a buyer who intends to own a premium island home, or a philanthropist who wants a lasting connection with the community. For these clients, the combination of no personal income tax, a stable British Overseas Territory and an English common-law system is compelling.

It suits less well anyone whose priority is visa-free travel or a second passport, anyone who cannot commit to around three months a year on the island, or anyone who needs the capital to be liquid within five years. If a passport is the goal, our [citizenship by investment overview](https://www.mirabelloconsultancy.com/best-citizenship-by-investment-programs) is the better starting point. If you are weighing Bermuda against other residence options, our [golden visa and residency comparison](https://www.mirabelloconsultancy.com/best-golden-visa-investment-programs) sets the alternatives side by side, including the [UAE Golden Visa](https://www.mirabelloconsultancy.com/immigration/united-arab-emirates-golden-visa) and [New Zealand's Active Investor Plus visa](https://www.mirabelloconsultancy.com/immigration/new-zealand-active-investor-plus).

Mirabello Consultancy helps families structure the qualifying investment, check property eligibility and prepare a clean, well-documented application. To discuss whether the Bermuda certificate fits your plans, [book a free, confidential consultation](https://www.mirabelloconsultancy.com/contact-us-for-your-free-consultation).

## How do you qualify for Bermuda Economic Investment Residential Certificate?

The Bermuda Economic Investment Residential Certificate programme offers 7 approved investment routes, each independently verified by the Mirabello data team against official government sources. Minimum required investment starts from $2,500,000. A Mirabello specialist will confirm which route best matches your nationality, family composition, budget and preferred timeline.

| Route | From | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Real Estate (Residential or Commercial) | **$2,500,000** | real estate |
| Contribution to the Bermuda Sinking Fund | **$2,500,000** | government fund |
| Contribution to the Bermuda Trust Fund | **$2,500,000** | government fund |
| Donation to a Bermuda-Registered Charity | **$2,500,000** | charity donation |
| Equity Investment in an Existing Bermuda-Based Business | **$2,500,000** | business |
| Launch a New Bermuda-Based Business | **$2,500,000** | business |
| Other Social or Useful Venture Benefiting Bermuda | **$2,500,000** | approved venture |

## How does Bermuda Economic Investment Residential Certificate rank among all programmes?

Bermuda Economic Investment Residential Certificate is scored by the Mirabello Investment Migration Index across seven dimensions: investment cost, visa-free mobility, processing speed, path to citizenship, regulatory stability, family inclusion and tax treatment. A higher composite score signals a more competitive, accessible and well-regulated programme.

Tracked but provisional pending verified data; excluded from the headline ranking.

**Our read:** Bermuda grants five-year renewable residency to non-Bermudians who invest and maintain BM$2.5m (US$2.5m) for five years across qualifying investments such as real estate, business or charity, with a 90-day-per-year presence requirement. No income or capital-gains tax. This is residency only, not Bermudian status or citizenship. Regulatory status: not listed on FATF, EU tax, US OFAC, or OECD CRS-risk lists. Strategic perspective, advisory only; figures provenance-tracked, unconfirmed items flagged for verification.

## How does Bermuda Economic Investment Residential Certificate compare to alternatives?

The table below compares Bermuda Economic Investment Residential Certificate against its closest alternatives, scored on the Mirabello Investment Migration Index across cost, visa-free mobility, processing speed, regulatory stability and path to citizenship. All investment figures and processing times are sourced from official government data and independently verified by the Mirabello data team.

| Programme | From | Timeline | Min. stay | Mobility | Outcome |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 🇧🇲 Bermuda Economic Investment Residential Certificate | **$2,500,000** | Varies | 90 days | Bermuda residence only | Residence permit |
| 🇨🇾 [Cyprus Permanent Residency](https://www.mirabelloconsultancy.com/immigration/cyprus-permanent-residency-by-investment) | **€300,000** | About 2 months | One visit every 2 years | EU member state | Residence permit |
| 🇲🇹 [Malta Global Residence Programme (GRP)](https://www.mirabelloconsultancy.com/immigration/malta-global-residency-programme) | **€220,000** | 3-6 months | None | Visa-free travel within Schengen Area | Residence permit |
| 🇲🇹 [Malta Permanent Residence (MPRP)](https://www.mirabelloconsultancy.com/immigration/residency-by-investment-in-malta) | **€99,000** | No official figure | None | Visa-free travel within Schengen Area | Residence permit |

## What are the most common questions about Bermuda Economic Investment Residential Certificate?

The questions below cover Bermuda Economic Investment Residential Certificate investment costs, processing timelines, eligibility and family inclusion, minimum-stay requirements, the path to citizenship and tax obligations. All figures are provenance-tracked against official sources; where a threshold is time-sensitive, the verified date is shown alongside the answer.

Figures verified against official sources, provenance-tracked, information, not advice · Last updated 2026-06-04

### How much do I need to invest for Bermuda residency?

The Bermuda Economic Investment Residential Certificate requires a qualifying investment of at least **BM$2,500,000**, equivalent to US$2.5 million because the Bermuda dollar is pegged one to one to the US dollar. The investment can go into real estate, a new or existing Bermuda business, a registered charity or another venture approved by the Minister, alone or in combination. It must be maintained for at least five years. One investment covers the whole family; the threshold does not rise with the number of dependants.

### Does the Bermuda EIRC give me citizenship or a passport?

No. The Economic Investment Residential Certificate grants **the right to reside in Bermuda, not citizenship**. It does not confer Bermudian status and does not lead to a Bermudian or British passport through the programme. Holders continue to travel on their existing passport, and the certificate does not change their visa-free access. Families whose priority is a second passport should consider a citizenship by investment programme instead.

### What is the government fee for the Bermuda Economic Investment Certificate?

The Department of Immigration's fee schedule, updated on 3 September 2026, lists **BM$2,755** for an economic investment certificate, with the same amount listed for other eligible persons and their spouses. An older figure of BM$2,625, announced in 2021, has been superseded. Whether dependent children attract a separate fee is not shown on the schedule and should be confirmed. Property transaction costs and professional fees are additional.

### How many days a year must I spend in Bermuda?

The Bermuda Business Development Agency states a minimum residence requirement of **90 days per year** for certificate holders. This is a genuine obligation, so it should fit around your business and family commitments before you apply. Anyone who cannot realistically spend around three months a year on the island should consider a residence programme with a lighter presence requirement.

### How long must the Bermuda investment be held?

The qualifying investment must be maintained for **at least five years**. Selling the property or exiting the business early, without replacing it with another qualifying investment of equal value, puts the certificate at risk. Capital that may be needed within five years should not be committed to this programme, and the chosen investment should be one you are comfortable holding for the full period.

### Can my family be included in the Bermuda certificate?

Yes. The holder's spouse and dependants may be included under a single **BM$2,500,000** investment. The Bermuda Business Development Agency defines dependants as children under 18, or up to 25 if in full-time education. Family members receive the right to reside, but not an automatic right to work: a spouse or dependant who wants to work must apply under Bermuda's standard work permit policy.

### Can I buy property in Bermuda to qualify?

Yes. Residential or commercial real estate is a qualifying category, and together with any other qualifying investments it must reach **BM$2,500,000**. Bermuda restricts which properties non-Bermudians may buy and requires a licence for the purchase, so not every property on the market is eligible. Stamp duty and licence costs are payable on top of the purchase price and are separate from the government certificate fee.

### Do Bermuda residents pay income tax?

The Government of Bermuda states that **individuals in Bermuda do not pay personal income tax**, and there is no capital gains tax. Bermuda is not tax-free in every sense, however: it levies payroll tax on employers (with a portion withheld from employees), land tax on homeowners and long-term tenants, customs duty on imports and stamp duty. Your home country may still tax you, so take advice in both jurisdictions.

### How long does a Bermuda EIRC application take?

The Government of Bermuda does not publish a processing time, and applications are handled confidentially. **No official timeline is published**, and in practice the pace depends largely on how quickly the qualifying investment is completed, particularly a property purchase. Applicants start with an expression of interest through the Bermuda Business Development Agency, then submit to the Department of Immigration. Approved holders receive a wallet-size certificate for re-entry.

### How do I start a Bermuda residency application with Mirabello Consultancy?

Start with a free, confidential consultation with Mirabello Consultancy at [/contact-us-for-your-free-consultation](https://www.mirabelloconsultancy.com/contact-us-for-your-free-consultation). We review your goals, your family's needs and your source of funds, confirm whether the **BM$2,500,000** Bermuda certificate is the right fit or whether another residence or citizenship programme serves you better, and then help structure the investment and prepare a complete, well-documented application.

## Still have a question?

Ask Mira, our AI guide for immigration and relocation. Mira answers questions on costs, timing, family members and alternatives from the same verified data as this page, in your language, and a Mirabello specialist confirms any specific case before you commit.

- [Bermuda Economic Investment Residential Certificate: what would it cost for my family?](https://www.mirabelloconsultancy.com/immigration-ai?q=Bermuda%20Economic%20Investment%20Residential%20Certificate%3A%20what%20would%20it%20cost%20for%20my%20family%3F&utm_source=ask_mira_band&utm_medium=programme_page&utm_content=cost)
- [Bermuda Economic Investment Residential Certificate: how long would it take for my nationality?](https://www.mirabelloconsultancy.com/immigration-ai?q=Bermuda%20Economic%20Investment%20Residential%20Certificate%3A%20how%20long%20would%20it%20take%20for%20my%20nationality%3F&utm_source=ask_mira_band&utm_medium=programme_page&utm_content=time)
- [Bermuda Economic Investment Residential Certificate: is it the right fit for me, and what are the alternatives?](https://www.mirabelloconsultancy.com/immigration-ai?q=Bermuda%20Economic%20Investment%20Residential%20Certificate%3A%20is%20it%20the%20right%20fit%20for%20me%2C%20and%20what%20are%20the%20alternatives%3F&utm_source=ask_mira_band&utm_medium=programme_page&utm_content=fit)

AI-generated general information, not legal or tax advice.

## How does Bermuda succession law affect your estate?

A residence permit in Bermuda does not change your nationality and adds no law you can elect under EU Regulation 650/2012 (Article 22). If you come to live in Bermuda, the law of Bermuda may govern your estate by default under Article 21, unless you elect the law of a nationality you already hold. The permit changes no tax position.

The law of Bermuda reserves no fixed share for family members, so an estate can generally be left as you choose, although dependants may still have claims.

[See the Bermuda position in our succession matrix](https://www.mirabelloconsultancy.com/which-law-governs-your-estate#j-BM), or read [which law governs your estate](https://www.mirabelloconsultancy.com/which-law-governs-your-estate). General information, not legal advice.

### Official references

The primary official sources the Bermuda Economic Investment Residential Certificate figures on this page are verified against. Where a mandatory fee is not in a published schedule, it is marked as disclosed by Mirabello from case experience.

- [www.gov.bm/articles/ministerial-statement-economic-investment-certificate](https://www.gov.bm/articles/ministerial-statement-economic-investment-certificate)
- [www.gov.bm/all-immigration-fees](https://www.gov.bm/all-immigration-fees)

High approval rate across 2,100+ cases, IMC member, ACAMS-certified leadership

## Is Bermuda Economic Investment Residential Certificate *right for you?*

Book a confidential, no-obligation consultation with a Mirabello investment migration specialist, in your own language. We will confirm which programme fits your profile, your budget and your timeline, and outline the precise path to your second citizenship or residence permit, at no cost and with no commitment.

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Source: Mirabello Consultancy, verified 2026-09-22, https://www.mirabelloconsultancy.com/immigration/bermuda-economic-investment-certificate
Free consultation: https://www.mirabelloconsultancy.com/contact-us-for-your-free-consultation
Machine-readable data: Mirabello MCP https://mcp.mirabelloconsultancy.com/v1/programmes/bermuda-rbi