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Retire in Dominican Republic: To Be or Not to Be?
I don't need to write to anyone. I already know the answer............
I have great respect for Senor Guzman; he truly is an expert on Dominican law and the Dominican constitution. As far as quotes for residency and citizenship I was given accurate quotes from Guzman & Associates but my wife said she could handle everything required and she did.
I agree that lawyers may have an interest in selling Residency services. But I used two different lawyers for Residency - one when I got my first Temporary and one when I got my first "Permanent". I wouldn't have used either of them if they hadn't given me a price first.
Wind guy really you wen twith the opinion of a money hungry lawyer...
duh what do you think they are going to tell you? its legal... WOW I'm surpirsed at you
Guzman Ariza is a good firm. There can be some good reasons to have residency. I think it depends on your ties to the country making things more practical and protecting you. Property, business and work activities and family ties maybe.
When I inquired to the law firm of Guzman Ariza about obtaining residency they gave me a written quote and stuck to that price to the peso,no merry go round with them.
Likewise experience them with a recent real estate purchase.
I don't blame you, but that has nothing to do with this thread and discussions of how to retire here legally or how to perhaps just stay as an illegal alien.
I'm not sure where you got these figures about the average cost of a on bedroom apartment in the US being $1376 a month. TryHow to Retire in the Dominican Republic - SmartAsset
If you want to retire in the Dominican Republic, you may want to understand the cost of living, taxes, and visa requirements.smartasset.com
How to Retire in the Dominican Republic
Ashley Kilroy Mar 17, 2022
Do you dream of spending your retirement on a sunny Caribbean beach with a cool drink in hand? There are many alternatives, but one that you may want to consider is the Dominican Republic. From affordable housing to adventurous activities, this Caribbean island nation seems to have something for every retiree. Additionally, their expat laws favor Americans looking to retire there. Retiring abroad can help you extend your retirement savings, and a financial advisor can help you stretch your nest egg further.
Cost of Living and Housing in the Dominican Republic
Overall, the cost of living in the Dominican Republic is about 40% lower than in the U.S., according to March 2022 data from Numbeo. The average American earns about $1,650 per month in Social Security retirement benefits. This means that retirees who move to the Dominican Republic should have no trouble making ends meet.
Housing in the Dominican Republic is very affordable. For example, the average cost of a one-bedroom apartment in a city center in the U.S. costs $1,376 per month, but only costs $400 per month in the Dominican Republic. If you prefer to purchase an apartment or home there, the average cost per square foot of an apartment in a city center in the U.S. is $330, but in the Dominican Republic is $120. If you want to live even more frugally, you can purchase or rent a home outside of the city center or a bit farther from the beach.
Safety in the Dominican Republic
While the Dominican Republic is a beautiful place to retire, there are many safety concerns in the country, according to the U.S. Department of State. Violent crime, armed robbery, homicide and sexual assault are a concern throughout the country. Widely available firearms, drug trading and a flawed criminal justice system all contribute to the danger.
The development of a professional tourist police corps, institution of a 911 system in many parts of the country and a concentration of resources in resort areas means these tend to be better policed than urban areas like Santo Domingo, the State Department says.
So, if safety is a top priority for you heading into retirement, the country’s criminal activity should give you pause.
Getting a Visa in the Dominican Republic
If you want to retire in the Dominican Republic, you will need to get a visa to stay in the country. Fortunately, it is relatively quick and easy to get a retirement visa. The Dominican Republic offers a pensionado, or a retirement visa. You can enter the Dominican Republic on a standard tourist visa, then apply for a retirement visa while in the country. The process can take several months, and many people recommend hiring a local lawyer to help you get all your paperwork in order.
You will need to show proof that you have an income of at least $1,500 per month and other documents, including your birth certificate and a background check.
Healthcare in the Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic has a three-tier healthcare system. The first tier, which is paid by the government, guarantees free, socialized healthcare for citizens. However, most people end up paying out-of-pocket for medical supplies and various services regardless of which tier they have access to.
The second tier, known as the contributive tier, is paid for by employers and their employees. The third tier of healthcare, known as the contributive subsidized tier, is paid for by people whose income is greater than the national average and is also subsidized somewhat by the government. Expats can expect to fall into this third category and will need to purchase private healthcare insurance. Although this is an additional expense, it costs less to see a doctor and receive treatment in a private hospital in the Dominican Republic than in the U.S. International health insurance may cost up to $200 per month and covers most procedures and emergencies, and even some prescriptions.
Taxes in the Dominican Republic
If you plan to earn an income in the Dominican Republic, it is subject to tax. Anyone who spends more than 182 days per year in the country is considered a resident.
Social Security and pension benefits are not taxable in the Dominican Republic. However, all residents and taxpayers must pay tax on income from financial investments such as stocks and bonds, certificates of deposits and more.
There is no tax treaty between the U.S. and the Dominican Republic, so some people may owe taxes in both countries in some circumstances. Work closely with your financial advisor to understand what the tax implications are of you taking up residence in the Dominican Republic.
$ 1600 $1700 a month. or $2500 + in New York. I tried looking in Sosua/Cabarete ,which is touristy. It was not cheap IF you could find a place at all
It seems quite a good time to reflect on my semi retirement and then retirement here in the DR especially in relation to the factors mentioned in the article. It is more than 30 years ago when I first arrived in the DR and it was a far different country than it is now.
I think the first thing is never to leave the retirement plans too late, because the older you are the greater is the difficulty of fitting in and secondly find a place that will permit you to have an active life to do the things that you like doing. More than 30 years ago I was happily married and in good health and played a lot of sport and enjoyed the theatre and I have to say that I did not pay much attention to things like taxes and hospitals ,visas nor public transport. The greatest attraction was the relaxed atmosphere, the low cost of homes and the availability of staff for the house and garden. I looked at various alternative countries, the former British and French colonies in the Caribbean and Colombia and Costa Rica as well as Capetown in South Africa , Phuket in Thailand and Australia and New Zealand. I was fluent in English and French but not Spanish . By a process of elimination, my wife and I came to the DR to lead a new Latino life. Now more than 90% of my friends here are Dominicans.
Now, the cost of good housing is not that cheap, the cost of good food is not cheap , the standard of medical care is not particularly high but I can still employ a gardener, a cook and a housekeeper without breaking the bank . My major concern is my personal safety and I am disappointed that the DR has not matured over the last thirty years very much.
Where are the alternative places to retire if a person is not from North America. I think that the Atlantic cities of Brazil and Uruguay are excellent Latin places and then the three south western counties of Cornwall, Dorset and Devon are attractive propositions and possibly Bogota .
I think the first thing is never to leave the retirement plans too late, because the older you are the greater is the difficulty of fitting in and secondly find a place that will permit you to have an active life to do the things that you like doing. More than 30 years ago I was happily married and in good health and played a lot of sport and enjoyed the theatre and I have to say that I did not pay much attention to things like taxes and hospitals ,visas nor public transport. The greatest attraction was the relaxed atmosphere, the low cost of homes and the availability of staff for the house and garden. I looked at various alternative countries, the former British and French colonies in the Caribbean and Colombia and Costa Rica as well as Capetown in South Africa , Phuket in Thailand and Australia and New Zealand. I was fluent in English and French but not Spanish . By a process of elimination, my wife and I came to the DR to lead a new Latino life. Now more than 90% of my friends here are Dominicans.
Now, the cost of good housing is not that cheap, the cost of good food is not cheap , the standard of medical care is not particularly high but I can still employ a gardener, a cook and a housekeeper without breaking the bank . My major concern is my personal safety and I am disappointed that the DR has not matured over the last thirty years very much.
Where are the alternative places to retire if a person is not from North America. I think that the Atlantic cities of Brazil and Uruguay are excellent Latin places and then the three south western counties of Cornwall, Dorset and Devon are attractive propositions and possibly Bogota .
Took me about 1 month to gather all documents, another month to get all translations, 2 weeks to get the Visa from the Dominican consulate in Toronto, which also provided some of the tenslations for a decent price, this was back in 2012. Process was a little different back then. I then took my documents to several places in Santo Domingo, submitted them and waited about 4 months to get my call to get my first cedula and temp residency card.
He got the opinion of a well respected and knowledgeable lawyer. All lawyers like money, I bet you like money as well
I like money yes but im not a thief and have morals....keep trying Bob