We help you find a place that feels like home in Curaçao.

Your nationality and the reason you're moving decide which route applies — Dutch nationals typically use Declaration Van Rechtswege, EU/EEA nationals don't get automatic entry, and most other nationalities go through a residence-permit route tied to work, family, retirement or study. Routes can take months, so start early: gather passports, birth/civil-status documents, good-conduct certificates and income evidence while you're still in your current country, apostille or legalise anything that needs it, and carry the originals in your hand luggage rather than your shipping container.

Proper Curaçao focuses specifically on the home-search part of your relocation: understanding which areas fit your lifestyle, finding suitable long-term rentals, creating a shortlist, communicating with owners/agents, arranging or attending viewings, showing you the property and surroundings remotely, and helping coordinate the process of securing the rental.

If you're moving with children, treat school and housing as one decision — confirm language, curriculum and availability, then test the school run from any home you're seriously considering before you sign. You can start researching and preparing a Curaçao bank account before arrival, but the bank still completes its own identification/KYC process, so have your passport, address, income and tax-residency information ready (U.S. nationals should expect banks to ask for FATCA details too). In the final weeks, line up the practical basics: keys and handover arranged, airport transport, a temporary SIM, and your original documents packed in your hand luggage rather than checked.

Once your residence status is confirmed, most newcomers register in Curaçao's population register at Kranshi — bring your residence decision, passport documentation and proof of your Curaçao address (your rental agreement usually covers this). After population registration, you can apply for your sédula (Curaçao's local identity card) and check whether you need a CRIB taxpayer number through the Tax Department.

In your first week or two, set up phone, home internet, water and electricity — confirm exact-address availability, whose name each account is in, and how bills will reach you, and compare the meter readings against your move-in photos. Don't assume every newcomer has the same health-insurance route: keep existing or international cover until your new coverage is confirmed active, then find a nearby GP, pharmacy and dentist. Driving-licence exchange and vehicle purchase depend on where you're from and your residence status — most newcomers rent a car for the first few weeks while they work that out.