British Virgin Islands

The British Virgin Islands are a group of over 50 beautiful islands in the Eastern Caribbean, located some 60 miles east of Puerto Rico, and are a British Overseas Territory. The islands are natural, unspoilt and rugged, offering spectacular hillside views across to each other as well as the nearby US Virgin Islands.

The islands are multicultural, with many different nationalities from all over the world living and working there. Approximately half of the population is native to the BVI, with the remainder being expats.

The largest island is Tortola, which is the focus of the financial services industry and home for all the law firms, accountancy firms and fiduciary service providers. Road Town, the capital and administrative centre of the BVI, is located on the south coast of the island. Tortola is some 12 miles long and 3 miles wide and has a population of approximately 25,000. Consequently, virtually anywhere on Tortola is within 10 minutes’ drive of a good beach.

The British Virgin Islands have an enviable climate, with between seven and nine hours of sunshine per day, average daily high temperatures of 27C - 30C and average daily low temperature of 23C - 26C.

There are direct flights to Miami (3 hours), Puerto Rico (45 minutes), the Dominican Republic (1.5 hours) and various other nearby Caribbean islands. Flights to London connect via Miami, Antigua or Barbados.

The main pillars of the BVI economy are the financial services sector and tourism, both of which make the BVI a flourishing economy within the Caribbean and with one of the highest standards of living.

BVI is one of the world’s largest centres for the incorporation of companies, especially those created to facilitate cross-border trade and investment. There are approximately 417,000 active BVI Business Companies, with approximately two-fifths of these businesses originating in Asia. The assets held by these vehicles have an estimated worldwide value of USD1.5trillion or approximately two per cent of global gross domestic product.

The BVI is the jurisdiction of choice for many of the world’s key developing markets, with investment from South West Asia, the Indian subcontinent, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa often being structured through BVI vehicles.

To expand its financial services sector, the BVI is developing an International Arbitration Centre, positioning itself as a premier destination for international dispute resolution. The BVI Arbitration Centre was the first international arbitration centre in the Caribbean, with a mission to become the leading arbitration provider for the Caribbean and the Americas.

The currency is the US dollar. The BVI is a low-tax jurisdiction, with employee payroll tax at 8%, of which the first USD10K is exempt.

There are numerous national parks with stunning scenery and tranquil beaches, lush mountains and sheltered coves and the BVI have become known as the sailing capital of the world, with calm turquoise waters and gentle trade winds making conditions ideal. As well as sailing, other activities on offer include diving and snorkelling, fishing, windsurfing and kiteboarding. On land, there are numerous sporting and social opportunities including football, rugby, cricket, running, cycling, bars and restaurants.

BVI social life revolves around marinas, beach bars, and a few Road Town establishments. Soggy Dollar Bar at White Bay remains an institution where sailboats anchor offshore and customers paddle to the bar, soaking their dollars in the process.

On Tortola, Pusser's Road Town Pub attracts regulars and expats with its house rum cocktails and authentic maritime atmosphere. Nanny Cay and Soper's Hole marinas regularly host social events, regattas, and barbecue evenings gathering the sailing community. For livelier evenings, Quito's Gazebo at Cane Garden Bay offers live music several times weekly.

The annual calendar features major sailing events that set the rhythm of local life. The BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival in March/April attracts hundreds of sailboats and thousands of visitors for a week of racing, parties, and nautical celebrations. Foxy's Wooden Boat Regatta on Jost Van Dyke in May celebrates traditional wooden boats with races, contests, and a unique festive atmosphere.

The Full Moon Party organized monthly by Foxy's Bar draws partygoers from across the archipelago for a memorable evening under the stars. These events provide excellent opportunities to integrate into the local community and experience the convivial spirit characterizing the British Virgin Islands.

The BVI healthcare system combines basic public coverage through National Health Insurance (NHI)with a developing private sector. NHI has operated since 2016, automatically covering all residents contributing to the social system.

This public scheme covers GP and specialist consultations, hospitalizations, laboratory tests and medical imaging, plus prescription medications from a defined list. Emergency services and maternity care also fall under NHI coverage.

Peebles Hospital in Road Town serves as the territory's main public healthcare facility. This 40-bed hospital offers 24/7 emergency services, general medicine department, intensive care unit, surgery and obstetrics services, plus laboratory and radiology. The facility employs approximately 200 healthcare professionals and handles over 7,000 annual admissions. Patients requiring specialized interventions or advanced treatments are transferred to Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, or the United States.

Most expats subscribe to international private health insurance. These policies offer broader coverage including access to local private clinics, transfer to specialized centres, overseas treatment reimbursement, plus dental and optical services typically excluded from NHI.

Several private clinics supplement healthcare offerings in the territory.

Expats concentrate primarily in a few areas around Tortola.

Road Town and immediate surroundings offer proximity to shops, services, and employers, though the urban environment is less attractive for families.

Nanny Cay and Soper's Hole appeal to sailing enthusiasts with their marinas and sailing-oriented communities.

Tortola's north coast, notably Cane Garden Bay and Carrot Bay, attracts those seeking quieter beach settings while accepting longer commutes to Road Town.

You will need to be able to drive, failing which you will be reliant on lifts from friends and colleagues, as there is no public bus system.