FROM taking a dip in crystal clear waters before work to enjoying fresh fish under the stars, a tropical island paradise is becoming increasingly popular with British expats.
With tax exemptions, plenty of and a seriously laid-back lifestyle on offer, The Sun reveals how a remote working visa is proving a popular gateway to a holiday hotspot famous for being the birthplace of a popular booze.
Polly Gould says she feels ‘extremely blessed’ every day to live on the island of BarbadosCredit: Supplied
Nicola and Richard Bebb bought a plantation house dating back to 1712 in the quiet residential area of St PhilipCredit: Supplied
Colourful houses on the tropical island of Barbados in the CaribbeanCredit: Getty
New Office for National Statistics figures showed that in the first half of last year, – 252,000 of them British nationals.
More than 25,000 expats have now made Barbados, the holiday island in the southeastern and birthplace of superstar , their home with its strong cultural ties with the UK.
It means an obsession with cricket, a love for afternoon tea and on the left can all be found here – not to mention English as an official language.
“The island is small and easy to get around and people are really friendly and welcoming,” says Nicola, who moved to Barbados two years ago.
“The weather is a constant 30C or thereabouts all year round, the white sand beaches and crystal clear aquamarine seas are stunning and it’s still possible to get off the beaten track, which we love.”
“Barbados gets under your skin, it’s the warmth the island gives and not just in sunshine and the Bajan people are wonderful,” agrees Polly.
“I live across the road from the beach and feel extremely blessed every day.”
Designed for digital nomads, Barbados’ Welcome Stamp is a 12-month, renewable remote work visa that allows non-nationals to live and work remotely in the country while remaining employed by companies based elsewhere.
An annual income of £36,000 is required plus a fee of £1,500 for individuals, with Welcome Stamp holders benefiting from complete exemption from Barbados when it comes to foreign-based income.
Polly, 53, swapped life on the for a beautiful rental beach cottage in Barbados thanks to the scheme, after the wiped out her travel back in the UK.
“In my heart Barbados always felt like home,” she says, of her long-term love for holidaying on the island.
“It was becoming harder to leave after each visit – every time I was at the departure lounge ready to fly back to the UK I would get that pit of the stomach sick feeling.”
Polly, 53, swapped life on the Isle of Wight for a beautiful rental beach cottage in BarbadosCredit: Supplied
Polly made the move after the pandemic wiped out her travel business back in the UKCredit: Supplied
The mum-of-two, who estimates you can get a nice one bedroom apartment in Barbados for £850 a month, is an award-winning Barbados travel agent who enjoys a perfect work-life balance on the island.
She enjoys a swim in the sea before starting work in the morning, joking: “I’ve always got my bikini on under my clothes”.
With exclusive resorts like the Sandy Lane Hotel and celebrities like and regularly holidaying in Barbados, it’s no surprise dining out can be pricey but our expats say affordable eating is possible.
“Once you know where to go you can get a fish cutter sandwich for around 18 Barbadian dollars, or BDS (£7),” says Polly, referring to the traditional island cuisine made with Bajan salt bread.
“In the evening you can pop to Oistins (Barbados’ smallest town known for its Friday night Fish Fry) for fish, salad and sides for 35 BDS (£14).”
Barbados offers an alternative lifestyle with its beautiful beaches, warm climate, and friendly locals
Nicola Bebb
Surfside Restaurant & Beach Bar has been described as the JD Wetherspoons of BarbadosCredit: Holetown Beach Barbados
Fisherman’s Pub, in Speightstown, BarbadosCredit: Fisherman's Pub/Facebook
The Coach House in St James is a favourite among British expats and touristsCredit: Barbados Beach House
For the Brits who want an affordable slice of home, Wetherspoons-styled gems can be found across the island.
While the iconic blue-and-white floral plates are missing, the no-frills, cheap food can still be found.
The Coach House in St James is a favourite among British expats and tourists, serving up crispy beer-battered fish and chips and hearty bangers and mash that would pass any pub-standard test back home.
While the Fisherman’s Pub in Speightstown offers budget-friendly prices a seaside spot where customers can pile their plate with Macaroni pie, flying fish, and rich beef stew.
A bottle of local Banks beer at the Fisherman’s is about as cheap as a pint in a North-East Spoons.
Surfside Restaurant & Beach Bar in Holetown also offers a traditional British menu with cheap pints and has been hailed online as the “JD Wetherspoons of Barbados”.
When it comes to groceries, Polly advises heading to cheaper supermarket chains including Jordans and Popular and avoiding imported goods.
“Property purchase is astronomical on the beach and up the west coast but cheaper inland,” adds Nicola.
“Public care is not to a great standard so we have invested in international private healthcare .
“The cost of electricity is about the same as the UK but we use solar power to heat water (there is plenty of that!) and obviously you don’t need heating.
“Some people use air conditioning which uses a lot of but we love the low hum of a ceiling fan and have an almost constant breeze coming through the property.
“The windows and doors in our house are designed to direct the cooling winds: genius.”
Nicola and Richard Bebb have 2.5 acres of tropical grounds and are surrounded by cane fieldsCredit: Supplied
The couple run holiday accommodation at their property and see themselves as ‘custodians’ of the homeCredit: Supplied
Barbados’ Welcome Stamp scheme has been extended until the end of the year and there are other routes for Brits, including a Special Entry and Residence Permit or SERP for high net worth individuals and retirees.
Citizenship is possible too, for people with long-term ties to the country or through investment.
Despite her Bajan ancestry and parents living on the island, Nicola says moving to Barbados after 20 years living in the West Country was never the plan but she “stumbled on an opportunity”.
“We fell in love with a historic property and the decision flowed from there,” she says, of buying a plantation house dating back to 1712 in the quiet residential area of St Philip with her husband Richard.
“We have 2.5 acres of tropical grounds and are surrounded by cane fields.
“My father was a sugar engineer as was his father so having a 17th century sugar mill in the grounds was a huge nod to my heritage.
The weather is a constant 30C or thereabouts all year round, the white sand beaches and crystal clear aquamarine seas are stunning and it’s still possible to get off the beaten track
Nicola Bebb
“We think of ourselves as the current custodians of this amazing property now and are keen to share it with others – we offer holiday accommodation .”
The couple, both 60, are entitled to apply for a SERP because of their investment in property in Barbados but because of Nicola’s heritage, they are hoping to become citizens.
And while she says life here isn’t for everyone, citing the “appalling traffic” and high , it certainly sounds like paradise.
“Barbados offers an alternative lifestyle with its beautiful beaches, warm climate, and friendly locals,” says the holiday home owner.
“It’s a great place to explore and it gives us easy access to the rest of this part of the world. We are living the dream.”
Polly Gould is an award-winning Barbados travel agent who enjoys a perfect work-life balance on the islandCredit: Supplied
Nicola and Richard Bebb are among thousands of Brits making the move to the Caribbean islandCredit: Supplied 
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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