Do I need a Visa to visit the Dominican Republic?
No! Citizens of countries of the European Union and Citizens of the USA do not need a Visa. A passport, valid for at least 6 months is sufficient
- How long is the flight to the Dominican Republic?
Flights from the Dominican Republic are available from most major airports in Europe and the flight-time is about 9 hours.
How are the living costs in the Dominican Republic?
This is hard to say in general terms. The living costs in the Dominican Republic depend highly on your personal references. How often you go to restaurants, which standard of living you want to have and, most importantly, where you live. Living in towns is more expensive than in the countryside, in tourist areas more expensive than in non-tourist areas.
But overall: Life is cheaper than in Europe or the USA. For example: you get a hired help for about 250 Euro per month.
- Can I get a mortgage on a Dominican property?
Mortgages, loans are not really common in the Dominican Republic. Most real-estate deals are done in cash. However, the Banco Popular offers loans of up to 80 per cent of the value of the property.
- Do mobile phones work in the Dominican Republic?
Yes, it is no problem to use the phone from back home - but this could get very expensive. Better to buy a "Pay as you go" -Phone. The biggest providers are Orange and Verizon.
Are there Embassies?
Yes! Almost all countries have an embassy or a consulate in the Dominican Republic.
British Consulate - Calle Beller 51; Puerto Plata; Tel: (001 809) 5864244
Embassy of Germany - Alemania; Apartado 1235; Santo Domingo;
Tel: (001 809) 5658811
Embassy of Austria - Calle Las Amapolas 9; Ensanche Bella Vista; Santo Domingo;
Tel: (001809) 5080709
- What Facilities are available in the Dominican Republic?
Over the last few years, the living standard in the Dominican Republic improved drastically. In the tourist-areas you can expect almost all the same services as in any European country. Foreign schools are available, excellent Doctors and Dentists, speaking foreign languages, can be found almost everywhere.
Public transport between the bigger towns is done by Bus or Plane. Phone and Internet connections are available throughout the island.
What sports are offered in the Dominican Republic?
Facilities for almost all outdoor and water sports are available all over the island. Tennis, sailing, surfing, hiking, quad-driving, moto-cross, scuba diving and golf can be done all year round.
- Can I play Golf?
Yes, absolutely! More than 15 courses are already there and many more to come!
- When buying a property, do I need a lawyer?
We strongly(!) advise that you seek the service of an English speaking lawyer or solicitor!
- What taxes and fees do I need to pay when buying property?
Including all fees and the stamp duty, it is a total of 6 per cent.
- Who is buying which property in the Dominican Republic?
There are two kinds of buyers: For private use as a residence or a holiday home, or for investment. The investment buyers mainly are buying property associated to the travel and tourism industry, which means resort property and apartments.
For private use are bought residential properties like single family homes and apartments. It really gets more and more common for people from northern countries, to retire in the Dominican Republic.
- How does buying a property in the Dominican Republic work?
The buying process is quite uncomplicated:
The first step is a contract between the buyer and the seller. This defines exactly the property, the terms of payment, the method of payment, the buyer and the seller. This contract must be signed in front of a public notary.
Then the contract goes to the internal revenue office. They calculate the taxes, which have to be paid before the final conveyance of the contract.
When taxes are paid and all terms of the contract fulfilled, the contract and the title certificate are filed with the title registrar office and they will issue a new title deed.
If you did not find an answer to your specific question, -
Please do not hesitate to contact us at anytime!
