Curaçao (CW)

Curaçao is a Dutch Caribbean island of approximately 160,000 people situated 65km north of Venezuela, outside the Atlantic hurricane belt.

Capital: Willemstad

Region: Americas

Language: Papiamentu

Currency: XCG (Cg)

Cost of living: Moderate (index 68)

Emergency: 911

Digital Services

Digital ID, e-government and essential apps in Curaçao.

E-Government Portal

https://www.gobiernu.cw

E-government in Curaçao is developing. Many processes still require in-person visits or physical document submission. Services are primarily informational. Belastingdienst Curaçao allows online tax filing at belastingdienst.cw.

Available services

Ministry and department informationBusiness registration forms (downloadable)Permit application forms (VVA, building permits)Tax forms and Belastingdienst Curaçao guidelinesImmigration (Immigratiedienst Curaçao) application informationSocial security (SVB) registration informationBirth and marriage certificate applications (initiatable online from 2026)Vehicle registration information (Verkeersdienst)Censo (civil registry) service information

Essential Apps

ExpatCheapRent

Free

Housing

Expat-focused cheap rental finder at expatcheaprent.com — compares listings across major rental portals to help newcomers find affordable apartments.

Scooploop

Free

Housing

Local classifieds and community notice board for Curaçao in English, Dutch and Papiamentu — the best source for long-term rentals and second-hand goods on the island.

Free

Communication

Primary communication platform for everything in Curaçao — businesses, landlords, taxis, doctors, government offices and contractors all use WhatsApp. Get a local (+5999) SIM on day one.

MCB Banking App

Free

Banking

Mobile banking for MCB (Maduro & Curiel's Bank) account holders — balance, transfers, bill payments and card management. The most popular local bank app.

RBC Royal Bank / Vidanova app

Free

Banking

Alternative banking apps for RBC Royal Bank Curaçao and Vidanova pension/bank customers — useful for account management and transfers.

Wise

Paid

Banking

International money transfer for converting ANG/USD/EUR — significantly cheaper than bank wire fees for sending or receiving money from abroad.

Google Maps

Free

Navigation

Works well across Curaçao for navigation — most roads are mapped and essential for exploring the island by car.

Waze

Free

Navigation

Alternative navigation app popular locally for real-time traffic in Willemstad.

Marktplaats

Free

Marketplace

Dutch-language classifieds used for second-hand buying and selling — popular in Curaçao for furniture, electronics and cars.

UTS Flow / Digicel app

Free

Telecom

Manage your mobile and home-internet account — UTS Flow and Digicel are the two main carriers with island-wide 4G LTE. 5G not deployed as of 2026.

Belastingdienst Curaçao online tax portal

Free

Tax

Online income tax filing and payment at belastingdienst.cw — required for employed and self-employed residents in Curaçao.

Netflix

Paid

Entertainment

Available in Curaçao with US/Caribbean library. Works well on local fibre internet (50–500 Mbps available in Willemstad). Use VPN to access Dutch/European libraries if needed.

Internet quality is good for the Caribbean — fibre available in most of Willemstad from Liberty Curaçao and Flow (UTS). 4G LTE island-wide. No government restrictions on VPNs or social media. WhatsApp is unrestricted and essential for daily life. Car rental or purchase is the practical transport option as there is no ride-hailing app operating island-wide.