WILLEMSTAD – Starting February 1, employers in Curaçao will be required to replace expatriates with local employees after a maximum of five years. This follows a ministerial regulation that amends the expat policy from 2013.
The measure aims to increase employment opportunities for residents registered in the Curaçao population register.
Since expertise is not always available locally, employers will be given a transition period of one year to find a replacement. The focus will remain on hiring individuals who are registered in the local population register.
Additionally, tax benefits for expatriates will be discontinued after five years, and work permit extensions will be limited. This move is intended to ensure that more specialized positions are filled by local workforce.