Secure your financial assets as an expat in Belize

Hello everyone,

As we navigate the exciting world of living and working in Belize, it's essential to make informed decisions about our financial future.
We’d love to hear about the different investment options available for expats: how to invest in Belize or in your home country, explore international options or use online accounts.

To kick off the discussion, here are some guiding questions:

What are the investment opportunities as an expat in Belize? Are there any specific investment programs?

In your opinion, what are the advantages and disadvantages of investing internationally ? How is your experience with international investments?

What specific points should you consider regarding your investments as an expat (exchange rate management, international tax obligations or repatriation of funds)?

Do you use specialized banking services for expats, such as multi-currency accounts? What are the pros of these services and how do they help you with your finances?

How is the property market for expats? Are there any specific regulations or aspects we should be aware of when investing in real estate in Belize?

What strategies do you apply to save and invest for your financial future in Belize and/or to secure your children's financial future?

Thank you very much for sharing your experience with us!

Cheryl
Expat.com Team

[at]Cheryl I will reply to these 2 questions.

Q1) What are the investment opportunities as an expat in Belize? Are there any specific investment programs?

Q2) How is the property market for expats? Are there any specific regulations or aspects we should be aware of when investing in real estate in Belize?

A1) Use cash, buy land/properties.

A2) Use an attorney to do what passes for a title search in Belize, so you make sure the person you are buying from is the only one with clear title to the property. Remember in Belize relators are not licensed, anyone can call themselves a relator. Attorney's are licensed so have something to loose if they lie to you. Spend time in Belize actually looking around and talking to locals.

[at]Cheryl I would not trust the banks because we lost $18,000 due to Atlantic Bank Offshore Accounts going bankrupt and making it extremely hard to collect the money we had in the bank.  It's been 3 years and still haven't recovered the funds and probably never will.  I would highly suggest Key Bank International in San Pedro which is run by Americans and my friend Kenny is a member of the Board. and he's on the up and up, so I trust his suggestions, and will most likely be the best option for us. Also, we are running an Airbnb and they tell you that you must be with The Belize Bank or Central Bank to start the business. Having said that, I will open a small account for our Airbnb to deposit money from the tourists, but that's it.

[at]Pamelaannkatz27

Thank you.

[at]Pamelaannkatz27

That was a separate Bank.

Atlantic International Bank Ltd. There was long drawn-out processes and forms to fill out in a timely manor to recover funds. I know folks that acted quickly that got back over half of their funds. I had only a few hundred in it at the time, and it was not worth a trip back to Belize to file my claim, so just kissed it off.

https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/pr … assistance

[at]Pamelaannkatz27

Also Central Bank is not a bank for people or business, it is the Bank that manages the activates and conduct of all Belize banks.

[at]Aerodex I know that...it was an offshore account and we did fill out all the forms and got NOTHING!

[at]Aerodex I know that too. I went there to meet with a man, whom I won't mention his name here, to help us to find the man that had control over the settlement and recover our money. BTW, I am not done yet.

[at]Aerodex that's not even right that they gave back half of their OWN money when their money is worth half of what ours is worth.  Some places won't even take the American dollar over there anymore. True story and btw, you should read my post again ...I said OFFSHORE acct. that translates into international.

[at]Pamelaannkatz27 lOl, you are the funniest. At first I thought you were serious....good one, almost had me fooled 🤣

[at]Aerodex that's not even right that they gave back half of their OWN money when their money is worth half of what ours is worth. Some places won't even take the American dollar over there anymore. True story and btw, you should read my post again ...I said OFFSHORE acct. that translates into international.
-[at]Pamelaannkatz27

🙃😭🤣😁Ok, still funny but not as funny as your previous jokes.