Retire in the Dominican Republic
To retire in the Dominican Republic most people use pensionado residence: a pension of at least $1,500 a month, plus $250 per dependant, with tax breaks under Law 171-07. Prices run at about 38% of the US.
What it takes, what it costs, and where retirees settle, from the Dominican Republic's law and official data. Checked on Oct 8, 2026.
- Retiree visa
- From $1,500/mo A pension or retirement income paid by a government, official body or private company of f…. Law 171-07; Migration Directorate; Foreign Ministry. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
- Price level
- ~38% of the US Household consumption, 2025. World Bank. Checked Oct 7, 2026.
- Tax on a foreign pension
- 0% Foreign pensions are not taxed. PwC Tax Summaries; Law 171-07; DGII ruling. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
- Travel advisory
- Level 2 of 4 Exercise Increased Caution. US State Department. Updated Jun 11, 2025.
- Health spending
- $489/person Per year; US $13,473. World Bank. Checked Oct 7, 2026.
- US tax treaty
- None No income tax treaty with the US. IRS. Checked Oct 7, 2026.
Do you qualify?
Pensionado residence is for anyone with a pension of at least $1,500 a month from a foreign government, official body or private company, plus $250 a month for each dependant. It starts as a one-year residence and comes with the tax breaks of Law 171-07.
Pensionado visa: documents and feesRetiring in the Dominican Republic, topic by topic
Visa
Pensionado visa requirements
Documents, government fees and the other routes to residency.
Healthcare
Healthcare for retirees
The hospitals retirees use, what insurance covers, and Medicare abroad.
Money
Banking, pensions and tax
How US, UK and Canadian pensions reach a local bank, and what you report at home.
Budget
Cost of living
Official prices and a budget built from your own rent.
What it costs
Household prices in the Dominican Republic run at about 38% of US levels. Rent is the line nobody publishes officially, so the cost of living page builds your budget from your own rent.
Build your budgetOfficial family basket, all essentials, per household, August 2026
Central Bank. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
Where retirees settle
Santo Domingo
- Capital, about 2.2 million people (2025)
- On the Caribbean Sea, 14 m above sea level
- CEDIMAT and Hospiten Santo Domingo
Punta Cana
- La Altagracia Province, about 139,000 people (2022)
- 28 m above sea level
- Hospiten Bávaro
Sosúa
- Puerto Plata Province
- About 49,600 people (2010)
Las Terrenas
- Samaná Province, about 18,800 people (2010)
- 17 m above sea level
Wikidata; CEDIMAT; Hospiten. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
Dominican Republic compared
More guides on the Dominican Republic
Visiting the Dominican Republic first
Most people spend a few weeks in the Dominican Republic before they apply for anything. Two things to sort out for that trip:
Kiwi.com
Flights to the Dominican Republic
Compare routes and dates before a scouting trip.
Airalo
eSIM for the Dominican Republic
Mobile data from the day you land, without a local SIM.
Partner links: we may earn a commission if you book, at no cost to you. How this works.
Retiring in the Dominican Republic: questions
Can I retire in the Dominican Republic on Social Security alone?
Yes, if it pays at least $1,500 a month: a state pension paid for life meets the Pensionado rule. A comfortable life usually needs more; build a budget from your own rent on the cost of living page.
Is the Dominican Republic safe for retirees?
The US State Department rates the Dominican Republic Level 2, exercise increased caution.
Do I pay tax in the Dominican Republic on my pension?
No. Income from abroad is generally not taxed in the Dominican Republic, and Law 171-07 exempts from income tax the pension you declare for pensionado residence. Wages earned in the country are taxed. US citizens still file a US return.
How do I retire in the Dominican Republic?
Most retirees use pensionado residence under Law 171-07: a pension of at least $1,500 a month, plus $250 per dependant, a $200 residence visa from a Dominican consulate, then RD$38,600 in Migration Directorate fees. It comes with tax breaks on imports, property and dividends.
Where do retirees live in the Dominican Republic?
Many settle in Santo Domingo, the capital on the Caribbean Sea; Punta Cana in the east; Sosúa in Puerto Plata Province; and Las Terrenas in Samaná Province.
What tax breaks do retirees get in the Dominican Republic?
Under Law 171-07, pensionados pay no income tax on the pension they declare, no import duty on household goods, no transfer tax on their first property, and half the property tax and mortgage taxes while their residence permit is valid.
