Antigua & Barbuda vs Ecuador: which nomad visa wins?
Ecuador is easier to qualify for, Ecuador is lighter on tax, and Ecuadoris cheaper day to day. Here's the full breakdown — then model it with your own income.
Updated November 2026 · figures in USD for a single applicant.
| Metric | 🇦🇬 Antigua & Barbuda | 🇪🇨 Ecuador |
|---|---|---|
| Income needed (single) | $4,167/mo | $1,446/mo |
| Tax on foreign income | 0% | 0% |
| Special tax regime | — | — |
| Path to citizenship | No residency path | Citizenship in 3y |
| Comfortable budget (solo) | $2,990/mo | $1,266/mo |
| Visa length | 2 years | 2 years |
| Safety index | 70/100 | 48/100 |
| Internet | 60 Mbps | 70 Mbps |
| English | Very high | Low |
| Region | Caribbean | Americas |
See it with your numbers
Set your household, how you earn and your income — both countries recompute live.
Optional — unlocks age- and savings-gated visas (retirement, youth-mobility, golden visas).
Live — adjust who's going, how you earn and your income above and both columns update.
Effective tax at different incomes
Approximate all-in rate for a solo employee who becomes tax-resident.
| Monthly income | 🇦🇬 Antigua & Barbuda | 🇪🇨 Ecuador |
|---|---|---|
| $3,000/mo | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| $6,000/mo | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| $12,000/mo | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Choose 🇦🇬 Antigua & Barbuda if…
The Nomad Digital Residence has been discontinued since November 2025 — this entry is kept for reference, but there is currently no digital-nomad visa route into Antigua & Barbuda.
- No personal income tax of any kind, for anyone who does qualify to live there.
- English-speaking with idyllic beaches.
Choose 🇪🇨 Ecuador if…
Dollar-cheap Andean living with a fast residency clock — Ecuador rewards the cost-focused nomad willing to weigh recent security concerns.
- Dollarised — zero currency risk, ultra-low costs.
- Quick route to permanent residency and citizenship.
- Cuenca's spring climate and expat-friendly scene.
Want the numbers for your income and family, with more countries?
Antigua & Barbuda vs Ecuador: FAQ
Is Antigua & Barbuda or Ecuador better for digital nomads?
Ecuador has the lower income bar, Ecuador taxes foreign income more lightly, and Ecuador is cheaper to live in. Ecuador offers the faster route to citizenship.
How much income do you need for Antigua & Barbuda vs Ecuador?
Antigua & Barbuda requires about $4,167/mo for a single applicant; Ecuador requires about $1,446/mo.
Do digital nomads pay tax in Antigua & Barbuda or Ecuador?
Antigua & Barbuda: Antigua & Barbuda levies no personal income tax whatsoever. — Ecuador: Dollarised. Ecuador taxes residents on worldwide income, but a special 5-year temporary-tax-residency regime (since 2024) taxes only Ecuadorian-source income. It isn't automatic: within 120 days of entry you must elect it by either investing ≥$150,000 and staying 5 years, or proving non-Ecuadorian income of ≥$2,500/month while affiliating with IESS (social security) — so a nomad's foreign income is untaxed only after making that election.
Figures are 2026 planning estimates in USD for a single applicant. Confirm details on each country's official source before applying.