Vanuatu
Pacific archipelago offering citizenship by investment and zero income tax
63/100 FutureLife Score #109 FutureLife Index 2026
63/100
FutureLife Score
#109
FutureLife Index 2026
Save to board
$1,600
Comfortable/mo
7.5/10
Safety
5.5/10
Healthcare
#58
Happiness rank
Key Scores
63/100
Higher = better
Future Life Score
7.5/10
Safety Index
5.5/10
Healthcare
#58
Lower = happier
Happiness Rank
Why people move to Vanuatu
+Fastest citizenship by investment in the world (30-60 days)
+Zero income, capital gains, or inheritance tax
+80+ islands of volcanic landscapes
+One of the strongest passports from CBI
+Bungee jumping birthplace - extreme adventure
Citizenship by InvestmentNo Income TaxPacific Island
Culture & context
Pacific archipelago of 80 islands - Melanesian + ni-Vanuatu cultures, English + French + Bislama, kastom traditions deeply alive.
People, religion & languages
Population
~330K
26% urban
Languages
Bislama, English, French (all official)
Also: ~110 indigenous languages
Day-to-day English
Moderate in tourism and business.
Religion
Christian-majority; kastom (traditional) spirituality persists strongly.
Protestant
70%
Catholic
12%
Traditional/Other
18%
Culture & etiquette
What locals value and what to watch for
Kastom (traditional ways)Family/clanKavaPacific identityVolcanic respect
Do
- Drink kava in the nakamal (kava bar)
- Respect village kastom rules
Avoid
- Disrespecting tribal customs or chiefs
- Photographing without permission
Pace of life
Very slow ('island time').
Expat-friendliness
Welcoming; small expat community.
Holidays & food culture
Lap-lap (national dish - root vegetables wrapped in leaves, cooked underground).
Lap-lapTulukCoconut crabYam
Mealtimes
Lunch 12:30–14:00, dinner 19:00–20:30.
Dietary norms
Seafood + root vegetables.
Major holidays
July 30
Independence Day
October 5
Constitution Day
July 24
Children's Day
December 25
Christmas
Work culture & business norms
Working weekMonday–Friday
Hours07:30–16:30.
HierarchyHierarchical (chief structure).
PunctualityFlexible.
Meeting stylePersonal first.
Business attireSmart casual.
Monthly cost snapshot
Comfortable lifestyle$1,600/mo
Semi-Luxury lifestyle$2,800/mo
Luxury lifestyle$5,700/mo
Single person, before income tax
AI affordability check
At $4,000/month remote income you'd have $2,400 surplus after budget-tier costs - saving 60% of your income.
Quick facts
LanguageBislama / English
CurrencyVUV
Internet15 Mbps avg
EnglishModerate
Future Life Score63/100
Future Life Rank#109
PR pathModerate
CitizenshipNo clear path
Passport rank#80
Visa-free80 countries
Income tax30% top rate
VAT20%
CapitalPort Vila
Best airportsVLI (Port Vila)
Coastline2,528 km Pacific
Population~330K
Avg temp27°C / 81°F
Visa options
Development Support Program (CBI)Easy
Tourist VisaEasy
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