Moving to Palau from Barbados

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What to Expect

Everything you need to know before relocating from Barbados to Palau — costs, safety, healthcare, and practical first steps.

If you moved from Barbados to Palau. You’ll also switch from driving on the left to the right.

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Key Indicator Comparison

Key indicators for anyone considering a move from Barbados to Palau.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

per 100,000 people per year

BB
15.3
PW
11.2
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

BB
10.0
PW
22.2

Barbados generally does better on safety, though Palau leads in homicide rate.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

BB
$1,153
PW
$1,857
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

BB
29.7
PW
17.8

Barbados performs better than Palau across all health & wellbeing metrics.

What about the environment?

CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

BB
2.5t
PW
82.8t

Barbados performs better than Palau across all environment metrics.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

BB
37.6
PW
6.9

Barbados performs better than Palau across all infrastructure metrics.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

BB
8.0%
PW
1.7%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

BB
$17,400
PW
$15,800

Barbados generally does better on employment & economy, though Palau leads in unemployment rate.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

BB
78.5 yrs
PW
74.6 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

BB
9.6
PW
11.3

Barbados generally does better on family life, though Palau leads in education spending.

Data: The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Barbados and Palau. To live, work, or study long-term in Palau, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Palau's immigration authority.

Barbados passport

Barbados passport holder visiting Palau

Visa on Arrival
Barbados passport holders can obtain a visa on arrival in Palau.
Palau passport

Palau passport holder visiting Barbados

Visa Free
Palau passport holders can enter Barbados without a visa.

Data: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Palau?

Internet is rarely the blocker — Palau has 6.9 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people. The real questions are legal: digital nomad visa eligibility, your employer's overseas-work policy, and tax residency in both countries.

Is Palau safe for expats?

Barbados generally does better on safety, though Palau leads in homicide rate. The homicide rate in Palau is 11.2 per 100,000 people, compared to 15.3 in Barbados.

How is healthcare in Palau compared to Barbados?

Barbados performs better than Palau across all health & wellbeing metrics. There are 17.8 doctors per 10,000 people in Palau, compared to 29.7 in Barbados. Palau scores 65 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Barbados: 77).

What language do they speak in Palau?

The official languages in Palau are English and Palauan. In Barbados, the official language is English.

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At a Glance

BB PW
Population 302,674 21,695
Currency Barbadian Dollar (BBD) United States Dollar ($)
Languages English English, Palauan
Driving side Left Right
Calling code +1246 +680
Time zones 1 1