Moving to Barbados from Canada

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What to Expect

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

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

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Who Else Is Making This Move?

How many people actually move from Canada to Barbados, based on official data.

Living there in 2020
695 ↑ 1% vs 2015

people born in Canada live in Barbados · UN DESA

Who's moving to Barbados?

Top countries of origin for Barbados's foreign-born residents.

Foreign-born population · UN DESA (2020)

Key Indicator Comparison

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

Is it safe?

Homicide rate World Bank, 2023

per 100,000 people per year

CA
2.0
BB
7.4
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

CA
4.7
BB
10.0

Canada performs better than Barbados across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2024

annual government + private spending per person

CA
$7,646
BB
$1,153
Doctors per 10,000 people World Bank, 2023

affects wait times and access to care

CA
28.2
BB
29.6

Barbados generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Canada leads in health coverage index.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

CA
8.0
BB
19.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

CA
14.0t
BB
2.5t

Canada generally does better on environment, though Barbados leads in co₂ emissions per capita.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people World Bank, 2024

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

CA
42.5
BB
37.5
Water stress level World Bank, 2022

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

CA
3.7%
BB
87.5%

Canada performs better than Barbados across all infrastructure metrics.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate World Bank, 2025

percentage of the labour force without work

CA
6.9%
BB
6.5%
GDP per capita World Bank, 2025

a broad measure of economic output per person

CA
$55,698
BB
$28,365

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

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy World Bank, 2024

average years of life at birth

CA
82.1 yrs
BB
76.3 yrs
Infant mortality World Bank, 2024

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

CA
4.7
BB
9.1

Canada performs better than Barbados across all family life metrics.

Sources: World Bank (2016–2025), United Nations SDG Indicators (2019–2021), World Health Organization (2024), Canada Revenue Agency (2016), Ministry of Finance, Barbados (2016), The World Factbook (2008). How we calculate this

Visitor Visa Requirements

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

Canada passport

Canada passport holder visiting Barbados

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

Barbados passport holder visiting Canada

Electronic Travel Authorisation
Barbados passport holders need an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to enter Canada.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Barbados?

Internet is rarely the blocker — Barbados has 37.5 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 Barbados safe for expats?

Canada performs better than Barbados across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Barbados is 7.4 per 100,000 people, compared to 2.0 in Canada.

How is healthcare in Barbados compared to Canada?

Barbados generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Canada leads in health coverage index. There are 29.6 doctors per 10,000 people in Barbados, compared to 28.2 in Canada. Barbados scores 77 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Canada: 91).

What language do they speak in Barbados?

The official language in Barbados is English. In Canada, the official languages are English and French.

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At a Glance

CA BB
Population 41,651,653 282,623
Currency Canadian Dollar (CA$) Barbadian Dollar (BBD)
Languages English, French English
Driving side Right Left
Calling code +1 +1246
Time zones 6 1
Emergency number 911 —