Living in Vanuatu [2026]: Safety, Cost of Living, Tax and Visas You Should Know Before Moving

Vanuatu, an island nation in the South Pacific, is often mentioned as a relocation destination because it has no income tax, inheritance tax or capital gains tax, and because Japanese nationals can stay for up to 120 days as tourists. On the other hand, Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs warns that burglaries and bag snatchings are increasing in the capital, Port Vila, and in December 2024 a magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck near Port Vila, killing at least 14 people. Medical standards are not high, and serious illness or injury requires evacuation abroad. There are no direct flights from Japan, and 84 Japanese nationals live in Vanuatu (as of October 1, 2025). This article sets out safety, natural disasters, prices, tax and visas for living in Vanuatu, based on information published by Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Government of Vanuatu.

*Amounts and rules are as of October 9, 2026. This article is an English version of our Japanese guide, adapted for foreign residents of Japan and international investors.

For an overview of Vanuatu and a list of related articles, see Vanuatu citizenship: cost and processing time.

Summary: the advantages of moving to Vanuatu and points to watch

The low tax burden is a major attraction, but if you keep a resident registration, income or assets in Japan, Japanese taxes still apply, and you need to prepare for safety risks, natural disasters and limited healthcare. With this in mind, Vanuatu is a destination for "people who value the tax system and nationality or residence options over everyday convenience".

Vanuatu basics: population about 300,000, capital Port Vila

The Republic of Vanuatu is a country of 83 islands lying east of Australia and west of Fiji. Its land area is 12,190 square kilometers, about the same as Niigata Prefecture in Japan, and its population is 300,019 (2020 census; the World Bank's 2024 estimate is 327,777). The capital is Port Vila on the island of Efate. The official languages are Bislama, English and French, and the currency is the vatu (VT). The main industries are agriculture and tourism.

According to statistics from Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 84 Japanese nationals live in Vanuatu, 4.5% fewer than the previous year (as of October 1, 2025). All of them are long-term residents; none are permanent residents. The Japanese community is small, and you cannot rely on hospitals where Japanese is spoken or on Japanese restaurants.

Safety: burglaries and bag snatchings are rising in Port Vila

According to the "Basic Safety Data" of Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (updated February 9, 2026), burglaries, bag snatchings and sexual assaults are on the rise in and around Port Vila. Break-ins and robberies targeting foreigners' homes, hotels and shops have also occurred. The Ministry advises avoiding walking alone at night.

It also lists the following points to be aware of.

• Fights between groups of young people sometimes break out around Independence Day (July 30) and Christmas
• Alcohol-related assaults occur around nightclubs
• Cannabis is sometimes sold at nightclubs and at kava bars (nakamals)

The "Safety Guide" of the Embassy of Japan in Vanuatu (February 2024) also states that home invasions and sexual offenses by young people are increasing, and that most crime occurs in Port Vila, on Santo and on Malekula. The Australian government's travel advice (Smartraveller) sets the lowest level, "exercise normal safety precautions", but notes that robberies and assaults are more likely before weekends and public holidays, and warns about drink spiking.

Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not issued a travel advisory for Vanuatu (checked October 9, 2026); also check your own government's travel advice. If you live there, you need a higher level of security awareness than in Japan, for example by choosing housing with security and traveling by car at night. Japanese nationals staying three months or longer should submit a Residence Registration to the Embassy of Japan in Vanuatu.

Natural disasters: earthquakes, cyclones and volcanoes

Vanuatu is prone to natural disasters. If you are considering moving there, this deserves even more attention than crime.

Since the 2024 earthquake, some hotels and shops in Port Vila have continued to operate from temporary premises, and the Port Vila branch of ANZ Bank remains temporarily closed, serving customers from a temporary counter (checked October 9, 2026). When choosing a home, check the building's earthquake resistance and the evacuation route to higher ground.

Prices and living costs: electricity at about VT 60 per kWh

According to the Vanuatu Bureau of Statistics, consumer prices in April–June 2026 rose 1.2% year on year, so inflation itself is moderate. However, as an island nation that depends on imports for much of its food and daily goods, Japanese food products and home appliances tend to be expensive.

For electricity, the adjusted January 2026 tariff for Port Vila approved by the Utilities Regulatory Authority (URA) was VT 60.49 per kWh. Tariffs are reviewed monthly.

The government does not publish statistics on rents in Port Vila. Housing for foreigners is limited, and prioritizing security and earthquake resistance narrows the options further, so the realistic approach is to view properties locally before deciding. The Immigration Department's tourist visa information lists proof of funds of VT 60,000 per month for living expenses.

Tax: no income or inheritance tax, but Japanese taxes may still apply

According to the Vanuatu Investment Promotion Authority, Vanuatu has none of the following taxes.

• Personal income tax
• Corporate tax (except on certain real estate transactions)
• Capital gains tax
• Inheritance tax (death duties)
• Withholding tax

On the other hand, value-added tax (VAT) is charged at 15% (businesses with annual taxable turnover above VT 4 million must register). Rental income exceeding VT 200,000 in six months is taxed at 15%, imports are subject to customs duties, and stamp duty applies to real estate transactions and similar.

There are three points to watch.

1. The system may change: The local newspaper Vanuatu Daily Post (August 27, 2025) reported that the government was considering introducing an income tax and held a forum to hear views. As of October 9, 2026, we have not been able to confirm any announcement that it will be introduced, but future developments should be watched
2. The EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions: On February 17, 2026, the Council of the EU kept Vanuatu on its "list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes", on the grounds that it facilitates offshore structures without real economic substance. Transactions using Vanuatu companies or accounts may face stricter checks by financial institutions in other countries
3. Japanese taxes still apply: Even if you deregister your residence in Japan and become a non-resident, income arising in Japan, such as rent from Japanese real estate, is taxed in Japan. Japanese inheritance tax also applies to overseas assets in cases such as when the heir holds Japanese nationality and either the deceased or the heir had an address in Japan within the past 10 years

Tax and resident registration procedures when leaving Japan are explained in Tax when moving abroad from Japan, and how Japanese bank and securities accounts are treated in What happens to your Japanese bank accounts when you move abroad?.

Visas: up to 120 days as a tourist; a residence visa is needed to live there

Tourist stays

Japan is a visa-exempt country, so Japanese nationals receive a tourist permit on arrival. The stay is limited to 120 days with no extension, and you cannot work or do business. You need a passport valid for at least six more months and an onward ticket (Vanuatu Immigration Department and Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs).

Residence visas for living in Vanuatu

To live in Vanuatu for more than 12 months, you need a Residence Visa. Stays of more than 120 days but within 12 months are also not covered by the tourist permit, so check with the Immigration Department. The Vanuatu Immigration Department lists the following categories (checked October 9, 2026).

Residence visas are issued for periods such as 1, 3, 5 or 10 years. There is no category called a "retirement visa"; for people living on pensions or assets, the closest category is the Self-funded Resident. Requirements and documents can change, so check the Immigration Department's latest information before applying.

Permanent residency and citizenship

Vanuatu also has a Permanent Residency program, which gives you the right to live there long term while keeping your current nationality. For details, see What is Vanuatu permanent residency?. The Immigration Department lists a category for people who have lived there for 12 months or more, among others, and a category for investors. Detailed requirements can change, so check the latest information before applying.

There is also a citizenship program in which nationality is obtained through a donation to the government. For Japanese nationals: acquiring it means losing Japanese nationality. Costs and the process are explained in Vanuatu citizenship: cost and processing time.

Healthcare and transport: serious cases are evacuated abroad, and there are no direct flights from Japan

Healthcare

Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that medical standards in Vanuatu are lower than in developed countries and that serious illness or injury requires evacuation abroad, and recommends taking out travel insurance that covers emergency evacuation costs. Smartraveller also notes that medical facilities are limited and that cash payment is often required before treatment.

Malaria and dengue fever also require caution. In June 2026, a dengue outbreak was declared in southern Efate (Smartraveller). For tap water, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends boiling it or drinking bottled water.

People with chronic conditions, or who are considering moving later in life, need to check in advance which medical facilities they can use and how they would be evacuated to Australia or New Zealand.

Transport

There are no direct flights from Japan to Vanuatu. The typical route is Fiji Airways from Narita to Nadi (Fiji), connecting to the Nadi–Port Vila flight (daily). The Narita–Nadi route operates only a few times a week, so plan your dates carefully. Other connections are available via Brisbane (Qantas, Virgin Australia), Sydney (Jetstar), Auckland and Nouméa (Vanuatu Tourism Office; schedules are subject to change).

The state-owned Air Vanuatu suspended international flights and entered liquidation in May 2024, and as of August 2026 it operates domestic flights only. Travel between islands depends on planes and boats, so plans can be disrupted by weather or aircraft availability.

FAQ

Can Japanese nationals live in Vanuatu?

Yes. Tourist stays are limited to 120 days, so to live there longer you need a residence visa. For people living on pensions or assets, the closest option is the Self-funded Resident category, which requires proof of income of at least VT 250,000 a month. If you want the right to live there long term while keeping your current nationality, permanent residency is also an option.

Is Vanuatu unsafe?

Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not issued a travel advisory, but it states that burglaries, bag snatchings and sexual assaults are on the rise around Port Vila (Basic Safety Data updated February 9, 2026). Precautions such as avoiding walking alone at night and choosing housing with security features are necessary.

Will I pay no tax if I live in Vanuatu?

Vanuatu has no personal income tax or inheritance tax, but taxes such as VAT (15%) do apply. In addition, income arising in Japan and Japanese inheritance tax may be taxed in Japan even if you live in Vanuatu. There are also reports that the government is considering introducing an income tax, so watch for changes to the system.

Is the cost of living in Vanuatu high?

Inflation is moderate at 1.2% year on year (April–June 2026), but many goods are imported, and Japanese food and home appliances are expensive. Electricity costs VT 60.49 per kWh (January 2026). There are no official rent statistics, so you need to check locally.

What is the difference between Vanuatu permanent residency and citizenship?

Permanent residency is the right to live in Vanuatu while keeping your current nationality, whereas citizenship is Vanuatu nationality itself. For Japanese nationals, acquiring Vanuatu citizenship means losing Japanese nationality under Japan's Nationality Act.

Summary

• Vanuatu has no personal income tax, inheritance tax or capital gains tax. VAT is 15%. The possible introduction of an income tax has been reported, and Vanuatu is on the EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions
• Japanese nationals can stay up to 120 days as tourists; a residence visa is required to live there. The Self-funded Resident category requires income of at least VT 250,000 a month
• Burglaries, bag snatchings and sexual assaults are on the rise in Port Vila. Natural disasters such as earthquakes, cyclones and volcanic activity are also frequent
• Medical standards are not high, and insurance covering evacuation abroad is essential. There are no direct flights from Japan
• To live there while keeping your current nationality, use a residence visa or permanent residency; to change nationality, citizenship. Also check how Japanese taxes will apply before leaving Japan

Related articles: Vanuatu citizenship: cost and processing time / What is Vanuatu permanent residency? / Best countries to move abroad

References (primary sources)

• Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Vanuatu Basic Safety Data (updated February 9, 2026)
• Embassy of Japan in Vanuatu: Safety Guide (February 2024)
• Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Vanuatu basic data
• Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Annual Report of Statistics on Japanese Nationals Overseas (as of October 1, 2025)
• Australian Government Smartraveller: Vanuatu
• World Health Organization: Vanuatu three months after the earthquake (March 2025)
• Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-Hazards Department: Mount Yasur
• Vanuatu Bureau of Statistics: Consumer Price Index
• Utilities Regulatory Authority of Vanuatu: electricity tariff for January 2026
• Vanuatu Investment Promotion Authority: tax system
• Department of Customs and Inland Revenue of Vanuatu: introduction to VAT
• Vanuatu Daily Post: forum on the income tax proposal (August 27, 2025)
• Council of the EU: list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes (February 17, 2026)
• Vanuatu Immigration Department: visa-exempt countries
• Vanuatu Immigration Department: tourist visa
• Vanuatu Immigration Department: residence visas
• Vanuatu Tourism Office: international airlines
• ch-aviation: Air Vanuatu domestic routes (August 11, 2026)
• ANZ Vanuatu

Amounts and rules in this article are as of October 9, 2026.