Find out what's happening around Barbados.
The Minister responsible for Energy and Business, under the powers conferred on her by Section 3 of the Miscellaneous Controls Act, Cap. 329, has reduced the retail price of gasoline (petrol) to $3.95 per litre, and the retail price of diesel to $3.34 per litre. The retail price of kerosene has increased to $1.48 per litre.
These price adjustments are effective from Monday, October 6th, 2025.
The Government of Barbados has announced that the Vehicle Rental Levy will take effect from October 15th, 2025. When the Levy was originally announced, the rate was set at $10 per day. However, the government has announced that the rate of the Levy will be $5 per day, up to a maximum of 7 days. This means the Levy will be capped at $35 per rental agreement, regardless of the length of the contract.
Once the Levy comes into force, visitor pemits will be abolished, but a valid domestic or foreign driving licence will still be required to drive in Barbados.
Please note the Levy will apply to both visitors and residents alike, whether they have a domestic or foreign driving licence, if they are renting a vehicle.
From October 1st, 2025, citizens of Belize, the Commonwealth of Dominica, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines may live, work and retire in Barbados indefinitely under the freedom of movement. No visa or permit is required.
Likewise, citizens of Barbados may live, work and retire in the aforementioned countries from October 1st, 2025 under the freedom of movement.
The authorities of the aforementioned countries have the right to deport, or deny entry to, a person entitled to exercise the freedom of movement if that person:
Update: The Vehicle Rental Levy will take effect from October 15th, 2025 at a rate of $5 per day, capped at 7 days per rental agreement.
The Government of Barbados has postponed the enforcement of the Vehicle Rental Levy until October 1, 2025. Until the Levy comes into force, it remains a legal requirement for visitors to have a Visitor Driving Permit to drive in Barbados using a valid foreign driving licence. The cost of a visitor permit is $10 for two months, or $100 for one year.
Once the Levy comes into force, visitor pemits will be abolished, but a valid domestic or foreign driving licence will still be required to drive in Barbados.
Please note the Levy will apply to both visitors and residents alike, whether they have a domestic or foreign driving licence, if they are renting a vehicle.
We would like to remind residents and visitors that hurricane season officially starts June 1st, 2025, and runs through to November 30th, 2025. While the likelihood of a hurricane directly impacting Barbados is low, it always remains a possibility each year.
In 2021, Barbados was directly hit by a category 1 tropical cyclone, known as Hurricane Elsa. A few weeks before, an unexpected storm caused damage to dozens of homes across Barbados.
Please make sure you are prepared for the hurricane season. Familiarise yourself with the Emergency Shelters List for 2025, published by the Department of Emergency Management.
Make sure you have adequate supplies, including non-perishable foodstuffs and potable water that will last you and your family for a minimum of two (2) weeks. See page 29 of the shelters list for a detailed list of supplies you should have as part of your Disaster Emergency Kit.
In addition to hurricane preparedness, you should also be mindful that Barbados lies within an area of relatively high earthquake activity and therefore can be impacted by tsunamis at any time during the year. Always obey the 'natural signs', that is to say:
The Minister responsible for Energy and Business, under the powers conferred on her by Section 3 of the Miscellaneous Controls Act, Cap. 329, has increased the retail price of gasoline (petrol) to $3.95 per litre, and the retail price of diesel to $3.40 per litre.
These price adjustments are effective from Friday, May 23, 2025.
On March 10, 2025, the Minister in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, the Hon. Ryan Straughn M.P., announced a $300 Solidarity Allowance which applies to any resident who is 18 years of age or older, and:
The Solidarity Allowance will be disbursed to eligible residents starting on May 14, 2025, as follows:
For persons who are employed by central government, the Solidarity Allowance will be disbursed by the Treasury Department to the same bank account where they receive their salary.
For persons who are employed by a state-owned enterprise, the Solidarity Allowance will be disbursed by the state-owned enterprise using the payroll system already in place.
For persons who are employed by a private sector company, the Solidarity Allowance will be disbursed by the Barbados Revenue Authority if they are registered with the Barbados Revenue Authority with banking information.
If the Barbados Revenue Authority does not have bank details for a person to whom the Solidarity Allowance is owed, the payment will be sent by cheque.
For persons who are self-employed, in retirement, or otherwise fall into the eligiblity criteria, the Solidarity Allowance will be disbursed by the National Insurance and Social Security Service. This also applies to employees of private sector companies who are not registered with the Barbados Revenue Authority, or where they are registered with the Barbados Revenue Authority but without banking information.
If the National Insurance and Social Security Service does not have bank details for a person to whom the Solidarity Allowance is owed, the payment will be sent by cheque.
Please be advised there is an upcoming bank holiday, during which many businesses will be closed:
Labour Day on Thursday, May 1st, 2025.
The Minister of Labour, Social Security and Third Sector, under the powers conferred on him by Section 6(1) of the Minimum Wage Act, 2017 proposes to increase the National Minimum Wage from June 1st, 2025 as follows:
Security guards: $11.43 per hour
All other workers: $10.50 per hour
The minimum overtime rate of pay shall be 150% of the National Minimum Wage that applies.
The minimum rate of pay on a Public Holiday shall be 200% of the National Minimum Wage that applies.
For more information, please review the draft regulations.
Please be advised there are two upcoming bank holidays, during which many businesses will be closed:
Good Friday on Friday, April 18th, 2025.
Easter Monday on Monday, April 21st, 2025.