Question 1

What is the difference between gross and net salary?

Accepted Answer

Your gross salary is the amount agreed in your contract. Your net salary is what is paid into your bank account after your employer withholds wage tax and your share of the social premiums (AOV/AWW, BVZ and AVBZ).

Question 2

Which currency is used for salaries in Curaçao?

Accepted Answer

Since 31 March 2025 the Caribbean guilder (XCG) has replaced the Netherlands Antillean guilder (ANG) at a 1:1 rate. Amounts in older contracts in ANG therefore stay the same in XCG. The guilder is pegged to the US dollar at about 1.79 per USD.

Question 3

How does income tax work in Curaçao?

Accepted Answer

Curaçao uses six progressive brackets, ranging from 9.75% to 46.5%. Your employer withholds the tax monthly as wage tax (loonbelasting). Everyone who is liable for tax also receives a basic tax credit (basiskorting), which lowers the tax you pay.

Question 4

What are AOV and AWW?

Accepted Answer

AOV is the general old-age pension and AWW is the general widows and orphans insurance. Together the premium is 16% of your income up to XCG 100,000 per year. As an employee you pay about 6.5%, your employer pays the rest. From age 65 you receive the AOV pension from the SVB.

Question 5

What is BVZ?

Accepted Answer

BVZ is the basic health insurance that covers most medical care for residents of Curaçao. The total premium is 13.6% of your income up to XCG 150,000: 4.3% is paid by you and 9.3% by your employer. Some employers arrange private health insurance instead.

Question 6

What is AVBZ?

Accepted Answer

AVBZ covers special medical costs, such as long-term care and serious illness. The employee share is small, about 0.5% of income, and the employer pays a larger part.

Question 7

Do I receive a 13th month in Curaçao?

Accepted Answer

A 13th month (often called an end-of-year bonus or vakantietoeslag) is common but not required by law. It depends on your contract or collective labour agreement (CAO). Turn on the 13th month option in the calculator if your yearly salary is paid in 13 parts.

Question 8

What is the minimum wage in Curaçao?

Accepted Answer

Curaçao has a statutory hourly minimum wage that is indexed regularly by the government. Check the current amount with the Ministry of Social Development, Labour and Welfare (SOAW) before you accept an offer, as it changes from time to time.

Question 9

Can I deduct costs to pay less tax?

Accepted Answer

Yes, some deductions are possible through your yearly income tax return, such as mortgage interest on your own home, pension premiums and certain medical costs. The calculator only includes standard deductions, so your actual tax can be lower.

Question 10

Do I need to file a tax return?

Accepted Answer

Most employees with only a salary have their tax settled through wage tax. You must file a return if you have other income, want to claim deductions, or if the tax office sends you a return form. The Belastingdienst Curaçao publishes deadlines every year.

Question 11

I am moving to Curaçao from abroad. Are there special rules?

Accepted Answer

Curaçao has had special regimes for people who move to the island, and tax treaties with some countries may affect where you pay tax. Rules change, so ask a local tax advisor or the Belastingdienst before you sign a contract.

Question 12

Is the employer cost the same as my salary?

Accepted Answer

No. Your employer also pays its share of the social premiums and often a pension and other benefits on top of your gross salary. The calculator shows an estimate of the total employer cost, which helps when negotiating.

Taxable income	Rate
XCG 0 – XCG 38,225	9.75%
XCG 38,225 – XCG 50,968	15%
XCG 50,968 – XCG 76,452	23%
XCG 76,452 – XCG 108,306	30%
XCG 108,306 – XCG 159,273	37.5%
over XCG 159,273	46.5%

Net Salary Calculator

Your Salary

Where Your Salary Goes

Income Tax Brackets

Social Premiums

Frequently Asked Questions

Disclaimer About Accuracy

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Premium	Employee	Employer	Income ceiling
AOV/AWW	6.5%	9.5%	XCG 100,000
BVZ	4.3%	9.3%	XCG 150,000
AVBZ	0.5%	1.5%	XCG 606,247