Living in Belize as a French National: Advantages, Drawbacks and Formalities

Belize combines an accessible official language, English, with Spanish widely spoken, a stable currency peg to the US dollar and sought-after landscapes: cayes, barrier reef, forests and archaeological sites. The World Bank describes an economy based on tourism, agriculture and remittances.

The points of caution are set out by France Diplomatie: the whole country is under reinforced vigilance, crime has risen in recent years in Belize City, Dangriga, parts of the islands (notably San Pedro, on Ambergris Caye) and in the border areas with Guatemala, while noting that incidents involving travellers are rarely reported. Medical infrastructure is judged underdeveloped, the main hospitals are in Belize City, and the cost of living is often high, especially on the islands where most goods are imported. Solid health and evacuation cover is an integral part of the plan.

• Entry: no visa for a stay of less than 30 days; passport valid for at least six months after arrival and a return or onward ticket (France Diplomatie). A minor travelling without their parents, or with only one, presents a parental authorisation.
• Extension: application to the local immigration services; France Diplomatie does not detail the procedure, which is confirmed on the website of the immigration department (immigration.gov.bz).
• Residence: the immigration department requires in particular a passport with an arrival stamp in Belize dated at least one year earlier, a medical examination with HIV, VDRL and tuberculosis tests, a Belizean criminal record less than six months old, two recent photographs and proof of means of support (bank statements or employer letter and Social Security Board contribution statement). Only a legally married spouse can be included in the file.
• Retirees programme (QRP): see the page on retiring in Belize.
• Work: temporary employment permit, detailed in the page on working in Belize.

France Diplomatie reminds travellers that the honorary consul of France in Belize cannot issue emergency travel documents: protect your passport and keep copies. Consular procedures are handled by the French embassy in Guatemala (+502 23 57 24 06).

• Belize City: largest city, international airport and main hospitals; the France Diplomatie country page flags rising crime there, which calls for choosing your neighbourhood carefully.
• Islands (Ambergris Caye, San Pedro and other cayes): diving and boating activities, an expensive life because most goods are imported; San Pedro is among the areas cited for rising crime.
• Belmopan, San Ignacio, Orange Walk, Corozal, Dangriga, Punta Gorda: inland, northern and southern towns, served by regional hospitals and the main roads. Dangriga is among the towns flagged by France Diplomatie.

The four main roads linking the main towns are paved and generally in good condition; signposting on two-lane roads is sometimes inadequate, there are fewer than twenty traffic lights in the whole country, and you need to watch for pedestrians and animals. Night driving should be avoided. Buses link the towns, as well as Mexico and Guatemala, with irregular timetables at weekends, and motor boats serve the main coastal localities (France Diplomatie).

France Diplomatie warns that the cost of living is often high, especially on the islands. Prices may be displayed in Belize or US dollars: confirm the currency before paying, and shops or hotels may add a surcharge for card payment. The minimum wage is BZD 5.00 an hour (about USD 2.50 at the fixed rate) since 1 January 2023. The World Bank measures inflation driven by food and fuel; one person in six lives on less than USD 8.30 a day.

None of the official sources consulted publishes an average rent or a typical expat budget: always ask about the length of the lease, the security deposit and who bears water and electricity costs, and visit the neighbourhood by day as well as by night. The up-to-date indicators appear in the “Economic benchmarks” block above.

• Vigilance: caution is advised throughout the country. Avoid walking outside the main roads, especially at night, take a taxi, do not wear jewellery or valuables and do not keep all your means of payment in the same bag.
• Hurricanes: season from about June to November; follow the National Hurricane Center and local instructions; shelters are opened when an alert is issued.
• Activities: hiking and diving with qualified guides or agencies; beaches are rarely supervised.
• Driving: French licence accepted for less than three months; international licence to rent; rental from age 21 with compulsory insurance.
• Narcotics: drug use, marijuana included, is prohibited and punishable by a fine or prison.

Register on Fil d’Ariane (the France Diplomatie alert service for travellers) to receive alerts, and keep digital copies of your identity documents.

English is the language of instruction; Spanish is very present. No school of the French agency for teaching abroad (the AEFE network) was identified in Belize in the sources consulted: the French embassy in Guatemala and the honorary consul remain the contacts for schooling options (local schools, distance learning). Families can consult the family and expatriation guide and the expat family insurance page.

France Diplomatie indicates that medical insurance is not required for a tourist stay but strongly recommended: without an assistance contract or insurance covering all costs, including surgery, hospitalisation and repatriation, access to care may be refused, even in a life-threatening situation, and serious cases are evacuated to the United States, Mexico or the Caribbean. CLEISS lists no social security agreement with Belize. The detail is in the pages on the Belize healthcare system and healthcare reimbursement in Belize, and in the expat health insurance guide; Expavy helps you compare offers.

• Check the validity of the passport (six months after arrival) and the return ticket; parental authorisation for minors travelling alone or with one parent.
• Take out insurance covering care, hospitalisation, repatriation and evacuation to the United States, Mexico or the Caribbean.
• Plan the extension of the stay with immigration before the end of the 30 days, or the appropriate permit to settle.
• Choose your housing using the France Diplomatie vigilance map and identify a shelter in case of a cyclone.
• Register on Fil d’Ariane and keep digital copies of identity documents.