🇬🇩 Moving to Grenada from the UK
Grenada is the Spice Isle of the southern Caribbean: a three-island nation of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique known for nutmeg, cocoa, mace and a warm welcome. A constitutional monarchy independent since 7 February 1974.
For the Grenadian Diaspora in the UK, US and Canada, this guide gives you what you need to decide honestly: citizenship, real cost of living, healthcare, property, banking and the practical first steps. Grenada has real strengths, including dual citizenship that passes through a parent or grandparent, moderate Caribbean cost of living, and no tax on worldwide income, capital gains, inheritance or wealth. It also has real challenges, including Hurricane Beryl (1 July 2024) which devastated Carriacou and Petite Martinique, and a recent rise in violent crime that lifted the US travel advisory to Level 2 in January 2026. We tell you both, honestly.
Identity and Culture
Before the practicalities, this is the place. Its symbols, its sound, its flavour. Knowing them is part of feeling you belong here again. Grenada is one of the world's leading nutmeg producers; that small, fragrant seed sits in the centre of the flag for a reason.
National Flag
Adopted on independence, 7 February 1974, designed by Grenadian artist Anthony C. George. A red border carrying six yellow five-pointed stars (one for each parish), with a yellow and green saltire dividing the centre into four triangles. A seventh star in a red disc at the centre represents Carriacou. To the hoist side, a stylised nutmeg pod, the country's signature crop.
Coat of Arms
Granted at independence in 1974. A shield divided by a gold cross, with Columbus's ship Santa Maria at the centre. The four quarters carry the lion of Britain (twice) and a golden crescent and lily (twice). Supported by an armadillo with a corn stalk and a Grenada dove with a banana plant. Above, a garland of bougainvillea with seven red roses (the parishes); below, the national motto.
National Motto
"Ever Conscious of God We Aspire, Build and Advance as One People."
Replaced the older Latin motto Clarior e Tenebris ("Brighter from the Darkness") at independence.
Houses of Parliament
National Anthem
"Hail Grenada."
Lyrics by Irva Merle Baptiste, music by Louis Arnold Masanto. Adopted at independence in 1974. It is sung at schools, national ceremonies and official occasions, its themes being unity, hope and pride in the Spice Isle.
National Dish
Oil Down. A hearty one-pot of salted meat, dumplings, breadfruit, callaloo (young dasheen leaves), turmeric, vegetables and coconut milk, slow-stewed until the liquid reduces to a rich coating. The everyday taste of home.
Did You Know
Grenada is divided into 6 parishes plus the dependency of Carriacou and Petite Martinique. Saint George (south-west) contains the capital St George's and is the most populous parish. Saint David (south-east) hosts the Maurice Bishop International Airport and a sweep of east-coast beaches. Saint Andrew (north-east) is the largest by area; Grenville is the parish town. Saint Patrick (far north) reaches up to Sauteurs and Levera. Saint John (west coast) includes Gouyave, the country's busy fishing capital and the home of Fish Friday. Saint Mark (north-west) is the smallest by area, centred on Victoria. The dependency of Carriacou and Petite Martinique sits 35 km north-east of the mainland. Grenada is the world's second-largest nutmeg producer after Indonesia (nutmeg sits on the flag for a reason); the Grenada Dove on the coat of arms is critically endangered and found nowhere else on Earth. The country has around 45 named beaches on the mainland plus the white-sand cayes of the Carriacou waters; Grand Anse is the most famous (a 3-km arc on the south-west coast).
Country Code: the 473
+1 473. Across the Caribbean and the Diaspora, many Grenadians identify themselves simply as "the 473," after the country's telephone area code. The Grenada Tourism Authority has formalised the identity through its global "473 Connect" Diaspora programme, which targets the estimated 360,000 first-, second- and third-generation Grenadians worldwide. You will hear it at Grenadian Heritage Day in Harrow, the United Groups of Grenada Independence Gala, at Spicemas in St George's, on Diaspora WhatsApp groups, and at any Grenadian gathering in London, Brooklyn or Toronto. Saying "I’m from the 473" is saying "I’m from home."
The most played songs in Grenada, updated daily. Chart data via Apple Music.
Tap any track for a preview, or open in Apple Music for full playback.
Leadership: Who Runs the Country
Grenada is a constitutional monarchy with a Westminster-style parliament. King Charles III is Head of State, represented locally by a Governor-General. The Parliament has two chambers: the House of Representatives (15 elected MPs plus the Speaker) and a Senate (13 members). The seat of government is the new Houses of Parliament on Parliament Hill, Mt Wheldale, St George's.
Citizenship and Passport Eligibility 4-Region
This is a generally favourable picture for the Grenadian Diaspora. Grenada recognises dual citizenship under the Citizenship Act 1976, descent passes through a parent or a grandparent, and Grenada also runs an active Citizenship by Investment programme.
The routes, honestly
- By descent through a parent, the most direct route. A person born outside Grenada on or after 7 February 1974 (independence) is entitled to citizenship by descent if at least one parent was a citizen of Grenada at the time of the birth.
- By descent through a grandparent, a route Grenada genuinely offers. A person born abroad with at least one Grenadian grandparent can apply for registration as a citizen, subject to documentation of the unbroken line. This is a useful route for the second-generation Diaspora.
- By marriage, available to the foreign spouse of a Grenadian citizen, with a residence qualifying period.
- By naturalisation, after seven years of legal residence (four years for citizens of other Caribbean countries) and twelve continuous months immediately before the application.
- By investment, through the Grenada Citizenship by Investment Programme, established in 2013. Minimum US $235,000 to the National Transformation Fund for a single applicant or family of four, with higher fees for larger families. Real estate purchase from US $270,000 is an alternative route. Family members eligible include spouses, children, dependent parents, grandparents and siblings. This is a paid programme administered by the CBI Committee and is distinct from descent or naturalisation.
Where to apply, by region
| From | Where to enquire |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Grenada High Commission, The Chapel, Archel Road, West Kensington, London W14 9QH. High Commissioner H.E. Rachér Croney (since 2023). Tel: +44 (0)20 7385 4415. Also accredited to the Holy See and South Africa. |
| USA | Embassy of Grenada, Washington D.C. Consulate-General offices in New York and Miami. The Washington Embassy is also accredited to the Organization of American States and to Canada. |
| Canada | Consulate-General of Grenada in Toronto. The Washington D.C. Embassy serves as Grenada's High Commission to Canada for passport and citizenship business that exceeds the Toronto Consulate's remit. |
| Europe | The London High Commission covers the UK, Ireland and Grenada's accreditations to the Holy See and South Africa. A shared OECS Embassy in Brussels covers EU relations. An Embassy in Moscow covers the Russian Federation. |
| In Grenada | Immigration Department, Ministry of National Security, St George's; CBI applications via the Citizenship by Investment Committee. |
For descent applications, the long-form birth certificate of your Grenadian parent or grandparent is essential, properly Apostilled if issued abroad. Names and dates must match across generations: a difference in spelling or recording can hold up the application and may require a sworn Affidavit to clarify. Reissue any short-form or photocopied certificates before you file. The CBI route is a paid programme and should be treated as a financial decision, not a heritage one: government, due-diligence and passport fees sit on top of the headline minimum.
Grenada recognises dual citizenship without restriction. Taking Grenadian citizenship does not mean giving up your British, US or Canadian one. One unique benefit: Grenada is the only Caribbean CBI country whose passport gives access to the US E-2 Investor Visa (under the US-Grenada Treaty of Commerce, 1989). Grenada’s passport also gives visa-free access to China, which most Caribbean passports do not.
Grenada is a full participant in the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), the integration framework that gives nationals of the participating CARICOM states genuine rights of movement, work and establishment across the region. As a Grenadian national your passport carries the five freedoms of the CSME: free movement of goods, services, capital, the right of establishment, and the free movement of skilled persons.
To live and work in another CSME country, you apply for a CARICOM Skills Certificate, which covers 13 wage-earner categories including university graduates, teachers, nurses, artisans with vocational qualifications, household domestics with CVQ, sportspersons, musicians and others. Processing is typically five to eight weeks, the certificate is recognised across CSME participants, and the right to bring your spouse and dependants travels with it.
Honest note: Grenada is not in the October 2025 four-country Enhanced Full Free Movement pilot (Barbados, Belize, Dominica and SVG). For those four countries, no Skills Certificate is required. Outside that pilot, Grenada’s standard CSME rights still apply across the other CSME participants. (The Bahamas does not participate in the CSME; Montserrat and Haiti are outside the free-movement framework.)
Cost of Living 4-Region
An honest monthly comparison: your home city versus life in Grenada, in your own currency. Grenada sits in the middle of the Caribbean cost range, more expensive than Dominica or St Vincent, more affordable than Antigua or Barbados. The southern coastal belt (Grand Anse and Lance Aux Epines) is noticeably pricier than the rest of the island.
| Monthly expense | London £ | New York $ | Toronto C$ | Grenada (USD equivalent) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rent, 1-bed local-standard, St George's area | £2,000 | $3,800 | C$2,400 | ~$450 to $700 USD |
| Rent, 1-bed expat-standard, Grand Anse / Lance Aux Epines | £2,300 | $4,200 | C$2,800 | ~$1,000+ USD |
| Single person, modest lifestyle (all in) | £3,000 | $4,800 | C$3,800 | ~$1,500 to $1,900 USD |
| Couple, comfortable lifestyle (all in) | £3,800 | $6,500 | C$5,200 | ~$2,500 to $3,500 USD |
| Value Added Tax on most goods and services | 20% | Varies | 13% | 15% |
Grenada has no tax on worldwide income, capital gains, inheritance or wealth, which is a real and unusual advantage for a returning resident with overseas savings or rental income. The catch, told honestly: imported food, fuel and electricity are dear (Grenada relies heavily on imported fuel for power), and the cost of dining out and "expat-standard" rentals in Grand Anse and Lance Aux Epines rises sharply above local market prices. Buy local produce at the market, lean on local fish, and your day-to-day budget stretches.
Housing and Property
Most returnees rent for 6 to 12 months before buying. As a Grenadian citizen you can buy property freely. Non-citizens can also buy but need an Alien Landholding Licence (a one-off fee and approval); CBI applicants follow a simplified process. Title is freehold, well-established and well-respected, one of the genuine strengths of buying in Grenada.
Where returnees tend to settle
Grenada is small (348 sq km / 134 sq mi) but the character of each district varies. This is about character, not a safety ranking.
- St George's and inner parishes, the capital and economic hub on the south-west coast. Most jobs, ministries, the General Hospital and the main port sit here. Many returnees settle in suburbs such as Belmont, Calliste or Morne Jaloux.
- Grand Anse and the south-west coast, the two-mile sweep of the country's most famous beach, just south of St George's. The strongest expat presence, with restaurants, shopping, schools and the cruise terminal nearby. Rents are correspondingly higher.
- Lance Aux Epines (the south-eastern peninsula), a popular expat and Diaspora area, very much focused on the yachting community, Prickly Bay and the south-east beaches.
- True Blue and the south, home to St George's University and the medical-school community, useful as employers and an established expat infrastructure.
- The east coast (St David's, St Andrew's, Grenville), more rural, more agricultural, a slower pace, with Grenville the second town.
- The north (St Patrick's, Sauteurs), the quietest parishes, dramatic cliffs, working farming villages and proximity to the Levera National Park.
- Carriacou and Petite Martinique (the sister islands), the heart of the Carriacou Diaspora and a unique culture (Big Drum, boatbuilding heritage). Reconstruction since Hurricane Beryl in July 2024 is the dominant theme; see the Safety section.
Hurricane resilience matters in Grenada. Beryl (1 July 2024) made landfall as a Category 4 on Carriacou and damaged or destroyed 99% of buildings there; mainland Grenada was largely spared structurally but lost 95% of its power. When buying, ask honestly when the property was built or last refurbished, what hurricane standard it meets, and how it stood up to Beryl. Properties on steep slopes also carry landslide risk after heavy rain. Reconstruction on Carriacou is well underway (around 78% of damaged roofs restored and 90% of businesses reopened by late 2025) but progress is uneven, and buying in Carriacou is for buyers with eyes wide open.
Healthcare
Healthcare in Grenada is run by the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Religious Affairs, funded largely through general taxation and the National Insurance Scheme. Citizens and residents can use the public system at low or no direct cost for basic care; many returnees layer private cover on top for faster access and specialist treatment.
Main hospitals and facilities
- St George's General Hospital, Grand Etang Road, St George's: the national referral hospital, around 198 beds. Emergency, surgical, paediatric, maternity and diagnostic services. Tel: +1 473 440 2051.
- Princess Alice Hospital, Mirabeau, St Andrew's: the second public hospital, serving the eastern parishes. Tel: +1 473 442 7251.
- Princess Royal Hospital, Carriacou: the main facility serving the sister islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique, around 6,000 people.
- Mt Gay Psychiatric Hospital, St George's: the country's main mental-health facility.
- St Augustine's Medical Centre and Grenada Medical Centre, private clinics in St George's offering shorter waits and a wider specialist range; the usual first stop for expats and returnees.
- St George's University School of Medicine (SGU), True Blue: a major US-affiliated medical school and one of the country's largest employers; SGU's clinical relationships extend internationally.
For older returnees
If you are returning at retirement age, plan three things before you travel. Arrange private health cover with strong medical-evacuation cover before arrival, since cover taken out later costs more and access to specialist care often means travel abroad. Bring a full written record of your medical history and current prescriptions so a local doctor can continue your care without gaps, and check that any long-term medication you depend on is reliably available locally. And think carefully about where you settle: St George's and the south-west coast have the most services, the eastern parishes and Carriacou considerably less.
For complex specialist care (advanced cardiac surgery, oncology, neurosurgery and similar), Grenadians often travel to Barbados, Trinidad, the US or the UK. Build medical evacuation into your insurance. The everyday public system is reasonable, particularly post-COVID, but it is stretched, and many returnees combine public access with a private policy.
Education and Schools
Education in Grenada is free and compulsory between ages 5 and 16, on a British-modelled system inherited at independence. Primary covers Standards 1 to 6; secondary runs five forms (ages 12 to 17), with sixth form (or the T.A. Marryshow Community College) covering 17 to 19. At the end of secondary school students sit Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) qualifications: the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC), broadly comparable to GCSE, and the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE), comparable to A-levels.
Well-regarded schools
- Presentation Brothers College (PBC, St George's), a Catholic boys' secondary school with a long academic record; PM Dickon Mitchell's alma mater.
- St Joseph's Convent (St George's), the historic Catholic girls' secondary school.
- Grenada Boys' Secondary School (GBSS) and St George's Anglican Junior School / Anglican High, well-established schools in the capital.
- Westmorland School (Grand Roy), a respected secondary school on the west coast.
- T.A. Marryshow Community College (TAMCC), the main sixth-form and tertiary college, offering Associate degrees and CAPE.
- St George's University (SGU), True Blue: a major US-affiliated university with Schools of Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Arts and Sciences, and Graduate Studies. International tuition is at US-private-university levels and is a major decision for international students rather than a route for typical returning families.
Public schooling is genuinely free but families typically pay for uniforms, books and a registration fee. Secondary schooling at the church-aided schools carries modest annual fees. International school options on the island are limited compared with larger islands; SGU's family community informally supports a smaller school ecosystem around True Blue. School quality varies more by individual institution than by category, so look at specific schools rather than assuming the label tells you everything.
Banking, Tax and Money
A few registrations matter for every returning resident settling in Grenada.
The tax picture, honestly
Grenada's headline tax position is genuinely attractive for returning Diaspora. No tax on worldwide income, no capital gains tax, no inheritance tax and no wealth tax. What you will meet instead: personal income tax on Grenada-source earnings (currently on a banded scale with a personal allowance), corporate tax on Grenada-source business profits, and Value Added Tax at 15 percent on most goods and services. Property transfer tax applies on real-estate purchases (citizens pay a lower rate than non-citizens). Confirm current rates with the Inland Revenue Division before relying on them. Grenada is a member of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union, and the XCD's fixed 2.70 peg to the USD makes financial planning predictable, particularly for Diaspora income in pounds or dollars.
Inheritance tax: an honest comparison with the UK
This is one of Grenada’s most powerful advantages for returning Diaspora, and rarely-discussed.
- The UK position: UK Inheritance Tax is currently 40 percent on the value of an estate above the nil-rate band of £325,000 (with an additional £175,000 residence nil-rate band where a main home passes to direct descendants, and full spouse exemption). Most middle-class UK estates with a home and pension are affected.
- The Grenada position: there is no inheritance tax, no estate tax, no gift tax and no wealth tax in Grenada. Beneficiaries do not pay tax on inherited assets. Probate fees apply, plus the usual legal costs. If inherited property is later sold, the standard property-transfer tax applies on the transfer (citizens pay a lower rate than non-citizens), but that is a normal property-transaction tax, not a death duty.
- The cross-border reality. UK domicile is sticky. A UK-domiciled person can still face UK Inheritance Tax on their worldwide estate even after relocating to Grenada. Domicile is a different test from residence and is hard to shed. There is no UK-Grenada double-tax treaty covering inheritance specifically. Treat this as one of the most important conversations to have with a qualified UK tax adviser before you go.
Wills and estate planning
This is genuinely important, often missed, and frequently sad in its consequences.
- Why it matters. Many UK Diaspora have a UK Will that does not properly cover Grenadian property, or no Will at all. On death this can throw the estate into intestacy across two jurisdictions, which is slow, costly and distressing for family at the worst possible moment.
- Widely-recommended practice (not legal advice). Cross-border practitioners commonly recommend two Wills, drafted to work together: a UK Will covering your UK estate, and a separate Grenada Will covering your Grenadian property, each containing language making clear it does not revoke the other. Use a local lawyer in Grenada for the local Will.
- The local rules. Inheritance is governed primarily by the Wills Act, the Administration of Estates Act and the modern Supreme Court (Non-Contentious Probate and Administration of Estates) Rules 2021 (SRO 13 of 2021). Grenadian probate sits within the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court structure, shared with the rest of the OECS. A valid Will must be in writing, signed by the testator in front of two witnesses (who must not be beneficiaries) who also sign. The Probate Registry of the High Court in St George’s handles grants of probate (where a Will exists) and grants of administration (where there is no Will).
- The "small estates" route. The 2021 Rules also bring Grenada in line with the OECS-wide Administration of Small Estates framework, allowing a simpler grant for estates below a defined value. This is a useful and often-overlooked option for Diaspora returnees with modest property holdings.
- Practical pointers. Name an executor in each jurisdiction. Review every five years or on a major life event. Tell your executor where the Wills are stored.
This is general information for orientation. Always speak to a qualified local lawyer before drafting or relying on a Will.
Caribbean and CARICOM countries commonly allow a returning national who has lived abroad for a continuous qualifying period to import household goods, and sometimes a vehicle, with some relief from import duty. The exact qualifying years and the list of eligible items vary by country and are set by the customs authority. Confirm the current Grenada rule directly with the Grenada Customs and Excise Division before you ship anything, as this was not verified at build and should not be assumed.
Work and Business
As a Grenadian citizen you can live and work in the country freely, with no work permit required. That is one of the real advantages of returning as a citizen rather than as a foreign worker.
The main sectors
Grenada's economy rests on several pillars: spice and agriculture (nutmeg, mace, cocoa, the famous Grenada Chocolate Company, plus fruit and ground provisions), tourism and hospitality (boutique resorts, eco-tourism, yachting around Prickly Bay and Carriacou), education (St George's University and its supply chain are a quietly major part of the economy), construction and real estate driven significantly by the CBI programme and post-Beryl reconstruction, and fisheries (badly hit by Beryl, recovering steadily).
Starting a business
New businesses register through the Corporate Affairs and Intellectual Property Office (CAIPO). The Grenada Investment Development Corporation (GIDC) is the main contact point for inward investment and operates the Grenada Industrial Park, with incentives and concessions for ventures that meet investment or job-creation criteria. After incorporating, you register with the Inland Revenue Division for a TIN and VAT, where applicable.
The local market is small (around 127,000 people) and average local salaries are modest. Returnee businesses often do best when they serve tourism, the Diaspora, the spice and chocolate sectors, the SGU community, or an online market beyond the island, rather than relying on domestic demand alone. The post-Beryl reconstruction has also created real opportunities in resilient construction, renewable energy and disaster-response infrastructure.
Driving and Transport 4-Region
Grenada drives on the left, the same as the UK. The main roads on the south and west coasts are paved and reasonable, but secondary and rural roads are narrow, poorly lit, with steep gradients and blind corners. Drive carefully at night, particularly outside St George's. Maurice Bishop International Airport on the south-west coast handles direct flights from London Gatwick (British Airways and Virgin Atlantic seasonally), New York (JFK), Miami, Toronto and several Caribbean hubs.
| Licence held | How it works | Where | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK licence | Visitors obtain a temporary Grenadian driving permit on presenting their home licence. Car hire firms typically arrange it on the spot. | Inland Revenue Division, the Traffic Department or via your car hire firm | ~$60 XCD (about £17) |
| US licence | Same process: a temporary local permit on presenting your home licence. | As above | ~$60 XCD (about $22 USD) |
| Canadian licence | Same process: a temporary local permit on presenting your home licence. | As above | ~$60 XCD (about C$30) |
| EU licence | Same process: a temporary local permit on presenting your home licence. | As above | ~$60 XCD (about €20) |
For residence beyond visitor periods, you will need a full Grenadian driver's licence. Public transport is mainly by minibus, which is cheap, frequent on the main routes (St George's to Grand Anse, Grenville, Sauteurs) and a useful way to plug into local life, but limited on Sundays and to remote areas. Taxis are not metered, but most routes have standard fares; agree the fare before you set off.
Bringing your pet
Cats and dogs can be brought to Grenada with proper paperwork. Current requirements typically include an import permit from the Veterinary and Livestock Division of the Ministry of Agriculture, microchip identification, current rabies vaccination, a rabies antibody (titer) test where required, and a veterinary health certificate issued shortly before travel. Exact current requirements, fees and any restrictions were not verified at build, so confirm them directly with the Veterinary and Livestock Division well before you plan to travel.
Internet and Connectivity
Connectivity in Grenada is solid in St George's and the south-west, more variable elsewhere. The market is dominated by two operators: Flow (Liberty Caribbean, formerly Cable and Wireless) and Digicel. The National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (NTRC) regulates the sector and runs a Universal Service Fund that subsidises rural and community connectivity.
Digicel+ Fibre offers fibre-to-the-home plans up to around 200 Mbps in covered areas; Flow has DOCSIS 3.1 cable broadband reaching 300+ Mbps in parts of the south-west and competing fibre in expanding districts. A standalone broadband plan typically runs around EC$100 per month; a triple-play bundle (internet, TV, phone) around EC$120 to 150. Mobile is 4G LTE across both networks; 5G has not yet launched commercially as of early 2026. Latency on fixed broadband is moderate; high-bandwidth video calls and remote work are entirely workable from the south-west coast.
On satellite, Starlink is registered in Grenada and increasingly used by remote properties and yachts; this is a real option for districts where fibre and mobile coverage are thin or where post-Beryl infrastructure is still being restored. Confirm current licensing terms with the NTRC.
Safety: The Honest Picture
This section needs reading carefully, because the picture has shifted in 2026. For most of the past two decades Grenada has had a settled reputation as one of the safer Eastern Caribbean countries, and for everyday life that is still broadly true. But the official advisories have changed, and you deserve to plan with clear eyes.
On 5 January 2026, the US State Department raised Grenada from Level 1 to Level 2, "exercise increased caution," citing crime. The advisory notes that American citizens in Grenada have been victims of armed robbery, assault, burglary and rape, that in some cases American citizens have been killed, and that police response times can be slow. The Royal Grenada Police Force reported a small (1.6 percent) increase in reported crime in 2024 over 2023, with a relatively high case-solvency rate. The UK FCDO advises ordinary precautions: avoid isolated areas after dark, take care at large gatherings, secure your accommodation, and avoid resisting if confronted.
Day-to-day, most returnees in St George's, Grand Anse, Lance Aux Epines and the south-west coast feel safe and the community is welcoming. Violent crime tends to be concentrated rather than random, and visitors are rarely specifically targeted. But the change in the US advisory is real, and the practical answer is the same as anywhere else: choose your district carefully, secure your home, and follow ordinary urban street sense.
Hurricane Beryl, Carriacou and Petite Martinique
The environmental risk Grenadian Diaspora most need to understand is hurricanes. On 1 July 2024, Hurricane Beryl made landfall on Carriacou as a high-end Category 4, with sustained winds of around 150 mph. The damage to the sister islands was catastrophic: 99% of buildings on Carriacou and around 70% on Petite Martinique were damaged or destroyed, the electrical grid was nearly wiped out, and most communications failed. Mainland Grenada was largely spared structural damage but lost around 95% of power temporarily. Six people died nationally; total damage was around US$218 million. Reconstruction has been substantial: by late 2025, roughly 78% of damaged roofs were restored and around 90% of damaged businesses had reopened. The lesson is real, though: before Beryl, Carriacou had not seen a major hurricane since Ivan in 2004, and complacency had set in. Property choice, hurricane shutters, water-tank security and proper insurance now matter in a way they did not before.
Other environmental risks: the wider Atlantic hurricane season runs 1 June to 30 November, and Mount St Catherine on the mainland is technically an active volcano (currently dormant). Earthquakes are felt occasionally. The Office of Disaster Management (NaDMA) issues alerts; sign up before you need to.
None of this means Grenada is unsafe to live in. Many thousands of Grenadian families abroad continue to return, particularly to the south-west coast, and find a friendly, settled community. But the safety picture in 2026 is firmer than it was two years ago, and the environmental picture on Carriacou is still being rebuilt. If you are buying or renting on Carriacou or Petite Martinique, visit in person, ask about Beryl-era reconstruction standards, and treat ongoing infrastructure quirks (water, power) as part of the deal.
Before you travel, check the official FCDO travel advice for Grenada.
Diaspora Missions, UK Association and Community 4-Region
The country’s diplomatic missions serving the Diaspora, plus the community channels you can plug into.
High Commissioner: H.E. Rachér Croney (since 2023). Tel: +44 (0)20 7385 4415. Email: office@grenada-highcommission.co.uk. Also accredited to the Holy See and South Africa.
The Toronto Consulate-General handles many day-to-day services, but the formal High Commission function for Canada is run from Washington D.C. For passport renewals and citizenship by descent applications, contact the Toronto Consulate-General first; they will advise whether the case needs to be referred to Washington.
UK Diaspora Association
- United Groups of Grenada (UGG), the main UK umbrella body for Grenadian community organisations, operating under the auspices of the Grenada High Commission. Hosts the annual Independence Gala each February (most recently the 52nd Anniversary Gala on 7 February 2026 at the Holiday Inn London Brentford, addressed by HC H.E. Rachér Croney) and coordinates community-wide cultural and welfare initiatives across the UK.
- Grenadian Heritage Day UK, conceived in 2009 by then High Commissioner H.E. Ruth Elizabeth Rouse, now an annual cultural festival drawing hundreds of Grenadians from Manchester, Reading, Wales and across the UK. Honours first-, second- and third-generation Grenadians.
- The Sunshine Foundation (info@thesunshinefoundation.co.uk; contact Yvonne Gabriel), and the Grenada Voluntary Hospital Committee (GVHC) (contact Mr Claude Sylvester), both listed by the Grenada High Commission as official Diaspora Organisations in the UK. Welfare and hospital-support focus.
- Diaspora Consultative Committee (DCC) UK and the Diaspora Youth Forum (DYF) UK, historic UK Diaspora bodies focused on education funding and youth engagement.
- Grenada Association Reading and other regional groups serving Grenadians in major English cities outside London.
- 473 Connect, the Grenada Tourism Authority’s formal Diaspora-ambassador programme, with promotional evenings in London, Manchester, New York, Miami, Toronto and Montreal. Open to first-, second- and third-generation Grenadians worldwide.
- Cross-Caribbean umbrellas: the British Caribbean Association (BCA), Friends of the Caribbean, the Caribbean & African Health Network (CAHN), the British Caribbean Chamber of Commerce, and the UWI Alumni Association UK Chapter all serve UK Grenadians alongside other CARICOM nationals.
Facebook Groups and Pages
Where the UK Diaspora can plug into Grenadian community life online. A curated list, not exhaustive:
- Grenada High Commission UK, official Facebook page for consular announcements, Independence Gala details and Diaspora updates.
- NOW Grenada and Grenada Broadcasting Network, the most-read news and broadcast pages.
- Pure Grenada, the official tourism authority page (also home of 473 Connect).
- United Groups of Grenada (UGG), the umbrella UK group’s page (events, Independence Gala, AGM).
- Grenada Diaspora UK and Grenadians in the UK, community groups for events, news, and informal mutual support.
- The Caribbean Diaspora (~1.7k members) and British Caribbean Development (~5.6k members), broad cross-CARICOM Facebook groups where Grenadian Diaspora are well-represented.
- Carriacou-specific groups: look for "Carriacou and Petite Martinique," "Hosanna Carriacou" and Beryl-recovery-focused community pages.
- Parish and village groups: look for Gouyave, Sauteurs, Grenville, Victoria, Grand Anse and St George's on Facebook for local community pages.
Not sure where to start?
Map your move with the Relocation Intelligence Calculator: your citizenship eligibility, budget and timeline, costed clearly.
Your First Steps
- Gather and Apostille your documents. The long-form birth certificate of your Grenadian parent or grandparent first.
- Apply for citizenship by descent and your passport, via the London High Commission, the Washington Embassy, the Toronto Consulate-General or directly with the Immigration Department in St George's. If considering CBI, contact the Citizenship by Investment Committee.
- Decide which area suits your family: St George's and the south-west coast for services and jobs, Grand Anse or Lance Aux Epines for expat infrastructure, the east coast for a quieter rural pace, or Carriacou with eyes wide open about ongoing reconstruction.
- Register with the National Insurance Scheme and the Inland Revenue Division for a TIN on arrival.
- Arrange private health cover with strong medical-evacuation cover, and bring full medical records and prescriptions.
- Confirm Returning Resident customs concessions directly with the Grenada Customs and Excise Division before you ship anything.
- Run your numbers through the Relocation Calculator and plan your shipping with the 2026 Shipping Bible.