Working in Bermuda: the work permit, the English test, and what you pay in payroll tax and contributions
You can only work in Bermuda with a work permit, and your employer applies for it, after an advertisement in which Bermudians go first. For 48 occupations it is not possible. Your employer also shows that you speak enough English. There is no income tax, but there is payroll tax of 0.25 to 12.5 percent and a pension contribution of 39.25 dollars a week.
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You can only work in Bermuda with a work permit. You do not apply for it yourself: your employer does. He must first advertise the job, because Bermudians and their partners go first. As a visitor you may not look for work. Once you have the permit, you pay no income tax, but you do pay payroll tax (a tax on wages) and contributions to the Bermudian pension.
The Bermudian dollar is equal to the US dollar. We convert amounts at the rate of 23 October 2026: 1 euro is about 1.12 dollars.
What does a work permit cost?
The usual permit is called Standard and is valid for one to five years. The employer usually pays the fees, but this is not laid down anywhere.
| Type of permit | 1 year | 2 years | 5 years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | $1,015 (≈ €907) | $2,530 (≈ €2,260) | $6,510 (≈ €5,816) |
| Global or New Business | $1,955 (≈ €1,747) | $3,475 | $7,460 (≈ €6,665) |
| Short Term, up to 3 months | $705 (≈ €630) | ||
| Adding a family member | $275 per person |
A complete application for a Standard permit takes 20 working days. The employer applies no earlier than three months before your start date.
How does the application work?
Your employer advertises the job at least three times in eight days in a local newspaper, and for eight days on the government job board (bermudajobconnect.bm). Then he waits another five working days for applications. If a suitable Bermudian applies, that person goes first.
For some occupations it is not possible. Between 1 March 2026 and 28 February 2027, 48 occupations are closed, such as administrative assistant, cashier, real estate agent, receptionist, sales assistant, photographer and golf instructor. Another 18 occupations are restricted, such as bartender, electrician, plumber, carpenter and waiter. For those a permit is valid for at most two years at a time.
Your employer shows in advance that you speak enough English. Under the policy of 1 May 2026, accepted results include IELTS 4, TOEFL iBT 42 and Duolingo 75. The Netherlands is not on the list of exempt countries. If you obtained a degree or professional qualification in English, you do not need the test.
Which documents do you submit?
- A police certificate. From the Netherlands and from every country where you lived in the past two years, and at most six months old. In the Netherlands that is a VOG from Justis; ask whether Bermuda accepts it as it is.
- Three passport photos. With a white background, no older than six months.
- A chest X-ray and a doctor's statement. Only if you come from a country with a lot of TB or lived there for three months or more.
A conviction, for example for drugs or fraud, usually leads to a refusal.
Are there other kinds of permits?
Yes. If you are transferred within your own company, an Intra-Company Transfer is possible. No advertisement is needed. If you have worked for the company for more than a year and earn more than $125,000 a year (about €111,700), it is approved automatically. For a new company in Bermuda there is the New Business permit. There are also permits for short jobs (Short Term, up to six months) and for entrepreneurs who start a business in Bermuda.
If you work remotely for an employer outside Bermuda, you do not need a work permit but the Permission to Reside on your own income, from $75,000 a year. Immigration has told law firm Appleby that such work is allowed, as long as your employer has no branch in Bermuda. It is not in the law word for word; ask Immigration for written confirmation. More on this in the residence routes to Bermuda.
Can your partner and children come along?
With a Standard or New Business permit, yes. Your partner may then live there and look for work if your base salary is at least $60,000 a year and you have health insurance. With more family members the threshold is higher: $100,000 for two, $125,000 for three and $150,000 for four or more. Your children may live there, but not work. A partner who starts working needs a work permit of their own.
What do you pay as an employee?
Bermuda levies no income tax. You do contribute to payroll tax. Your employer may withhold this employee share from your salary:
| Annual salary | Employee share |
|---|---|
| up to $48,000 (≈ €42,900) | 0.25% |
| $48,001 to $96,000 | 7.75% |
| $96,001 to $200,000 | 10.75% |
| $200,001 to $500,000 | 11.5% |
| $500,001 to $1,000,000 | 12.5% |
On top of that you pay $39.25 a week (about €35) towards the Bermudian pension, and your employer pays the same. Someone who is not ordinarily resident in Bermuda is, by law, only insured after 26 consecutive weeks of work; ask your employer how that works out for you. You receive a pension from 65 if you paid at least 484 weekly contributions, roughly nine years. Otherwise you get the contributions you paid back at 65, not when you leave.
Your employer must also insure you for health care, with at least the standard package. He may withhold at most half of the standard premium from your salary. See health care in Bermuda.
What if your job ends or you want to switch?
Changing employer without permission is only possible after two years. If you lose your job, you ask for permission to look for other work within 14 days. You renew between three months and one month before your permit ends. Late costs $290 a month.
In Vertrekklaar this is phase 2 of 5 of the journey, step 2.2: the same steps, but for your situation — in your order, tickable, and with the deadlines watched. See the whole journey to Bermuda or go straight to step 2.2 in the open plan.
What this rests on
The facts in this article come from these official pages. Rules change. When in doubt, go by the source, not this article.
- Department of Immigration — Work Permit Policy, version 1 May 2026 (advertising, occupations, English, family) — gov.bm
- Government of Bermuda — how to get a work permit (updated 14 July 2026) — gov.bm
- Government of Bermuda — the types of work permits — gov.bm
- Government of Bermuda — all Immigration fees (updated 3 September 2026) — gov.bm
- Office of the Tax Commissioner — payroll tax from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027 — gov.bm
- Contributory Pensions Act 1970 — the pension contribution and the 26 weeks for non-residents — bermudalaws.bm
- Department of Social Insurance — the pension contribution and the social insurance number for employees — socialinsurance.gov.bm
- Health Insurance Act 1970, sections 20 to 22 — health insurance through the employer — bermudalaws.bm
- Unemployment Insurance Act, article 19(1)(e) — no WW for whoever lives outside the Netherlands — wetten.overheid.nl
- Appleby — Sponsored Dependants, 23 January 2023: Immigration on remote work without a work permit — applebyglobal.com
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