Permits & Land

Life on Bonaire is shaped by permits — for work, for building, for harvesting natural resources. The Public Administration Office in Kralendijk processes all applications. Permits take 1–3 game days to process and some require fees. Without the right permits, you risk fines, confiscation, or worse.

A work permit is required for formal employment on Bonaire. Apply at the Public Administration Office. Processing takes 1–3 game days. Until your permit is approved, you can earn money through informal side work — check the bulletin board for odd jobs, help neighbors with harvest, or sell produce at the market.

Any permanent structure — house, well, cistern, fence, solar installation — requires a building permit. Applications are reviewed by the planning office. Building without a permit risks a stop-work order and fines. Permits are tied to your land claim, so secure your plot first.

Land claims stake your right to a kunuku plot. Unclaimed land is available in designated settlement areas. Once claimed, you can build, farm, and improve the land. Claims are registered at the Public Administration Office. Abandoned claims revert to public land after a period of inactivity — visit your plot regularly to maintain your claim.

Harvesting natural resources — aloe from wild plants, salt from the pans, fish from protected waters — may require permits depending on the location and scale. Small-scale personal harvesting is generally allowed. Commercial-scale operations need a harvest permit from the relevant authority.

Settlement areas are scattered across the island. Rincon (the oldest village) has plots near the historic center. The kunuku north of Kralendijk offers larger agricultural plots. Coastal areas have fishing access but stricter building rules. Check the Map Locations reference for specific plot coordinates and availability.

Permit fees vary by type. Work permits are processed for a nominal administrative fee. Building permits are priced based on the structure type and size. Land claims require an initial registration fee plus ongoing occupancy requirements. Harvest permits for commercial operations have tiered pricing based on expected yield.