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Are you thinking about expanding your business and hiring in Antigua and Barbuda? This beautiful twin-island nation in the Caribbean is known for its stunning beaches and exciting culture. With a population of just under 100,000 people, Antigua and Barbuda can provide some excellent opportunities for businesses looking to grow throughout the world.
The economy here is led mainly by tourism, but there are also growing sectors in finance, agriculture, and information technology. The country has a stable political environment and a strong commitment to attracting foreign investment, making it a very appealing destination for businesses.
When hiring in Antigua and Barbuda, you’ll find a well-educated workforce with a high literacy rate. The local government supports business growth through various incentives and a pro-business regulatory framework. However, understanding local labor laws and employment practices is very important. Partnering with an Employer of Record (EOR) can simplify this process, handling all the legal and administrative tasks while you work on finding the right talent for your growing business.
Hire in Antigua and Barbuda, and pay employees through our platform or app.
Our Antigua and Barbuda EOR solution is the most affordable on the market.
Fast Antigua and Barbuda onboarding, hire in as little as 24 hours.
We draft compliant Antigua and Barbuda labor contracts.
We manage all Antigua and Barbuda mandatory benefits.
It doesn’t stop with Antigua and Barbuda — we hire employees globally.
An Antigua and Barbuda Employer of Record is a third-party company that manages the legal and administrative responsibilities of employing workers in Antigua and Barbuda on behalf of your business. This means they take care of everything from payroll and taxes to benefits and compliance with local labor laws. Essentially, the EOR becomes the official employer for your staff in Antigua and Barbuda, while you still manage their day-to-day tasks and overall performance. This setup allows you to focus on growing your business without getting bogged down by the complexities of local employment regulations.
The terms “Employer of Record” and “Professional Employer Organization” (PEO) are usually used interchangeably and mean the same thing. Both EORs and PEOs handle HR tasks and legal responsibilities for other businesses. By partnering with an EOR or PEO, you can streamline your hiring process and ensure compliance with all local laws, making it much easier to manage your workforce in Antigua and Barbuda.
Using an Employer of Record in Antigua and Barbuda comes with a host of benefits that make expanding your business here much easier.
Partnering with an Antigua and Barbuda EOR is a great way to simplify the hiring process, ensure legal compliance, reduce administrative burdens, and help you focus on growing your business. It’s a smart move for any company looking to expand into the Antigua and Barbuda market.
Horizons stands out as a Antigua and Barbuda EOR through:
When you engage a Antigua and Barbuda EOR, it will:
To summarize, when your company engages a Antigua and Barbuda EOR, your business is able to focus on strategic objectives and operational needs within the Antiguan market, with the EOR taking care of HR functions and legal compliance.
One of the principal reasons for engaging an EOR in Antigua and Barbuda is to ensure full compliance with Antigua and Barbuda’s employment laws. Here we explain in detail how a Antigua and Barbuda EOR ensures:
In Antigua and Barbuda, employment contracts can be either permanent or fixed-term. Permanent contracts offer ongoing employment without a set end date, providing job security and long-term benefits. Fixed-term contracts are for a specific duration or project and have a clear start and end date. These are often used for temporary or seasonal work.
No probationary period.
At completion of the project.
Not applicable
Typically up to 3 months
Not applicable
Not applicable
Typically up to 3 months
1 week to 30 days
1 week's salary per year of service
The standard working hours in Antigua and Barbuda are typically 40 hours per week, spread over five days. Most businesses operate from Monday to Friday, with an eight-hour workday. According to the Antigua and Barbuda Labor Code, any work beyond these standard hours is considered overtime and must be compensated at a higher rate.
150% of the standard hourly rate
200% of the standard hourly rate
200% of the standard hourly rate
In 2025, Antigua and Barbuda will observe several public holidays that hold important cultural and national significance. On these days, employees typically have the day off with pay. If they are required to work on a public holiday, they must be compensated at a higher rate, usually double their regular pay.
| Date | Holiday name |
|---|---|
| 1 Jan 2025 | New Year’s Day |
| 18 Apr 2025 | Good Friday |
| 21 Apr 2025 | Easter Monday |
| 5 May 2025 | Labor Day |
| 9 Jun 2025 | Whit Monday |
| 4 Aug to 5 Aug 2025 | Carnival |
| 1 Nov 2025 | Independence Day |
| 3 Nov 2025 | Independence Day Holiday |
| 9 Dec 2025 | Vere Cornwall Bird Senior Day |
| 25 Dec 2025 | Christmas Day |
| 26 Dec 2025 | Boxing Day |
Employees in Antigua and Barbuda are entitled to paid time off , which includes vacation leave and public holidays. Full-time employees generally earn a minimum of 14 days of paid vacation per year, as per the Employment Act.
no leave entitlement
14 days of paid leave annually
14 days of paid leave annually
14 days of paid leave annually
Sick leave in Antigua and Barbuda allows employees to take time off when they are ill without losing pay. Full-time employees are generally entitled to a minimum of 12 days of paid sick leave per year. To qualify for paid sick leave, employees may need to provide a medical certificate if they are absent for more than two consecutive days.
(percentage of regular wages owed to the employee)
no leave entitlement
12 days of paid leave annually
12 days of paid leave annually
12 days of paid leave annually
Unpaid (unless specified in the employment contract or under special circumstances)
Unpaid (unless specified in the employment contract or under special circumstances)
Unpaid (unless specified in the employment contract or under special circumstances)
In order for employees to receive the full wages due to them, workers must present a valid medical certificate from a certified doctor to their employer.
Female employees are entitled to a minimum of 12 weeks (3 months) of maternity leave.
Paternity leave is less formalized in the Labour Code compared to maternity leave. However, many employers offer paternity leave as part of their employment policies. The standard practice, where offered, is usually 1 to 2 weeks of paid paternity leave, but this can vary significantly depending on the employer.
In Antigua and Barbuda, full-time employees are entitled to a minimum of 15 days of paid annual leave each year after completing one year of service, as per the Employment Act. Employers can choose to offer more, but 15 days is the standard minimum. Annual leave should be scheduled in advance and agreed upon by both the employer and employee, ensuring that business operations are not disrupted.
Termination of employment in Antigua and Barbuda must follow specific legal procedures to ensure fairness. Employers must provide notice or payment in lieu of notice, with the notice period depending on the employee’s length of service. For employees with less than one year of service, the notice period is typically one week. For those with longer service, the notice period increases. Severance pay is required for employees terminated without cause, generally amounting to one week’s pay for each year of service.
In Antigua and Barbuda, social security contributions are mandatory payments made by both employers and employees to the Social Security Board, which funds various benefits such as sickness, maternity, invalidity, retirement, and more. The total contribution to social security is 9% of the employee’s gross earnings.
Social security contributions are an essential part of the social safety net in Antigua and Barbuda, providing financial support to individuals and their families in various situations.
Foreign workers employed in Antigua and Barbuda are typically required to contribute to the Social Security Board just like local employees. Foreign workers who contribute to the social security system are eligible for the same benefits as local workers, including sickness, maternity, invalidity, retirement pensions, and more, depending on the number of contributions made.
Antigua and Barbuda do not impose personal income tax on individuals. This means that residents, including both local citizens and foreign workers, are not required to pay taxes on their income earned within the country.
The government provides a range of health services through public hospitals and clinics, including primary care, emergency services, and specialized treatments. These services are often free or heavily subsidized for residents. While public health care is available, it may be limited in terms of the range of services, waiting times, and availability of specialized care or advanced treatments.
Many residents, especially expatriates and those who prefer access to a wider range of medical services, opt for private health insurance. Employers often provide health insurance as part of an employee benefits package. Group insurance plans are usually more affordable and may offer better coverage than individual plans.
The set minimum wage in Antigua and Barbuda is EC$8.20 per hour, which all employers must adhere to. According to the Antigua and Barbuda Labor Code, any overtime work must be compensated at a higher rate, usually 1.5 times the regular hourly wage.
The concept of a 13th month salary is not a standard practice in Antigua and Barbuda. Instead, bonuses and additional compensation are often performance-based or given at the discretion of the employer.
Social security contributions in Antigua and Barbuda are crucial for supporting various social benefits, including pensions and healthcare. Both employers and employees contribute to the Antigua and Barbuda Social Security Scheme. Employers deduct a portion of the employee’s salary and match it with their own contribution.
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An Employer of Record in Antigua and Barbuda takes care of all the details to ensure your business complies with local labor laws. They handle everything from drafting legal employment contracts to processing payroll and managing taxes. The EOR stays updated on any changes in labor laws and regulations, ensuring that your business operations remain compliant. This allows you to focus on running your business while the EOR manages all the legal aspects.
Using an EOR for hiring in Antigua and Barbuda offers several key benefits. It simplifies the hiring process by taking care of all administrative and legal tasks, allowing you to quickly and easily bring on local talent without setting up a local entity. Additionally, an EOR ensures compliance with local labor laws, reducing the risk of fines or legal issues. This means you can focus on growing your business while the EOR handles the difficulties of employment, making the expansion process smoother and easier.
Holiday Schedule in Antigua and Barbuda [2025]
