Click on graphic above to navigate the 165+ web files on this website, a regularly updated Gazetteer, an in-depth description of our island's internally self-governing British Overseas Territory 900 miles north of the Caribbean, 600 miles east of North Carolina, USA. With accommodation options, airlines, airport, actors, actresses, aviation, banks, beaches, Bermuda Dollar, Bermuda Government, Bermuda-incorporated businesses and companies including insurers and reinsurers, Bermudians, books and publications, bridges and causeway, charities, churches, citizenship by Status, City of Hamilton, commerce, communities, credit cards, cruise ships, cuisine, currency, disability accessibility, Devonshire Parish, districts, Dockyard, economy, education, employers, employment, environment, executorships, fauna, ferries, flora, former military bases, forts, gardens, geography, getting around, golf, guest houses, highways, history, historic properties, Hamilton, House of Assembly, housing, hotels, immigration, import duties, internet access, islands, laws, legal system and legislators, main roads, marriages, media, members of parliament, money, motor vehicles, municipalities, music and musicians, newcomers, newspaper, media, organizations, parks, parishes, Paget, Pembroke, performing artists, residents, pensions, political parties, postage stamps, public holidays, public transportation, railway trail, real estate, registries of aircraft and ships, religions, Royal Naval Dockyard, Sandys, senior citizens, Smith's, Somerset Village, Southampton, St. David's Island, St George's, Spanish Point, Spittal Pond, sports, taxes, telecommunications, time zone, traditions, tourism, Town of St. George, Tucker's Town, utilities, water sports, Warwick, weather, wildlife, work permits.
By Keith Archibald Forbes (see About Us).
Left: Bermuda Flag with Coat of of Arms. Right: Coat of Arms.
Bermuda is an
island country with its own distinct national identity, but not a sovereign
state.
It is the smallest in size but economically the most advanced, prosperous
and populated per square mile as well as the oldest of all the British Overseas
Territories. (A sovereign state is one neither dependent on nor subjected
in any way to any other power or state or country). As a British
Overseas Territory 3,076
miles from London it has a great deal of autonomy from the UK. It passes all its own internal
laws, many modeled on British-UK laws since discovery and
colonization in 1612. No actual UK laws apply in Bermuda. The UK's
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is the British Government department
responsible for Bermuda's foreign affairs, through its headquarters in London
and its Embassies, High Commissions and Consulates. Mer Majesty the Queen is the
UK's and Bermuda's Head of State, the UK's National anthem saluting her is
Bermuda's also. The Queen is represented in Bermuda by the British-UK appointed
Governor for a 3-5 year period. The FCDO is represented in Bermuda by the
Deputy Governor's Office. The Governor and his Deputy Governor's Office are
where the Governor resides, at Bermuda Government-owned Government House, 11 Langton Hill, Pembroke HM 13,
Bermuda. Telephone: (441) 292-2587, Fax: (441) 295-3823).
The Government of Bermuda alone, not Britain, decides on all non-Bermudians who can enter, reside and if eligible and law-abiding, can get local citizenship, referred to as Bermuda Status, after 10 continuous years of marriage to and living with a Bermudian. People from Britain - Britons - are just as much foreigners as are Americans, Canadians, Europeans, Asians and other citizens. This means that even people born and bred in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Bermuda's mother-country based on the nationality of its first colonists, are not free to come and go as they wish, if and when they come here do not have citizenship, generally cannot vote, need work permits like any other nationality if they are qualified to come to work and are never guaranteed continued employment even with work permits if Bermudians becomes qualified and are deemed able to take over their jobs. The Bermuda Government alone has the right to control the admission and expulsion of people from both Britain and anywhere else in the world. However, under British-UK law, so long as Bermuda remains a British Overseas Territory, Bermudians can, on application, obtain automatic British-UK citizenship and passports and can come and go as they please between Bermuda and the United Kingdom.
Flag description and protocol. Red, with the Red Ensign flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant but with the addition of the Bermuda coat of arms. The Coat of Arms of Bermuda show a red lion holding a shield that has a depiction of a sinking ship upon it. The red lion is a symbol for the United Kingdom and alludes to Bermuda's relationship with that nation. The sinking ship is a depiction of the sinking of the Sea Venture off the coast of Bermuda in 1609 when under the command of Admiral Sir George Somers. He was en route to Virginia with a Supply Fleet of colonists and provisions but was shipwrecked on a Bermuda reef. This unintended disaster, with only a few lives lost and with the colonists having thrived in the sub-tropical climate of Bermuda, led to the official launch of Bermuda as a British colony. That ship was the first British ship to visit Bermuda. The Coat of Arms was awarded by Royal Warrant at the Court of St. James, London, on October 4, 1910. Commissioned by the Bermuda Government from London's College of Arms for Bermuda's tercentenary in 1909. It is a white and blue shield with a red lion holding a scrolled shield showing the sinking of Admiral Somer's flagship Sea Venture off Bermuda in 1609. Armorial Ensigns are Argent on a Mount Vert a lion sejant affrontee Gules supporting between the forepaws an Antique Shield Azure, thereon a representation of the wreck of the Ship 'The Sea Venture' (AD1609) all proper, together with the motto Quo Fata Ferunt. This is from Virgil's Aeneid - one of the most famous items of all Latin poetry - and its translation from the Latin is Whither the Fates do Lead Us.
Bermuda has no natural resources - no oil or gas, other exports or heavy industry. Practically everything is imported, mostly directly or indirectly though the USA.
Bermuda has never been geographically or economically part of the Caribbean islands. They are more than 900 miles to the south. There are no direct airline services between Bermuda and any Caribbean islands, only via the USA or Canada.
Bird. Cahow. Because of its perseverance, strength and endurance. Long thought to be extinct, wiped out by early 17h century colonists, until re-discovered 300 years later.
Flag. See top graphic above.
Flower. Bermudiana. (Sisyrinchium iridioides). A member of the iris family first recognized by Carolus Linnaeus as different from the American blue-eyed iris. This was confirmed in 1884.
Tree. Bermuda Cedar, a unique species of juniper. An integral part of the landscape since 1606 and once used to create furniture, build ships and construct beams for houses.
Vegetable. Onion. First introduced from England in 1616 and for 300 years afterwards was exported from Bermuda to West Indies and North America. Bermudians refer to themselves as "onions."
For Bermuda's latitude and longitude see http://www.findlatitudeandlongitude.com/?loc=bermuda+island.
Bermuda, from the west (left) looking east
Aircraft approaching Bermuda from the east
The isolated island chain of Bermuda
- see a list of its islands
- is located in the western North Atlantic, 600 miles 965 km) east of Cape
Hatteras, North Carolina, USA.
With a total land area of just 21 square miles ( 55 square km), one of the smallest places in the world in total land area compared to its nearest neighbor the USA's 9.629 million square kilometers, residents and visitors can travel from one end to the other in just over 60 minutes and from north to south in 10 to 15 minutes.
Bermuda comprises 123 limestone islands that sit on the largest of three volcanic seamounts formed about 110 million years ago. Influenced by the warm waters of the Gulf Stream, Bermuda's shallow-water platform covers an area of about 1000 km and supports the northernmost coral reef system in the world.
Bermuda’s low-rolling hills are largely suburban in character, supporting a resident human population of over 65,000 concentrated on the seven largest islands now all joined to Bermuda's main island by bridges. Economic growth, based on tourism and international business, attracts 500,000 visitors each year.
Bermuda is named after the man who first discovered it, Spanish navigator Juan de Bermudez. Before he first discovered Bermuda via shipwreck on local reefs in 1503, Bermuda was uninhabited. Later Spanish, Portuguese, French and British mariners also came ashore, mostly involuntarily because of sharp uncharted reefs that damaged or sunk their ships. As soon as they built small vessels from local cedar, or made repairs, they left. Portugal and Spain claimed Bermuda but did not take possession or settle. Bermuda had no permanent residents until 1609 when the flagship "Sea Venture" of the British Third Supply Fleet was caught in a tempest with 150 British officials, colonists and crew, including Admiral Sir George Somers, Sir Thomas Gates as Virginia's first Governor-Designate, and John Rolfe. See Bermuda's Links with the USA.
Bermuda's other name - the Somers Isles - commemorate Bermuda's British founder father, discoverer in 1609 and colonizer, Admiral Sir George Somers, when it was unpopulated. In 1612 the Bermuda islands or Bermudas, then the Somers Islands, were in the third charter of the Virginia Company. As such, Bermuda was once referred to as Virgineola, in its 16th century brief period as a dependency of Virginia. More English colonists arrived specifically for Bermuda. The charter was revoked in 1684 when Bermuda became a British crown colony.
Bermuda landscape
The Bermuda Rise juts up from the deep Atlantic Ocean floor in the form of three steep-sided mountains, the largest of which supports the Bermuda Islands we know today, on the southern margin of a shallow water platform, with Challenger and Argus (or Plantagenet) Banks to the southwest. Others say the Bermuda Rise is five mountains including the more distant Bowditch and Muir Seamounts (the furthest of which is about 150 miles to the northeast). The Bermuda Mountain is longer - 32 miles - than the land area width and much wider - 16 miles wide - than the maximum land width of 1.5 miles. At sea, the Argus and Challenger Banks are round and about 6 miles across. Harrington Sound is an inland lake with access to the sea under Flatt's Bridge and many subterranean caves. It marks the lowest point on the Bermuda sea platform. It is about 23 meters in depth at its deepest point (off Devil's Hole). Its geological formation is not yet fully explained. It is not the crater of an extinct volcano as often assumed. To the right of Harrington Sound is Castle Harbour, with the airport nearby. Below the level of limestone and 450 feet below sea level is volcanic rock; and below that, only black lava and other igneous volcanic rock. Only in one place in Bermuda - 60 feet below sea level at the southern end of Bermuda's international airport - is volcanic rock found so near to sea level.
About 250 of over 8,000 plant and animal species known from Bermuda are unique. Many of these are found in the extensive network of submerged caves (see more below) and, like the fabled cahow and Bermuda skink, are critically endangered. Others, such as the Bermuda cedar, nearly wiped out in the 1940s by an introduced scale insect, are more common, due to island-wide planting schemes. Bermuda is well known for its Cahow (Bermuda Petrel), a species thought to be extinct for 300 years until its rediscovery in 1951, and its Longtail frigate-bird, Bermuda has a magnificent limestone cave system – the 150 known caves, the leading ones of which are open to the public for an admittance fee - makes it one of the highest concentrations of caves in the world. Remaining caves hold a high proportion of Bermuda’s endemic species. The flattened top of an extinct volcano, the Bermuda Platform supports approximately 1,000 square kilometres of fringe reefs and shallow water habitat. A ring of protective reefs follows closely to the south shore of the Island and extends offshore approximately 15 km to the north, enclosing a shallow sandy lagoon. The Gulf Stream which passes to the West and North of the Island moderates Bermuda’s weather and brings warm tropical waters to the area thereby allowing Bermuda to support the northernmost coral reef system in the world.
Bermuda is (an observer) member of CARICOM and member of the ICFTU and IOC.
Maritime claims and fishing zone. Bermuda has internationally recognized maritime claims to an exclusive fishing zone of 200 nautical miles and a territorial sea of 12 nautical miles. In 1996, the claims were embodied an exclusive economic zone.
Many options, beginning with large hotels then smaller facilities.
Bermuda requires valid passports from:
All visitors, including from Britain, Canada, USA and elsewhere. American citizens who number about 85% of all visitors, must have a valid official passport to visit or work in Bermuda and enter or re-enter their home country. Further details can be obtained from the US Consulate in Bermuda and the honorary consuls in Bermuda of other countries.
USA citizens. See Bermuda's Links with the USA.
Britons (5% of all visitors, see Bermuda's Links with the UK):
Canadians (5% of all visitors). See Bermuda's Links with Canada file.
Other nationals. (5% of all visitors) must have an appropriate travel visa from Canada or the United Kingdom if entering Bermuda not from the USA.. They should consult in advance a British Embassy or Consul. Plus, if they travel to and from Bermuda via the USA, they must obtain and bring the appropriate in transit documentation or visas required by the Immigration authorities of these countries for both portions of the journey.
Bermuda has many aircraft, cruise ships and merchant ships registered under its flag. Bermuda has a significant Shipping Register and provisions include the Merchant Shipping (ILO) Amendment Act, 2012. The island has long been a jurisdiction of choice for aircraft financing transactions. Thus the continued positive outlook in the global aircraft finance sector means that protecting the interests of secured parties over aircraft and engines is crucial. Legislative amendments have further strengthened Bermuda’s position as an offshore leader in the global aircraft finance market. Removed from the earlier act is the requirement that an aircraft or aircraft engine must be owned by, leased or chartered to, or otherwise in the lawful possession of a company incorporated in Bermuda to be made security for a loan. The amended Act, together with ancillary regulations made under the Act, provide for the establishment and maintenance of a register of aircraft mortgages and aircraft engine mortgages. Prior to the amendment, mortgages could only be registered against Bermuda-registered aircraft and aircraft engines if such aircraft or aircraft engine were either owned by, or otherwise in the possession of, a Bermuda incorporated company. The amendments to the Act now allow security for loans or other valuable consideration to be made by qualified registrants over aircraft registered on the Bermuda register (or capable of being registered); and aircraft engines if: (a) the engine is attached to an aircraft registered on the Bermuda register (or attached to an aircraft capable of being registered) or (b) the engine is for such aircraft and is owned by, or leased to, the owner of such aircraft. The Amendment Act follows amendments that were made to the Air Navigation (Overseas Territories) Order that took effect on January 1, 2015.
The way Bermudians speak. The Island’s dialect and unique vocabulary keep changing — but even as our speech evolves, it remains Bermudian. Today, the accent is mostly American with local flourishes. The history of Bermuda’s dialect is not well documented (except for the book Bermudian English. Harry Morgan Ayres. 1933). When that book was written local accents were far more pronounced.
The local dialect of English is believed to have emerged from a crossroads of African, Caribbean, British, Portuguese, and New England influences. Scholars of the dialect believe the nasal quality of many distinctly Bermudian sounds — such as the affirmative “aungh” noise — may have originated with Portuguese and Angolan imports. However, the United States influence had markedly shifted the accent away from its stronger British intonation in recent years, and globalization will likely bring further variance. It is claimed that even Bermudian dogs understand the special features of local speech, with one owner of a vicious-looking dog eying an apprehensive bystander hungrily, but with the owner calmly telling both the latter and the dog “Don’ even worry wif it.” There is often a shift between the V and W sounds. There is no consensus on whether the Island’s colloquial form of address to a male resident or visitor is spelled “bie” or “bye" - which means much more than just "boy" or "guy" and no standard way to write the Bermudian dialect. Some Bermudians will drop their accent in a business setting, believing it to be more appropriate. It can be hilarious at times. For example, when units of the British Army of the United Kingdom's Sherwood Foresters were posted to Bermuda from 1935 to 1939, a certain Sergeant-Major of the one of the Bermudian local part-time military units was asked to tell them to "Stand Easy" after a parade at Prospect Garrison, Devonshire. But never having addressed such a large parade of professional soldiers before, he was nervously prefaced his barked command with the very Bermudian question: "Is you happy at your verk?" It made all the soldiers crack up, before order was restored.
A summary
2016. November 26. Bermuda's Parliamentarians approved legislation that allowed tiny electric rental minicars introduced in Bermuda for the first time. The Motor Car Amendment (No 2) passed in the House of Assembly, over the objections of some Members of Parliament and taxi drivers and owners. It applies only to small covered electric-only vehicles capable of carrying a maximum of two passengers. Larger rental vehicles are still banned although common in the rest of the world. Visitors to Bermuda must bring a valid driving licence from their home state or country, stay at a place that has appropriate electric charging facilities, and are prepared to pay over $150 a day to rent and insure the vehicle.
Before then, the Bermuda Government did not permit visitors to rent any kind of automobiles or drive those owned by residents. Visitors were (and still are) restricted to a low powered rented moped or scooter, or taxi or public transport. There are no chauffeured limousines. Bermuda properties are not allowed to have limousines to collect or deliver guests to the Bermuda International Airport. Public buses are not equipped to accept passengers with luggage. Only one automobile is allowed for each Bermuda family or household.
Bermuda's is 77 compares to 77.1 in the US; 78.1 in the UK; 76.9 in Portugal; 79.6 in Canada; 79.2 in France; 79.5 in Spain; and 72.3 in Hungary.
Including, but not confined to, non-prescription drugs (narcotics) and weapons.
Primarily because of a very high Bermuda Government import duty, prices of all liquor (including wine and beer) bought in Bermuda are high - sometimes twice or more than in the USA. As visitors, you may import one liter per person. Soft carbonated drinks are also expensive by North American standards, US $3.24 for a 2 liter bottle of the Bermuda-made product, or $1.99 for a same size imported house brand soda.
Shops/stores selling in the Bermuda marketplace are required by local laws to be at least 60% Bermudian directed, owned and managed. Because of this there are no large discount stores like in the USA.
To avoid paying much more in Bermuda, before you arrive, stock up on:
See this extensive list. Many have been written about Bermuda, brief mentions are included. Because Bermuda has changed so much over the years, all older guide books are no longer accurate.
They connect the major islands. Most visitors assume Bermuda is only one island, not 148. Many are connected by bridges.
Under the Bermuda 2002 Statistics Act, there is a census every 5 years, with the next one due in 2020/2021.
Bermuda is the most expensive place in the world to live, work and retire in and to visit as a tourist. Bermuda's retail prices are high mostly because of the Bermuda Government duty rates on imports, the Government's single biggest source of revenue - and the Government law requiring all local companies except hotels to be at least 60 percent Bermudian owned. So non-Bermudian companies with substantial bulk purchasing power cannot enter the local market as investors and part owners to give much needed economies of scale in local costs of goods to businesses, residents and visitors in the same unrestricted way they can do so elsewhere. Despite these drawbacks, Bermuda's overall economy remains good, even if it is artificially so. Except that export earnings from international company businesses based in Bermuda now greatly exceed tourism earnings from people who visit Bermuda on vacation.
Returning residents
duty free$200 a trip duty-free allowance in 2020 (it used to be $400 at one time and in Jamaica in 2019 it is currently $500 by way of comparison) per person for those who are Bermuda nationals (Bermudians) or newcomer now-resident non-Bermudians who go to an overseas country on vacation (holiday) for short periods or for longer, for work, study or treatment and are now returning to Bermuda.
Returning residents who bring in more than the above will be charged Customs Duty at the rate of 25-35% of Bermuda Customs Officer-assessed Bermuda retail price approximate value for most imports including cameras, clothes, electronics, jewelry, watches, etc but at specific rates of import duty for all spirits, wine and champagne and tobacco. No duty is ordinarily payable on prescription drugs, spectacles or computer software imported in small quantities for reasonable personal use.
Note: Duty Free on Airlines traveling to Bermuda from airports in the UK, etc is not Duty Free in Bermuda unless the airline purchase and the value of all other purchases made abroad combined fall within the $50 limit for tourists and $200 for returning residents. Visitors should be aware of this as any savings from buying duty-free from airport stores or airlines traveling to Bermuda can easily mean paying substantial duty in Bermuda if they exceed the small Bermuda Duty Free allowances.
This mere $200 per person duty free allowance for residents allowed by the Bermuda Government does not compare well with the present per person duty free allowance applicable in the United Kingdom for purchases outside the European Union (EU); the much more generous rate for travelers within the EU; $300 for Canadians returning to Canada from abroad; and $800 in the USA for US residents returning home visiting Bermuda.
Bermuda does not regard them legally as immigrants but as newcomers who come to Bermuda on Work Permits for a period of time to satisfy specific employment contracts.
On their first arrival, if with valid Work Permits, they can claim a Transfer of Residence Allowance (TRA). Even their pets qualify for a TRA, with prior approval before arrival. However, they cannot bring any automobiles or other motor vehicles used or new, also no motor cycles or mopeds or scooters over 100 cc. All other modes of transportation such as mobility scooters, even wheelchairs, private yachts etc do not qualify for TRA and new residents will need to pay full duty on them, whether new or used. Used items normally requires new residents to prove they are used for at least 6 months or more, to qualify for some customs duty relief. They should carry invoices (bills) as evidence of date of purchase. If they import to Bermuda by air or sea they should apply for the TRA within 3 days of importation. New items may attract duty beyond the duty free allowances and applicable duty depends on the items.
Note carefully that for all items purchased new in USA, Canada, UK or from anywhere else and brought into Bermuda both residents and newcomers should carry the actual bills or invoices or other confirmations or receipts of purchase. Failure to do so will result in payment of Bermuda customs duties based on assessed value, usually much higher Bermuda retail prices than those applicable abroad.
Tourists and visitors who bring in more than the above will be charged Customs Duty at the rate of 25%-35% of Bermuda Customs Officer-assessed Bermuda retail price approximate value for most imports including cameras, clothes, electronics, jewelry, watches, etc for all spirits, wine and champagne and tobacco. No duty is ordinarily payable on Bermuda-legal prescription drugs, spectacles or computer software imported in small quantities for reasonable personal use.
Most US online retailers will not ship directly to Bermuda themselves, including Old Navy (which does ship to some Caribbean islands) and Walmart. Most do not like to ship outside the US because of the risk and hassle of international shipping, plus each non-US jurisdiction - such as Bermuda - has different customs requirements (such as those listed below in Bermuda), invoices, declarations, duty issues, forms/waivers, clearing/power of attorney issues, bond posting requirements etc. But particular Bermuda-based entity can quite easily overcome the fact that most US retailers won't ship overseas, by having goods routed to a US address forwarding center, then air-freighted to Bermuda, with the organization concerned paying the customs duty and billing the personal or corporate customer. Delivery is within two to three business days once received at the forwarding center in New Jersey. Dedicated agents take care of all the paperwork, make sure the shipment is packed well in order to save on costs, and ensure invoices etc. are in order. When the order arrives in Bermuda an agent will call the client to collect it. It is Bermuda’s fastest, most reliable and cost-effective way to bring in merchandise into Bermuda.
Once but no more, tourists to Bermuda delighted in the bargains they found on Front St. They returned to the USA, Canada, etc. with cashmere sweaters, Liberty scarves, Harris tweeds, perfumes along with china, glassware, cameras and jewellery. Bermuda advertised itself as a place where goods were cheaper than in the USA and elsewhere and, as a further incentive to shop in Bermuda, there was no sales tax. There still is none, but most goods available in Bermuda are now appreciably more expensive than those bought in USA, Canada and UK. As merely one example of this, consider a pair of shoes retailing in the USA for $59, but costing $112.94 in Bermuda, with the additional $53.94 once all the additional costs — customs duty, shipping according to weight, insurance and fuel surcharge and local mark-up — are factored in.
Samples sent to Bermuda are rarely duty-free. Organizations or individuals overseas with an interest in and new to selling their goods in Bermuda via local majority-Bermudian-owned and managed companies (only these are allowed to trade in the local market place) should take care not to send samples without prior notice. They should always pre-advise their Bermuda agents if they wish to send a sample or samples and ask about rates of customs duty payable both on the samples and on orders. Generally, only if the samples are single items, packed separately, and valued at about $12 or less is it possible they not attract Bermuda Customs Duty of 25% or more of Bermuda-assessed value depending on their Bermuda classification. Otherwise, those rates of duty are payable by the receiver, even on samples.
The Bermuda Post Office (BPO) advises the public to bring an invoice when collecting goods through the post office. As the BPO acts as an agent for HM Customs, anyone who has received a notification from the post office indicating “value required” must produce the actual invoice when collecting a package so the required duty can be paid. If an invoice is unavailable, a vendor or manufacturer-estimated retail value for the item or similar product must be provided. This can be obtained from the internet and presented in lieu of the actual invoice.
The Bermuda Customs Tariff collects import duty on products that arrive by air and sea. Bermuda Customs receipts account for approximately twenty percent of the Government of Bermuda's revenue. This is one of the top threerevenue-earning sources of Bermuda Government income for Bermuda's 36 Members of Parliament and 12 senators, over 5,000 public sector employees and over 430 police in Bermuda's total land areas of 21 square miles or 58 square kilometers. (The other main income-producing areas are Payroll Tax, affecting every single private sector employer in Bermuda whether Bermudian or international and property taxes (some properties have an annual property tax, called land tax, of over $86,000).
Bermuda uses
the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System 2012, as the basis for
its Bermuda Customs Tariff. The latter is hundreds of pages long and
complicated. The Customs Department’s main office is in Hamilton, where
officers process Bermuda customs declarations for arriving air and ocean freight
and control the movement of passengers and cargo. The Customs Department
works with the Bermuda Police Service in combating the cross-border movement of
illicit drugs, contraband, and the proceeds of crime. Customs officers are
located at the official ports of Hamilton, St. George, L.F. Wade International
Airport, and Dockyard
Bermuda has adopted the World Trade Organizations’ valuation rules (GATT) for
valuing imported goods for duty purposes. Customs duty is normally
calculated on an ad valorem basis, generally on the transaction value of
imported goods. The most common rate is 25%, although most food items have
a lower rate. Certain goods, such as medicines, corrective spectacles, and
reading materials, have a 0.0% or minimum rate. Vehicles principally
designed for the transport of passengers are normally dutiable at the rate of
75% on the first $10,000 and 150% on the value in excess of $10,000 (vehicles
with ten or more seats and hybrid vehicles are at 33.5%). Vehicles
principally designed for the transport of goods are normally dutiable at 33.5%.
The duty on motorcycles is 33.5%. Some sectors qualify for tax relief.
Customs duty relief is available for some materials used in local manufacturing.
The duty rate for most accompanied personal goods of persons arriving in Bermuda
by air or sea is currently 25% of the transaction value. Visitors are
entitled to a $50.00 allowance each visit. Visitors and residents may
claim one liter of wine, one liter of spirits, 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, and ½
kg of tobacco duty-free per arrival. Alcohol and tobacco imported in
excess of the duty-free allowance are subject to a substantial duty per
liter of wine, per liter of spirits, per carton of 200 cigarettes, and for
cigars and tobacco.
The airport has a dual-channel, red/green system for arriving passengers.
Travelers having no more than their duty-free allowances, no prohibited or
restricted goods, and no more than $10,000 (or equivalent) in cash or negotiable
instruments may choose the green channel. Those with goods that exceed
their duty-free allowances, goods for business use, prohibited or restricted
goods, or more than $10,000 (or equivalent) in cash or negotiable instruments
must use the red channel.
Bermuda follows the USA, on the same day, a week later than in the UK and Europe.
$75 per person in 2020. Bermuda has the highest Departure Tax in the world per square mile, - of US$1.66 per square mile. Private Vessel/Yacht arrival taxes. $35 per person in 2019 for each arriving person on any yacht. Higher from April 2020.
The Bermuda Dollar - see above - is based not on the UK Pound Sterling but on a par with the US Dollar and is strictly local, not an exportable currency or money.The US dollar is the recommended currency for all visitors. Unlike all other foreign currencies, the US$ accepted everywhere in Bermuda. But US Money Orders issued by the US Post Office cannot be cashed in non-American Bermuda. Unless for sentimental reasons or as souvenirs of their visit they particularly with to keep (but not sell ) any Bermudian notes and coins they may receive in change, American, Canadian and other visitors should always ask for American dollars and coins in change.
Overseas driver's licences are not valid in Bermuda, except for visitors over 25 who may wish to rent a tiny 2 passenger 2 door electric car during their short Bermuda stay. They must produce a valid car driving licence from their country of residence.
.
For more information see Legal System in Bermuda
Bermuda's legal
system was based originally on British common law but since then, while still
keeping to British traditions as a British Overseas Territory, has not been tied
to Britain's laws. Bermuda, since its founding in 1609, has always enacted
its own laws via its House of Assembly. On
July 12, 1612, when Bermuda's local parliament first sat, laws were then based
on English common law, principles of equity and all English acts of general
application then in force. But Bermuda Acts of Parliament since that date have
altered, modified or amended these. The local government
- not the UK Government - makes and controls all Bermuda's internal affairs and
Bermuda laws.
Bermuda laws are protectionist to Bermudians-only in many ways, for example in home ownership, immigration, work permit, Human Rights and other laws. Non-Bermudians are not allowed to do things here that they can, without any restrictions, in other countries.
Bermuda's Constitution applies only to Bermudians. In all other Western Countries the constitution, written or unwritten, applies to all legal residents irrespective of nationality. While there are human rights laws for Bermudians irrespective of color, creed, place of origin, where they work and live, they do not apply in these ways to the thousands of long term residents who are not allowed under local laws to obtain citizenship and because they cannot, cannot buy 95 percent of local single family homes, are severely restricted in what employment they may have, may not change them without official permission and work permits stipulating a specific employer - and are not allowed to vote if they arrived after 1979. British UK nationals are required to go through the same Immigration scrutiny and Work Permit controls as anyone else from other countries, with no exemptions. They too are deemed to be foreigners. Also, non-Bermudian persons who come here on work permits, get married to and cohabit with their Bermudian spouses of the opposite sex at the same physical address are not allowed to become a Bermudian for at least ten years and until they become a Bermudian in this way may not vote. In huge contrast, none of these restrictions apply at all in the democratic countries. Bermudians, visitors and newcomers from overseas have no access via any Bermuda Government office or agency to the UK's Human Rights Office or the European Court of Human Rights.
Absentee voting at general or parliamentary bye-elections by mail is not allowed in Bermuda, unlike in USA, UK, Canada and other democracies, where both such absentee voting and postal voting have long been accepted as a fundamental right.
Unlike the Disability laws in those countries, there are none in Bermuda specifically covering codes and standards, accommodation and social security pensions for seniors, access to public buildings and transportation policies including parking for the disabled. While a few larger taxis able to take the disabled (physically handicapped and other disabled) have been brought in, there is nothing in the law that requires the owners and/or drivers to take disabled passengers. Drivers are free to decide whether or not to accept any disabled. There are no Bermuda laws requiring any type of public or private transport to take the disabled.
In 2005, the UK abolished the law against double jeopardy, as a result of which murderers have at last been brought to full justice. allows suspects involved in serious crimes, including murder and rape, to face a second trial if there is fresh and compelling new evidence. But there has been no such improvement in Bermuda laws. As a result, the appeal in April 2007 re the murder, rape, sodomy and torture of 17-year Canadian visitor to Bermuda Rebecca Middleton with no serious charges laid against the known perpetrators because of gross inadequacies in Bermuda law was a farce, despite the best efforts of Cherie Booth, QC.
Advertisements, billboards, signs. Under the 1911 Advertisement Regulations Act, billboards and advertisements are illegal with very few exceptions. Stores are allowed to advertise sales, and items available for sale, inside shop windows. Outside signs may only state the name of the company and the general character of the business in letters not exceeding 15in. Illuminated signs and advertisements “supported on or attached to any pole, standard framework or other support of which is visible against the sky from some point in any street or public way” are also prohibited. The act also bans the use of the national flag or a portrait of a member of the Royal family living or dead in advertising. In municipal areas, advertisements or announcements are only allowed on land licensed for the exhibition of advertisements by the appropriate corporation. Such advertisements cannot contain “letters, effigies, figures or other advertising emblems exceeding 12in in height”. In October 2011 The Department of Planning confirmed that the 100-year-old legislation is still in effect, but does not give specific authority to regulate advertisements. However, members of the public can themselves take the matter to court. “A magistrate may, on the complaint of any person, issue a summons requiring the owner or occupier of the land to make an appearance and show cause why the advertisement should not be taken down,” a spokeswoman said. “Any person contravening the provisions of the Act commits an offence against the Act that is punishable on summary conviction by a fine.” Those found guilty of an infraction under the Act can be fined, with a further fine for every day the offence continues
Note that The Bermuda Immigration and Protection Act 1956 (as amended) provides that employees who are not Bermudian or a spouse of a Bermudian or a Permanent Resident’s Certificate (PRC) holder must have a work permit issued by the Department of Immigration to work in Bermuda. These can range from 3 months to 10 years in time (the latter subject to several stringent criteria) and are renewable. The time for processing is approximately 8 to 10 days (for “fast track” or “temporary permits”) or 6 to 10 weeks (for standard permits of 1 year or more). A work permit will not be issued where a qualified Bermudian, spouse of a Bermudian, non-Bermudian dependant of a Bermudian, Permanent Resident Certificate holder or other person with a qualifying connection to Bermuda applies for the position. Employees are generally subject under Bermuda immigration policy to a maximum of 6 years of working under a permit in Bermuda (“terms limits.”) Certain positions can be deemed “key” to a business and the holder of that position can be exempted from term limits or receive an extension of to their term limit of up to 3 additional years. Other grounds for exemption can be made out (e.g. worldwide shortage in that industry, company hardship, etc.).
Disability laws. Unlike in the USA, Canada, United Kingdom and Europe, Bermuda has
No laws of any kind similar to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA, very comprehensive) or UK's Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (very poor compared to the USA's ADA and Canada's equivalent).
No transport laws protecting the rights of the disabled; or laws protecting senior citizens and offering them any choices similar to laws in the USA, Canada, UK and Europe.
No equivalent of the UK's Disability Rights Commission, which is in addition to Human Rights laws.
Police
Headquarters, 10 Headquarters Hill, Devonshire DV 02, Bermuda. P. O. Box HM 530,
Hamilton HM CX. (441) 295-0011. Fax (441) 299-4459. Police Commissioner
Michael DeSilva. Government
House has direct responsibility for the operational side of Policing with the
Police Commissioner reporting directly to the Governor, while
budgeting and manpower is Government’s responsibility. The service is paid for by Bermuda
taxpayers, not the United Kingdom.
Bermuda Police have British-style uniforms and United Kingdom-style police cars. They wear Bermuda Police Bermuda Shorts for part of the year. In October 2015 117 AXON body cameras were bought for widespread police use. The presence of a camera has provided additional evidence towards solving a crime or has validated an officer’s account of an incident. The cameras are worn on the front of body armor and are designed to capture a wide image of what the officer sees.
Bermuda is the heavily Policed country in the world with about 465 police officers in Bermuda's 21 square miles for its 65,000 residents. There are also several hundred part time, all Bermudian, Bermuda Police Reserves (telephone (441) 299-2442), with a capacity of up to 180 men and women. In the USA, there is an average of 2.5 (two point five) Police Officers for every 1,000 permanent inhabitants. Sutherland, Scotland, has 29 policemen in 2,300 square miles. In Bermuda, the police are supported by 136 civilian staff, making a total of 613 people. Crime is the biggest fear among Bermuda's residents. Much is drugs related, with more than half of Westgate's (Bermuda's main prison) inmates having used drugs prior to incarceration. The rate of recidivism remains stubbornly high at around 80 percent.
Bermuda has a medium-high crime rate - as duly noted by both Britain and the United States of America in their travel advisories. In the 1970s, a Governor, his aide and the Chief of Police were assassinated. In 1996 there was a notorious rape, torture, sodomy and murder of a 17 year old innocent Canadian tourist. (See under "Rebecca Middleton" in Bermuda Laws). Most crimes locally are by locals seeking illegal narcotics or the money to pay for them. They trespass by night or day at premises used by visitors and locals. Some may have illegal guns. These thieves go after valuables like cash and credit cards not locked in safes. The crime rate is such that all visitors should not, under any circumstances, leave your room or suite or cottage sliding glass doors or apartment windows or doors unlocked by day or night. If you merely lock a nylon screen from the inside by night or by day if you are out, you risk being robbed by thugs who will cut the screen and enter. Always use a secure safe in your room - and inform the local police promptly if you are robbed or assaulted. Also, be wary of venturing out at night and do not carry a handbag on you or when you are on a moped or scooter, in a place where it can be easily snatched by a thief. A Tourist Crime Unit has been established, using 2 members of the 469-strong Bermuda Police.
More police officers are trained to carry firearms. With guns, gangs, drugs and violence continuing as the force's four key priorities, greater CCTV surveillance and an enhanced partnership with gang-fighting agencies are among the force's plans.
Facilities and services include a fleet of boats. Police officers provide the primary search and rescue facility in local waters (there are no police helicopters). There is also a Financial Investigation Unit (FIU) of the Bermuda Police Service, for Internet-related crimes and anti-money laundering procedures, following implementation of the Proceeds of Crime (money laundering) Regulations 1998. All members of the Association of Bermuda Compliance Officers in regulated institutions - such as banks - are required by law to appoint a reporting or compliance officer. He or she is responsible for passing reports of suspicious transactions to the FIU. The Police Support Unit has a wide variety of tasks. The attractions of the service include a starting salary from $45,900 excluding overtime, a retirement pension plan and vacation of 24 working days annually. Some officers undergo special training in Britain. Ranks follow the British tradition. In ascending order of seniority, they are constables, sergeants, inspectors, chief inspectors, superintendents, assistant commissioners, deputy commissioner and Commissioner. Periodic visits are made by Britain's senior advisor for Dependent Territory Police Forces. He makes periodic recommendations to increase efficiency and effectiveness. There is also a Bermuda Reserve Police, embodied in the event of emergencies, formerly the Bermuda Reserve Constabulary.
| Bermuda size & population | 20.75 (Twenty point seven five) square miles in total. 63.908 residents in 2019. Women then outnumbered men by 2,398. |
| Resident population density per square mile | 3,097 (Three thousand, zero nine seven). Third highest in the world |
| Government Code of Conduct for legislators | None. There is a voluntary code, with no legislative teeth. It is ignored by some. No equivalent of the UK's Ethical Standards in Public Life Act. |
| Number in Cabinet | 13. Same number as USA, equivalent in Bermuda to 0.63 (Point six three) per square mile. They have "The Honorable" before their name. |
| Number of elected legislators in House of Assembly and their salaries | 36. Equivalent to 1.93 (One point nine three) per square mile. They have "MP" for Member of Parliament after their name. If they are also Cabinet Ministers, they earn well in excess of $100,000 a year, plus unlimited expenses. |
| Number of appointed politicians in Senate | 11. Also salaried. Equivalent to 0.53 (Point five three) per square mile. They have "Senator" before their name. If they are also Cabinet Ministers, they earn this plus what is shown above under "Number of elected legislators." |
| Number of registered voters per Member of Parliament | 1,297. On date of last General Election. Contrast this with no fewer than 72,810 and no more than 80,433 per member of parliament in the UK in 2018 and approximately the same in the USA per congressperson and Canada. |
| Number of Government Boards | About 117. All require the approval of the Premier who controls all Public Information. See Bermuda Government Boards separate website shown at the end of this file. |
| Number of Police | About 465, over 20 per square mile. Plus, there are Reserve officers. Bermuda has more police per square mile and per population than anywhere else in the world |
| Number in Bermuda Regiment | 600 members, mostly Bermudian men, mostly part time. Some non-Bermudian men and women from British Commonwealth countries and female Bermudians are serving but on a volunteer basis as conscription regulations do not require enrolment by Bermudian females and non-Bermudian males. Only male Bermudians under a certain age resident in Bermuda are liable to be conscripted, on a selective basis. |
| Registered voters in a General Election | About 46,750. Total number of registered voters in the last General Election, about 60% of the entire resident population. Varies from year to year. |
Air mail,
in normal conditions, from North America or
Europe can take more than a week to arrive and is sometimes delayed for longer.
Most of the incoming mail comes from the USA. Residents without their own
Post Office mailboxes should note that incoming mail will not always be
delivered every weekday, never on Saturdays, Sundays or Public Holidays; and not
if the postal carrier is sick or away.
All mail leaving Bermuda for the USA, Caribbean and South America is x-rayed in Bermuda. Always use first class air mail or courier service or secure electronic mail. There are several courier services operating to and from Bermuda. Only car ships - no freight ships or scheduled aircraft - go between the Caribbean and Bermuda. Surface mail can take many months, especially when misdirected to places with no passenger shipping or airline connections to Bermuda. Mail problems usually occur more frequently from November to March when, in more normal circumstances, air services from the USA to Bermuda are fewer in number and with smaller aircraft. Because of this, regular air mail from the USA for Bermuda has been sent to London first, then redirected to Bermuda on British Airways on the three days a week winter service. To help avoid such problems, all Christmas parcels from Bermuda should be sent by an early or mid October deadline and for Bermuda residents and visitors, letters should be sent no later - and ideally much earlier than - December 8. If with questions, call the Post Office at 297-7893.
Packages sent to recipients from Bermuda by courier are treated in a different way to regular airmail. Recipients must always give their full physical postal addresses, postal codes and telephone numbers. Costs will include:
The overall effect is that a US$39 pair of trousers from a good US retail store like Land's End could end up costing the recipient over US$90.
There is a Post Office in every Parish (county). They are owned by the Bermuda Government, sell postage stamps, commemorative First Day Covers, pre-stamped air letter forms without enclosures, have and rent Post Office boxes for those who prefer to receive their mail this way instead of being delivered. They are open 5 days a week, from 8 am to 11:45 am then from about 1:30 pm to about 4:45 pm. Most are closed on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays. When this happens, unlike in Europe, North America and United Kingdom where there are machines selling postage stamps, there are no other ways in Bermuda to buy postage stamps. Post offices do not sell postcards. There is one mail delivery a day, 5 days a week (Mondays-Fridays except Public Holidays) to homes without Post Office boxes, less when a postal worker is sick or if there is a dangerous dog on the premises. Tourists and business visitors expecting any mail during their Bermuda visit should allow at least a week for receipt and should ask at where they stay for mail as there are no mail deliveries directly to their cottages or rooms or apartments or rented houses.
Bermuda's own now-voluntary military unit, in emergency a Territorial Unit of the British Army. Also has a Coastguard division.
London-based. Five Trees, Wood Lane, Stanmore, HA7 4JZ, England. Phone 020 8954 0652. Formed in London in 1987 to look after Bermuda's interests on a number of fronts, particularly in the areas of finance and commerce. Its membership includes Bermudians living in London and rest of UK, plus former Governors of Bermuda. It promotes Bermuda's image; fosters closer links between Bermuda, the UK and Europe.
Bermuda is not the only area but one of three areas of the North Western Atlantic Ocean involved. The others are Florida and Puerto Rico. See the following books:
Permitted but taxed. Also see under Casino Gambling
Bridges
Bermuda has 42 bridges. The most significant are the key bridges linking the islands of St. George's, the Main Island, Somerset, Watford, Boaz, Ireland Island South and Ireland Island North. But also included are footbridges over golf courses, decorative bridges in gardens open to the public. No longer included are bridges that no longer exist, such as the Severn Bridge that once linked St. George's to St. David's and the 33 bridges and trestles that were once instrumental to the Bermuda Railway that ran the length of Bermuda from 1931 to 1948. The most famous Bermuda bridges have been Causeway and Swing Bridge, Cockburn Bridge (Cut Bridge), Coney Island Bridge. Ferry Point Bridge, Flatts Bridge, Fort Hamilton Footbridge, Grey's Bridge, King's Square to Ordnance Island, Lagoon Bridge, Longbird Bridge, Somerset Bridge, Watford Bridge.
Bermuda's three major hotels will have their own casinos from 2022, following legislation and appointment of a Bermuda Government-approved Casino Gaming Commission. Present legislation allows only three casino licenses to be in effect at any given time. The transfer of a casino licence without a fresh application to the commission is prohibited, and licence-holders will be required to report any material changes in their circumstances. The commission has the power to approve the layout of a casino, gaming equipment and hand out licenses for key casino employees. There are also stores for horse-racing abroad, and in other non-casino ways.
Bermuda Casino Gaming Act 2014. Under it the commission can approve up to three provisional casino licences, in addition to the provisional licence granted to the developer of the St Regis hotel project in St George’s. According to the application process, a $600,000 application fee must accompany all applications, while a $1.4 million provisional licence issue fee is payable by applicants awarded a provisional licence. Those making it through to the final stage will then be subjected to a further $1 million casino licence issue fee. The Hamilton Princess last year became one of the first resort properties to be named a “designated site”, making it eligible to apply for a casino licence. It was revealed earlier that this year both the Fairmont Southampton and the Morgan’s Point hotel had applied for site designation.2017. July 24. The Hamilton Princess Hotel & Beach Club has made a play to become Bermuda’s first integrated casino resort. And the Bermuda Casino Gaming Commission has announced that the hotel will make it’s presentation to the commission in a public meeting in September. Alan Dunch, chairman of the Bermuda Casino Gaming Commission, confirmed yesterday that the hotel had submitted a “substantially completed” application for a casino facility. “The application provides the detailed plans to develop a casino within the Hamilton Princess and Beach Club,” a release issued from the BCGC said. Mr Dunch called the application a “landmark event. We feel that this is an important step towards realizing the public policy goals of the Casino Act, by increasing employment and investment in Bermuda, as well as enhancing the tourism product. I also want to thank the staff of the BCGC and the Princess for working the many long hours necessary to get us to this point.” The statement described the application as “fully funded”, noting that the project will be presented to the BCGC for approval at 2pm on September 22 at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute, with the public able to attend. Further details about the casino presentation are expected to be released at a later date. The casino licencing application process was approved by legislators earlier this year, despite concerns that the price tag for a licence was too high, with the first “window” for applications opening in April. Under the Bermuda Casino Gaming Act 2014, the commission can approve up to three provisional casino licences, in addition to the provisional licence granted to the developer of the St Regis hotel project in St George’s. According to the application process, a $600,000 application fee must accompany all applications, while a $1.4 million provisional licence issue fee is payable by applicants awarded a provisional licence. Those making it through to the final stage will then be subjected to a further $1 million casino licence issue fee. The Hamilton Princess last year became one of the first resort properties to be named a “designated site”, making it eligible to apply for a casino licence. It was revealed earlier that this year both the Fairmont Southampton and the Morgan’s Point hotel had applied for site designation.
The Bermuda Government's Department of Consumer Affairs. Ingham and Wilkinson Building, 129 Front Street, Hamilton HM 12. Phone (441) 297-7627. Fax (441) 295-6892. Consumer, landlord and tenant, cable TV, shopping and utilities complaints, mostly. The Consumer Protection Act 1999 deals with unfair or deceptive business practices, unconscionable representations and unconscionable acts. For instance, double tipping or paying gratuities twice is an unfair business practice under the Act. Any customer of a local restaurant or bar can lodge a complaint with this office regarding that practice. The Consumer Protection Act 1999 is divided into six parts: Preliminary; Administration; Unfair Business Practices; Consumer Safety; Enforcement; Miscellaneous. Typically, consumers call the Department of Consumer Affairs with complaints about defective or poor quality products; problems with warranties; issues concerning sales and return policies; automotive sales and repair; home improvement contract disputes; landlord/tenant issues; financial contracts and deceptive advertising. Businesses also contact the Department when they require advice and guidance about customer complaints as they relate to the Act.
Most offices normally open from 9 am to 5 pm five days a week. Many shops and restaurants (except those in hotels) are also open on Saturday but not on Sunday. All retailers including restaurants who wish to open on Sundays must apply to the Minister of Finance for a special permit and pay for it. Only a few are open on Sunday from 1 pm to 5 pm. Gas stations are usually open on Sundays until 5 pm. A handful of hotel branch store and other pharmacies and some non hotel restaurants are also open on Sundays for dinner. On a public holiday, all local restaurants and shops close and only hotel restaurants are open.
Available but ONLY to Bermudians and other residents - not tourists - for very short periods usually around late string and summer public holidays, in park lands or near public beaches. There is a limited season and campers must bring their own tents, sleeping bags, clothing and more. In the year 2000 there was a $50 deposit and $5 per night charge. They are administered by the Bermuda Government.
Most in the 65 to 70 percent black population of Bermuda prefer the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Most of the white Europeans or North Americans (about 30 percent of the community) are Anglican or Episcopalian. Roman Catholics are the third in numbers attending. Weekend times of church services are in the Saturday print editions of the daily and twice a week newspapers.
Churches include:
Adjutant Lute DesBrisay, Salvation Army. She arrived on January 2, 1896 and officially began the Salvation Army in Bermuda.
Bermuda is widely susceptible to this at times but has not yet suffered any permanent damage. Hurricanes and winter storm surges have debilitating effects on shorelines.
Community associations, clubs, groups
There are no embassies as Bermuda is a British Overseas Overseas Territory, not a politically independent country.
Death duties
None, but see under Probate, hugely expensive
About the same number per capita as in USA.
See under Pharmacies
Golf is a superb but expensive pastime in Bermuda, with some magnificent ocean-view courses, with the second-highest ratio of number of golf courses per total acreage in the world (after Northern Scotland).
They are expected from visitors at the rate of 17 percent of a restaurant bill instead of tipping, 10 percent or more of where you stay in most cases, a discretionary amount when using a gas (petrol) station, usually US $2 for two bags if you use a packer in a grocery store, and whenever you use a taxi, at about 15 percent of your fare.
As calculated by the World Bank, Washington DC. One of the highest in the world, higher than in the USA, see http://data.worldbank.org/country/bermuda.
See under Illegal in Bermuda.
Before they arrive, all visitors - including those from the UK - are advised to get medical and travel insurance for the duration of their Bermuda stay. British National Health Service (NHS) provisions don't apply. Bermuda is not one of the countries or islands that has a reciprocal NHS plan. There is no reciprocal health insurance arrangement with Britain or USA or Canada or Europe or any other country. The European Health Insurance Card is not recognized. For other locals, healthcare costs are also more expensive than in the USA, with medical services not as extensive.
Bermuda has one Accident and Emergency hospital - see www.bermuda-online.org/kemh.htm - which charges prices similar to those in the USA. There are also a number of locally-registered private medical doctors (general practitioners, or GPs) several clinics and pharmacies. If you as a visitor are vulnerable to any health problem, ask at where you say if they can contact an on-call doctor if needed and bring a plentiful supply of your own medically-prescribed non-narcotic prescriptions. Bermuda's medical facilities are good for a 21-square mile island but not equipped for very serious conditions. If you require extensive and/or intensive treatment you will likely be air-lifted elsewhere, at your expense. It is strongly recommended that before you arrive in Bermuda by air or cruise ship you take out appropriate travel and healthcare insurance.
Healthcare in Bermuda is very expensive, roughly the same cost as in the USA. There is no government funded UK-like or Canada-like National Health Service. All visitors from those and all other countries should note that if while in Bermuda they need any hospital or medical attention or services they must be paid for in cash or by credit card (no personal checks or cheques) in accordance with the scale of charges in effect from King Edward VII Memorial Hospital and local medical practitioners. If you have health insurance in your own country but it does not cover you for medical expenses abroad, consider supplemental insurance. Find out in advance if your insurance plan will make payments directly to providers or reimburse you later for overseas health expenditures.
King Edward VII Memorial Hospital (KEMH) Emergency Department physicians see and treat patients based on the seriousness of their conditions, not in order of arrival. Emergency Department staff will tell patients their level and expected wait time when they arrive.
Hotels, cottage colonies, guest houses, etc. are required to add the Bermuda Government's Hotel Occupancy Tax to your room rate. Most will also ask you for a further 10% or more of your total bill, as gratuities for their staff. There is also a Resort Levy tax for people staying at resort hotels.
Residents and visitors are NOT allowed to import or own unlicensed (under Bermuda laws) guns or weapons of any kind, not even BB or pellet guns or slingshots. Penalties for doing so are severe. Also banned are catapults (slingshots); BB guns; cutlasses; crossbows; mace in canisters; pornographic material; throwing knives; flick knives; martial arts weaponry; nightsticks; all non-prescription drugs and narcotics (even those legal in some other countries are illegal in Bermuda), nunchakus; spiked wristbands; swords; spear guns, all pistols, all rifles, all ammunition for them, signal guns, all other weapons and all live marine animals (including lobsters) by any private individuals.
Residents, visitors, and businesspeople who ignore the above will have their weapons seized permanently by the Bermuda Police Service and those convicted will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. They will get a minimum ten year jail sentence for illegally importing the weapons into Bermuda and will be publicized and reported to Federal or provincial or state and other international authorities. It is not an acceptable excuse to say you were not asked by airport staff if you packed your bags yourself, because you were. Nor is it acceptable to say that you forgot an illegal item was in your luggage, or was put there by mistake.
Almost everything manufactured is imported including rum distillate which is not made in Bermuda (there is no sugar cane and no rum distillery). Some citrus and vegetables are gown locally. Carrots must be local, 98 per cent of all of Bermuda’s goods are imported mostly from the USA, by container ships.
Bermuda does not follow the USA, Canadian, UK and European methodology of free Internet access at libraries, Tourist Board offices and Visitor Service Centers. However, some hotels and some other places to stay now routinely offer either WIFI or wired access to their paying guests. Bermuda's three cruise ship ports are not among those that offer free WIFI.
Bermuda has its own legal system, UK laws are not in force despite Bermuda being a British Overseas Territory. However, Bermuda has largely followed UK laws. Britons and other foreigners are not Bermudians unless granted Bermuda Status by marriage to a Bermudian spouse 10 years after that marriage.
English is the only official language but a few people, mostly expatriates, may speak others. Some locals speak Portuguese, going back to when Bermuda imported many Portuguese men from Madeira, later the Azores, for agricultural purposes from the 1840s. Later, they were allowed to bring their families. Now many are prominent Bermudians.
81, according to latest World Bank figures.
98% of all males and 99% of all females age 15 and over can read and write.
Local news media
The Royal Gazette (on the Internet daily, Monday to Saturday except for public holidays in print editions) national and international newspaper - the only daily - is better than many newspapers up to 10 times the population and size of Bermuda. Overseas newspapers, sometimes a day old, are weekday and Sunday editions from Boston, London, New York, Washington DC and elsewhere. There are also leading British and North American business magazines. But the latter two categories are very expensive locally. The Sunday edition of the Boston Globe is over US $5.00. Some English Saturday or Sunday newspapers now cost $10-$12 in Bermuda.
Bermuda is a popular place for non-residents to get married, either by visiting in person or marriages or by getting married on a Bermuda-registered cruise ship.
Non-Bermudians who marry a Bermudian
A non-Bermudian who marries a Bermudian and wishes to apply for local citizenship (Bermuda Status) must (a) have been married to the same Bermudian for ten (10) continuous years; (b) during that marriage, been ordinarily resident in Bermuda for at least seven (7) years, the last two (2) years of which must be continuous to the date of application; (c) have been living together with the Bermudian spouse as husband and wife continuously for the two (2) years immediately before the application; and (d) be of good character and conduct. When the application is made, the Bermuda Government issues a public notice in a local newspaper of record giving notice of the application, the name and address of the applicant and a note saying that any person who knows if any of the provisions have not been fulfilled, or why Bermuda Status should not be granted to the applicant, should send a written statement to the Chief Immigration Officer, Department of Immigration.
If a marriage breaks down, a non-Bermudian will lose the spousal letter but still have the right to ask for permission to seek employment in Bermuda and apply for a work permit. A non-Bermudian should know in advance that working without a work permit is illegal after persons are no longer living together in marriage. For more information, contact Bermuda Immigration.
Immigration has reported that some Bermudians apparently think it is their right - which it isn't - to demand loss of work permits, jobs, security and deportation of their non-Bermudian spouses, on the basis the Bermudians concerned were "used" or - belatedly - that theirs was a "marriage of convenience."
Newcomers who wish to work in Bermuda
Probate
Both Bermudian and non-Bermudian residents need to be aware that whatever in Bermuda you have in bank accounts, cash, holdings, investments, real estate and more at the time of your death will mean that anyone dealing with your state will need to apply to Government for a Grant of Probate. It could be very expensive, depending on the total size of your Estate. It could easily top 15% of your entire Bermuda Estate.
Many, compared to the USA. Note both their celebrations and how services are restricted on the days concerned.
See "Churches."
Bermuda has the busiest and noisiest roads, with more road traffic and illegally noisy vehicles by far per square mile, than any other place in the world. In Bermuda's 21 square miles in total land area, the Bermuda roads - the biggest being one lane each way usually - total about 155 miles (250 km) in statute miles total length of all of them combined. Only the main roads - North Shore Road, South Road and Middle Road, for their positions on the North Shore, South Shore and Middle respectively - are wide enough for traffic to go on either side. Many residential roads are too narrow for fire trucks and ambulances to enter. All roads have names, British style. All are listed alphabetically, with local postal codes. Most road signs and direction markers are in both miles and European-style kilometers.
The surface of all Bermuda roads is asphalt with granite aggregate chips. They provide a durable, reasonably non-skid surface. The asphalt is flexible enough to absorb the weight of heavy vehicles without cracking. It is impervious and sheds water. But their narrow width is another matter. They are often congested, very narrow, hilly, noisy, sharp-cornered and twisting compared to most other places. In many parts of Bermuda, there are either no sidewalks or pavements or on one side of the road only. They are not suitable for people in wheelchairs or who have difficulty walking or who are on roller blades or scooters. Health and safety-conscious visitors are advised not to run or jog on them because of the illegally high speed of many local motorists but instead to go to one of the national parks.
Smoking in public places is banned in Bermuda. Local legislation makes it an offence to light up in bars, restaurants hospitals, hotels, offices and schools across the Island. It also sees cigarette vending machines banned along with tobacco advertising at sporting events and it is illegal to sell cigarettes to under 18s. There is a $1,000 fine for those who break the law. Flavored tobacco products are no longer sold locally, electronic cigarettes are available in pharmacies and there are restrictions on where people can smoke. Descriptions such as “mild”, “light” and “ultralight” are banned. Tobacco advertising at point of sale is banned. Nicotine is regarded as a drug, so all forms of it are heavily restricted and expensive. Smoking is no longer permitted in most public and private places. Cartons of 200 cigarettes now cost well over BD/US$ 100.
Budget in advance for Bermuda prices. Most visitors have no prior idea food shopping is so expensive. What a couple can buy in the USA for a week will be less expensive than buying food in Bermuda for two days. Only locally owned stores are allowed. So they do not have bulk purchasing power or other economies of scale. Also, they have very high import duty rates imposed by the Bermuda Government which average 30 per cent at wholesale costs. Only a few stores can offer prices comparable to those in the USA. The good news is that the larger, full service premises with an extensive range of meats, seafood, vegetables and products are now open from 8 am to 10 pm daily except Sundays and from 1 pm to 5 pm on Sundays and are not as expensive as convenience stores.
Bermuda has both direct taxes - in Employment Taxes paid by both employers and employees - and many indirect taxes including import duties averaging 32 percent at wholesale value that all locals and visitors pay a premium in costs of all imported goods and services. The biggest cost is to pay for the 51 paid legislators - 17 times the international average of the ratio of legislators to voters in a total of only 20 square miles - and army of civil servants amounting to 20 percent of the entire work force. Mostly because of this, the overall cost of living in Bermuda is about 2.64 (two point six four) times the cost of living in the USA and about 1.8 (one point eight) times the cost of living in Canada or the United Kingdom. This is one reason why the Internal Revenue Service of the USA allows Americans living and working in Bermuda a $ 76,000+ exemption before they pay USA federal taxes.
The Bermuda Government levies a tax on all private land phones and cell phones (mobiles). Bermuda's telephone system is part of the North American Numbering Plan -- calls between Bermuda, the USA, Canada and most of the Caribbean (900 miles to the south) requires the caller dialing "1", then the 3-digit area code, then the 7-digit number.
Bermuda is in the Atlantic Time zone, like Nova Scotia to the north and Caribbean 1,000 miles south. Atlantic Time is one hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time (EST). Bermuda is normally four hours behind Greenwich Mean Time and British Summer Time in the United Kingdom. But as the latter occurs one week before Bermuda observes the beginning of US Daylight Savings Time on the same night as the USA, for one week only, Bermuda is five hours ahead of the UK.
It is often assumed - wrongly - that because Bermuda portrays a British image and is not yet politically independent of Britain, that British National Health laws apply and visitors don't need insurance. British National Health don't apply (in fact they don't even apply when traveling in UK if you are not a resident of UK), there is no reciprocal health insurance arrangement with Britain or any other country - and nationals of all countries including the USA, UK, Canada, are advised to cover themselves for adequate travel insurance, or be prepared to accept any liability financially. Bermuda is more expensive than even the USA for health related costs which are not insured.
Tiny Bermuda - with only 20.75 (twenty point seven five) square miles and with the third highest population in the world per square mile - has some of the highest costs of accommodation in the world and the huge cost of living expenses to go with them. Bermuda organizations trying to help visitors in distress cannot be expected to continue to bear any costs for cruise ship or other visitors who do not take sensible contingency precautions.
For your own peace of mind, ensure your plans to Bermuda include taking spare money, travel insurance and health insurance to cope with possible unexpected accommodation in an emergency medical situation for any reason or a death. It seems many visitors do not do this, yet have no hesitation in renting motor scooters or mopeds in Bermuda, which can be very dangerous to those not familiar with them; drive them on the wrong side of the road compared to Europe, USA and Canada; and end up having accidents, with their vacation ruined. Thus, they become clients of the Overseas Family Help Committee of the Hospital Auxiliary organization in Bermuda - which will not cover any of their hospital or medical or related expenses.
Every week, visitors suffer such emergencies when in Bermuda but do not make contingency plans. Some claim they have no money and no health and travel insurance for unexpected problems. They are not being exempted from any health or hospital costs incurred in Bermuda, in the same way that visitors to the USA or Canada are not being exempted if they fail to insure themselves adequately.
Visitors from the UK and European countries who take out travel insurance should note that Bermuda is not in the UK or Europe but in the (most expensive) "worldwide" category of countries. Visitors from the USA, Canada and elsewhere who do so should remember that Bermuda is not part of the UK but a "foreign country."
Pre-existing health conditions will apply to all insurances.
Required for all non-nationals including those born in Bermuda without a Bermudian parent.
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Authored,
researched, compiled and website-managed by Keith A. Forbes.
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