Best Offshore Location Worldwide
Updated on Monday 15th October 2018
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A number of countries have established themselves as offshore financial and business centers. They share a set of common characteristics and are sought by investors willing to open an offshore company for asset management or other business purposes.
The overall ease of doing business, the complexity of the company incorporation process, the tax planning process and possibilities as well as banking needs are all important issues to take into consideration when selecting the offshore location.
Investors are advised to consider the primary motives for incorporation as well as the purposes for which the new company will be used: either international trading, international services or other purposes. We advise investors interested in offshore company formation to answer a set of basic questions before selecting the most suitable offshore location among the possible ones.
Here we present some of the best offshore locations worldwide, based on the no-tax regime for companies and the generally favorable business climate.
The overall ease of doing business, the complexity of the company incorporation process, the tax planning process and possibilities as well as banking needs are all important issues to take into consideration when selecting the offshore location.
Investors are advised to consider the primary motives for incorporation as well as the purposes for which the new company will be used: either international trading, international services or other purposes. We advise investors interested in offshore company formation to answer a set of basic questions before selecting the most suitable offshore location among the possible ones.
Here we present some of the best offshore locations worldwide, based on the no-tax regime for companies and the generally favorable business climate.
Top offshore locations around the world
The table below highlights some of the most popular locations to base an offshore business and their main characteristics.
When faced with a wide variety of options, investors are advised to carefully consider their option and pay attention to the most important features for their business. every offshore center presented in this list has its particular advantages and characteristics that may or may not be suitable for a chosen business,
Each business is unique and will demand different requirements. Seeking professional counseling and assistance for company formation is important for successful offshore company incorporation. Contact us for more information and advice on choosing the offshore company location.
| Country | Characteristics |
| Belize | One of the true offshore and tax havens, Belize offers high investor privacy protection, quick incorporation, and no taxes. Investors commonly open companies here for asset protection purposes in order to engage in international trade or simply for offshore banking. |
| The British Virgin Islands | A popular offshore center where investors can incorporate the BVI International Business Company, a recognized business form that offers a number of advantages. Companies, as well as funds, can be quickly incorporated here. |
| Cayman Islands | One of the oldest and most reputable offshore centers, the Cayman Islands has pro-business policies, minimal reporting requirements and, of course, an extremely attractive taxation system. Investors may choose to open a fund here as the location is known as a center for hedge funds. |
| Cyprus | Another country that presents location advantages for those investors who are also targeting the EU market, Cyprus is a low-tax jurisdiction. The advantages are multiple for investors who wish to have easy access to the European Union and at the same time benefit from a set of tax and business advantages. Cyprus is perhaps the most suitable location to base an offshore company in Europe. |
| Isle of Man | Isle of Man had the advantages of being located close to the EU and doing business here is very attractive in terms of taxation: there is no tax on corporate profits. |
Investors should know that this list is not exhaustive. Other examples include Panama, Bahamas and Seychelles and even mid-shore locations, those jurisdictions where companies enjoy a favorable tax regime but they are not perceived to be tax havens in the true sense of the word. Examples here include Hong Kong, Singapore, Labuan, Ireland, and Liechtenstein.
The offshore company setup will differ from one jurisdiction to another and this is also an important step investors should take into consideration. Likewise, the level of investor protection will be different, as highlighted in the table below. While Belize is a jurisdiction that offers a high level of non-disclosure, Hong Kong or Singapore, as well as other low-tax jurisdictions, will require directors to provide their personal information. These two locations are well-perceived locations for doing business in Asia, however, they may not meet all of the needs of investors who need to focus on corporate privacy. In this case, Belize or BVI are recommended locations.
The offshore company setup will differ from one jurisdiction to another and this is also an important step investors should take into consideration. Likewise, the level of investor protection will be different, as highlighted in the table below. While Belize is a jurisdiction that offers a high level of non-disclosure, Hong Kong or Singapore, as well as other low-tax jurisdictions, will require directors to provide their personal information. These two locations are well-perceived locations for doing business in Asia, however, they may not meet all of the needs of investors who need to focus on corporate privacy. In this case, Belize or BVI are recommended locations.
How to choose the offshore jurisdiction
Choosing the jurisdiction for offshore incorporation is an important step. Naturally, the tax haven attribute is an important one but investors may also want to look at other factors such as geographical location. The list below is useful for asking some of the important questions in order to determine where to base the offshore company:
- Where is the customer base located?
- Does the company sell physical or digital products?
- What is the regulatory regime like in the country of choice?
- What are the banking rules like in the country of choice?
- What is the level of transparency and investor protection like?
One or more jurisdictions may qualify when answering these questions. A tailored solution is a preferred approach when choosing the most suitable jurisdiction and for this purpose, the residency status of the investor or the future beneficial owner of the company may also be of interest. Our team of offshore company formation agents can help you answer these questions and find an offshore location that suits your best interests.
When faced with a wide variety of options, investors are advised to carefully consider their option and pay attention to the most important features for their business. every offshore center presented in this list has its particular advantages and characteristics that may or may not be suitable for a chosen business,
Each business is unique and will demand different requirements. Seeking professional counseling and assistance for company formation is important for successful offshore company incorporation. Contact us for more information and advice on choosing the offshore company location.