East Africa · Africa

Seychelles

50moderate

Overall Score

Seychelles is a East Africa jurisdiction. operating under a territorial tax system, meaning foreign-sourced income is generally not subject to local taxation. Corporate profits are taxed at 25%.

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Corporate Tax

25%

Personal Income Tax

15%

Capital Gains

VAT / GST

15%

Overview

Key Data

Taxation

Personal Income Tax (max)15%

Personal Income Tax (min)0%

Corporate Tax Rate25%

Capital Gains Tax0%

VAT / GST15%

Dividend Tax Rate0%

Withholding Tax15%

Territorial TaxationYes

Foreign Income Exempt—

Remittance-Based Tax—

CFC RulesNo

Tax Residency Days183 days/year

Tax Treaties—

Residency & Visa

Digital Nomad VisaNo

Golden VisaNo

Retirement VisaNo

Investment VisaYes

EU MemberNo

Schengen AreaNo

EU PassportNo

Min. Days Required / Year—

Min. Monthly Income—

Min. Investment (residency)—

Citizenship Path—

Setup Difficulty—

Business & Cost of Living

Cost of Living Index65/100

Avg. Monthly Cost—

Company Formation Time—

Formation Cost (est.)—

Annual Compliance Cost—

Free Zone AvailableNo

Banking Easemoderate

Internet Qualitymoderate

Compliance & Reputation

FATF Statusgrey_list

EU Blacklist Statusgrey_list

OECD Compliance—

CRS Participant—

FATCA Compliant—

BEPS Participant—

Treaty Network Quality—

Personal Tax Residency

Tax residency in Seychelles is generally triggered by physical presence exceeding 183 days in a calendar year. The country operates on a territorial basis: income sourced abroad is not subject to local income tax for residents, making it particularly attractive for individuals with cross-border income streams. No statutory CFC rules apply, which can facilitate the use of foreign holding structures without automatic income attribution.

International Business Companies (IBCs) pay 0% CIT on offshore income. Territorial system. FATF grey list — some banking restrictions. Residency by investment from USD 1M.

Company Setup & Business Taxation

The standard corporate income tax rate is 25%. Establishing a legal presence here involves a higher degree of administrative complexity, often requiring local legal assistance.

Banking & Financial Access

Banking access in Seychelles is attainable but may require more documentation and time than in simpler jurisdictions. Internet infrastructure is developing. Speed and reliability can vary by location and should be assessed for business-critical operations.

Compliance & International Reputation

Seychelles is currently on the FATF grey list, indicating enhanced monitoring by the international AML/CFT body. This may affect banking relationships and counterparty due diligence requirements. EU tax blacklist status: grey_list. Structures involving this jurisdiction may attract additional scrutiny or reporting obligations under EU member state rules.

Who This Jurisdiction Works Best For

Based on our scoring model, Seychelles ranks highest for Freelancer and Founder / Entrepreneur. It offers a reasonable proposition for freelancer (score: 50/100). It offers a reasonable proposition for founder / entrepreneur (score: 50/100). It scores lower for high net worth individual and digital nomad, who may find other jurisdictions more suitable for their specific requirements.

Legal Notice

The information on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. Tax laws and residency rules change frequently and vary significantly by individual circumstances. Always consult a qualified professional licensed in the relevant jurisdictions before making any decisions.