Brunei

Tax residency in Brunei 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.

No personal income tax. No capital gains tax. No VAT. Corporate income tax 18.5%. Sultanate; oil/gas revenue subsidises citizens. Limited foreign residency and business options. Halal economy. Difficult to acquire permanent residency as non-citizen.

The standard corporate income tax rate is 19%. Establishing a legal presence here involves a higher degree of administrative complexity, often requiring local legal assistance.

Banking access in Brunei is attainable but may require more documentation and time than in simpler jurisdictions. Internet connectivity is generally good, with consistent broadband availability in business districts and main population centres.

Brunei is a member of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and meets its anti-money-laundering standards. EU tax blacklist status: not_listed. Structures involving this jurisdiction may attract additional scrutiny or reporting obligations under EU member state rules.

Based on our scoring model, Brunei ranks highest for High Net Worth Individual and Founder / Entrepreneur. It offers a strong proposition for high net worth individual (score: 65/100). It offers a reasonable proposition for founder / entrepreneur (score: 63/100).