– 23 Tax-Free Countries –
There is a number of countries where income taxes are not required. Some of them are really nice countries to live in. However, only a handful of countries are tax-free countries. This article will discuss 23 Tax-Free countries in the world with good economies.
As a taxpayer, I’m sure you have fantasized about a place or country where you can keep all the money you earn in a year without having to pay tax. Well, this happens in Tax-Free countries.
This is possible in some countries in the world, while it is not so in others. Furthermore, in some countries, there are strict penalties for people who don’t pay tax, a crime known as Tax Evasion.
Is it Possible For a Country To Be Tax-Free?
Some countries are so rich, they don’t tax their citizens. When they do, it is minimal and sometimes not forced.
However, income taxes aren’t a country’s main source of revenue. Oil-producing countries, like those with other mineral resources, rely on oil sales to pay their taxes.
Consider Alaska and Nevada, two of US states that do not have a state-level income tax. Because Alaska is a major oil producer, the oil and gas industry accounts for nearly 90% of its earnings.
Alaska even has a permanent fund that distributes oil proceeds to Alaskans. In the state, a family of four receives about $20,000 per year. Alaska may become a popular destination if it weren’t for federal taxes and severely cold winters.
Currently, there are about 23 Tax-Free countries in the world but still maintain a good economy, below are 23 of them.
In Western Europe, Monaco had a GDP of $7,188.24 million as of 2018.
It is one of Europe’s most attractive and desirable places to live. It is well-known as a year-round holiday destination for ultra-high-net-worth individuals.
Monaco, which is located on the French Riviera, has huge, well-developed marinas that are frequently occupied by a variety of yachts from all over the world.
Monaco is a small city-state, about the same size as the Vatican. It boasts one of the world’s lowest crime rates of any country and is among the 23 tax-free countries in the world.
However, one disadvantage is that Monaco is one of the most expensive places to live in the world. It’s easy to get into Monaco’s tax-free financial ecosystem, but it’s not cheap.
2. The Maldives
Despite a significant expansion in the island nation’s tourism and fishing industries, the Maldives is saddled with a mountain of debt
Given that 80 percent of the island is less than one meter above sea level, there is growing concern about the consequences of erosion and rising water levels caused by global warming.
It is workable to live in the Maldives, but you must first get a Work Permit. This can be gained through the sponsorship program, which is run by a local resident or company.
Afterward, one will become eligible for a Resident Permit.
3. The United Arab Emirates
There are several oil-producing countries in the Middle East that do not charge income or corporate taxes, and the UAE is one of the most appealing with a stable government and economy.
The United Arab Emirates boasts a strong economy and a more multicultural climate than the bulk of Middle Eastern countries.
As a result, there are plenty of great dining and entertainment alternatives. There are also excellent educational opportunities and a sizable English-speaking population.
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4. Nauru
Nauru was previously one of the world’s wealthiest countries, thanks to the abundant supply of a particular natural resource: phosphate. It is also one of the 23 tax-free countries.
The island’s future is dubious these days, despite efforts to collect “secondary phosphate” to keep the economy going.
Fishing licenses and the Australian Regional Processing Center for asylum seekers are two more sources of government revenue.
Nauru allegedly used to have an Economic Citizenship Program where citizens may have their citizenship expedited for a fee. If that information was ever available on the internet, it is no longer accessible.
5. St. Kitts and Nevis
St. Kitts and Nevis is another tourist-heavy country that is among the 23 tax-free countries.
It is famous for its economic citizenship program, where you can get citizenship at a comparatively low fee, starting from a $150,000 donation to the government, or via investment in real estate.
Getting permanent residency is also quite economical and a rather simple process.
They offer economic citizenship programs to foreign nationals as a partial answer to the island’s financial challenges. Visitors can seek residency on the island by making financial investments.
6. Pitcairn
Pitcairn is the remnant of the British Empire in the South Pacific, having been founded by mutineers from the HMS Bounty.
The economy of this British Overseas Territory is based mostly on fishing, farming, handicrafts, and postal stamps.
The population of the island is estimated to be only 50 individuals. The immigration process in Pitcairn is really simple.
You need to fill out an application, pay the fee, and participate in an interview to become a partnered official with the island.
7. Oman
This is another middle eastern country that is oil-rich. However, Oman is also developing its tourism and shipping industry rapidly.
The government is working to attract more expatriates into jobs in the country. Similar to other countries in the region, you can obtain a work permit via sponsorship, but there is an investment residency program option as well, which is quite high.
The country’s leadership is working to diversify the economy by bolstering its tourism, shipping and logistics, mining, manufacturing, and aquaculture industries.
Oman’s government is working to create more jobs due to the rising number of foreign nationals entering the country.
8. Kuwait
Kuwait is significantly reliant on oil, although the public sector employs 74% of the population. With petroleum accounting for 92 percent of Kuwait’s large GDP, the country can afford to avoid charging income taxes on its inhabitants.
They may subject foreigners seeking work in Kuwait to forced labor, according to the CIA, in part due to a licensing rule that makes it difficult for workers to leave abusive companies.
Kuwait’s government has been striving to lower the number of foreigners since 2013 in order to reduce competition for upper-management positions.
Even though it is among the 23 tax-free countries in the world, foreigners over the age of 50 are prohibited from working in Kuwait’s public sector.
9. Qatar
Qatar as a Tax-Free country has a lot in common with Kuwait. Its economy is based on oil as well, though Qatar’s energy sector reaps additional benefits from natural gas.
Despite this, the industry contributes more than half of the country’s GDP, as it does in Kuwait. Unfortunately, another resemblance between Qatar and neighboring Kuwait is that it is a place where many workers are forced to work.
Those wishing to live and work in Qatar must have already secured a job with a local company and obtained police clearance from their home country.
10. The Bahamas
The Bahamas, a largely Tax-Free country with its outstanding infrastructure and services, is a viable option for many investors looking for a tax-free country. Individual income and corporate income tax are not required.
You pay no tax on your earnings if you live in the Bahamas, regardless of where you earn money.
One major reason for this is that the Bahamas earns money from tourism and the offshore economy, rather than relying on tax revenues as other countries do.
It’s also worth noting that foreigners can request a residency permit in this country easily.
11. Bermuda
Bermuda is a territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. It is governed independently and is one of the top tax-free countries for offshore businesses.
Bermuda has no corporate income tax, neither residents nor foreigners are required to pay taxes, other advantages include a high-quality infrastructure and a well-developed finance industry.
12. Saint Barthélemy
Saint Barthélemy was traded between France and Sweden from 1648 until 1877. It became a French overseas collectivity in 2007. Most of this tiny country’s income comes from tourism.
However, living in Saint Barthélemy is not easy because of its high cost of living.
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13. The Turks and Caicos Islands
It is difficult to obtain a resident permit within this country. They demand that people have “independent means.” This means that you should be able to rent or purchase a home in the country.
To become a resident you are required to make a $500,000 investment in the country or be married to a citizen.
14. Vanuatu
Vanuatu is a similar island to the others on this list. Its economy, on the other hand, is unique. Agriculture accounts for almost a quarter of Vanuatu’s GDP. Agriculture employs almost two-thirds of the population.
Tourism, offshore financial services, and fishing are to be significant sectors. However, in 2015, Cyclone Pam caused damage to several countries in the south Pacific.
It had a significant impact on Vanuatu, destroying much of the country’s infrastructure. The administration has been working to revive the economy since then.
Vanuatu’s citizenship by investment policy makes it fairly simple to get citizenship. To be qualified, all you have to do is donate $135,000 to the Vanuatu Development Support Program and pay nearly $10,000.
15. Norfolk Island
Norfolk Island is a British overseas territory of Australia. It’s unique in that it imports very little from the rest of the globe. Instead, it is completely self-sufficient in terms of chicken, beef, and eggs.
This Island is one of the 23 tax-free countries, It is a former British colony. It is now a colony of descendants of the HMS Bounty mutineers.
If you’re an Australian or New Zealand citizen, you can easily reside in the country. However, it’s much more difficult for foreign nationals to gain residence there. You’ll need to submit documents and statements. Even then, there’s no guarantee.
16. Brunei
Brunei is a fascinating country since it is a sultanate. It is genuinely oil-rich and contains a number of gas fields. This is why it is among the 23 tax-free countries.
The government also provides a wide range of social services to its citizens. These include free medical care and education up to and including the university level.
Brunei is not the best place to live. Brunei’s royal family (the House of Bolkiah) has been in power for more than six centuries and is not particularly welcoming to foreigners. It also features strict regulations.
17. Cayman Islands
The Cayman Islands’ living standards are generally very good, with some people comparing them to those of Switzerland. While the Cayman Islands are tax-free, products entering the island are subject to import charges.
Furthermore, the Cayman Islands are well-known as an important offshore financial center. Many overseas investors choose to establish their companies in the country.
It’s not easy to become a permanent resident in the Cayman Islands. To live in Grand Cayman for the long term, you must earn at least $145,000 a year.
You must also make a minimum investment of $600,000 in real estate or a local business. After that, you must live there for an additional eight years in order to obtain permanent residency.
18. The British Virgin Islands
Tourism accounts for over 45 percent of the country’s total revenue. There is also a significant agricultural sector, however, it is primarily based on livestock. This is due to poor soil quality, which restricts crop development.
The US dollar has been the official currency of the British Virgin Islands since 1959. This is because its economy is strongly tied to that of its American counterpart, the US Virgin Islands.
It’s a little difficult to become a permanent resident in this country despite it being among the 23 tax-free countries.
You must file a residence application to the British islands’ administration and spend 20 years on the islands and prove that you are financially capable and intend to stay in the area permanently.
19. The Vatican
The Vatican survives on the sale of stamps, coins, medals, and other tourist souvenirs, as well as museum admission fees and book sales, and is totally tax-free as listed among the 23 tax-free countries.
The Vatican’s financial and administrative operations are controlled by the Secretariat of the Economy, which was established in February 2014.
20. Wallis and Futuna
Agriculture, along with cattle and fisheries, accounts for 80% of Wallis and Futuna’s earnings, similar to Vanuatu. The public sector employs 70% of the population in this French overseas community, although about two-thirds of those employed are unpaid.
France is in charge of funding the public sector, including healthcare and education making the community be among the 23 tax-free countries.
Because Wallis and Futuna is a French community, the entrance rules are the same as in France.
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21. Western Sahara
Fishing, phosphate mining, tourism, and pastoral nomadism are the primary sectors in Western Sahara, which is a non-self-governing region with a market-based economy.
Morocco has built a significant military presence in Western Sahara and offered incentives to its residents to settle there as part of an effort to integrate the region into the Moroccan Kingdom.
22. Somalia
Plagued by factional violence, Somalia still lacks effective national governance, Somalia is among the 23 tax-free countries.
The Transitional National Government was established in 2000, followed by the Transitional Federal Government in 2004. Livestock, money transfer firms, and telephones are the pillars of the country’s informal sector.
The federal government of Somalia enacted a new strategy in 2015 to reduce the country’s reliance on foreign countries and increase job opportunities for Somalis.
23. Bahrain
The island, which was once a British protectorate, has a diverse economy. While oil and natural gas account for 85 percent of Bahrain’s budget, the country also has a thriving hospitality and retail sector.
However, as a result of continuous political unrest, there are sporadic clashes between protestors and security personnel. However, Bahrain is one of the 23 tax-free countries.
In conclusion, Taxes can be stressful at times. Many countries around the world do not levy an income tax on its citizens. However, only a small percentage of them are easily accessible or livable.
It can be a good idea for you to visit a tax-free country. However, I advise that you do some research so that you can make the most of your travel.
Countries That Charge Tourist Tax Around The World
Any revenue-generating measure aimed at tourists is referred to as a tourist tax. It’s a way to combat over-tourism and a tax-exporting strategy (partial shifting of the tax burden to non-citizens or non-residents).
It’s possible you were unaware of the tax because it’s often included in plane tickets or the taxes you pay at your hotel or Airbnb. Some countries, such as Japan, require you to pay the tax when you leave.
A tourist tax is different from the visa fee and a value-added tax, which is a consumption tax imposed on specific products and is also found in many countries.
According to Travel Weekly, the government of Tanzania began charging an 18 percent VAT on tourist services such as ground transportation, water safaris, and camping fees in 2016.
Tourist taxes will appear in more places in the future, they are used to prevent over-tourism, below are some of the countries that charge tourist tax around the world.
1. Austria
Tourism tax, known by a variety of names (Tourismusgesetz and Beherbergungsbeiträge are just two), in Vienna, now ranges from €0.36 to 3.2 percent of the hotel bill per person per night. The tax does not apply to children under the age of 15.
2. Japan
A ” sayonara tax ” was implemented in Japan in January. The 1,000 yen ($9.25) fee collected from international visitors as they depart Japan was used to improve Japan’s tourism infrastructure in preparation for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
The revenue would “create a more comfortable, stress-free tourist environment,” “improve access to information about a wide variety of attractions in Japan,” and “develop tourist resources taking advantage of the unique cultural and natural assets of respective regions,” according to the Japan National Tourism Organization.
3. Belgium
There are a variety of tourist taxes to be aware of in Belgium, which differ by city. Hotel accommodations in Antwerp are charged at a fixed fee of €2.39 (£2.04) per person, per night.
Children under the age of 12 and accommodations that fall under the Tourism for Everyone regulation are exempt from the tax.
There is a tourism tax of €2.83 (£2.41) per person, each night if you are staying in Bruges. This applies to all types of tourist lodging, such as hotels, guest homes, and hostels.
The City Tax in Ghent is €3 (£2.56) per person, each night. Some hotels include the tax in the accommodation fee, while others may charge it separately as an extra.
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4. Germany
According to Hostelworld, the taxes do not include VAT and might amount to 5 euros ($5.67) per person per day, or 5% of a hotel bill.
4. Bulgaria
Bulgaria is not a Tax-Free country Visitors to Bulgaria must pay a City Tax or a Resort Tax, which varies by area and hotel rating.
The City Tax, which ranges from 0.2 Bulgarian (BGN) Lev (8p) to 3 BGN Lev (£1.31) per person and per night, is charged per person and per night.
In some places like Litoral, Resort Taxes are imposed and calculated per person per stay, rather than per person, per night.
5. Italy
In Italy, tourist taxes vary depending on where you are. According to Discover Rome, Rome’s nightly price varies from 3 to 7 euros ($3.40 to $7.94) depending on the type of lodging.
While the Civita di Bagnoregio, dubbed “The Dying City” due to its location on an eroding hilltop, charges all tourists a 5 euro ($5.67) entrance fee.
At the end of 2018, the mayor of Venice imposed a ten euro ($11.34) admission tax on the city.
CNN quoted a local as saying: “Venice is overrun with tourists, and we need to minimize day visitors in favor of a higher-end, let’s call it “luxury” tourism. The other option is that we’re all uncomfortable in Venice.”
7. France
In France, there is a tourist tax, a person is chargeable per night, and it varies according to the quality and standard of the accommodation.
The rates range from €0.20 (17p) to €4 (£3.42) per person, per night. You can see how the prices breakdown on the service-public.fr website.
Paris charges higher rates of tourist tax ranging from €0.25 and €5 (£4.27) per person, per night, depending on accommodation. Children under 18 are exempt from the tax.
7. Greece
Greece introduced a tourist tax for the first time in 2018, making it the first country to do so. You must pay the tax when you check in to your lodging, and you can do it with cash or a credit card.
For those staying in one to two-star hotels, the cost is €0.50 (42p) per person per day, rising to €1.50 (£1.28) in three-star hotels, €3 (£2.56) in four-star hotels, and €4 (£3.42) in five-star hotels.
8. The Netherlands
Visitors to the Netherlands get taxed a tourist accommodation tax known as Toeristenbelasting.
According to the ETOA, it is taxed per person, per night by over 400 towns, but it varies depending on hotel quality and kind of accommodation.
The others either charge a percentage or don’t charge at all, depending on the hotel’s star rating or kind of lodging.
In the major tourist destination of Amsterdam, for example, there is a fixed tax of €3 per person, each night, plus a 7% City Tax depending on the accommodation price.
9. Switzerland
The tourist tax in Switzerland varies depending on where you go. The price is per night and per person, and it is lower in places like hostels and campgrounds. A common amount, according to My Swiss Alps, is 2.50 Swiss francs ($2.50).
“The tourist tax is usually not included in lodging prices; it is stated as a separate charge,” My Swiss Alps explained. “The tax can be added to the final bill, as is customary in the hotel industry.
The tax can also be paid separately, as is customary for vacation properties. You’ll pay the tax to the landlord or a local tourist organization in the latter case.”
10. Romania
In Romania, you will be charged a tourist tax as well as VAT. A 1% tax on accommodation rates is levied by hotels in Bucharest, the capital.
A city tax is levied in major cities, while a rescue tax is levied in mountain and sea communities, the tourist tax in Slovenia varies depending on where you go and what kind of hotel you stay in.
11. Croatia
Some of the increase in the tourist tax is because Netflix filmed a few key segments of “Game of Thrones” in Croatia.
Visitors will pay 10 kuna ($1.53) per person per night during peak season in the summer, up from 8 kuna ($1.22) previously, but anyone staying at a campsite will still pay only 8 kuna.
12. Portugal
The tourist tax in Portugal is a minor nightly per-person cost that applies to guests aged 13 and up. Both Lisbon and Porto charge 2 euros ($2.27), and the Algarve is expected to charge 1.50 euros, according to Portugal News Online.
All children under the age of 13 are exempt from the overnight tax, with the exemption only applying for the first seven days of your stay.
Faro (Algarve) The hotel implemented a tourist tax of €1.50 a day but suspended it until December 2021.
23. Slovenia
Slovenia also imposes a tourist tax, which is capped at €2.50 (£2.13) per person, per night but differs depending on location and hotel type.
Taxes in Ljubljana, the capital, and Bled, the tourist town, are €3.13 (£2.67) per person each night, plus a €0.63 marketing tax.
Children’s rates are also subject to change, children under the age of seven are generally exempt, whereas children between seven and eighteen have a 50% discount.
24. Spain
The Sustainable Tourist Tax, which applies to holiday accommodation on Spain’s Balearic Islands (Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, Formentera), applies to each holidaymaker aged 16 or over.
During high season, those staying in luxury hotels pay €4 a per person, per day (£3.42 at the time of writing), €3 (£2.56) for mid-range hotels, and €2 (£1.71) for apartments and cruise ship visitors – even if you don’t stay on the islands – and €1 (85p) for campers and hostels.
Prices are up to 75% lower if you’re traveling from November to April and the tax drops by 50% after your eighth night on the island.
The money raised from the ‘eco tax’ will go towards the protection of resources on the islands.
You will have to pay between €0.45 (38p) and €2.25 (£1.92) per person, per night, for the first seven nights, which depends on the hotel category and whether you are staying in Barcelona.
15. United States Of America
Several states in the United States, like California and Texas, have an occupancy tax that you must pay when booking your hotel.
Taxes are imposed on hotels, motels, inns, and similar establishments. According to Turbo Tax, quoting Consumer Reports, Houston has the highest hotel charge in the US, with a 17 percent tax on your hotel bill.
16. Switzerland
Everyone staying in Switzerland for more than one night pays a tax. It is levied per person, per night, and varies by city and, in some situations, by kind of lodging, according to the ETOA.
The Beherbergungsabgabe (BA tax) and the Kurtaxe are the two components.
The BA tax is used to fund tourism advertising and infrastructure maintenance in regions, while the Kurtaxe is used to improve the visitor experience.
There may be more variations because each canton in Switzerland decides how to set the taxes. In general, per person, per night, you can anticipate paying around 2.5CHF (Swiss Francs, around £2).
17. Venice
According to media reports, Venice plans to charge tourists up to €10 per person starting next summer.
The tourist tax might range from €3 to €10 per day, depending on whether a visitor comes during the low, high, or peak season, and will primarily target day-trippers, Italy has an existing tourist tax of €1-€5, paid at the hotel.
The majority of visitors to Venice are day-trippers, many of whom arrive on cruise ships, and therefore contribute little to the city’s economy despite leaving massive amounts of trash and causing significant disruption.
18. Bhutan
With the exception of Indians, Bangladeshis, and Maldivians, all international tourists in Bhutan currently pay $250 per person per day in the high season and $200 per person per day in the low season.
This includes lodging, transportation within Bhutan, a tourist guide, food and non-alcoholic beverages, an entry charge, a $65 “tourism levy” or “sustainable development fee (SDF)” (formerly known as “royalty” to the government), and a tourist visa fee.
For tourists traveling alone, there is a $40 surcharge, and for tourists traveling in groups of two, there is a $30 surcharge.
This article has discussed and listed 23 tax-free countries in the world, we have also discussed the countries that tax tourists when they visit for holidays or tourism.
Frequently Asked Questions on Tax Free Countries
Below are the FAQs on tax free countries:
1. What Are Tourists Tax?
Tourism taxes are minor fees levied on overnight guests and are usually levied indirectly through lodging providers or vacation agencies.
2. How Do Tourism Taxes Work?
Tourism taxes are easy to pay and can be adjusted to different types of tourists, some local governments have embraced them as a solution to over-tourism.
3. What Is the Purpose of Tourist Taxes?
Tourist taxes may come up in more places in the future in order to fight over-tourism. Money raised from the tax is reinvested into the community and the film industry in order to fund marketing.
4. Is It Undemocratic To Levy Tourist Taxes?
Taxes on tourists are not oppressive. There are allegations of exclusivity whenever there is talk of reducing tourist numbers or increasing rates.
5. Will Tourist Taxes Resolve The Issue Of Overtourism?
No, not without first addressing the fundamental issue of sustainability. Tourism must include both the benefits and drawbacks of increased tourist numbers, and realize that “more” does not equal “better.”
6. What Is The Solution To Overtourism If Taxes Are Not?
There is no such thing as a magic bullet. Instead, we should concentrate on planning and managing responsible tourism.
Pre-purchased tickets timed entrance, and seasonal pricing are all examples of effective tourist management.
7. What Happens If You Can’t Pay Tourist Tax?
Technically, if needed by local regulations, the manager of the facility where you stayed can ask you to sign a paper stating that you do not want to pay the tax, and then submit your information to the Council.
In conclusion, as the public becomes more aware of the negative effects of overt-tourism, several initiatives are being implemented to reduce these effects.
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StudentsandScholarship Team.
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