🇰🇾Cayman vs BVI🇻🇬
Checked November 4, 2026 · How we score
| Metric | Cayman | BVI |
|---|---|---|
| Corporate tax | 0% | 0% |
| Top personal tax | 0% | 0% |
| Capital gains tax | 0% | 0% |
| VAT | None | None |
| Usual entity | Exempted Company (limited by shares) or LLC | BVI Business Company (limited by shares) |
| Setup cost | $3,000–$6,000 | $1,000–$2,500 |
| Yearly cost | $3,000–$8,000 | $800–$2,000 |
| Time to form | 3 days | 3 days |
| Remote setup | Yes | Yes |
| Banking difficulty | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Digital nomad visa | Yes | Yes |
| Our score | 6.8/10 | 7.3/10 |
Choose Cayman if…
- →Venture-backed startups using Cayman holding structures
- →Investment funds, crypto foundations and DAOs
- →High-net-worth remote workers able to meet the income threshold
Choose BVI if…
- →Holding companies, joint ventures and investment vehicles
- →Crypto and token issuers needing a zero-tax wrapper
- →International traders who need a quick offshore company
Questions people ask
Is Cayman or BVI better for a new company?
Cayman has the lower overall tax burden (0% corporate, 0% top personal). BVI is also easier and cheaper to set up and run. Overall, BVI scores 7.3/10 on our index vs 6.8/10.
Does the Cayman Islands have corporate tax?
No. There is no corporate income tax, capital gains tax, withholding tax or VAT. Companies pay annual registration fees to the government (about US$1,000 for a standard exempted company), and large multinational groups may fall under a domestic minimum top-up tax regime from the Pillar Two rules.
Is the Cayman Islands on the EU tax blacklist?
No. The Cayman Islands are not on the EU's Annex I blacklist or Annex II grey list as of the 9 October 2026 update. They were removed from the FATF grey list in October 2023, and remain subject to economic substance rules and transparency commitments.
Is the BVI on the EU tax blacklist?
The BVI is not on the Annex I blacklist, but it appears on Annex II, the EU 'grey list' of jurisdictions committed to reforms, per the 9 October 2026 update. Grey-list status can trigger enhanced due diligence from EU banks and counterparties. Check the Council of the EU for updates.
Does the BVI have corporate tax?
No. BVI business companies pay no corporate income, capital gains, withholding or inheritance taxes, provided they do not trade locally. They pay annual government licence fees (about US$450 for most small companies) and must meet economic substance rules if they carry on relevant activities.
More comparisons
Not tax or legal advice. Rates and rules change; we check official sources and update every page, but verify with a licensed adviser in the country before acting. Spotted something out of date? Use the correction form below.