Jurisdictions | Avgi Lortzie

Cyprus

Cyprus offers significant advantages for businesses, individuals, and investors seeking a strategic and tax-efficient jurisdiction. Incorporating a company in Cyprus provides access to one of the lowest corporate tax rates in the EU at 12.5%, along with an extensive network of double tax treaties, making it an ideal base for international operations.

Cyprus is an attractive destination for international trusts, benefiting from strong asset protection laws, tax advantages, and confidentiality. Additionally, it offers unique opportunities in the real estate sector.

Non-Dom Status in Cyprus: Non-Dom status offers significant tax benefits to individuals who are tax residents but not domiciled in Cyprus. Non-doms do not pay SDC tax on dividend, interest, and rental income for a maximum of 17 years. This status is particularly attractive to high-net-worth individuals, entrepreneurs, and international business executives seeking to optimize their tax obligations.

Salaried executives: Individuals with an annual income over €55,000 (salaried executives) from first employment in Cyprus (if domiciled) may qualify for a 50% tax exemption once in a life time for a period of 17 years, provided they were non-tax residents for at least 15 years before employment.

Salaried professionals: Individuals with an annual maximum income €8,550 (salaried professionals) from first employment in Cyprus (if domiciled) may qualify for a 20% tax exemption for a period of 7 years, provided were not a tax resident of Cyprus for a period of at least 3 consecutive tax years and were employed outside of Cyprus by a non-resident employer.

Cyprus International Trust: (CIT) serves as a strategic legal instrument with tax incentives for safeguarding family assets against financial mismanagement, unsuitable matrimonial unions, and the potential risks associated with beneficiaries who may lack the capacity to manage property effectively.

Real Estate Investment: Cyprus offers a unique advantage for wealth planning and many disposals of immovable property are exempt from CGT (Capital Gain Tax), including transfers upon death, gifts between parents and children, spouses, or relatives up to the third degree, and gifts to family-owned companies, provided the shareholders remain family members for at least five years.

UAE

As a key economic and strategic hub in the Middle East, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) plays a crucial role in the global investment landscape. It has become a top choice for multinational corporations looking to establish their regional headquarters and expand into the rapidly growing markets of the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia. Additionally, the UAE provides an ideal setting for startups and businesses across a wide range of industries.

Over the years, it has successfully transitioned into a well-diversified economy, with major sectors including manufacturing, logistics, financial services, technology, retail, tourism, healthcare, and education.

Dubai: The UAE’s Trade and Commercial Hub

Second-largest emirate and primary business center of the UAE

Attractive destination for company formation, re-domiciliation and expansion

No personal income tax or capital gains tax (except for oil and domestic banking sectors), no withholding taxes

No foreign exchange controls, trade restrictions on businesses

Small businesses with profits under AED 375,000 are fully exempt from corporate tax, while large multinational enterprises are subject to a 15% tax under global minimum tax regulations.

Standard corporate tax rate: 9% on profits exceeding AED 375,000

Free zones: 0% tax on qualifying income

Greece

Investing in Greece presents significant advantages across multiple sectors, particularly in taxation, yachting, and real estate sectors.

The Greek yachting sector offers one of the most cost-effective yacht ownership and operational structures within the European Union

Greece’s real estate market is another highly attractive investment opportunity. Foreign investors can take advantage of low property taxation, competitive prices compared to other Mediterranean destinations, and lucrative rental yields, particularly in tourist hotspots such as Athens, Mykonos, and Santorini.

Golden Visa Program Minimum Investment Requirements: €250,000 for commercial-to-residential conversions or restoration of listed buildings (no location or size restrictions), €400,000 for a single property of at least 120 sqm anywhere in Greece, or €800,000 for properties in Athens, Thessaloniki, or islands with over 3,100 residents.

Non-Dom Regime for HNWIs: Lump-sum tax of €100,000 per year for foreign investors moving tax residency to Greece, a maximum of 15 years duration, extension to family members, if failure to qualify the regime possible taxation on the worldwide income.

Relocation to Greece: A 50% Income Tax Exemption Applies to individuals relocating to Greece for employment or self-employment for up to 7 years. The remaining 50% is taxed under the general tax rules including any other Greek or foreign source of income.

Foreign pensioner’s tax regime: the total foreign-source income of the individual is subject to an annual flat tax rate of 7%, unless the income is exempt from tax, based on the applicable domestic top-up tax (DTT), a maximum of 15 years duration, no extension to family members, income sourced in Greece is taxed under the general tax rules.

UK

The United Kingdom’s strategic location and strong economic foundation make it a central hub for a wide range of industries and markets. As a top destination for foreign direct investment, the UK offers significant opportunities for investors looking to establish or expand their presence, both within the local market and on a global scale.

The UK is recognized as one of the most business-friendly tax jurisdictions.

UK-based companies do not impose withholding tax on dividends paid to individual or corporate shareholders, regardless of their country of registration or residence.

UK has the world's most extensive and efficient tax treaty network, covering agreements with over 140 countries.

Companies engaged in qualifying R&D activities can claim substantial tax deductions or credits, reducing their corporation tax liabilities.

The UK allows companies to fully deduct qualifying capital expenditures in the year of purchase, rather than spreading costs over several years.

Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) & Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) provide significant tax advantages to investors, making it easier for startups and growth-stage businesses to attract funding.

Switzerland

Switzerland is renowned as a financial powerhouse with a robust economy, stable democracy, and deep expertise in banking and investments. Its resilience in global economic challenges makes it an ideal destination for those seeking a secure and prosperous financial environment.