The Cayman Islands: company formation
Exempted Company · Americas
Updated on 3 November 2026 · Published under the responsibility of Jason Pivron, director · Who we are
Exempted Co in the Cayman Islands — company, registered office, banking file and annual upkeep, run by us, with a local correspondent where we have one.
Who this jurisdiction suits
- Market standard for investment fund vehicles.
- Mature regulatory framework recognised by institutional investors.
- No direct taxation.
What it does not solve
- Economic substance rules with an annual declaration of the level achieved.
- Banking all but impossible outside fund structures.
Conditions to meet
Source (30 September 2026): gov.ky (to be checked)
Usual authorised capital, not a legal minimum
Usual time, from our files; to be checked.
Difficult outside investment fund structures.
Same economic substance obligations as the British Virgin Islands, with an annual declaration of the substance level achieved.
Our assessment for the Cayman Islands; to be checked.
Office on quotation.
Our offer in the Cayman Islands, internal catalogue.
Registration in the Cayman Islands: Cayman Islands General Registry. Source: ciregistry.ky
Services and prices
Starting prices excluding tax, government fees included.
See the other 9 services in this jurisdiction
Firm price after the call: several shareholders, indirect ownership or a regulated activity change it.
The Cayman Islands: what is specific to it
- Beneficial Ownership Transparency Act 2023, in force since 31 July 2024: beneficial owners (25% threshold) are reported to the authorities; the register is not public. Source: ciregistry.ky
- The exempted company is formed to do business mainly outside the Cayman Islands (Companies Act). Source: ciregistry.ky (to be checked)
- Filings with the companies register go through CORIS, the General Registry's online system. Source: ciregistry.ky (to be checked)
Reviewed on 30 September 2026.
Cayman Islands compared with Belize and Costa Rica
| Cayman Islands | Belize | Costa Rica | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Usual company form | Exempted Co | IBC | SRL |
| Corporate taxation | 0 % · economic substance rules apply | 0 to 19 % depending on income source | 30% (reduced rates for small companies) |
| Share capital | $50,000 | $50,000 | Not established |
| Incorporation time | 4–5 days | 2–3 days | About 3 days (CrearEmpresa platform) |
| Banking access | Difficult | Difficult | Demanding |
| Substance requirement | Real presence required | Necessary, but not sufficient on its own | Necessary, but not sufficient on its own |
| Our services | from 2,990 € | from 1,790 € | from 5,190 € |
To be checked against each profile. The page for Belize → · The page for Costa Rica →
Compare this jurisdiction
Registered office and premises in the Cayman Islands
From 2,230 €. Registered office service →
How it runs
- Scoping and identity verification
- Name reservation
- Filing and incorporation
- Delivery of the corporate file
- Account opening
For the Cayman Islands, the register is kept by Cayman Islands General Registry and the usual time is 4–5 days.
Steps as recorded on 21 September 2026.
Group: International place of incorporation · Our fees → · What we do for you →
Company formation in the Cayman Islands: frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to set up a company in the Cayman Islands?
Company formation in the Cayman Islands starts at 2,990 €, excluding tax. Firm quote before signature.
How long does it take to register a company in the Cayman Islands?
About 4–5 days once the file is complete (usual time from our files; to be checked).
Where is a company registered in the Cayman Islands?
With the Cayman Islands General Registry (source: ciregistry.ky).
What is the corporate tax rate in the Cayman Islands?
0 % · economic substance rules apply (data as of 21 September 2026; source: gov.ky; to be checked). Not tax advice.
What share capital is usual in the Cayman Islands?
$50,000: usual authorised capital, not a legal minimum; to be checked.
Why set up a company in the Cayman Islands?
Market standard for investment fund vehicles. Mature regulatory framework recognised by institutional investors. No direct taxation.
What are the drawbacks of a company in the Cayman Islands?
Economic substance rules with an annual declaration of the level achieved. Banking all but impossible outside fund structures.
Cayman Islands or Belize or Costa Rica: where do our services start?
from 2,990 € in the Cayman Islands; from 1,790 € in Belize; from 5,190 € in Costa Rica, excluding tax.
Cayman Islands or Belize or Costa Rica: how does corporate tax compare?
Cayman Islands, 0 % · economic substance rules apply; Belize, 0 to 19 % depending on income source; Costa Rica, 30% (reduced rates for small companies); to be checked.
Cayman Islands or Belize or Costa Rica: which is faster to register?
Cayman Islands in 4–5 days; Belize in 2–3 days; Costa Rica in About 3 days (CrearEmpresa platform), usual times.
Where these figures come from
Recorded on 21 September 2026; to be checked; banking and substance: our assessment. How we source these figures →