Vanuatu: company formation
Under EU defensive measures
International Company · Asia-Pacific
Updated on 3 November 2026 · Published under the responsibility of Jason Pivron, director · Who we are
IBC in Vanuatu — company, registered office, banking file and annual upkeep, run by us, with a local correspondent where we have one.
Who this jurisdiction suits
- Fast incorporation, no direct taxation.
- Legal framework of British tradition.
- Low maintenance cost.
What it does not solve
- On the EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions as at 9 October 2026.
- Banking from Europe all but closed.
Conditions to meet
Source (30 September 2026): vanuatucustoms.gov.vu (to be checked)
What the source says: The tax administration's page describes VAT (15%); the absence of corporate profit tax is not stated there in so many words. No official page stating it was found.
Usual authorised capital, not a legal minimum
Usual time, from our files; to be checked.
Very difficult from Europe, because of the EU listing.
Vanuatu appears on the EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions as at 9 October 2026. Defensive measures apply. Incorporation on written operational justification only.
Our assessment for Vanuatu; to be checked.
Not offered.
Our offer in Vanuatu, internal catalogue.
Registration in Vanuatu: Vanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC), whose Commissioner is the Registrar of Companies. Source: vfsc.vu
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.
Vanuatu: what is specific to it
- 15% VAT on most goods and services since 1 January 2018 (12.5% before). Source: vanuatucustoms.gov.vu
- The Commissioner of the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission is also the Registrar of Companies: the same authority keeps the register and supervises non-deposit-taking financial services. Source: vfsc.vu
Reviewed on 30 September 2026.
Vanuatu compared with Seychelles and Hong Kong
| Vanuatu | Seychelles | Hong Kong | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Usual company form | IBC | IBC | Ltd |
| Corporate taxation | 0 % | 0 % on foreign-source income | 8.25 to 16.5 % · exemption possible on income earned outside the territory, on application |
| Share capital | $10,000 | $100,000 | HKD 1 |
| Incorporation time | 3–4 days | 1–2 days | 1–2 days |
| 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 1,990 € | from 2,990 € | from 2,390 € |
To be checked against each profile. The page for Seychelles → · The page for Hong Kong →
Registered office and premises in Vanuatu
From 1,284 €. Registered office service →
How it runs
- Scoping and identity verification
- Name reservation
- Filing and incorporation
- Delivery of the corporate file
- Account opening
For Vanuatu, the register is kept by Vanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC), whose Commissioner is the Registrar of Companies and the usual time is 3–4 days.
Steps as recorded on 21 September 2026.
Group: International place of incorporation · Our fees → · What we do for you →
Company formation in Vanuatu: frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to set up a company in Vanuatu?
Company formation in Vanuatu starts at 1,990 €, excluding tax. Firm quote before signature.
How long does it take to register a company in Vanuatu?
About 3–4 days once the file is complete (usual time from our files; to be checked).
Where is a company registered in Vanuatu?
With the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC), whose Commissioner is the Registrar of Companies (source: vfsc.vu).
What is the corporate tax rate in Vanuatu?
0 % (data as of 21 September 2026; source: vanuatucustoms.gov.vu; to be checked). Not tax advice.
What share capital is usual in Vanuatu?
$10,000: usual authorised capital, not a legal minimum; to be checked.
Why set up a company in Vanuatu?
Fast incorporation, no direct taxation. Legal framework of British tradition. Low maintenance cost.
What are the drawbacks of a company in Vanuatu?
On the EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions as at 9 October 2026. Banking from Europe all but closed.
Vanuatu or Seychelles or Hong Kong: where do our services start?
from 1,990 € in Vanuatu; from 2,990 € in the Seychelles; from 2,390 € in Hong Kong, excluding tax.
Vanuatu or Seychelles or Hong Kong: how does corporate tax compare?
Vanuatu, 0 %; Seychelles, 0 % on foreign-source income; Hong Kong, 8.25 to 16.5 % · exemption possible on income earned outside the territory, on application; to be checked.
Vanuatu or Seychelles or Hong Kong: which is faster to register?
Vanuatu in 3–4 days; Seychelles in 1–2 days; Hong Kong in 1–2 days, 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 →