Moving to Bahamas: taxes, residence and life
How to become tax resident in Bahamas: personal, dividend and corporate tax, 6 residence programmes, tax-residency requirements and climate. Explore the basics and compare residence routes.
Taxes
In Bahamas the top income tax rate is 0%, dividends are taxed at up to 0% and companies pay 0% corporate tax.
How to move and become tax resident
You can become tax resident in Bahamas from arrival once you take up residence (Permanent/annual residence permit + home; no tax residence test). The typical route is Economic Permanent Residency (US$1m) or Annual Residence Permit: EPR: US$1m real estate or CBB zero-coupon bonds held 10 yrs (US$1.5m for accelerated review), US$20k fee; Annual permit: homeowner, ~US$1k/yr There are 5 open residence programmes in Bahamas — see the list below.
Living there
Nassau has a tropical savanna (wet/dry) climate with winter highs around 25.4 °C and summer highs around 32 °C.
Key facts
| Top income tax | 0% |
|---|---|
| Dividend tax | 0% |
| Corporate tax | 0% |
| Résidence fiscale | dès l'arrivée — Permanent/annual residence permit + home; no tax residence test |
| Voie de résidence typique | Economic Permanent Residency (US$1m) or Annual Residence Permit — EPR: US$1m real estate or CBB zero-coupon bonds held 10 yrs (US$1.5m for accelerated review), US$20k fee; Annual permit: homeowner, ~US$1k/yr |
| Type de climat | tropical savanna (wet/dry) · 25.4° / 32° (Nassau) |
| Military service | none |
| Taxed for holding the passport | none — Residence-based taxation; citizens abroad not taxed on foreign income |
| Can you give it up? | allowed — Renunciation by declaration/application once another nationality is held |
| Passport reputation (banks, sanctions) | low risk — Standard KYC; widely accepted by Swiss/international banks |
Residence programmes in Bahamas
Active programmes
- Economic Permanent Residence Certificate — Investissement CHF 800'000 · 2026-10
Threshold raised to US$1m and 10-yr holding period from 1 Jan 2025 (Immigration (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 2024).
- Annual Residence Permit (Permit to Reside) — independentMeans · 2026-10
- Home Owner's Resident Card — investment · 2026-10
- Annual Work Permit — employment · 2026-10
- Spousal Permit / Permanent Residence for Spouse of a Bahamian — family · 2026-10
Suspended programmes
- Bahamas Extended Access Travel Stay (BEATS) — digitalNomad · 2026-10
Suspended by Immigration on 23 Jan 2022; no official relaunch found as of 2026.
Plan your residence route
Frequently asked questions
How many days do I need to spend in Bahamas to become tax resident?
dès l'arrivée. Permanent/annual residence permit + home; no tax residence test No income, gains or inheritance tax; PR fast-track for $1.5m+ property
How much tax will I pay in Bahamas?
In Bahamas the top income tax rate is 0%, dividends are taxed at up to 0% and companies pay 0% corporate tax.
Which residence programmes does Bahamas offer?
Economic Permanent Residence Certificate (CHF 800'000); Annual Residence Permit (Permit to Reside); Home Owner's Resident Card; Annual Work Permit; Spousal Permit / Permanent Residence for Spouse of a Bahamian
What is the usual way to move to Bahamas?
Economic Permanent Residency (US$1m) or Annual Residence Permit. EPR: US$1m real estate or CBB zero-coupon bonds held 10 yrs (US$1.5m for accelerated review), US$20k fee; Annual permit: homeowner, ~US$1k/yr
Compare with nearby countries
Anguilla · Antigua & Barbuda · Aruba · Barbados · Bermuda · British Virgin Islands · Cayman Islands · Curaçao · Dominica · Grenada · Montserrat · Saint Lucia
Information générale uniquement – pas de conseil fiscal, juridique, migratoire, en investissement ou financier, ni de relation client. Chiffres simplifiés, indicatifs et parfois dépassés. Vérifiez toujours auprès de l'autorité officielle et d'un professionnel agréé du pays concerné avant d'agir. Les liens partenaires éventuels sont signalés et peuvent nous rémunérer.