Moving to Bahrain: taxes, residence and life
How to become tax resident in Bahrain: personal, dividend and corporate tax, 7 residence programmes, tax-residency requirements and climate. Explore the basics and compare residence routes.
Taxes
In Bahrain 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
To become tax resident in Bahrain you need at least 183 days a year (No statutory individual test; NBR TRC with CPR/residence permit + ~183 days). The typical route is Golden Residency (property BHD 130k): Property(ies) ≥BHD 130k owned (lowered from BHD 200k, Dec 2025); or pension BHD 4k/month; clean record, health insurance There are 7 open residence programmes in Bahrain — see the list below.
Living there
Manama has a hot desert climate with winter highs around 20.5 °C and summer highs around 38.5 °C.
Key facts
| Top income tax | 0% |
|---|---|
| Dividend tax | 0% |
| Corporate tax | 0% |
| Résidence fiscale | après 183 jours — No statutory individual test; NBR TRC with CPR/residence permit + ~183 days |
| Voie de résidence typique | Golden Residency (property BHD 130k) — Property(ies) ≥BHD 130k owned (lowered from BHD 200k, Dec 2025); or pension BHD 4k/month; clean record, health insurance |
| Type de climat | hot desert · 20.5° / 38.5° (Manama) |
Residence programmes in Bahrain
- Golden Residency – Property Owners — Investissement CHF 276'900 · open · 2026-10
- Golden Residency – Retirees — Revenu / an CHF 102'240 · open · 2026-10
- Golden Residency – Talents and Long-Term Residents — Revenu / an CHF 51'120 · open · 2026-10
- Self-Sponsorship Residence Permit for Property Owners (≥ BHD 50,000) — Investissement CHF 106'500 · open · 2026-10
- Investor Visa (own company via Commercial Registration) — entrepreneur · open · 2026-10
- Employment Work Permit and Residence — employment · open · 2026-10
- Family Residence (sponsored dependants) — Revenu / an CHF 10'224 · open · 2026-10
Plan your residence route
Frequently asked questions
How many days do I need to spend in Bahrain to become tax resident?
après 183 jours. No statutory individual test; NBR TRC with CPR/residence permit + ~183 days Golden residency (property/income) gives visa, not TRC by itself
How much tax will I pay in Bahrain?
In Bahrain the top income tax rate is 0%, dividends are taxed at up to 0% and companies pay 0% corporate tax.
Which residence programmes does Bahrain offer?
Golden Residency – Property Owners (CHF 276'900); Golden Residency – Retirees; Golden Residency – Talents and Long-Term Residents; Self-Sponsorship Residence Permit for Property Owners (≥ BHD 50,000) (CHF 106'500); Investor Visa (own company via Commercial Registration)
What is the usual way to move to Bahrain?
Golden Residency (property BHD 130k). Property(ies) ≥BHD 130k owned (lowered from BHD 200k, Dec 2025); or pension BHD 4k/month; clean record, health insurance
Compare with nearby countries
Kuwait · Oman · Qatar · Saudi Arabia · United Arab Emirates
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.