Moving to Botswana: taxes, residence and life
How to become tax resident in Botswana: personal, dividend and corporate tax, 4 residence programmes, tax-residency requirements and climate. Explore the basics and compare residence routes.
Taxes
In Botswana the top income tax rate is 25%, dividends are taxed at up to 10% and companies pay 22% corporate tax.
How to move and become tax resident
You can become tax resident in Botswana from arrival once you take up residence (Permanent home in Botswana, or 183 days in tax year). The typical route is Residence permit via own business: Work + residence permit as owner of BITC-registered company; no independent-means category in practice There are 4 open residence programmes in Botswana — see the list below.
Living there
Gaborone has a hot semi-arid climate with winter highs around 22 °C and summer highs around 32 °C.
Key facts
| Top income tax | 25% |
|---|---|
| Dividend tax | 10% |
| Corporate tax | 22% |
| Résidence fiscale | dès l'arrivée — Permanent home in Botswana, or 183 days in tax year |
| Voie de résidence typique | Residence permit via own business — Work + residence permit as owner of BITC-registered company; no independent-means category in practice |
| Type de climat | hot semi-arid · 22° / 32° (Gaborone) |
Residence programmes in Botswana
Active programmes
- Work and Residence Permit – Investor / Self-employed — entrepreneur · 2026-10
- Work Permit (employment) — employment · 2026-10
- Residence Permit (retirees / independent means) — retirement · 2026-10
- Dependant residence permit / spouse of citizen — family · 2026-10
Plan your residence route
Frequently asked questions
How many days do I need to spend in Botswana to become tax resident?
dès l'arrivée. Permanent home in Botswana, or 183 days in tax year Foreign interest & dividends deemed Botswana-source
How much tax will I pay in Botswana?
In Botswana the top income tax rate is 25%, dividends are taxed at up to 10% and companies pay 22% corporate tax.
Which residence programmes does Botswana offer?
Work and Residence Permit – Investor / Self-employed; Work Permit (employment); Residence Permit (retirees / independent means); Dependant residence permit / spouse of citizen
What is the usual way to move to Botswana?
Residence permit via own business. Work + residence permit as owner of BITC-registered company; no independent-means category in practice
Compare with nearby countries
Algeria · Angola · Benin · Burkina Faso · Burundi · Cameroon · Central African Rep. · Chad · Congo · Côte d'Ivoire · Dem. Rep. Congo · Egypt
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