At a glance
Legal system: Common law based on English law; English is the official language
Status: Independent Commonwealth nation
Company type: Company under the Belize Companies Act 2022 (this replaced the former International Business Company, or IBC)
Currency: Belize dollar, pegged to the US dollar
Corporate tax: None on foreign-source income for companies that don’t operate within Belize
Directors / shareholders: No residency or nationality requirement
Ownership information: Filed with the registry through your agent; not on a public register
Accounting records: Must be kept at your agent’s office in Belize
Why companies choose Belize
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Tax-neutral treatment of overseas business. Companies that don’t operate within Belize are not taxed locally on international income. Your own tax position where you live is separate, and we’ll flag it in your consultation.
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Familiar law and language. English common law and English as the working language make documents and dealings straightforward.
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Flexible ownership. Directors and shareholders can be of any nationality and live anywhere.
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Remote set-up. The incorporation can be handled entirely online through your agent.
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Cost. Government and agent fees are modest compared with some other jurisdictions .
Who it suits
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Consultants and online businesses
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E-commerce and digital businesses
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Holding and investment vehicles
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International trading companies
Who it may not suit: businesses that need to operate within Belize, regulated activities such as banking, insurance and fund management, and anyone who wants to keep records or ownership details out of reach of the authorities. Belize has tightened its rules considerably since 2022, so it is no longer a “no reporting” jurisdiction. We’ll tell you if it isn’t the right fit.
What a Belize company must do each year
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Registered agent and registered office: both must be maintained in Belize at all times, with annual government and agent fees.
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Annual return: filed each year through the online registry
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Accounting records: since 2023, records covering the last five years must be held at your registered agent’s office in Belize and uploaded to a government portal. An additional records fee applies. Non-compliance carries heavy fines and your agent may be required to stop acting for you.
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Beneficial ownership: a register of beneficial owners must be kept, with a copy provided to your agent and filed with the registry.
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Nominees: nominee directors and shareholders must be declared to the registry through the agent within 30 days.
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Economic substance: companies carrying on certain “relevant activities” must report under the Economic Substance Act 2019 and may need real substance in Belize.
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Due diligence: the agent and any bank will verify your identity, address and source of funds.
How it works
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Consultation. We confirm that Belize fits your goals, residency and business model.
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Recommendation. You receive a written summary of costs, timelines and obligations.
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Introduction to a licensed Belize agent. We coordinate due diligence and documents. The agent files the incorporation with the registry.
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Banking and ongoing support. We help with banking introductions, annual renewals, records and filings.
Costs
Advisory and coordination
Who it’s paid to: Alloffshore
Amount: €100
Incorporation, government fees and first-year registered agent and office
Who it’s paid to: Partner agent
Amount: €685
Annual renewal (agent, office, government, accounting records)
Who it’s paid to: Partner agent
Amount: €1200
What you’ll need to provide
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A passport copy for each director, shareholder and beneficial owner
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Proof of address dated within the last 3 months (utility bill or bank statement)
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A short description of the business and expected activity
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Source of funds information
BANK ACCOUNT SERVICE
Banking with a Belize company
Some banks are cautious about Belize companies, so choosing the right bank matters more than for most jurisdictions. We help you select banks that fit your business and location, prepare the application, and understand what each bank will ask for. We can’t guarantee approval.