In short
Seychelles taxes only income sourced in Seychelles. An IBC that trades abroad generally owes no Seychelles tax and files no tax return. You still pay the yearly licence fee.
Facts checked November 2026
Seychelles company formation
A Seychelles International Business Company, registered with the FSA through our licensed registered agent in Mahé.
IBCfrom $999 one-time
- 3–7 days after KYC
- Territorial tax
- Off EU tax lists
At a glance
- Company types
- International Business Company from $999
- People
- At least one director and one shareholder, of any nationality. A director can be a person or a company. No secretary needed.
- Registered agent
- A licensed Seychelles agent and office are mandatory. Ours in Mahé is included for year one.
- Directors
- The first director is appointed within 30 days. From 1 January 2027, current directors’ names show on official searches.
- Owners
- Beneficial owners (10% or more) are recorded with your agent and a central database that authorities can access.
- Government fees
- US$130 to incorporate, then a US$140 yearly licence fee. Year one is included.
- EU status
- Removed from the EU grey list on 17 February 2026. Not on either EU list as of 9 October 2026.
- Every year
- Licence fee, accounting records to your agent twice a year, a financial summary and an annual return.
- Timeline
- 3–7 days after KYC
Taxes, explained simply
Your company pays
-
Territorial
What Seychelles taxes
Only Seychelles-sourced income. Local profit is taxed at 15% up to SCR 1 million, 25% above.
-
15%
VAT
Applies to supplies made in Seychelles, not to services sold abroad.
You personally
-
15%
Tax withheld on payouts
Applies to Seychelles-sourced dividends, interest and royalties paid to non-residents.
-
Test
Group companies
In a multinational group, foreign passive income is taxed unless the company meets a substance test.
0% in Seychelles isn’t 0% for you. Your home country may tax the company’s profit under its controlled foreign company rules, or treat it as resident if it is managed from there.
How it works
-
Form your IBC
We file your memorandum and articles with the FSA Registry.
You get: Certificate of incorporation
-
Get a registered agent
Licensed agent and office in Mahé, which every IBC must have.
You get: Seychelles office
-
Appoint your directors
At least one director, filed with the Registrar within 30 days.
You get: Register of directors
-
Open bank or EMI
We introduce you to a bank or EMI and prepare your file.
You get: Bank-ready file
-
Stay compliant
Yearly licence fee, records twice a year, annual return by Dec 31.
You get: Deadline reminders
What’s included
Fixed one-time prices. Government fees are shown before you pay.
Explorer
$999one-time
Seychelles IBC, gov. fees included
- Memorandum and articles
- Year-one registered agent and office
- Registers of members, directors and beneficial owners
- Compliance reminders
- Email support
Go
$1,399one-time
Seychelles IBC, gov. fees included
Everything in Explorer, plus:
- Bank or EMI introduction
- Apostilled document set
- WhatsApp support
Pro
$1,999one-time
Seychelles IBC, gov. fees included
Everything in Go, plus:
- Multi-bank support until an account opens
- Tax residency certificate application
- Certificate of incumbency
- Priority support, same-day replies
Then $899 a year from month 13.
What you’ll need
- Certified copy of the passport of every shareholder, director and beneficial owner
- Certified proof of address for each of them. We send the wording for the notary or lawyer
- Source of funds and a short CV
- Two company name choices. We add Ltd, Limited, Inc. or Corp.
- What the company will do, in plain words. Crypto services need a separate licence
Banking
- Go includes a bank or EMI introduction. Pro adds multi-bank support until an account opens.
- Most Seychelles companies bank with an EMI or abroad. Approval is always the bank’s decision.
- On Explorer, add bank account help for $199.
Approval is always the bank’s or provider’s decision.
After formation: what’s due
| When | What |
|---|---|
| Every year | US$140 government licence fee, by your incorporation anniversary |
| 31 January and 31 July | Accounting records to your registered office in Seychelles |
| 6 months after year end | Annual financial summary to your agent, unless a small holding company. It isn’t public |
| 31 December | Annual return declaration to your agent, from the year after incorporation |
| Every year | Registered agent renewal, in our $899 annual plan from month 13 |
Seychelles company formation FAQs
How long does it take to form a Seychelles IBC?
Usually 3–7 days after your identity checks are approved.
Do I need a local director?
No. One director and one shareholder of any nationality are enough. A licensed Seychelles agent and office are mandatory, and ours is included for year one.
How much tax does a Seychelles IBC pay?
Seychelles taxes only Seychelles-sourced income. An IBC trading abroad generally pays no Seychelles tax and files no tax return. You may still owe tax where you live.
Are directors and owners public?
From 1 January 2027, current directors’ names show on official searches. The registers of members and beneficial owners aren’t public, but authorities can access them.
What do I file every year?
The US$140 licence fee, accounting records twice a year, a financial summary within 6 months of year end and an annual return by 31 December. We send reminders.
Can you help me open a bank account?
Yes. Go includes a bank or EMI introduction, and Pro adds multi-bank support until an account opens. Approval is always the bank’s decision.
Can I move my existing Seychelles company to you?
Yes, for $290 plus the annual plan. Your current agent must confirm no fees are owed before the change is filed.
Sources (8)
Rates and fees from official and Big Four sources, with the date each was last reviewed.
- International Business Companies Act, 2016 In force
- Official Gazette: IBC (Amendment) Act 2026 24 Aug 2026
- FSA Seychelles: Licensing and registration fees 2020
- Seychelles Revenue Commission: Tax system 2026
- Seychelles Revenue Commission: IBC FAQ Dec 2022
- Seychelles Revenue Commission: TIN notice for IBCs 21 Aug 2026
- EY: EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions, February 2026 17 Feb 2026
- KPMG: EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions 9 Oct 2026
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rates and fees change, and your own situation decides what applies. We are not a law firm; where a lawyer or licensed agent is needed, a local partner handles it.
