Company Registration in Gibraltar
Gibraltar offers a range of different types of business entities and arrangements from sole traders and partnerships to private and public companies and trusts, as well as various other specialised types of structures like Protected Cell Companies.
Under a well-known legal framework, the jurisdiction is home for a versatile scope of company activities including:
Companies in Gibraltar are subject to Gibraltar corporation tax on their profits. The standard rate of corporation tax is 15%. The territorial basis of taxation applies, which means that only profits that are accrued in or derived from Gibraltar are subject to tax.
Gibraltar does not levy withholding taxes on dividends, interest or royalties.
Gibraltar has no capital gains tax, no wealth tax, no inheritance tax, no gift tax and no VAT. It also offers tax exemptions for various types of income (notably, inter-company dividends, dividends from quoted shares, dividends paid to non-residents and bank interest)
Establish your business
Choosing the right entity for your business
Gibraltar offers a range of different types of business entities and arrangements from sole traders and partnerships to private and public companies and trusts, as well as various other specialised types of structures like Protected Cell Companies.
The formation, management and organisation of a company in Gibraltar is largely governed by the Companies Act 2014, which sets out how:
The public filing of financial statements, audit requirement and directors’ report are covered in the Companies (Accounts) Act.
The consolidation of group accounts and exemptions from consolidation by small groups or a company whose accounts are consolidated into the accounts of its ultimate holding company are covered in the Companies (Consolidated Accounts) Act.
Company names
The first step when forming a Gibraltar company is to ensure that the proposed name is acceptable to the Company Registrar. Once the name is approved, the following documents need to be submitted in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act:
- Application to register a company.
- Memorandum of Association.
- Articles of Association.
- Registration fee.
Gibraltar Companies Registry
A Gibraltar company is required to maintain a minimum presence in its place of incorporation – a registered office and a resident company secretary and/or a resident agent. We typically provide these services for all our clients and describe them as ‘domiciliary services’.
Companies in Gibraltar are subject to Gibraltar corporation tax on their profits. The standard rate of corporation tax is 15%. The territorial basis of taxation applies, which means that only profits that are accrued in or derived from Gibraltar are subject to tax.
In practice, this generally means that if the profit-making activity of a company is wholly outside of Gibraltar, it has no liability to tax in Gibraltar. However, profits will be ‘deemed’ to accrue in and derive from Gibraltar in certain cases, as follows:
- Profits of a company that is licensed and regulated in Gibraltar (except for activities carried on outside Gibraltar by a branch or permanent establishment).
- Where a Gibraltar company receives royalties.
- Where a Gibraltar company receives inter-company loan interest (subject to a threshold).
Gibraltar does not levy withholding taxes on dividends, interest or royalties.
All Gibraltar companies are required to file tax returns, which should be accompanied by annual accounts.
Gibraltar Companies Registry
The Gibraltar Companies Registry is now fully automated and company formation in Gibraltar is a highly efficient process. A Gibraltar company will generally be incorporated within two to five days, but same day incorporation can be secured for an additional fee. Approval of a company’s name is required prior to incorporation.
Gibraltar has no capital gains tax, no wealth tax, no inheritance tax, no gift tax and no VAT. It also offers tax exemptions for various types of income (notably, inter-company dividends, dividends from quoted shares, dividends paid to non-residents and bank interest) and has attractive regimes for high-net-worth individuals and relocating executives.
Latest News
Please contact us if you have any questions or queries and your local representative will be in touch with you as soon as possible.
