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Belize
Latin America
Lucky Nomads World Index
63.78 / 100
Global rank
#121
Corporate tax
0%
Personal tax
25%
Lucky Nomads Proprietary Indices
22 scoring dimensions scored independently using a deterministic methodology built on primary sources and structured analytical inference.
- SafetyShield Index4.3 / 10
- Affordability Index6.5 / 10
- Entry Ease Index5.9 / 10
- Tax Freedom Index9.1 / 10
- WiFi Index6.3 / 10
- Admin Ease Index5.6 / 10
- Healthcare Index7.0 / 10
- City Comfort Index6.9 / 10
- WeatherComfort Index6.2 / 10
- Banking Index6.1 / 10
- GeoStability Index6.6 / 10
- Justice & Order Index6.0 / 10
- Quality of Life Index7.9 / 10
- Open Society Index6.9 / 10
- Flight Index2.9 / 10
- Environmental Quality Index7.9 / 10
- English Index8.7 / 10
- Wealth Protection Index7.9 / 10
- AI Access Index5.3 / 10
- Economic Openness Index6.1 / 10
- Market Depth Index3.6 / 10
- ClimateShield Index4.8 / 10
Country snapshot
- Capital
- Belmopan
- Population (approx.)
- 400,000
- Area (km²)
- 22,966 km²
- Currency code (ISO 4217)
- BZD
- Currency name
- Belize dollar
- Main airport IATA code
- BZE
- Airport name
- Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport
General facts
- Minimum monthly cost
- From $1,676/month
- Main languages
- English
- Jurisdiction type
- Country
- Region
- Latin America
- Web TLD
- .bz
- Phone calling code
- +501
Web TLD and phone codes are general references and can differ for territories or special numbering plans.
Tax system
- Marginal CIT (corporate income tax)
- 0%Ultra lowWorldwide
- Marginal PIT (personal income tax)
- 25%ModerateTerritorial
Corporate taxation basis: Worldwide. The country generally taxes worldwide income of resident companies.
Post-2019 reform, Belize taxes resident IBCs on worldwide receipts under the Business Tax regime unless the company proves tax residence in another jurisdiction under Section 3(3) of the Economic Substance Act 2019. Foreign-sourced income is exempt only when foreign tax residence is documented.
Corporate Income Tax was abolished from 1 January 2020 for all companies except those engaged in petroleum operations. Companies are taxed instead under the Business Tax regime, levied on gross receipts at rates ranging from 1.75 percent (general trade) to 6 percent (professional services), with sector-specific tiers under Schedule IX of the Income and Business Tax Act.
Personal income tax basis. Territorial. The country taxes income arising in or derived from its territory. Foreign-source income is generally exempt, subject to source-based rules that may vary by income type.
Pure territorial principle for resident individuals in their personal capacity. Only Belize-source income is taxable. Tax residence is established by 183 days of physical presence in any calendar year. QRP holders enjoy a statutory exemption on all foreign-source income, capital gains and inheritance under the Retired Persons (Incentives) Act.
Flat 25 percent rate on Belize-source chargeable income above the personal allowance (2025 amendments). Foreign-source income of individuals is exempt under the territorial system. Capital gains tax does not exist in Belize, and inheritance tax is not levied.
Tax percentages here are editorial reference figures for comparison, not individualized tax advice.
Special tax regimes
For companies
Fiscal Incentives Programme (Regular and MSME Programs)
AvailableBelize development concession granted by Ministerial Approved Enterprise Order under the Fiscal Incentives Act, administered by the Belize Trade and…
Fiscal Incentives High Investment Company (HIC) Standardised Package
AvailableStandardised tax and duty incentive package created by the Fiscal Incentives (Amendment) Act 2024 for major investments of at least USD 250 million…
Commercial Free Zone (CFZ)
AvailableDesignated commercial trade zones in Corozal (border with Mexico) and Benque Viejo (border with Guatemala) offering full exemption from Belize…
Designated Processing Area Programme (DPA)
AvailableExport-oriented processing regime established by the Designated Processing Area Act 2018 (Act No.
For individuals
Qualified Retired Persons (QRP) Foreign-Source Income Tax Exemption
AvailableStatutory exemption from Belize income tax, capital gains tax and inheritance tax on all income derived outside Belize, granted to holders of…
You either qualify for Belize's special tax regimes, or you don't. GeoCompass determines your eligibility, highlights the applicable conditions, and helps estimate your potential tax exposure.
Check my eligibilityVisa and mobility
Your access
Visa need and length of stay for Belize. Saved on your device.
Overview
- Citizenship by investment
Not currently available
- Residence by investment
Available
- Remote work visa (digital nomad visa)
Available
Programmes
Belize lists several residency and mobility routes across residence by investment, work (employer sponsored), work (self sponsored), retirement routes, and remote work visas. Lucky Nomads tracks these programmes as editorial reference points. Thresholds, documents, and personal eligibility are evaluated in GeoCompass against your exact profile.
5 programmes listed · 5 are marked available in our editorial review
Residence by investment
1 programmeCapital, property, fund, or declared investment routes that can lead to longer-term residence.
- Available
Temporary Residence Investor Program (BZD 500,000)
Work (employer sponsored)
1 programmeEmployer-linked permits and skilled employment passes for hired professionals.
- Available
Temporary Employment Permit (Employer-Sponsored)
Work (self sponsored)
1 programmeSelf-sponsored work or freelance routes where you qualify without a local employer.
- Available
Temporary Employment Permit (Self-Employed)
Retirement routes
1 programmeRetirement-age or pension-linked residence options.
- Available
Qualified Retired Persons Program (QRP)
Remote work visas
1 programmeRemote work or digital nomad style permits.
- Available
Long Stay Visitor Permit (Work Where You Vacation)
Not all residency routes are accessible. Some require minimum income, investment thresholds, local substance, or strict eligibility conditions. GeoCompass evaluates which options you can actually secure in Belize.
Evaluate my residency optionsVisa and programme labels reflect editorial research, not individualized legal advice. Thresholds, documents, and personal eligibility are evaluated in GeoCompass. Always confirm rules with official government sources before you plan a move.
Dimensions breakdown
Strongest dimensions
- Tax Freedom Index9.1 / 10Exceptional tax freedom
- English Index8.7 / 10Very strong english index
- Wealth Protection Index7.9 / 10Strong wealth protection index
Weakest dimensions
- Flight Index2.9 / 10
- Market Depth Index3.6 / 10
Published ranks by index
One row per leaderboard we publish (the composite index plus each proprietary dimension). A rank appears only when this country is currently in the published top 10 for that list. Open a row to see the full ranking. Hover an index name for the same short definition as elsewhere on the site.
This jurisdiction is not in the published top 10 on any of these lists right now.
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Founder, Lucky Nomads · Wealth manager
Researched from official sources, leading global indices and Lucky Nomads' own scoring.
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