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Maldives
Asia
Lucky Nomads World Index
60.27 / 100
Global rank
#162
Corporate tax
15%
Personal tax
15%
Lucky Nomads Proprietary Indices
22 scoring dimensions scored independently using a deterministic methodology built on primary sources and structured analytical inference.
- SafetyShield Index7.6 / 10
- Affordability Index3.9 / 10
- Entry Ease Index6.7 / 10
- Tax Freedom Index7.8 / 10
- WiFi Index6.4 / 10
- Admin Ease Index5.7 / 10
- Healthcare Index7.7 / 10
- City Comfort Index7.5 / 10
- WeatherComfort Index5.9 / 10
- Banking Index6.8 / 10
- GeoStability Index7.2 / 10
- Justice & Order Index5.6 / 10
- Quality of Life Index7.7 / 10
- Open Society Index4.2 / 10
- Flight Index4.9 / 10
- Environmental Quality Index8.2 / 10
- English Index5.7 / 10
- Wealth Protection Index7.7 / 10
- AI Access Index5.4 / 10
- Economic Openness Index4.8 / 10
- Market Depth Index4.3 / 10
- ClimateShield Index4.6 / 10
Country snapshot
- Capital
- Malé
- Population (approx.)
- 530,000
- Area (km²)
- 298 km²
- Currency code (ISO 4217)
- MVR
- Currency name
- Maldivian rufiyaa
- Main airport IATA code
- MLE
- Airport name
- Velana International Airport
General facts
- Minimum monthly cost
- From $3,100/month
- Main languages
- Dhivehi
- Jurisdiction type
- Country
- Region
- Asia
- Web TLD
- .mv
- Phone calling code
- +960
Web TLD and phone codes are general references and can differ for territories or special numbering plans.
Tax system
- Marginal CIT (corporate income tax)
- 15%ModerateWorldwide
- Marginal PIT (personal income tax)
- 15%LowWorldwide
Corporate taxation basis: Worldwide. The country generally taxes worldwide income of resident companies.
Resident companies are taxed on worldwide income. Non-residents and Maldives PE of foreign companies are taxed on Maldives-source income only. Section 11(r) of the Income Tax Act exempts non-resident airlines and shipping operators on a reciprocal basis where the operator country of residence grants equivalent treatment to Maldivian-resident operators.
Standard 15% CIT applies to taxable profits above (about USD 32,400). Banks are taxed at 25% flat. Non-resident international transport operators face a 2% gross-income tax on Maldives-source income. SEZ projects above USD 100 million may obtain presidential CIT exemption of 5 to 10 years, reduced to 5% for 10 years and 10% for the following decade under the November 2025 STZ regime.
Personal income tax basis. Worldwide. Resident individuals are generally taxable on their worldwide income, subject to relief under applicable tax treaties.
Residents are taxed on worldwide income above the threshold. Temporary residents (foreign nationals present 183 or more days without marriage to a Maldivian citizen) and non-residents are taxed on Maldives-source income only.
Progressive PIT under Income Tax Act 25/2019. First (about USD 46,700) is tax-free. Brackets at 5.5%, 8%, 12%, then 15% top marginal above (about USD 155,600). No capital gains tax, no wealth tax, no inheritance tax. Sharia-based succession applies outside the tax code.
Tax percentages here are editorial reference figures for comparison, not individualized tax advice.
Special tax regimes
For companies
Special Economic Zone Regime (SEZ)
AvailableTax incentive package available to developers and investors of Special Economic Zones designated under the Special Economic Zones Act 2014.
Sustainable Township Zone (STZ) Regime
AvailableSustainable Township Zone regime introduced by the First Amendment to the Special Economic Zones Act ratified on 10 November 2025.
Reciprocal Exemption for Non-Resident Shipping and Aircraft Operators
AvailableReciprocal exemption from Maldives income tax granted to non-resident airlines and shipping operators on income from carrying passengers, livestock,…
You either qualify for the Maldives' 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 Maldives. Saved on your device.
Overview
- Citizenship by investment
Not currently available
- Residence by investment
Available
- Remote work visa (digital nomad visa)
Not currently available
Programmes
Maldives lists several residency and mobility routes across residence by investment, business founder routes, work (employer sponsored), and family and dependant routes. 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, rules being updated
Maldives Pearl Residence
Business founder routes
1 programmeFounder, entrepreneur, or company-linked pathways for people building a business locally.
- Available
Business Visa
Work (employer sponsored)
1 programmeEmployer-linked permits and skilled employment passes for hired professionals.
- Available
Work Visa
Family and dependant routes
2 programmesSpouse, dependant, and family reunion style permits.
- Available
Dependent Visa
- Available
Marriage Visa (Resident Visa)
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 the Maldives.
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
- Environmental Quality Index8.2 / 10Very strong environmental quality index
- Tax Freedom Index7.8 / 10Favorable tax environment
- Wealth Protection Index7.7 / 10Strong wealth protection index
Weakest dimensions
- Affordability Index3.9 / 10
- Open Society Index4.2 / 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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