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Timor-Leste
Asia
Lucky Nomads World Index
59.89 / 100
Global rank
#167
Corporate tax
10%
Personal tax
10%
Lucky Nomads Proprietary Indices
22 scoring dimensions scored independently using a deterministic methodology built on primary sources and structured analytical inference.
- SafetyShield Index7.1 / 10
- Affordability Index7.4 / 10
- Entry Ease Index4.8 / 10
- Tax Freedom Index8.5 / 10
- WiFi Index4.7 / 10
- Admin Ease Index4.0 / 10
- Healthcare Index5.8 / 10
- City Comfort Index5.4 / 10
- WeatherComfort Index5.8 / 10
- Banking Index3.4 / 10
- GeoStability Index6.6 / 10
- Justice & Order Index5.8 / 10
- Quality of Life Index5.6 / 10
- Open Society Index6.7 / 10
- Flight Index1.6 / 10
- Environmental Quality Index6.3 / 10
- English Index3.5 / 10
- Wealth Protection Index7.2 / 10
- AI Access Index5.2 / 10
- Economic Openness Index5.3 / 10
- Market Depth Index3.9 / 10
- ClimateShield Index7.7 / 10
Country snapshot
- Capital
- Dili
- Population (approx.)
- 1,437,000
- Area (km²)
- 14,874 km²
- Currency code (ISO 4217)
- USD
- Currency name
- United States dollar
- Main airport IATA code
- DIL
- Airport name
- Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport
General facts
- Minimum monthly cost
- From $1,224/month
- Main languages
- Tetum, Portuguese
- Jurisdiction type
- Country
- Region
- Asia
- Web TLD
- .tl
- Phone calling code
- +670
Web TLD and phone codes are general references and can differ for territories or special numbering plans.
Tax system
- Marginal CIT (corporate income tax)
- 10%LowWorldwide
- Marginal PIT (personal income tax)
- 10%LowWorldwide
Corporate taxation basis: Worldwide. The country generally taxes worldwide income of resident companies.
Resident companies taxed on worldwide income, non-residents only on Timor-Leste sourced income. Foreign tax credit available for foreign-source income (no participation exemption regime). Petroleum operations ring-fenced from the general tax framework.
Flat 10 percent corporate income tax under the Taxes and Duties Act 2008. The petroleum sector operates a ring-fenced regime with 30 percent CIT for contractors plus Supplemental Petroleum Tax under the Taxation of Bayu-Undan Contractors Act and Law No. 5/2019. PIL Law 15/2017 grants up to 10-year full CIT exemption for approved investment projects in priority sectors.
Personal income tax basis. Worldwide. Resident individuals are generally taxable on their worldwide income, subject to relief under applicable tax treaties.
Tax residency triggered by 183 days presence in any rolling 12-month period (PwC, Article applicable). Residents taxed on worldwide income with foreign tax credit. No capital gains tax, no wealth tax, no inheritance or gift tax, no property tax, no transfer tax, no stamp duty.
Progressive 0 to 10 percent. Income up to USD 6,000 per year is tax-free, income above is taxed at flat 10 percent. Wage Income Tax (WIT) is withheld at source on a monthly basis (0 percent up to USD 500/month, 10 percent above). Non-residents face flat 10 percent on Timor-Leste sourced income with no tax-free threshold.
Tax percentages here are editorial reference figures for comparison, not individualized tax advice.
Special tax regimes
For companies
Private Investment Law Tax Incentives (PIL Law 15/2017)
AvailableTimor-Leste offers a corporate tax holiday regime under the Private Investment Law (Law No.
You either qualify for Timor-Leste'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 Timor-Leste. Saved on your device.
Overview
- Citizenship by investment
Not currently available
- Residence by investment
Not currently available
- Remote work visa (digital nomad visa)
Not currently available
Programmes
Timor-Leste lists several residency and mobility routes across business founder routes, work (employer sponsored), work (self sponsored), talent (outstanding), family and dependant routes, and student and graduate routes. Lucky Nomads tracks these programmes as editorial reference points. Thresholds, documents, and personal eligibility are evaluated in GeoCompass against your exact profile.
8 programmes listed · 8 are marked available in our editorial review
Business founder routes
2 programmesFounder, entrepreneur, or company-linked pathways for people building a business locally.
- Available
Business Visa Class I (Visto Negocio Classe I - VNG1)
- Available
Business Visa Class II (Visto Negocio Classe II - VNG2)
Work (employer sponsored)
1 programmeEmployer-linked permits and skilled employment passes for hired professionals.
- Available
Work Visa (Visto Trabalho - VTB)
Work (self sponsored)
2 programmesSelf-sponsored work or freelance routes where you qualify without a local employer.
- Available
Permanent Residence Permit
- Available
Temporary Residence Permit
Talent (outstanding)
1 programmeOutstanding achievement or high-calibre talent categories.
- Available
Temporary Stay Visa - Specialized Activities (Visto Estada Temporária - VET2)
Family and dependant routes
1 programmeSpouse, dependant, and family reunion style permits.
- Available
Temporary Stay Visa - Family Dependents (Visto Estada Temporária - VET4)
Student and graduate routes
1 programmeStudy-linked permits and post-study transition routes.
- Available
Temporary Stay Visa - Student (Visto Estada Temporária - VET1)
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 Timor-Leste.
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 Index8.5 / 10Very favorable tax environment
- ClimateShield Index7.7 / 10Strong climateshield index
- Affordability Index7.4 / 10Competitive cost of living
Weakest dimensions
- Flight Index1.6 / 10
- Banking Index3.4 / 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.
Free diagnostic
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