Global Network
57+ jurisdictions.
Direct relationships. Current intelligence.
Our knowledge is not textbook. We maintain active relationships with formation agents, private banks, regulators, and legal practitioners across every jurisdiction we advise on. When conditions change — new substance rules, banking restrictions, regulatory shifts — we know before our clients ask.
Our Approach
What makes our jurisdiction knowledge different
Most advisory firms quote the same public information about tax rates and incorporation timelines. That is not intelligence — it is documentation. HPT Group provides advice grounded in live, operational relationships with the formation agents, bankers, regulators, and legal practitioners who actually execute structures on the ground.
We know which registered agents in the BVI are genuinely responsive and which are not. We know which banks in Singapore will open accounts for crypto businesses today and which have quietly stopped. We know how the Mauritius FSC is interpreting its latest substance amendments in practice — because we were advising clients through it in real time.
That layer of current, operational intelligence is what separates a well-structured recommendation from one that looks correct on paper but fails at execution.
57+
Active jurisdictions
40+
Direct banking relationships
20+
Years cross-border experience
100%
Senior-led advisory
Selection Framework
How to choose the right jurisdiction
Jurisdiction selection is not a features comparison — it is a decision shaped by your specific income type, residency position, counterparties, and commercial objectives. These five factors determine the right outcome.
Tax treatment
Corporate tax rates tell only part of the story. The effective rate — after exemptions, refund mechanisms, IP boxes, and participation exemptions — often differs substantially from the headline. A Malta company pays 35% at source but the shareholder refund mechanism reduces this to approximately 5% for non-resident shareholders. BVI pays zero but offers no treaty access. Understanding how your specific income type and flow-through structure will be taxed is the starting point of any serious jurisdictional analysis.
Banking access
The most legally efficient structure is worthless if you cannot open a bank account to operate it. Banking access varies enormously by jurisdiction, entity type, and the nature of your business. Seychelles IBCs struggle with standalone banking; Singapore companies access global tier-one institutions with relative ease. HPT's direct relationships with private banks, correspondent banking specialists, and EMI providers across 30+ jurisdictions give us an accurate, current picture of what is and is not achievable for your specific business profile.
Substance requirements
Post-BEPS, the concept of a letterbox jurisdiction has largely been dismantled. Economic substance legislation now exists in virtually every significant offshore centre. What matters is knowing exactly what substance is required in your specific jurisdiction for your specific activity — and whether that substance can be created cost-effectively. A Mauritius GBC requires local directors and board meetings in Mauritius; a Cayman pure holding company requires almost none. These distinctions are critical to structure design and ongoing compliance cost.
Formation cost and maintenance
Jurisdiction selection involves both one-off and annual costs that should be modelled over the expected life of the structure. BVI is inexpensive to form and maintain; Cayman funds carry significant annual regulatory, audit, and administration costs. EU structures require statutory audit in most cases. The right question is not which is cheapest but which provides the best value for this specific structure over a five-year horizon given the tax savings it is expected to generate.
International perception and compliance
A jurisdiction's position on the EU blacklist, FATF grey list, or OECD non-cooperative list has real-world consequences: it affects banking access, counterparty willingness, and regulatory friction for regulated businesses. The optimal jurisdiction is not necessarily the most aggressive — it is the one that provides the right balance of tax efficiency, regulatory credibility, and commercial practicality for your specific situation, counterparties, and home country tax authority relationship.
Jurisdiction Comparison
Leading jurisdictions at a glance
Indicative figures for standard structures. Effective rates and formation costs vary based on structure design, activity type, and advisor fees.
| Jurisdiction | Corporate Tax | Personal Tax | Formation Cost | Banking Ease | Substance | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UAE | 9% (0% free zone) | 0% | £2,500–£6,000 | ★★★★★ | Medium | Relocation, operations, crypto |
| Singapore | 17% | 0–24% | £800–£2,000 | ★★★★★ | Medium–High | Family offices, Asia HQ |
| BVI | 0% | N/A | £1,200–£2,500 | ★★★☆☆ | Low (holding) | Holding companies, funds |
| Cayman Islands | 0% | N/A | £2,000–£5,000 | ★★★★☆ | Low–Medium | Hedge funds, PE vehicles |
| Malta | ~5% effective | 0–35% (non-dom available) | £1,500–£3,000 | ★★★★☆ | Medium | EU licensing, gaming, crypto |
| Cyprus | 12.5% | 0–35% (non-dom available) | £1,200–£2,500 | ★★★★☆ | Medium | EU holding, IP box 2.5% |
| Switzerland | ~11–14% | Lump-sum available | £3,000–£8,000 | ★★★★★ | High | Private banking, UHNW |
| Monaco | 0% (domestic ops) | 0% | Residency £20k+ | ★★★★★ | Residency required | UHNW personal residency |
Banking Ease: ★★★★★ = excellent, ★★★☆☆ = selective or restricted. Substance reflects typical holding company scenarios; trading or regulated activities may require more. Indicative as at early 2026.
Interactive Tool
Compare jurisdictions side by side
Select up to four jurisdictions to view a direct comparison of tax treatment, formation costs, banking access, and substance requirements. Use this as a starting point — the right answer for your situation depends on factors that require a structured assessment.
Get Clarity
Not sure which jurisdiction fits your situation?
Our Single Issue Diagnosis delivers a clear, written assessment from a senior advisor — covering tax treatment, banking access, formation costs, and substance requirements for your specific structure and objectives. From £1,500.