Three global tax residence programs allow high-net-worth individuals to minimize taxes with minimal living requirements.
• Antigua and Barbuda – 30-day annual stay required, permanent residence needed, minimum income $100,000/year, flat $20,000/year tax; close to US, Canada, UK; citizenship option costs $130,000 (donation + fees), but tax residence program is only for non-citizens.
• Cyprus – 60-day stay to qualify, permanent residence required, must have economic or business ties, cannot be tax resident elsewhere; popular for EU citizens, but past citizenship program had controversies with revoked passports.
• Georgia – Requires net worth $1 million+ and $65,000/year income, no visit needed, 20% personal income tax, 15% corporate tax, 5% dividends tax; profits not taxed until distribution; useful as an intermediary tax residence before moving to a zero-tax country like UAE.
Main risk: Each program has conditions, varying taxes, and potential bureaucratic or legal hurdles; Cyprus and Antigua involve permanent residence, Georgia is low-tax but not zero-tax.
Takeaway: Choose a tax residence program based on income, net worth, desired minimal stay, and whether you need it as a stepping stone to a zero-tax jurisdiction.
