Jurisdictions
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Fact File
Fact File supplied by
DCSX
Location
Southern Caribbean, just off the coast of Venezuela.
Time zone
Atlantic Standard Time -0400 UTC zone.
Population
158,665 (as of January 1st, 2019)- Central Bureau of Statistics Curacao
Capital
Willemstad
Airport(s)
Curaçao International Airport also known as Hato International Airport
Language
Official Languages: Papiamentu (Native Language), Dutch, English. Languages of Legislation and Corporate Documents: Dutch or English
Currency
Netherlands Antillean Guilder (ANG).
Political system
Parliamentary democracy based on such underlying premises as freedom of association, right to form political parties, freedom of the press and freedom of speech.
International dialing code
(+) 5999
Legal system
The judicial system forms an integral part of the legal system of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Centre's expertise
Tourism, logistics, the international financial sector, transnational education, oil processing, renewable energy and technology (data centers).
Personal income tax
Non-residents only pay income tax on Curacao sourced income. Income tax rates vary from 10.75% up to 48.25% in 2015 and from 9.75 up to 46.5% from 2016.
Corporate income tax
Corporate residents are taxed on their worldwide income. Non-resident companies are taxed on the Curacao sourced income only. The general tax rate is 25% in 2015 and 22% from 2016.
Exchange restrictions
A 1% license fee is calculated as a percentage of the gross outflow of money on foreign currency cash transactions. Exemptions are widely available.
Tax information exchange agreements
Curaçao has four tax treaties: The Netherlands, Aruba, Sint Maarten (Dutch Part) and Norway. 21 tax information exchange agreements with Australia, Faroe Islands, Greenland, New Zealand, Sweden, Canada, Finalnd, Iceland, Saint Vincent and The Grenadines, United States, Denmark, France, Mexico, Spain, Antigua and Barbuda, British Virgin Islands, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Cayman Islands, Saint Lucia, Bermuda and the United Kingdom. Four agreements to promote economic relations with other countries.
Permitted currencies
(Antillian Guildser (ANG), US Dollar (USD), Euro (EUR)
Minimum authorised capital
Depends on the companies structure.
Minimum share issue
Depends on the companies structure.
Shelf Companies
No. Each Curaçao offshore company must have a Registered Agent and Registered Office in Curacao, provided by a licenced service provider.
Timescale for new entities
Two weeks
Incorporation fees
The costs of the registration consist of the initial registration fees as well as the annual contribution. Both fees are determined by the amount of capital invested in the business determined by the entity structure: N.V. ((Limited Liability Company), B.V., Public Partnership, Proprietorship or Foundation.
Annual fees
Depends on the company structure
Minimum number
A Curaçao company requires a minimum of one director.
Residency requirements
At least one Director must be resident in Curaçao.
Corporate directors
Corporate directors are permitted.
Meetings/ frequency
Discretionary
Disclosure
Register of directors and officers
Bearer shares
Permitted but must be fully paid up and deposited with an "approved custodian".
Minimum number
Minimum of one shareholder
Public share registry
No
Meetings/ frequency
General meetings of shareholders must be held in Curaçao.
Annual return
The presence of Dividends, returns of capital and capital appreciation depend on the company structure and years in operation.
Audit requirements
Depends on the company structure.
Registered office
Yes
Registered Agent
Yes
Domicile issues
Change of domicile permitted as long it still resides in Curaçao
Company naming restrictions
Words such as “Assurance”, “Bank”, “Building Society”, “Royal”, “Trust Company”, “Trustee Company” etc. will require justification. The words “Limited”, “Corporation”, “Incorporated”, “Societe Anonyme”, “Sociedad Anonima” or Ltd, Corp., Inc., S.A. must be part of the name of every Curacao offshore company.
