Moving abroad as an entrepreneur: Cyprus, Dubai, Mauritius, Malta or Singapore?
- Jul 31
- 7 min read
Summary
Introduction
Changing countries when you run a business is never simply a matter of booking a plane ticket. An entrepreneur's expatriation involves their personal tax residency, their social security status, and the actual location of their business. Confusing these three aspects is the most frequent, and most costly, mistake.
We recently compared the relocation of a company to several jurisdictions . This article takes the opposite approach: that of the executive who transfers their own residence . A registered office abroad is not enough if the business owner's tax residence remains, in the eyes of the tax authorities, firmly rooted in France.
Cyprus, Dubai, Mauritius, Malta, and Singapore regularly feature in the projects we support. These five destinations share attractive personal tax regimes , but are based on very different legal principles. Understanding these nuances is essential before making any decision.
Relocating the entrepreneur, not just the company
The first distinction to be made is between the person and the structure. A company can be registered abroad while its director remains a French tax resident , which triggers worldwide taxation of their income in France. The reverse is also true: a genuinely expatriate entrepreneur who maintains a poorly structured business in their country of origin.
Personal residence and registered office are not the same thing.
The concept of tax residence depends on the home, the principal residence, and the center of economic interests. Shifting one of these criteria without the others creates a hybrid situation, conducive to tax reassessments. A sound plan simultaneously aligns the place of residence, the effective management, and the substance of the business.
Three questions before we leave
Where will you actually live for more than six months a year? From which country will strategic decisions be made? Does your income come from dividends, salaries, or capital gains? These answers guide the choice of jurisdiction far more than the advertised tax rate alone.
Cyprus: The non-domiciled regime and dividends
As a member of the European Union, Cyprus applies a corporate tax rate of 12.5% and, more importantly, a highly sought-after non-domiciled (non-dom) status for entrepreneurs. For seventeen years, non-domiciled residents are exempt from the special defense levy that normally applies to dividends and interest.
For an executive whose income is primarily dividend-based , the benefits are considerable. However, becoming a Cypriot resident in the strictest sense is necessary, either by staying there for a sufficient period or through the sixty-day rule, which is subject to housing and business activity requirements. We detail these conditions on our page dedicated to entrepreneurs relocating to Cyprus .
The European framework provides significant legal certainty, with access to EU tax directives and conventions . This is often the first reaction of entrepreneurs who refuse to leave the European area entirely.
Dubai: Zero personal income tax
The United Arab Emirates does not levy any personal income tax. A resident entrepreneur in Dubai receives their personal income without local taxation on salary or dividends , which explains the destination's attractiveness for the past two decades.
Corporate tax introduced in 2023
The landscape has changed: a 9% federal corporate tax now applies above a profit threshold, with specific regimes in free trade zones. The image of "zero tax" therefore needs to be qualified for businesses, even if personal income tax remains zero . Obtaining residency most often involves a company in a free trade zone or an investor visa.
The trade-off is an actual physical presence on the ground , essential for obtaining a tax residency certificate valid in France. Our support for entrepreneurs relocating to Dubai emphasizes this tangible requirement.
Mauritius: affordable residence and single rate
Mauritius combines an Anglo-Saxon framework, a time zone close to Europe, and a personal income tax rate of 15% , sometimes reduced for certain income brackets. Residency is obtained primarily through a residence permit linked to a real estate investment or the creation of a business.
For an entrepreneur, the appeal lies as much in the quality of life as in the network of tax treaties signed by the country. However, the jurisdiction has strengthened its substantive requirements in recent years, following international efforts to combat tax evasion. Our advice on entrepreneurs relocating to Mauritius takes these developments into account.
Malta: remittance basis and resident status
Another member of the European Union, Malta offers a remittance basis tax system for non-domiciled residents: foreign-sourced income is only taxed if it is repatriated to the island. The nominal corporate tax rate is 35%, but a shareholder refund mechanism significantly reduces the effective tax burden.
This scheme appeals to executives of international holding companies , provided that cash flow is rigorously managed and that the company maintains a genuine residence. Details of the regulations can be found on our page dedicated to entrepreneur expatriation to Malta , as Maltese residency regimes are numerous and sometimes complex.
Singapore: Asian hub and territorial taxation
Singapore employs a largely territorial tax system and does not tax capital gains. Personal income tax is progressive and capped at a moderate level, while corporate tax remains globally competitive.
A springboard to Asian markets
Beyond its tax advantages, the city-state offers political stability and direct access to Asia that few jurisdictions can match. For an entrepreneur whose clients are located in the region, establishing a presence there becomes a strategic choice as much as a tax-related one. Obtaining residency status requires a credible business plan, as we explain in the section on entrepreneur expatriation to Singapore .
Exit tax and French bonds before departure
Leaving France is not without formalities. Executives holding significant shares may be subject to the exit tax , which targets unrealized capital gains on their shares at the time of transferring their residence outside of France.
The exit tax mechanism in 2026
A deferral of payment is generally granted, particularly for transfers to a European Union member state, and the tax liability may cease after a certain holding period. However, the process remains technical and relies on self-reporting , and a timing error can be costly. Anticipating the departure date is crucial.
In addition to this, there is the proper closure of the tax household, the management of income from the year of departure, and compliance with the tax treaty of the host country. These treaties determine which country taxes which income and prevent double taxation.
Substance, days of attendance and securing the choice
None of these destinations are viable without a real and demonstrable presence . The French administration examines the principal residence, the family's location, and the center of economic interests. A purely formal arrangement risks being considered an abuse of rights.
Counting your days: the 183-day rule
Most agreements use a guideline of 183 days of presence, but this criterion is never the only one. It is combined with having a permanent residence and the center of vital interests. Keeping a rigorous record of one's days becomes a way of life for the expatriate entrepreneur.
Avoiding the trap of abuse of rights
A structure without offices, without employees, and without locally made decisions will be reclassified sooner or later. Security relies on consistency between words and actions : where you live, where you make decisions, where you create value. This consistency is what Coreway helps to build and document.
Comparative table of the five jurisdictions
The table below summarizes the main points of personal taxation . These are public guidelines, to be compared with each individual situation.
Jurisdiction | Income tax | Dividends | Key advantage |
Cyprus | progressive scale | Exempt for non-dom | EU framework + non-dom |
Dubai (UAE) | None | Not taxed | Zero personal tax |
Maurice | approximately 15% | Favorable regime | Moderate single rate |
Malta | Remittance basis | According to repatriation | International Holdings |
Singapore | Capped progressive | Often exempt | Territoriality + Asia |
Testimonial: A tech executive
“I was developing software from Lyon and was mainly paid dividends. I was hesitating between Cypriot non-domiciled status and Dubai . The support I received helped me understand that my real question wasn't the tax rate, but my ability to establish a real presence. I chose Cyprus to remain in the European Union, and I now live there for most of the year,” explains a founder who received support in 2025. This case illustrates the importance of starting with the concrete situation , not a theoretical ranking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it enough to create a company abroad to stop paying taxes in France?
No. As long as your personal tax residence remains in France, your worldwide income is taxable there. The transfer of the executive's residence is the primary condition, before any consideration of structure.
Which destination is the least taxed for an entrepreneur?
Dubai stands out for its complete absence of personal income tax. But the rate is only one criterion: actual presence, market access, and legal security are just as important in a long-term decision.
Does the exit tax apply to all departures?
It primarily targets holders of significant shareholdings. Payment deferrals are common, particularly for amounts owed to the European Union, and taxation may cease after a holding period. Individual analysis remains essential.
How long do I need to spend in my new country?
The threshold of one hundred and eighty-three days serves as a benchmark, but it is combined with the permanent home and the center of vital interests. Keeping an accurate count of one's days is an essential precaution.
Cyprus or Malta for a holding company executive?
Both offer a European framework. Cyprus is attractive due to its non-domiciled dividend exemption; Malta because of its remittance basis and refund mechanism. The choice depends on the structure of income and repatriated funds.
Can Coreway provide a quote for my project?
Each situation is the subject of a personalized study upon request, taking into account your income, your markets and your ability to establish real substance in the jurisdiction concerned.
Before making any decisions, it's wise to compare your project with the rules regarding residency, exit tax, and economic substance. You can assess your expatriation with Coreway Consulting .
