Moving to Hong Kong: tax, residence and real costs (2026)
Hong Kong: 0% on foreign income · 15-17% on Hong Kong income · 0% on dividends and gains. The cheapest route to residence is talent routes (TTPS, QMAS) with no investment if you qualify; investor route HKD 30 M: about USD 1,000 in fees doing it yourself, with no investment, in about 3 months. Living costs about USD 2,600 a month for one person in the main city, and around USD 1,850 on a bare-minimum budget.
Key facts
| Tax in one line | 0% on foreign income · 15-17% on Hong Kong income · 0% on dividends and gains |
| Foreign income | not taxed (territorial) |
| Gains · dividends | 0 · 0 |
| Wealth · inheritance tax | none · none |
| Cheapest residence | talent routes (TTPS, QMAS) with no investment if you qualify; investor route HKD 30 M |
| Money needed | About USD 1,000 in fees doing it yourself, with no investment |
| Time | about 3 months |
| Doable yourself? | Mostly; a local fixer for one step helps |
| Days you must spend there | - |
| Citizenship | PR after 7 years |
| Online business | 16% effective, about USD 3,000 a year to run: services done in Hong Kong are taxed: 8.25-16.5% |
| Living (one person a month) | main city ~USD 2,600; bare minimum ~USD 1,850; family of four ~USD 6,250 |
| Good for | territorial (offshore claims for companies trading outside HK); no gains, dividend or estate tax; gateway to China |
| Common set-up | a Hong Kong limited company with an offshore claim; the owner on an investment or entrepreneur visa |
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
|
Programmes
| Programme | All-in, one person | Months | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme | USD 3.9 million | 8 | HK$30 M in permitted assets incl. HK$3 M in the CIES portfolio. |
Questions
- How much does residence in Hong Kong cost?
- Talent routes (TTPS, QMAS) with no investment if you qualify; investor route HKD 30 M: about USD 1,000 in fees doing it yourself, with no investment, about 3 months.
- Does Hong Kong tax foreign income?
- Not taxed (territorial). In one line: 0% on foreign income · 15-17% on Hong Kong income · 0% on dividends and gains.
- What does it cost to live in Hong Kong?
- Living costs about USD 2,600 a month for one person in the main city, and around USD 1,850 on a bare-minimum budget (based on livingcost.org, 2026).
- Can I run an online business from Hong Kong?
- Effective tax about 16% with the cheapest legal set-up, which costs about USD 3,000 a year: services done in Hong Kong are taxed: 8.25-16.5%.
- What is the catch in Hong Kong?
- China political risk; Expensive housing; Banks strict
- What residence or citizenship programmes does Hong Kong have?
- New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme: about USD 3.9 million all-in for one person, ~8 months
Compare
- Singapore: 0% on foreign income · up to 24% on Singapore income · 0% on gains and dividends
- Malaysia: 0% on foreign income (individuals, until 2036) · up to 30% on Malaysian income
- Thailand (LTR visa): LTR visa: 0% on foreign income · others: foreign income taxed when brought in · up to 35% local
- Philippines: foreigners: 0% on foreign income · up to 35% on local income
- Indonesia (Bali): first 4 years (experts): 0% on foreign income · up to 35% on local income
Compare all 53 places with your own income and budget →
Sources
- https://www.ird.gov.hk
- Living costs: based on livingcost.org (estimate), rounded