As of 2026, Malta continues to be one of the more resilient and actively growing economies among European Union member states. Recent statistics and forecasts show that output levels, labour market indicators, and international rankings place Malta in a strong position relative to broader EU performance. This overview sets out
Italy has officially increased its special flat tax regime for wealthy new tax residents, raising the annual lump-sum tax to €300,000, effective January 1, 2026, as part of the 2026 Budget Law, which was formally approved on December 30, 2025 and published in the Official Gazette. What Changed in the
In 2024, Italy introduced a residence permit for non-EU remote workers: the Digital Nomad Visa. This permit allows highly skilled professionals to live in Italy while working online for a foreign employer or for international clients as self-employed individuals. To qualify, applicants must meet certain requirements — including a minimum
On November 30, 2025, Swiss voters decisively rejected a proposal to introduce a 50 percent federal inheritance and gift tax on estates worth more than CHF 50 million. About 78 percent of voters said no, stopping a plan that would have created Switzerland’s first federal inheritance tax. This result keeps
Cyprus is moving ahead with a major tax reform package that, among other changes, would introduce a flat 8% tax on profits from the disposal of crypto-assets. For the first time, crypto would have its own dedicated article in the Cyprus Income Tax Law, rather than being dealt with case
The UK government is examining the introduction of a new departure tax that would apply to wealthy individuals who move their tax residency out of the United Kingdom. According to reporting in The Times, Chancellor Rachel Reeves is considering a “settling-up” charge that would tax unrealized capital gains on certain
Italy is preparing a major update to its flat-tax regime for high-net-worth individuals who transfer their tax residence to the country. The latest draft of the 2026 Budget Law proposes increasing the annual substitute tax on foreign-sourced income from €200,000 to €300,000, while also raising the dependent amount from €25,000
By Matthew Smith, TEP – Director: Business Development, Southpac While offshore trusts are available in many jurisdictions, none offer the levels of all-round benefit and peace of mind available in the Cook Islands and Nevis. The Cook Islands and Nevis are mature financial services jurisdictions which have had offshore trust
Portugal’s tax system for 2025 is comprehensive and carefully structured. Residents are taxed on a progressive income scale, and qualifying businesses can reduce their corporate tax rate to 5%. Only high-value real estate is subject to a wealth tax. To qualify as a tax resident, an individual must spend more
The Middle East has evolved from a region defined by oil wealth into one of the world’s most dynamic investment arenas. Ambitious national development plans, extensive infrastructure upgrades, and increasingly investor-friendly policies are transforming key economies into magnets for global capital. From the Gulf’s tax-free hubs to Turkey’s strategic position
