Tax and language · updated October 2026
English-speaking low-tax countries
20 jurisdictions pass both tests: a top income tax rate of 25% or less (or no tax on foreign income) and an English rating of 80/100 or higher. 12 of them charge no income tax at all. They are ordered by tax, then by English.
The table
Low-tax countries where English works
| Country | Top income tax | Capital gains | Foreign income | English /100 | Safety /100 | Budget / month | Overall rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AnguillaThe Valley | 0% | 0% | Exempt | 98 | 72 | $5,000 | #33 |
| Antigua & BarbudaSt John's | 0% | 0% | Exempt | 98 | 65 | $3,500 | #14 |
| BahamasNassau | 0% | 0% | Exempt | 98 | 55 | $4,500 | #28 |
| BermudaHamilton | 0% | 0% | Exempt | 98 | 75 | $8,000 | #24 |
| British Virgin IslandsRoad Town | 0% | 0% | Exempt | 98 | 70 | $5,000 | #38 |
| Cayman IslandsGeorge Town | 0% | 0% | Exempt | 98 | 78 | $6,500 | #23 |
| Saint Kitts & NevisBasseterre | 0% | 0% | Exempt | 98 | 60 | $3,200 | #22 |
| Turks and CaicosProvidenciales | 0% | 0% | Exempt | 98 | 60 | $5,500 | #41 |
| United Arab EmiratesDubai | 0% | 0% | Exempt | 85 | 87 | $4,500 | #1 |
| BahrainManama | 0% | 0% | Exempt | 80 | 72 | $3,000 | #6 |
| QatarDoha | 0% | 0% | Exempt | 80 | 88 | $4,000 | #5 |
| VanuatuPort Vila | 0% | 0% | Exempt | 80 | 62 | $2,800 | #39 |
| Hong KongHong Kong | 17% | 0% | Territorial | 80 | 85 | $5,500 | #7 |
| Isle of ManDouglas | 21% | 0% | Worldwide | 100 | 88 | $3,300 | #25 |
| GuernseySt Peter Port | 20% | 0% | Worldwide | 100 | 88 | $4,800 | #43 |
| JerseySt Helier | 20% | 0% | Worldwide | 100 | 88 | $5,000 | #42 |
| SingaporeSingapore | 24% | 0% | Territorial | 98 | 92 | $5,500 | #4 |
| GibraltarGibraltar | 25% | 0% | Worldwide | 95 | 82 | $4,000 | #32 |
| MalaysiaKuala Lumpur | 30% | 0% | Territorial | 82 | 72 | $1,800 | #11 |
| PhilippinesManila (Makati / BGC) | 35% | 0-15% | Territorial | 90 | 50 | $1,700 | #37 |
Tax figures come from each country profile in the Tax Atlas dataset. English and safety are editorial composite ratings for comparison, not official index values. Budgets are for one person in the main expat city, in US dollars. Overall rank is the position on the default best places to live ranking. Not tax or immigration advice: verify with a qualified adviser.
Before you choose
What the table does not show
- Your passport still matters. The IRS taxes US citizens on worldwide income wherever they live, so a zero-tax country mainly changes the local bill, not the US one.
- Territorial is not tax-free. Local income is still taxed, and some territorial countries tax foreign income once it is brought in. See the territorial tax countries list.
- Residency is the hard part. Residence routes and their investment or income requirements differ widely between these places. Compare routes on the easiest tax residency list.
- Safety and healthcare on their own. See the safest low-tax countries and low-tax countries with good healthcare rankings.
Questions
Frequently asked
Which English-speaking countries have low taxes?+
Tax Atlas tracks 20 jurisdictions with a top income tax rate of 25% or less (or no tax on foreign income) and an English rating of 80/100 or higher: Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Turks and Caicos, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Vanuatu, Hong Kong, Isle of Man, Guernsey, Jersey, Singapore, Gibraltar, Malaysia, Philippines. The table on this page shows each one's tax rates, foreign income treatment, safety, healthcare and monthly budget.
Which English-speaking countries have no income tax?+
Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Turks and Caicos, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Vanuatu charge no personal income tax and rate 80 or higher for English in the Tax Atlas data. Most raise revenue through import duties, VAT, property or payroll levies instead, so the total cost of living there can still be high.
Which English-speaking countries do not tax foreign income?+
Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines tax local income but leave most foreign-source income alone (territorial or exempt systems). Rules on remittances and on what counts as foreign income differ, so verify with a qualified adviser before relying on it.
What is the cheapest low-tax, English-speaking country to live in?+
By the Tax Atlas monthly budget for one person in the main expat city, the cheapest are Philippines (about $1,700), Malaysia (about $1,800), Vanuatu (about $2,800). Budgets are editorial estimates in US dollars, not official figures.
How is the English rating calculated?+
It is an editorial composite on a 0-100 scale for how easy daily life and admin are in English in the main expat city. It is not an official index value. 12 of the places here rate 98 or higher.
More rankings
Best places to live for…
- Overall
- Remote workers
- Retirees
- Families
- Founders
- Investors
- On a budget
- High tax, with breaks
- Tax-free retirement
- Cheap, low tax
- Europe
- Asia-Pacific
- The Americas
- Middle East & Africa
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