Relocation intelligence
🇲🇭 Moving to Marshall Islands: tax, residency and cost of living
The Marshall Islands levy a low flat wage tax of 8% to 12%, plus about 8% social security. The effective burden on an income worth roughly EUR 54,000 is around 19%. There is no classic corporate tax, but a 3% gross revenue tax; investment income is exempt. The country uses the US dollar and has a Compact of Free Association with the US, but consists of low-lying atolls with great climate risk.
Thinking of moving to Marshall Islands? Here is the tax, residency, property and quality-of-life picture in plain numbers, with sources.
Key facts
- Top income tax
- 12%
- Corporate tax
- 3%
- Capital gains
- 0%
- Wealth tax
- No
- Inheritance tax
- No
- Cost of living index
- 48
- Safety
- 3/10
- Internet quality
- 2/10
- Visa-free destinations
- 60
- Foreigners can own property
- No
- Residency in
- 6 months
- Citizenship in
- 5 years
Taxes
Low flat wage tax 8% to 12% plus about 8% social security, effectively around 19% at EUR 54,000. No classic corporate tax, but a 3% gross revenue tax; investment income exempt.
Residency and visas
Residence and work are accessible, though the remote location and small economy make settling impractical for most.
Property ownership
Land is largely customary and not freely transferable; foreigners can generally only lease.
Cost of living and quality of life
The Marshall Islands offer the dollar as currency and ties to the US, but are low-lying with great climate risk and limited healthcare.
Passport and mobility
The Marshallese passport gives visa-free access to about 60 destinations, with special access to the US via the Compact of Free Association.
Why people move to Marshall Islands
Low wage tax and exempt investment income
Wage tax rises to 12% and investment income such as interest and dividends is exempt.
The dollar and US ties
The country uses the US dollar and has special access to the US via the Compact of Free Association.
Honest trade-offs
- De Marshalleilanden zijn laaggelegen atollen met een groot risico door de stijgende zeespiegel, een kleine economie en beperkte zorg.
- Naast de loonbelasting geldt een omzetbelasting van 3% op bedrijfsomzet, ongeacht winst.
- Grond is grotendeels in gewoonterechtelijk eigendom en niet vrij overdraagbaar; buitenlanders kunnen doorgaans alleen pachten.
See how Marshall Islands scores for your situation
Get your personal Freedom Score and a full relocation comparison based on your income, family and goals.
Calculate my score