Relocation intelligence
🇳🇿 Moving to New Zealand: tax, residency and cost of living
New Zealand levies progressive income tax from 10.5% to 39% with no tax-free threshold. There is no general social security tax, only a 1.75% ACC accident levy (capped at NZD 156,641). It stands out for having no general capital gains tax, no inheritance or wealth tax, and a 15% GST. Residents are taxed on worldwide income.
Thinking of moving to New Zealand? Here is the tax, residency, property and quality-of-life picture in plain numbers, with sources.
Key facts
- Top income tax
- 39%
- Corporate tax
- 28%
- Capital gains
- 0%
- Wealth tax
- No
- Inheritance tax
- No
- Cost of living index
- 73
- Safety
- 8/10
- Internet quality
- 8/10
- Visa-free destinations
- 189
- Foreigners can own property
- No
- Residency in
- 0 months
- Citizenship in
- 0 years
Taxes
Progressive income tax 10.5% to 39% with no tax-free threshold; the only mandatory contribution is the 1.75% ACC earners levy. No capital gains, inheritance or wealth tax. GST is 15%.
Residency and visas
Residency runs via the Skilled Migrant or Active Investor Plus (golden visa) routes; citizenship is possible after about 5 years of residence with presence requirements. No EU/EEA access.
Property ownership
Non-resident foreigners generally cannot buy existing residential property due to the 2018 foreign buyer ban; from 2026 only Active Investor Plus investors may buy homes valued at NZD 5 million or more.
Cost of living and quality of life
Safe, English-speaking country with excellent nature and healthcare, but high cost of living and strong geographic isolation from Europe.
Passport and mobility
The New Zealand passport ranks 6th on the Henley Passport Index 2026 with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 189 destinations.
Why people move to New Zealand
No capital gains tax
New Zealand has no general capital gains tax, making it attractive for investors and entrepreneurs building wealth.
Strong passport and high quality of life
A New Zealand passport offers visa-free access to 189 destinations, and the country ranks high on safety, nature and English-speaking livability.
Honest trade-offs
- De kosten van levensonderhoud en vooral de huizenprijzen zijn hoog; Nieuw-Zeeland behoort tot de duurdere landen om te wonen.
- Niet-ingezeten buitenlanders mogen in de regel geen bestaande woning kopen; sinds 2018 geldt een verbod op buitenlandse kopers, met vanaf 2026 alleen een uitzondering voor Active Investor Plus-investeerders bij woningen vanaf NZD 5 miljoen.
- Belastingplichtige inwoners worden belast op hun wereldwijde inkomen; het systeem is niet territoriaal.
- Nieuw-Zeeland ligt geografisch zeer geisoleerd; vluchten naar Europa duren doorgaans meer dan 24 uur met overstap.
See how New Zealand scores for your situation
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- PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries - New Zealand Individual Taxes on personal income
- NZ ACC Earners Levy 2026/27 rates and cap - Calculate.co.nz
- NZ Income Tax Calculator 2026/27 - nztax.tools
- New Zealand Passport Ranking 2026 - Get Golden Visa (Henley Passport Index)
- New Zealand Reverses Foreign Buyer Ban for Luxury Properties - IMI Daily