The Micro-state With One of the Best Tax Climates in the World
The Micro-state With One of the Best Tax Climates in the World
Andorra, one of Europe’s seven “micro-states,» is one of Europe’s hidden treasures
The French elected him their President, but simultaneously, Macron serves as an unelected Prince of another sovereign nation. Can you guess which one?
Here are a few hints: In land area, the country in question is the sixteenth smallest in the world. Its 181 square miles is just twice the size of Boston and approximately 15 percent of the state of Rhode Island. About 77,000 people live in it. At 3,356 feet above sea level, its capital city is the highest in Europe.
This country—Andorra—is one of Europe’s seven “micro-states,” quaint and tiny nations which are political holdovers from the distant past. The other six are San Marino, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Malta, and Vatican City. Andorra is landlocked and sandwiched in the eastern Pyrenees Mountains between France and Spain. It boasts one of the world’s longest average life expectancies.
My most vivid memories of visiting it in 2004 are the simmering kettles of tasty and aromatic paella; the spectacular views and dry mountain air; and world class shopping at discount prices.
Micro-states are fascinating and among the freest enclaves in the world. That’s especially true of San Marino today and Ragusa centuries ago. The small size of these places works in favor of their freedom. A government composed of neighbors you know may be naturally more accountable than distant bureaucrats and politicians you don’t know.
Tourists in Andorra vastly outnumber the local population—more than 10 million annually. Skiing in the winter and shopping in the summer are mainstays of the local economy. Sheepherding is bigger than agriculture because only two percent of the land is arable, due to the mountainous terrain. The capital city, Andorra la Vella, claims about 22,000 inhabitants; when the immediate urban area is included, that climbs to 40,000, or a little more than half the country’s population.
According to local lore, Andorra’s origins are steeped in the 8th Century conflict between the Christian kingdoms to the north and the Moslem-controlled territories to the south. The original Andorrans emigrated there to avoid Moslem attacks. Charlemagne, who proclaimed himself the first Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire in 800 A.D., provided protection for the Andorrans. But it was his son Louis the Pious for whom Andorrans owe the greater debt.
Frankly, I find dodging another country’s onerous customs duties as far less problematic than complying with demands from EU bureaucrats to raise taxes and regulations. At least Andorrans are still permitted to sell goods at prices lower than the EU, and numerous goods are completely duty-free.
“Andorra is a popular business environment for entrepreneurs who want to start their own company,” writes Guy Sharp, a native Andorran financial advisor. Why? Because “you get many of the benefits of Europe without the high taxes.”
“Whether your plan is to incorporate or live in Andorra,” says Sharp, “you will be treated to some of the lowest tax rates in the developed, compliant world.” The maximum personal income tax rate, as well as the capital gains rate, is just 10 percent. The corporate profits tax is only slightly higher and is half the US rate. Real estate is completely exempt from inheritance and transfer taxes. Most goods are subject to a modest value-added tax rate of less than five percent. Andorra is also friendly to digital currencies:
Andorra is a hidden gem when it comes to working with cryptocurrencies such as BTC, ETH, SOL and so on. The country remains open for this kind of business while also providing several advantages for those looking to establish operations. With minimal tax rates for cryptocurrency profits, Andorra can prove to be a great option if you choose to move and become a tax resident here.
Hail the mountainous micro-state of Andorra, where people live high, long, well and free!
TEXT, PROPRIÉTÉ de: https://catalyst.independent.org/2022/02/09/andorra-tax-climate/