Taiwan

Eastern Asia

Asia

Taiwan is included as a separately governed economy with its own immigration, tax, currency, and passport systems. Its international diplomatic recognition varies.

–
Overall score
Insufficient data · 32% data coverage
Language
Mandarin Chinese
Currency
TWD
Citizenship
5 years
Personal tax
Progressive, up to 40%
Cost of living
$1,300 / mo (single)

Rules change often. Confirm any immigration, tax or legal decision with a qualified professional.

Score breakdown
–
Access
17%
–Residence12%
52Citizenship and passport5%
–
Earning power
25%
–Salary and work12%
–Buying power13%
57
Business and wealth
20%
62Taxes7%
–Business8%
50Investment5%
–
Daily life
25%
–Quality of life18%
–Education7%
86
Rights and institutions
13%
88Freedom6%
85Rule of law7%

Pros

  • Country-wide comparison coverage
  • Local residence and work pathways available

Cons

  • Legal and tax outcomes are case-specific
  • Costs vary materially by city and lifestyle

Best for

Users comparing regional optionsPeople prepared to verify a specific pathway

Score profile

Access
Residence
–
Citizenship
44
Passport
75
Earning power
Salary & work
–
Buying power
–
Cost of living
86
Economy
–
Business and wealth
Taxes
62
Personal tax
27
Corporate tax
43
Business
–
Investment
50
Wealth building
–
Daily life
Safety
–
Healthcare
–
Environment
–
Infrastructure
–
Education
–
HDI
–
Rights and institutions
Freedom
88
Rule of law
85
How the scores are calculated

Access

Residence
Openness to residents
Data not available
–
Main pathways
EmploymentStudyFamily reunificationBusiness or investment where eligible
StudentRules depend on status and circumstances; verify the current requirements with the competent authority before acting.
WorkRules depend on status and circumstances; verify the current requirements with the competent authority before acting.
Self-employedRules depend on status and circumstances; verify the current requirements with the competent authority before acting.
PermanentRules depend on status and circumstances; verify the current requirements with the competent authority before acting.
Citizenship
Citizenship accessibility
Limited
44
Years required5 years
Dual allowedDepends on route and existing nationality
LanguageCheck the current naturalisation rules for the selected route
ResidenceTypical headline route: 5 years; qualifying residence and absence rules apply
NotesRules depend on status and circumstances; verify the current requirements with the competent authority before acting.
Passport
Passport power
Good
75
148 / 198
Mobility
#31
Global rank
Yes
Biometric
  • Visa-free105
  • On arrival39
  • eTA4
  • Visa required50

Placeholder estimates for 2024 to 2025. Check entry rules with each destination before travelling.

Earning power

Salary & work
Labour-market strength
Data not available
–
Tech salary (estimate)Varies substantially by city, seniority, and employer
FreelanceMarket access depends on language, sector, and work authorisation
Job marketUse current local vacancy and salary data for role-specific decisions.
Buying power
Purchasing power score
Data not available
–
Cost of living
Affordability
Excellent
86
RentVaries substantially by city and neighbourhood
Monthly$1,300 / mo (single)
CitiesTaipei, New Taipei, Taichung, Kaohsiung
Economy
Economic strength
Data not available
–
Main industries
SemiconductorsElectronicsMachineryPetrochemicalsInformation technology
Top exports
Semiconductors & chipsElectronicsMachineryPlastics
TypeHigh-income, technology- and export-led
Key sectorsSemiconductor foundries (TSMC), Electronics manufacturing, ICT hardware
SummaryA high-income economy at the heart of the global chip supply chain, anchored by world-leading semiconductor foundries.
CurrencyNew Taiwan dollar

Business and wealth

Taxes
Tax friendliness
Moderate
62
PersonalProgressive, up to 40%
Corporate20%
Capital gainsTreatment varies by asset, holding structure, residence, and treaty position
DividendsRates and withholding depend on residence and treaty eligibility
Exit taxCheck current domestic rules before changing tax residence
Foreign companiesManagement, permanent-establishment, CFC, and reporting rules may apply
Personal tax
Personal tax
Low
27
PersonalProgressive, up to 40%
FreelanceRegistration, immigration permission, tax, and social contributions may apply
Capital gainsTreatment varies by asset, holding structure, residence, and treaty position
DividendsRates and withholding depend on residence and treaty eligibility
Exit taxCheck current domestic rules before changing tax residence
Corporate tax
Corporate tax
Limited
43
Corporate20%
Capital gainsTreatment varies by asset, holding structure, residence, and treaty position
DividendsRates and withholding depend on residence and treaty eligibility
Foreign companiesManagement, permanent-establishment, CFC, and reporting rules may apply
Business
Business friendliness
Data not available
–
Operating rules
Foreign companyGenerally possible, subject to sector, registration, tax, and substance rules
Local companyAvailable company forms and capital requirements vary
FreelanceRegistration, immigration permission, tax, and social contributions may apply
Investment
Investing environment
Moderate
50
Capital gainsTreatment varies by asset, residence, holding period, and treaty position
DividendsData not available yet
ETFs & fundsData not available yet
Wealth taxCheck current national and subnational rules
BrokersLocal and international availability varies by residency and compliance checks
Foreign accessData not available yet
Tax-advantagedData not available yet
Wealth building
Wealth accumulation
Data not available
–
Salary & work
Data not available
–
Business
Data not available
–
Investment
Moderate
50
Tax friendliness
Moderate
62
Cost of living
Excellent
86

Daily life

Safety
Safety & stability
Data not available
–

Check current government travel and security advice before relocating.

Healthcare
Healthcare score
Data not available
–
System & costs
SystemPublic/private mix varies by eligibility and residence status
InsuranceCheck residence-permit and local coverage requirements
Average costDepends on eligibility, income, insurer, and chosen coverage
Environment
Environment score
Data not available
–
Infrastructure
Infrastructure score
Data not available
–
Education
Education score
Data not available
–
Tuition$3,000-12,000 / yr
Public universityVaries by institution, programme, and student nationality
LanguagesMandarin Chinese
Student workRules depend on status and circumstances; verify the current requirements with the competent authority before acting.
HDI
Human development score
Data not available
–

Rights and institutions

Freedom
Freedom score
Excellent
88
Freedom in the World94 / 100 (Free)
Freedom on the Net79 / 100 (Free)
Sources
Rule of law
Rule of law score
Excellent
85
Rule of Law percentile85 / 100
Sources
Resources
Official references
UN Statistics: M49 country and area codesunstats.un.orgPwC: Worldwide Tax Summariestaxsummaries.pwc.com
Quick links
Taiwan visa & immigrationgoogle.comTaiwan tax residency rulesgoogle.comTaiwan citizenship requirementsgoogle.comCost of living in Taiwangoogle.com

Data is illustrative. Not legal or tax advice.