Company formation and registration in Gibraltar

Legal Framework:

• Company formation in Gibraltar is primarily governed by the Companies Act 2014, which is based on UK company law.
• Gibraltar has a common law legal system.  

Company Types:

• Common company types include:
• Private Limited Companies (most common).
• Public Limited Companies.  
• Companies Limited by Guarantee.  
• Limited Partnerships.

Registration Process:

• Company registration involves filing required documents with the Gibraltar Companies House (Companies Registry).  
• Required documents typically include the Memorandum and Articles of Association.  
• Registration involves paying applicable fees.  

Requirements:

• A registered office address in Gibraltar is mandatory.  
• At least one director and one shareholder are required.  
• There are no residency requirements for directors or shareholders.  
• A company secretary is required.

Capital Requirements:

• There is no minimum authorized capital requirement for private limited companies.  

Taxation:

• The standard corporate income tax rate is 12.5% on profits accruing in or derived from Gibraltar, although there is a raise to 15% coming into force from the 1st of july 2024 for most companies.  
• Gibraltar does not have VAT.  
• Certain categories of income may be tax-exempt.  

Accounting and Auditing:

• Companies must maintain accounting records.  
• Annual financial statements are required.
• Auditing requirements depend on the company's size.

Regulatory Compliance:

• Companies must comply with Gibraltar's anti-money laundering (AML) regulations.  
• Gibraltar adheres to international tax transparency standards.  

Key Considerations:

• Legal and financial advice is recommended.
• Due diligence is required for company formation.
• Registration timelines can vary.