Offshore Common Law
Insurance and reinsurance vehicles, Bermuda
Bermuda is the largest captive insurance domicile globally and the leading market for catastrophe reinsurance, holding roughly 35% of global reinsurance capacity. The Bermuda Monetary Authority (BMA) Class 3A to Class 4 framework, combined with Solvency II equivalence (since 2016), gives reinsurers and captives direct access to EU and US ceded business with credible regulation.
35% global reinsuranceBMA Class 4 frameworkSolvency II equivalence
Start setup {placement} 4 min · no card required
Corp tax
15%
Fastest setup
10 days
Tax treaties
41
Region
Offshore
What you'll need
- No resident director required
- Local registered office required
- Economic-substance test applies
- Minimum capital: USD 1
- Administrative language: English
- Legal system: Common law
Tax and treaty profile
- Corporate tax 15%
- Tax treaties 41
- VAT rate 0%
- Withholding on dividends 0%
Key treaty partners
United States (TIEA)United KingdomCanadaAustraliaJapanGermany
Banking and payments
- Banking takes 2 to 4 weeks with KYC
- Stripe not supported
- Crypto banking available
- EMI license framework available
Considerations
If you are a cost sensitive solo operator
Bermuda is the most expensive offshore jurisdiction by annual maintenance: government fees scale by share capital and start around USD 2,090 per year for share capital under USD 12,000, rising to USD 31,200 for share capital above USD 500M. Registered agent and director fees are also at the top of the offshore market. For a simple holding structure consider:
High annual feesPremium agent feesHeavy compliance for small caps