Hong Kong
HKGHong Kong is a Special Administrative Region of China with its own immigration regime, judicial system, and tax authority. Salaries-tax rates are capped at 17% on assessable income; profits tax for businesses is 16.5%. Hong Kong operates a strict territorial tax system — only Hong Kong-source income is taxed. Permanent residency requires 7 years of ordinary residence under a qualifying visa (Quality Migrant, GAS, IANG, Top Talent Pass) before HKID right-of-abode is granted. Hong Kong passport holders enjoy strong visa-free access including Schengen and the UK. Note: ongoing political reorganisation since 2020 has changed several civic institutions.
Passport Rank
#17
Visa-Free
170
destinations
Country Details
- Capital
- Hong Kong
- Currency
- Hong Kong dollar (HKD)
- Languages
- Cantonese, English, Mandarin Chinese
- Population
- 7,500,000
- Tax System
- Territorial
- Dual Citizenship
- Allowed
- Naturalisation
- 7 years
- Schengen / EU
- No
- Climate
- Humid subtropical
- English Proficiency Rank
- #31
- Territorial Taxation
- Yes — foreign-sourced income may not be taxed
Indices
Cost of Living
87
Safety
80
Healthcare
73
Quality of Life
167
Tax Summary
- Tax System
- Territorial
- Territorial Taxation
- Yes — foreign-sourced income may not be taxed
- Naturalisation
- 7 years of legal residency
- Dual Citizenship
- Allowed
Cost of Living by City
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| City | Rent 1BR centre | Rent outside | Groceries | Utilities | Transit pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hong Kong | $2,700 | $1,900 | $480 | $220 | $80 |
Monthly USD figures. Typical central 1-bedroom rent, grocery basket for one, household utilities, monthly transit pass.
Naturalisation Details
- Residence Years
- 7
- Language Test
- No
- Civic Test
- No
- Oath Required
- Yes
- Dual Allowed
- Yes
- Fee
- $64
- Processing
- ~6 months
International Schools
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| School | City | Curriculum | Tuition (USD/yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hong Kong International School | Hong Kong | American | $28,000–$45,000 |
| Chinese International School | Hong Kong | IB / Mandarin-bilingual | $26,000–$42,000 |
Daily Life Logistics
Internet
280 Mbps median
99% fibre coverage
eSIM: CSL, 3HK, China Mobile HK, SmarTone
LGBTQ+ Legal Status
- Same-Sex Marriage
- Not legal
- Civil Partnerships
- Recognised
- Anti-Discrimination Law
- No
- ILGA Rank
- —
Religious Life
- Halal Food
- Widely available
- Kosher Food
- Widely available
- Prayer Facilities
- Common
Related Guides
Zero and low-tax residencies: the real list
Countries with zero personal income tax, territorial-only taxation, or special expatriate regimes — and what each one actually requires from you to qualify as a resident.
Exit tax: countries that charge you to leave
Country-by-country reference of departure taxes, deemed-disposition rules, and wealth-locking regimes that trigger when tax residency ends.