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Wealthy Gulf state with QFC financial center
Region
MIDDLE EAST
Corporate Tax
10%
Setup Time
3 weeks
Currency
QAR
Qatar, a small but extremely wealthy Gulf state, offers access to one of the world's highest per-capita incomes. The country's company registration framework supports business setup in an investment-focused environment.
With a population of 3 million (majority expatriate), Qatar offers prosperous Gulf living. Arabic is official, with English prevalent in business. The climate is hot, with extreme summer temperatures.
Healthcare is excellent through public and private facilities. Safety is outstanding with very low crime. The cost of living is high but offset by tax-free income.
The modern infrastructure, cultural investment, and sporting events create international character.
Corporate tax rate stands at 10% (35% for oil and gas). No personal income tax exists. No VAT currently applies.
The Qatari riyal is pegged to the US dollar. The economy depends on natural gas exports. Qatar 2030 vision drives diversification. Free zones offer additional benefits.
Company registration requires various approvals depending on structure. WLLs traditionally required 51% Qatari ownership, though 100% foreign ownership is now permitted in many sectors. Free zone structures offer alternatives.
Company formation takes approximately 2-4 weeks. Minimum capital varies by structure. Annual compliance includes filing requirements.
Qatar's central bank has not established clear crypto license frameworks. The regulatory environment for digital assets remains cautious and undeveloped.
Gambling is prohibited in Qatar consistent with Islamic law. No gambling license opportunities exist.
The small domestic market limits purely local opportunities. Regional political dynamics affect some operations. Social conservatism requires cultural navigation.
Banking access is available through Qatari and international banks. Professional services are well-developed.
Qatar suits businesses targeting Gulf markets, those meeting investment requirements, and operations leveraging Qatar's international positioning for their business setup.
Local: WLL
Local: QSC
Local: Branch
| Corporate Tax Rate | 10% |
| Personal Income Tax Rate | 0% |
| VAT / Sales Tax | 0% |
| Capital Gains Tax | 0% |
| Withholding Tax | 0% |
| Reduced Corporate Tax Available | Yes |
| Non-Resident Withholding Exempt | No |
| Tax Treaty Network | Yes |
| Banking Access | HIGH |
| Financial Privacy | MEDIUM |
| Currency Controls | NONE |
| Local Bank Account Required | Yes |
| Non-Resident Bank Account Allowed | No |
| Physical Presence for Banking | Yes |
| Banks Restrictive (High Risk) | No |
| AML Officer Required | No |
| MLRO Required | No |
| Compliance Officer Required | No |
| Data Protection Officer Required | No |
| Bookkeeping Frequency | Annual |
| Local Bookkeeping Required | Yes |
| Mandatory Audit | Yes |
| License Required | Yes |
| Local Director Required | No |
| Local AML Director Required | No |
| Local Legal Address Required | Yes |
| Local Physical Office Required | Yes |
| Required Share Capital | $0 |
| Capital Maintained in Account | No |
| Compliance Program Required | Yes |
| Travel Rule Compliance | FATF compliant |
| Business Plan Required | Comprehensive business plan with proposed token services and risk assessment required |
| Personnel Required | Senior Executive Function holder, qualified management |
| Insurance Required | No |
| Remote Incorporation Possible | No |
| 100% Foreign Ownership | Yes |
| Min. Shareholders | 1 |
| Min. Directors | 1 |
| Shareholder/Director Same Person | Yes |
| Registry Public | Yes |
| Registry Access | QFC Public Register at eservices.qfc.qa |
| Renewal Period | Annual |
| Accounting Filing Required | Yes |
| Accounting Filing Frequency | Annual |
| Financial Statement Required | Yes |
| Financial Statement Frequency | Annual |
| Accounting Audit Mandatory | Yes |
| Compliance Audit Mandatory | No |
| Technical Audit Mandatory | No |
| Corporate Income Tax Applicable | Yes |
| Dividend Tax Applicable | No |
| Capital Gains Tax Applicable | Yes |
| Territorial Tax Regime | Yes |
| VAT Applicable | No |
| Regulators | Qatar Financial Centre Authority (QFCA) and QFC Regulatory Authority (QFCRA) |
| Licensing Fee | $0 |
| Licensing Fee Details | Fees determined on case-by-case basis by QFC; license available only for tokenized assets (shares, bonds, sukuk, real estate) - cryptocurrencies and stablecoins are explicitly EXCLUDED as 'Excluded Tokens' under Digital Assets Regulations 2024 |
| Permitted Business Models | Token validation, token generation, token custody, token exchange (for permitted tokens only) |
| Permitted Activities | Tokenization of traditional assets (shares, bonds, sukuk, commodities, real estate) |
| Restricted Activities | Cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, CBDCs are classified as 'Excluded Tokens' and prohibited. All virtual asset services involving cryptocurrencies remain banned under 2019 QFCRA alert |
| Cross-Border Service Allowed | Yes |
| Physical Inspection Required | No |
| Derivatives Allowed | Yes |
| RWA Tokenization Allowed | Yes |
| App Store Listing Allowed | Yes |
| Crypto Custody Allowed | Yes |
ALL gambling activities including casinos, sports betting, lotteries, poker, online gambling are prohibited under Qatari Penal Code Articles 274-277. Penalties include imprisonment up to 6 months and fines up to QAR 6,000
| License Required | Yes |
| Local Director Required | No |
| Local AML Director Required | No |
| Local Legal Address Required | Yes |
| Local Physical Office Required | Yes |
| Required Share Capital | $2,000,000 |
| Capital Maintained in Account | Yes |
| Compliance Program Required | Yes |
| Travel Rule Compliance | FATF compliant |
| Business Plan Required | Three-year business plan including forecast budget required |
| Personnel Required | Directors of good repute with appropriate knowledge and experience, Senior Executive Function holder |
| Insurance Required | No |
| Remote Incorporation Possible | No |
| 100% Foreign Ownership | Yes |
| Min. Shareholders | 1 |
| Min. Directors | 1 |
| Shareholder/Director Same Person | Yes |
| Registry Public | Yes |
| Registry Access | QFC Public Register and QCB licensed entities list |
| Renewal Period | Annual |
| Accounting Filing Required | Yes |
| Accounting Filing Frequency | Annual |
| Financial Statement Required | Yes |
| Financial Statement Frequency | Annual |
| Accounting Audit Mandatory | Yes |
| Compliance Audit Mandatory | Yes |
| Technical Audit Mandatory | No |
| Corporate Income Tax Applicable | Yes |
| Dividend Tax Applicable | No |
| Capital Gains Tax Applicable | Yes |
| Territorial Tax Regime | Yes |
| VAT Applicable | No |
| Regulators | Qatar Central Bank (QCB) for mainland, Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authority (QFCRA) for QFC entities |
| Licensing Fee | $0 |
| Licensing Fee Details | Payment Services: QAR 2-10 million capital requirement depending on entity type. E-money issuers: QAR 2 million minimum. BNPL providers: QAR 5 million minimum. QFC regulated activities require QFCRA authorization plus QFCA commercial license |
| Permitted Business Models | Payment services, e-money issuance, account aggregation, merchant acquiring, fund transfers, BNPL |
| Permitted Activities | Digital payments, e-wallets, payment gateway, merchant services, fund transfers, Islamic banking and finance |
| Restricted Activities | Banking requires QCB bank license. Insurance requires separate authorization. Cryptocurrency-related payment services prohibited |
| Cross-Border Service Allowed | Yes |
| Physical Inspection Required | Yes |