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Aruba is a Caribbean island within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, offering high banking access, Dutch legal standards, and a stable regulatory environment for international business.
Region
CARIBBEAN
Corporate Tax
25%
Setup Time
3 weeks
Currency
AWG
A small island of pristine beaches and constant trade winds, Aruba stands out in the Caribbean as a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. This unique status brings Dutch legal standards, EU connections, and financial infrastructure unusual for the region, creating a stable platform for businesses seeking Caribbean lifestyle with European reliability.
Life in Aruba offers the Caribbean dream with a distinctly organized Dutch overlay. The island is small—just 180 square kilometers—but offers remarkable diversity. White sand beaches line the western coast, while the climate is exceptional: consistently warm and outside the hurricane belt.
The population of approximately 110,000 creates an intimate community. Papiamento is widely spoken, but Dutch is official and English commonly used. Healthcare operates through a social insurance system that covers residents.
Safety is excellent by Caribbean standards, and the cost of living is high, reflecting both island logistics and the currency peg to the US dollar.
Aruba's business environment benefits from its connection to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, bringing Dutch commercial law and financial regulation to a Caribbean setting. The standard corporate tax rate of 25% is competitive for a jurisdiction with this level of development.
The island offers special company structures with significant tax advantages. The Aruba Exempt Company (AEC) and Aruba Vrijgestelde Vennootschap (AVV) provide vehicles for international business with reduced tax burdens, subject to substance requirements.
The digital nomad visa program offers pathways for remote workers.
Company formation follows Dutch-influenced procedures administered by the Chamber of Commerce. The most common structure is the Besloten Vennootschap (BV). There is no minimum capital requirement.
Formation typically takes three to four weeks. Foreign ownership is permitted at 100% in most sectors. Banking infrastructure is strong by Caribbean standards.
Aruba's small size limits the talent pool and specialized services. The high cost of living affects both personal budgets and business operations.
The Aruban florin is pegged to the US dollar, providing currency stability. Hurricane risk is minimal—Aruba lies south of the main hurricane belt.
For entrepreneurs seeking Caribbean lifestyle with European legal standards and stable banking, Aruba offers a distinctive proposition.
Local: VBA
Local: NV
Local: Stichting
| Corporate Tax Rate | 25% |
| Personal Income Tax Rate | 59% |
| VAT / Sales Tax | 7% |
| Capital Gains Tax | 25% |
| Withholding Tax | 10% |
| Reduced Corporate Tax Available | No |
| Non-Resident Withholding Exempt | Yes |
| Tax Treaty Network | Yes |
| Banking Access | HIGH |
| Financial Privacy | MEDIUM |
| Currency Controls | NONE |
| Local Bank Account Required | No |
| Non-Resident Bank Account Allowed | Yes |
| Physical Presence for Banking | No |
| Banks Restrictive (High Risk) | No |
| AML Officer Required | No |
| MLRO Required | No |
| Compliance Officer Required | No |
| Data Protection Officer Required | No |
| Local Bookkeeping Required | No |
| Mandatory Audit | No |
No dedicated crypto licensing framework in Aruba. Cryptocurrency activities are permitted but unregulated.
| License Required | Yes |
| Local Director Required | Yes |
| Local AML Director Required | No |
| Local Legal Address Required | Yes |
| Local Physical Office Required | Yes |
| Capital Maintained in Account | Yes |
| Compliance Program Required | Yes |
| Travel Rule Compliance | N/A |
| Business Plan Required | Business plan required |
| Personnel Required | Management team |
| Insurance Required | No |
| Remote Incorporation Possible | No |
| 100% Foreign Ownership | Yes |
| Min. Shareholders | 2 |
| Min. Directors | 1 |
| Shareholder/Director Same Person | Yes |
| Registry Public | Yes |
| 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 | Yes |
| Corporate Income Tax Applicable | Yes |
| Dividend Tax Applicable | Yes |
| Capital Gains Tax Applicable | Yes |
| Territorial Tax Regime | No |
| VAT Applicable | Yes |
| Regulators | Gaming Commission or equivalent |
| Licensing Fee Details | Standard gambling licensing |
| Permitted Business Models | Casino, Sports Betting |
| Permitted Activities | Land-based and online gambling |
| Restricted Activities | Varies by jurisdiction |
| Cross-Border Service Allowed | No |
| Physical Inspection Required | Yes |
| Player Fund Segregation | Yes |
| B2B/B2C Separate Requirements | No |
| License Required | Yes |
| Local Director Required | Yes |
| Local AML Director Required | Yes |
| Local Legal Address Required | Yes |
| Local Physical Office Required | Yes |
| Capital Maintained in Account | Yes |
| Compliance Program Required | Yes |
| Travel Rule Compliance | FATF guidelines |
| Business Plan Required | Comprehensive business plan |
| Personnel Required | Qualified management, compliance officer |
| Insurance Required | Yes |
| Insurance Details | Professional indemnity required |
| Remote Incorporation Possible | No |
| 100% Foreign Ownership | Yes |
| Min. Shareholders | 2 |
| Min. Directors | 1 |
| Shareholder/Director Same Person | Yes |
| Registry Public | Yes |
| Registry Access | Central Bank registry |
| 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 | Yes |
| Capital Gains Tax Applicable | Yes |
| Territorial Tax Regime | No |
| VAT Applicable | Yes |
| Regulators | Central Bank |
| Licensing Fee Details | Varies by license type |
| Permitted Business Models | Banking, EMI, Payment Services |
| Permitted Activities | Banking, payment services, lending |
| Restricted Activities | Deposit taking requires full banking license |
| Cross-Border Service Allowed | Yes |
| Physical Inspection Required | Yes |