Company formation in Vanuatu
An international company in Vanuatu in 2026: what it costs to form and keep, how registration works and what restrictions accounts and counterparties will face.
For business outside the country, Vanuatu registers an international company under the International Companies Act. It is registered and supervised by the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission. Such a company does not trade inside Vanuatu and is used for foreign trade, holding assets and holding structures.
Important before you register: Vanuatu is on the list of jurisdictions the European Union considers non-cooperative for tax purposes. Under the EU Council decision of 17 February 2026 the country stayed on the list together with Panama, Russia and seven other jurisdictions. For EU banks and counterparties this signals higher risk.
How much a company in Vanuatu costs: government fees
| Payment | Amount |
|---|---|
| International company incorporation | $150 |
| Annual fee | $300 |
| 5-year registration up front | $675 |
| Certificate of good standing | $25 |
| Change of name certificate | $100 |
| Restoration to the register | $250 |
Fees are set in US dollars, source: the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission fee schedule. The annual fee is paid between 30 June and the company's incorporation anniversary, and late payment is penalised. Our basic package starts at $9,400: incorporation, address, secretary and first-year government fees. Options with nominee services and bank account pre-approval are in the price table below.
Registration is $150, the annual fee $300, a late payment means penalties and strike-off
You cannot register a Vanuatu international company without a registered agent. But even with one, mistakes cost more than the fees: a missed annual fee with a penalty, owners' documents for the agent's check without legalisation, plans for activity inside the country that an international company may not carry out, a bank that will not open an account without a clear business. Murblz specialists run the owners' check, register the company, track the annual fees and support the account opening.
The cost of support depends on the company type, ownership structure and whether you need an account; a manager will calculate it in the chat.
How registration works
- Purpose and structure. We check whether a Vanuatu company will do the job given the EU list, or whether another jurisdiction is better.
- Checks on participants. The agent checks founders and beneficial owners under anti-money laundering rules.
- Name and documents. Name reservation, articles and details of directors and shareholders.
- Registration with the Commission. Paying the $150 fee and receiving the certificate of incorporation.
- Account and maintenance. A bank account, the annual fee and keeping ownership records.
With a complete file, registration takes a few working days; most of the time goes on checks and the bank account.
What documents you need
Passports of directors, shareholders and beneficial owners, proof of address, source of funds information and a description of the planned business. Documents not in English are translated. The company must keep its constitutional documents, registers of members and directors and beneficial ownership information, as described on the Commission's website.
Risks and restrictions
- The EU blacklist. EU banks and counterparties scrutinise Vanuatu companies especially closely, and EU countries apply defensive measures to payments to listed jurisdictions: extra withholding, limits on expense deductions, closer audits.
- An account is harder to open than the company. Without a clear business and payment geography the bank will refuse.
- A missed annual fee. A penalty, then removal from the register and a paid restoration for $250.
- The EU list is reviewed twice a year. The next review is in October 2026, and the status can change either way.
What we do
Murblz specialists assess whether Vanuatu fits your purpose given the EU list, prepare documents and source of funds checks, register the company, provide the address and secretary and, where needed, nominee services and account pre-approval. We track annual fees and deadlines with you.
Fees
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Base package | $9 400 |
| Package with nominee service (incl. full nominee service) | $12 400 |
| Package with bank pre-approval (incl. bank account pre-approval) | $13 700 |
| Government registration fee (international company) | $150 |
| Government annual fee (international company) | $300 |
| Government fee - overseas company registration | 30 000 VUV |
| Government annual fee - overseas company | 30 000 VUV |
| Banking license - application review fee | $16 000 |
| Banking license - annual fee | $16 000 |
| Trust company license fee | 400 000 VUV |
| Trust company license - annual fee | 400 000 VUV |
| Gaming license - application (all games) | $150 000 |
| Gaming license - application (sports betting) | $70 000 |
| Gaming license (all games), per year | $100 000 |
| Gaming license (sports betting), per year | $60 000 |
We will calculate online the cost of registering and running your company for the first year.
See also
Business account · Personal account · Investment property · All country programs
FAQ
How much does it cost to open an offshore company in Vanuatu?
Is Vanuatu on the EU blacklist?
How long does company formation in Vanuatu take?
Can I register a company in Vanuatu remotely?
What happens if I miss the annual fee?
Need a company in Vanuatu?
We assess whether a Vanuatu company fits your purpose given banks' requirements, register it through a local agent and help with renewal. The catalogue covers every country.
The Murblz consultant replies straight away in the chat on this page. Describe your situation and we will work it out together.
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