Setting up a Seychelles offshore company: IBC, with or without substance

Do you want to set up an offshore company in the Seychelles, or do you need a registered address? Seychelles offshore company formations are straightforward, with substance where required, including directors, an address, communication channels, PO boxes and much more. This is all the more true for us, because we are here on the ground. We know all the local conditions, lawyers and notaries, we know the prices, we know which documents are really needed, and so we are quick when it comes to incorporation.

As Germans, Seychellois, Europeans and Asians, we also know exactly what you expect from an offshore incorporation, and we form the company for you in complete discretion, directly on site and without detours.

The usual legal form is the International Business Company (IBC). It is based on the IBC Act of 2016, which replaced the 1994 law. The registrar for IBCs is the Chief Executive of the Financial Services Authority (FSA).

Many people still believe that an offshore company is illegal or exists purely for tax evasion. That is not true: the IBC is a legally regulated form of company, overseen by a supervisory authority. As a rule it is exempt from local taxes, apart from small fixed annual fees. Any tax liability in your country of residence remains unaffected.

Tell us what you have in mind and what you want to achieve with a Seychelles offshore company. We will help you straight away and can form the company for you within one to two days, of course with all valid, original certificates and with an apostille. If you also want to expand your offshore company with substance, find an office and staff and administer them later, we are glad to help and are 100% at your disposal.

Earlier wording such as “OECD white listed” is out of date. What matters today is the EU list of non-cooperative tax jurisdictions and the assessment by the OECD Global Forum.

1. You tell us the purpose of the company, your preferred name, the directors and the shareholders.
2. Certified passport copies and a recent proof of address are required for directors, shareholders and beneficial owners. Where companies are shareholders, their incorporation documents are needed as well.
3. Registration is carried out by the registered agent with the FSA register.
4. You receive the certificates and documents in the original, with an apostille on request.
5. The address, communication channels and, where applicable, directors are set up.

Opening a bank account is a separate step and depends on the bank in question. You will find notes on banking here in the Seychelles under Money and banks.

The total price is made up of a government fee and the services of the registered agent. Current packages and prices are listed in the shop on offshore.sc.

Every IBC must keep a register of its beneficial owners. A beneficial owner is a natural person with a holding or control of 10% or more. The beneficial owner must report changes within 14 days. Since 2025, the details must also be verified at least once a year. The information is not open to public inspection.

An IBC cannot manage entirely without bookkeeping. It must keep accounting records, but it does not have to file annual accounts with the registry. Registered agents keep records and a financial overview in the Seychelles for at least 7 years. The company is also required to keep any change of address and the location of its company records up to date.

The substance regime depends on size and activity. Non-resident companies are not subject to the substance requirements. It becomes relevant, among other cases, for pure holding or property holding companies once the size criteria are met. Whether your company is affected should be clarified case by case before it is formed.

A company with substance is more than a letterbox address. That means:

• You get a proper office with a street address and, if you wish, an additional rented PO box.
• Monthly bills for electricity, water, telephone and internet are issued by the local utility companies in your company's name.
• A company vehicle is registered to you, with the insurance also in the company's name.
• For visible substance there is also a genuine director, not just a nominee, but one with an employment contract. He actually works for the company on your behalf and is reachable locally, at a thoroughly affordable cost.

Substance can strengthen your credibility with banks, business partners and authorities, even though it is not legally required in every case.

We also offer an extended service directly in the Seychelles, which no agency in Europe can easily match. We live in the Seychelles and have a very broad network as well as specialists on hand. You can also put all your questions to us beforehand in your own language. That way you will know exactly why forming an offshore company in the Seychelles is the right route for you.

We are also happy to set up your Seychelles offshore company while you are here. In other words, you combine a stay in the Seychelles with the formation of the company. We take care of the entire process during your visit and put our network and experience at your disposal. For the papers you need to travel, see entry requirements.

For this we put together a fair all-in package. It includes accommodation in a holiday home or hotel and the formation of the company.

You can also combine your stay with, for example, a boat trip around the islands, helicopter flights, Creole food, the sea, the beaches and the scenery. Nor will you go short of entertainment: we know where and how to celebrate.

We set up your Seychelles offshore company and combine finance, substance and an enjoyable stay.

If you have questions or suggestions, please email welcome@offshore.sc or use the contact form.

Yes. The IBC is regulated by law and overseen by the FSA. Since February 2026 the Seychelles has been on neither the EU's blacklist nor its grey list for tax purposes.

Towards the public, yes. Towards the registered agent and the relevant authorities, no. There is no public register of owners.

Accounting records must be kept, but there is no requirement to file them with the registry or to have them audited.

No. We handle the formation for you on the spot. If you wish, you can combine it with a stay.

One to two days once all documents are in.

That depends on the activity and its size. The substance rules generally do not apply to non-resident companies, but a company with substance can still make good business sense.