The Cayman Islands has long held its position as a leading destination for international business. In this article, you’ll find a concise breakdown of the average costs associated with setting up and maintaining an exempted company in the Cayman Islands as of 2025. The figures below are based on reliable sources and give an up-to-date financial snapshot for professionals evaluating company formation in this jurisdiction.
Company Formation Costs in the Cayman Islands (2025)
The following table summarizes the typical expenses encountered when establishing an Exempted Company in the Cayman Islands for the first year. All values are given in Cayman Islands dollars (KYD), with USD conversions (at KYD 1 = USD 1.20) provided for international comparison.
| Expense Item | Amount (KYD) | Amount (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Government registration fee (Exempted Company) | KYD 854 | $1,025 |
| Registrar of Companies filing fee | KYD 73 | $88 |
| Average legal/lawyer incorporation fee | KYD 1,200 | $1,440 |
| Registered office fee (first year) | KYD 273 | $328 |
| Total average company creation cost | KYD 2,400 | $2,881 |
These figures reflect the all-in cost to launch a standard exempted company, including both official government fees and the common range for professional services required at setup. It’s important to note that these are average values; actual quotes may vary slightly between service providers.
Annual Maintenance Costs
Once established, annual company maintenance in the Cayman Islands is generally straightforward, with fixed government fees and some optional services based on your business needs. The summary below outlines typical yearly costs in 2025:
| Expense Item | Amount (KYD) | Amount (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Annual government fee (Exempted Company, minimum) | KYD 854 | $1,025 |
| Registered office annual fee | KYD 273 | $328 |
| Annual legal/secretarial compliance fee (average) | KYD 600 | $720 |
| Annual filing fee | KYD 73 | $88 |
| Optional: Accounting/audit services (if required) | KYD 1,700 | $2,040 |
| Estimated annual maintenance range | KYD 1,200–3,500 | $1,440–4,200 |
For many exempted companies, annual costs are at the lower end unless your business requires regular accounting or auditing services. Legal compliance and a locally registered office are mandatory and are reflected in the figures above.
Compliance Notes and Sources
All exempted companies must maintain a registered office in the Cayman Islands at all times. Regulatory filing fees are subject to periodic updates by the authorities, and optional professional services (especially accounting and audit) may fluctuate depending on company activity and underlying business complexity.
Key sources for the above data include the Cayman Islands Registrar of Companies, ciregistry.gov.ky.
Pro Tips for Managing Company Costs in the Cayman Islands
- Carefully review annual government fee schedules, as exceeding certain share capital thresholds can increase your total costs.
- Engage a local legal or corporate services provider for incorporation; many offer bundled compliance packages that optimize both setup and ongoing fees.
- Assess in advance whether you need accounting or auditing—these are usually not required for pure holding companies, but operational or regulated entities often incur additional service fees.
- Reconfirm registered office renewals and compliance deadlines annually to avoid late penalties from authorities.
Overall Considerations
The Cayman Islands’ company setup and maintenance framework remains one of the most cost-efficient for international business. Set-up costs are transparent, and predictable annual fees keep ongoing obligations straightforward. However, always consider the specific compliance requirements relevant to your industry and check with Cayman Islands authorities for any regulatory updates before proceeding.