FreedomBankingPlus
DestinationsVanuatu
🇻🇺

Open a bank account in Vanuatu

⚠ CRSFully remoteNon-residents OKfrom £1,600

Who we work with

We work with a specialised private bank focused on international clients. Remote opening is possible. Minimum deposit from EUR 1,500, among the lowest of any jurisdiction worldwide.

About this destination

Vanuatu has been a CRS member since 2018 and exchanges account data automatically with partner jurisdictions. The country remains interesting as a zero-tax jurisdiction: no income tax, no capital-gains tax, no inheritance tax. Opening is fully remote with no in-person visit required. With a minimum deposit from EUR 1,500, Vanuatu is one of the most accessible offshore jurisdictions anywhere.

Banking system

All figures are indicative and subject to change. Not investment advice.

Key banks
Five licensed commercial banks under the supervision of the Reserve Bank of Vanuatu: National Bank of Vanuatu (state-owned, the country's largest), ANZ Bank (Vanuatu), Bred Bank Vanuatu (subsidiary of France's BRED group), BSP Financial Group and Wanfuteng Bank; a separate offshore banking sector with international licences also exists
Credit rating
Vanuatu carries **no rating from the major agencies** (S&P, Moody's, Fitch); public debt stands around 44% of GDP (December 2024), and the country is exposed to natural disasters and external shocks
Deposit guarantee
**No statutory deposit protection.** No state guarantee fund exists; the safety of your deposits rests entirely on the solidity of the individual bank, which is why we recommend institutions with an international parent (e.g. Bred, BSP)
Currency
Vatu (VUV), pegged since 1982 to a transaction-weighted currency basket (approx. 122 VUV per USD); no exchange controls; foreign-currency accounts in USD, AUD and EUR available at several banks
Inflation
Historically low; the Reserve Bank of Vanuatu targets a 0–4% band; annual inflation most recently ran slightly negative (−0.6%, Q1 2025), with the IMF projecting around 1.7% for 2025
Deposit interest
The Reserve Bank of Vanuatu's policy rate is 2.75% (July 2026); retail savings rates sit well below that, mostly under 1–2%. Vanuatu is a **diversification location, not a yield location**
Banking secrecy & CRS
Vanuatu has been a CRS member since 2018; account data is reported automatically. What remains attractive is the complete absence of taxes on income and capital gains.

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Knowledge & background

Why bank outside the EU?

EU account registers, EAPO, bail-in risk and de-banking — the full picture.

How our service works: step by step

Five steps from order to activated account.

Declaring your offshore account: what you must report

CRS, FATCA and national reporting obligations explained clearly.

The bail-in: what it means for your savings

SAG-Gesetz, BRRD and what actually happens in a bank resolution.

Questions first?

We'll tell you within 24 hours whether this destination fits your profile.

Quick overview

CRS status⚠ CRS
Minimum depositfrom EUR 1,500
Remote openingFully remote
Non-residentsNon-residents OK
Service feefrom £1,600

Not sure if this fits? Free consultation →

Requirements note

Proof of address and phone number must come from the same country — and that must be a genuine residence, not a PO box address. Our Nomad Package sets up a recognised address in the Philippines, including all required documents. Fully remote, no travel required. Ready in 1–2 weeks.

What's included in our service

  • Personal bank introduction
  • Document preparation and review
  • Application coordination
  • Ongoing support until account is active
  • Compliance and AML guidance

All information is provided for general guidance only and does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. Regulations and bank policies change; always verify current requirements before proceeding.