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Compare jurisdictions, side by side.

Pick up to 4 countries and see residency, company, banking, family, and risk notes line up. No prices, no marketing packages - just the working notes.

 KY flagCayman Islands

Central America & Caribbean

MU flagMauritius

Africa

ES flagSpain

Europe

OverviewThe Cayman Islands is an established offshore financial centre and a long-standing jurisdiction for fund, family-office, and holding structures. Bordercase coordinates with licensed Caymanian partners.Mauritius is a stable jurisdiction with structured residency and corporate routes, often combined for international families and founders. Bordercase coordinates with licensed Mauritian partners.Spain offers structured EU residency routes for individuals, families, and entrepreneurs, including the digital nomad visa introduced under the Startups Law. Bordercase coordinates with licensed Spanish partners for filings.
Best for
  • Funds
  • Holding structures
  • HNW
  • English admin
  • Founders
  • Banking
  • Trust
  • HNW
  • English admin
  • Families
  • Remote workers
  • EU access
  • Cost of living
CurrencyKYDMUREUR
LanguageEnglishEnglish / FrenchSpanish
Time zoneUTC-5UTC+4UTC+1
EU memberNoNoYes
SchengenNoNoYes
Residency

Cayman Islands residency routes:

  • Certificate of Permanent Residence for Persons of Independent Means - qualifying investment
  • Residency Certificate (Substantial Business Presence) - operating a qualifying business
  • Work permits for employer-sponsored roles
  • Family routes

Mauritius residency routes:

  • Premium Visa - remote work
  • Occupation Permit - investor / professional / self-employed
  • Residence Permit by property purchase - within approved schemes
  • Family routes

Spanish residency routes:

  • Non-Lucrative Visa - passive income, no employment in Spain
  • Digital Nomad Visa - remote workers and self-employed (Startups Law)
  • Self-Employed Visa
  • Entrepreneur Visa
  • EU citizen-derivative routes

The Golden Visa has been phased out for real estate purchases.

Company setup

Exempted Companies, LLCs, and partnerships are widely used in fund and holding structures. Economic substance rules apply to relevant activities.

GBC (Global Business Company) and Domestic Companies are the standard structures. Substance requirements following OECD reforms must be considered; the GBC framework has evolved materially.

SL (Sociedad Limitada) is the standard private company. Registration involves NIE / NIF, notary, mercantile registry, and tax registration. Spanish tax residency triggers worldwide income reporting; the Beckham Law (special tax regime) may apply to eligible relocated workers.

Banking

Banking is mature but selective. Source-of-funds documentation is central. Bordercase coordinates introductions through current partners.

Local banks support resident and corporate accounts; KYC and source-of-funds requirements are real. Bordercase coordinates banking introductions.

Personal banking for residents is straightforward; corporate banking depends on activity and structure. Bordercase coordinates introductions for non-standard cases.

Family

Family inclusion is supported on most residency routes. International schools are concentrated on Grand Cayman.

Family inclusion is supported. International schools are available in major regions.

Family reunification is supported on most residency routes after a qualifying period. Schools (public, private, international) are widely available; the public system is generally accessible to legal residents.

Risks

Risks Bordercase watches for in the Cayman Islands:

  • Economic substance reporting and audit
  • Reputational handling around offshore structures
  • KYC tightening across the industry

Risks Bordercase watches for in Mauritius:

  • Substance reform impacts on Global Business Companies
  • FATCA / CRS reporting on related accounts
  • Mauritian residency vs physical-presence-based tax residence elsewhere
  • Banking introductions vary by activity

Risks Bordercase watches for in Spain:

  • Tax residency triggers - 183 days + centre of interests
  • Beckham Law (special regime) eligibility
  • Autonomous-community tax variation
  • Hacienda audits when planning is unclear
  • Past Schengen overstays must be disclosed
Documents

Typical Cayman documents:

  • Passport
  • Source-of-funds evidence
  • Health and police clearances
  • Apostilled foreign documents
  • Family certificates for dependents

Typical Mauritius documents:

  • Passport
  • Criminal record certificate
  • Proof of income / investment
  • Health insurance
  • Accommodation evidence
  • Marriage / birth certificates for family

Apostille where required.

Typical Spanish residency documents:

  • Passport
  • NIE (foreigner identification number)
  • Criminal record certificate with apostille
  • Proof of income / assets
  • Health insurance with full cover in Spain
  • Accommodation evidence
  • Marriage / birth certificates for family routes

Country pages stay the authoritative source. This view is a side-by-side; nothing here promises a particular outcome.