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Tax residency calculator

If you split time between countries, figure out where you are likely tax resident. Enter your days per country and we flag the rules.

Last updated: April 2026

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How tax residency actually works

Tax residency decides who gets to tax your worldwide income. It is one of the most important — and most misunderstood — concepts for anyone who lives or works across borders. Most people assume it is just about counting days, but it is more nuanced than that.

Most countries look at a combination of these factors:

  • Physical presence. The 183-day rule is a common threshold, but some countries use shorter windows or rolling 12-month periods instead of calendar years.
  • Permanent home. If you keep a home available for your use, some countries consider you resident even if you travel often.
  • Centre of vital interests. Where is your family? Where is your main source of income? Where are your investments?
  • Domicile. A legal concept in some countries referring to your long-term "home base" — hard to lose just by moving.
  • Treaty tiebreakers. When two countries both claim you, tax treaties apply rules in order: permanent home → vital interests → habitual abode → nationality.

Remember: not paying tax anywhere is increasingly risky. Tax authorities cooperate more than ever, and "nowhere resident" claims are challenged. If you are restructuring your life across borders, get advice from a qualified tax advisor before you move — not after.

Frequently asked questions

What is tax residency?

Tax residency determines which country (or countries) can tax your worldwide income. It is separate from immigration status or citizenship — you can be a tax resident of a country without holding its passport or a long-term visa. Most countries use a combination of physical presence (days), domicile, economic ties, and family ties to determine tax residency.

What is the 183-day rule?

The 183-day rule is the most common threshold for triggering tax residency. If you spend 183 days or more in a country in a tax year (or in any rolling 12-month period, depending on the country), you are typically considered a tax resident. However, this is rarely the only test — most countries also consider where your permanent home, family, and economic interests are located.

Can I be a tax resident of two countries?

Yes, it is possible to meet the tax residency criteria of two or more countries simultaneously. When this happens, double tax treaties usually apply "tiebreaker rules" to assign residency to a single country for treaty purposes. Tiebreakers typically look at permanent home, centre of vital interests, habitual abode, and nationality in that order.

What are "centre of vital interests" and "domicile"?

Centre of vital interests refers to where your closest personal and economic connections are — family, primary home, main business activity, investments. Domicile is a stronger concept used in some jurisdictions (UK, Ireland, Malta) referring to your permanent home, which can persist even if you physically move away.

Can I become a tax resident of nowhere?

It is very hard to have zero tax residency. Most countries will continue to consider you a resident until you have clearly established residency elsewhere. "Perpetual traveller" strategies are increasingly scrutinized by tax authorities, and many jurisdictions have anti-avoidance rules. A tax professional can help you structure a legal transition.

Does this calculator give tax advice?

No. This calculator provides general educational information about the day-count thresholds used by various countries. Real tax residency determinations involve multiple factors, treaty considerations, and changing regulations. Always consult a qualified tax advisor in the relevant jurisdiction before making decisions.

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