City guide

🇭🇰 Living in Hong Kong

A low-tax international gateway to Asia, with a simple salaries tax, deep financial markets, and English widely used in business

At a glance

Population
7,500,000
Currency
HKD
Avg. salary
€75,000–€130,000
Effective tax
10–14%
Climate
Subtropical
Tax regime
2–17% progressive (max)
Nomad visa
–

Net salary calculator

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Cost of living

Rent (1-bed, center) €1,950/mo
Rent (1-bed, suburb) €1,476/mo
Groceries (single) €331/mo
Groceries (family) €927/mo
Transport pass €66/mo
Restaurant (2 people, mid-range) €52
Coffee €4.30
Gym membership €71/mo
Healthcare Hong Kong has an excellent, heavily subsidised public hospital system open to residents; many expats also hold private insurance for shorter waits and English-speaking care
Frugal
€1,800
/month
Moderate
€2,800
/month
Comfortable
€4,000
/month

Budget calculator

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Why choose Hong Kong?

A low, simple salaries tax: an effective rate of roughly 10 to 14 percent for a typical expat after the HK$132,000 basic allowance

No tax on most foreign-sourced income, no sales tax or GST, and no capital gains tax

English is widely used in business, law, and administration

World-class transport (the Octopus card and MTR) and a major international airport

A deep financial-sector job market and a large international community

A gateway to mainland China and the wider region

Quality of life

Overall
8
Safety
9
Healthcare
8.5
Education
8
Air Quality
5.5
Culture
8
Expat Community
9
English Proficiency
8

Moving to Hong Kong : checklist

  1. 1 Secure an employment visa, usually via the General Employment Policy: a confirmed local job offer, degree-level or specialist skills, with no fixed salary floor or quota
  2. 2 Apply for your Hong Kong Identity Card, required for residents
  3. 3 Open a local bank account
  4. 4 Budget for housing: a central one-bedroom averages about 1,950 euros per month, suburbs about 1,480 euros
  5. 5 Get an Octopus card for the MTR, buses, and ferries
  6. 6 Arrange health cover: public hospitals are excellent, and many expats add private insurance for shorter waits
  7. 7 Note that the Mandatory Provident Fund applies (employee 5 percent, capped at a low monthly level)

Frequently asked questions

Is Hong Kong low-tax? +
Salaries tax is the lower of a progressive 2 to 17 percent after a HK$132,000 allowance, or a 15 percent standard rate on total income. For a typical expat the effective rate is around 10 to 14 percent. There is no GST and no capital gains tax. This is general information, not tax advice.
What visa do I need to work in Hong Kong? +
The main route is the General Employment Policy, which needs a local job offer. Other routes include the Top Talent Pass Scheme and the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme.
How expensive is Hong Kong? +
Housing is costly, though central rents have eased slightly and now sit well below Singapore's. Transport is cheap and efficient, and dining ranges from very affordable to high end.
Is English widely spoken? +
English is widely used in business, law, and administration. Cantonese is the everyday language for most residents.
Can expats settle permanently? +
After seven years of continuous ordinary residence, expats can apply for the right of abode (permanent residence).

Compare Hong Kong with

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+1% cost
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