Tatjana Klimovica

Senior Consultant, Tax, PwC Latvia

Every six months, the Council of the European Union (EU) reviews and updates the list of countries and territories with low taxes or duty-free allowances. The last review took place on 18 February 2025. On 27 February 2025, the current list of low-tax or tax-free territories was published in the Latvijas Vestnesis, which is in force from 1 March 2025.

Updated jurisdiction list

The names of the low-tax or duty-free countries and territories included in the updated list lends the conclusion that there are no changes and that there are still 11 jurisdictions on it:

1. the territory of Anguilla;
2. the territory of Guam in the United States;
3. the territory of the USA Samoa;
4. the territory of the US Virgin Islands;
5. the Republic of Fiji;
6. the Russian Federation;
7. the Republic of Palau;
8. the Republic of Panama;
9. Independent State of Samoa;
10. the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago;
11. Vanuatu.

In addition to this list, the EU Council is drawing up a further list of countries that must improve their tax administration system within the set deadline. Eight countries are currently on this list: Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, the British Virgin Islands, Brunei Darussalam, Swatini, the Seychelles, Turkey and Vietnam. At the next review, the EU Council will assess whether these countries have fulfilled their obligations within the set deadline. If they have not, these countries and territories may be blacklisted.

Where can I find the updated list?

The Cabinet of Ministers (CoM) Regulations No. 333 “List of Low Tax and Customs Countries and Territories” only sets out the procedure for the publication of the EU's updated list and there is no list of countries and territories in the CoM regulations. Changes can therefore be made by the EU on the Council's website. Updated information can also be found on the websites of the State Revenue Service and the Ministry of Finance.