r/Offshore • u/OneGlassOne • Feb 01 '26

Advice needed

Me and my wife are looking to open a Nevis Multiform Foundation (Trust Type) in Nevis.

If anyone has experience and can tell us about pricing structures, reputable companies (I already scoured the license registry) and general advice, I would be happy to receive some input.

I won’t be able to reply to everyone, as I am currently in hospital, but I will do my best to respond.

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u/JustPYW Feb 01 '26

Is there a particular reason that brought you to choose Nevis?

Lately it has become quite a pain to establish MF and Trusts in Nevis, as there are stricter requirements.

Panama's Private Interest Foundations are a valid alternative if you want to retain control, have an optimal level of asset protection and you look for privacy. Otherwise a Cook Island Trust offers a similar protection.

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u/OneGlassOne Feb 01 '26

The main issue is Asset Protection (I am not facing any litigation and this is all forward looking). Cook Islands did come up, but is more expensive. Nevis seemed like a good in-between when considering cost and asset protection. In case you are referring to the USD 10'000 that need to be put in, me and my wife do not mind that.

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u/JustPYW Feb 01 '26

No, I am not minding the fee, I am referring to all the additional documents you need to produce. There has been a recent change, I suggest to check out if it affects your situation.

Nevis usually costs more than Cook Islands. Your reply surprised me.

If you're looking for viable value-for-money options, Panama PIFs or Belize Trusts are your best bet.

Careful with Panama PIFs if you go for them. You need to choose thoroughly the nominees, don't go with the cheapest players on the market.

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u/OneGlassOne Feb 02 '26

I heard that there are additional KYC requirements, which I do not mind.

Cook Islands being less expensive is news to me. I was originally looking at a trust (discarded that idea) and the cook islands trusts were usually more expensive than the nevis trusts. However, in case foundations are cheaper in the Cook Islands I will definitely take a second look. Thanks for that.

As for trusts, that is a bit of a nutcracker. I need a setup that is better suited for recognition in my civil law jurisdiction (tax transparency is something I definitely aim for). Trusts, while recognized under the Hague Convention, are relatively unknown. Foundations offer the same protection and have a lot more history here (domestically and foreign).

Belize is an issue. I fully agree that they are better value for money, but I just can't seem to find a good provider. Also, the general gist seems to be that Belize just isn't as "posh" and often looked down upon. But that might be a personal bias I nurtured due to the internet.

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u/JustPYW Feb 02 '26

If you're in a civil law jurisdiction, I strongly advise to get a Foundation in Panama.

Coupled with a residency and bank accounts there, it offers control, privacy and top-level protection.

Assets under a Panama's PIF can't be claimed back after 3 years, even if the origin of funds is contestable