What is a Seychelles Foundation?

A Seychelles Foundation is a self-owning legal entity governed by the Foundations Act 2009 and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA). Unlike a company, it has no shareholders or owners - the foundation is an "orphan" structure that owns its own assets in its own name. It blends features of a trust and a company: it gives the asset protection and succession control people expect from a trust, while having separate legal personality so it can contract, hold property and open accounts in its own right. The foundation is built around four roles: a Founder who endows the initial assets, one or more Councillors who manage it (much like company directors), an optional Protector who provides oversight, and the Beneficiaries who ultimately benefit.

Why set up a Seychelles Foundation?

• The foundation owns its assets - once endowed, assets leave the founder's personal estate and belong to the foundation itself, separating them from personal liability.

• Strong asset protection - the structure is purpose-built to shield wealth from creditors, forced-heirship rules and foreign claims.

• Succession without probate - assets pass to beneficiaries under the charter and regulations, not through a will, so there's no probate and no public estate process.

• Confidential by default - councillors, protectors and beneficiaries are not on any public register; only the foundation name and registered details are filed publicly.

• Separate legal personality - the foundation can hold shares, property and intellectual property, and enter contracts in its own name.

• No minimum endowment - a foundation can be established with a nominal initial asset, so you don't need to lock up large sums to set it up.

Is a Seychelles Foundation right for you?

Good fit:

• families planning succession across generations

• business owners ring-fencing wealth from operating risk

• people who want a holding vehicle for company shares

• IP or property

• founders keeping assets out of their personal estate

• anyone funding philanthropy or a specified purpose

Not a fit: active trading inside Seychelles (that needs a domestic company and licence), regulated activities such as banking, insurance or securities without the relevant FSA licence, or anyone hoping to sidestep tax at home - a foundation doesn't override your own country's tax-residence and reporting rules.

What You'll Need

• A certified copy of the founder's and each councillor's passport

• Proof of residential address dated within the last 3 months (utility bill or bank statement)

• One to three proposed foundation names (the name must end in "Foundation")

• The foundation's purpose and a short description of intended activity

• Details of the initial assets to be endowed and the intended beneficiaries

• Beneficial-owner details and source of funds (for KYC)