Timor-Leste
Profiled in Dili · East Asia
A young Portuguese-speaking nation on a rugged half-island, with a seafront capital, deep coral drop-offs a short drive away and a visible post-independence rebuild.
Cost of living
What a month costs
The dollar is legal tender, which keeps prices legible but not low. Imported goods are expensive and quality housing in Dili is scarce.
The scores
How it rates for a moving family
See and do
Top 10 in Dili
- Cristo Rei de DiliTwenty-seven-metre Christ statue on a headland above the bay.
- Timorese Resistance Archive & MuseumThe independence struggle told through its own records.
- Santa Cruz CemeterySite of the 1991 massacre that changed international opinion.
- Tais MarketHandwoven textiles, the country's signature craft.
- Dili CathedralOne of the largest cathedrals in Southeast Asia.
- Areia BrancaWhite-sand beach below the Cristo Rei headland.
- Chega! ExhibitionFormer Portuguese prison, now a memorial to the occupation years.
- Palácio do GovernoPortuguese colonial seat of government on the waterfront.
Where to go
Weekend escapes
- Atauro IslandAn hour by ferry, with some of the most biodiverse reefs on earth.
- BaucauSecond city with a Portuguese-era old town and coastal pools.
- MaubisseCool mountain town among coffee terraces.
- Jaco IslandUninhabited sacred island at the far eastern tip.
- ComQuiet fishing village on the north-east coast.
Residency
Residence follows work, investment or family. Timor-Leste is a CPLP member, which matters for onward mobility in the Portuguese-speaking world, and it joined ASEAN in 2025.
Tax
A flat 10% rate applies to both personal and corporate income above the exempt threshold, among the lowest in Asia. There is no VAT, no capital gains tax and no wealth or inheritance tax. Petroleum operations are taxed separately.
Curious what you would actually pay? See the Timor-Leste tax profile: income, corporate, VAT and exit rules →
Nearby
More of East Asia
Frequently asked
How much does it cost to live in Timor-Leste?
About $1,100 a month for one person and $2,400 for a family. A one-bedroom flat rents for around $600, and a casual meal costs about $6. The dollar is legal tender, which keeps prices legible but not low. Imported goods are expensive and quality housing in Dili is scarce.
Is Timor-Leste safe, and what is healthcare like?
In our index safety scores 6 out of 10 and healthcare 4 out of 10, where 10 is best.
What language and currency are used in Timor-Leste?
Tetum and Portuguese. The currency is US dollar (USD).
What is the capital of Timor-Leste?
Dili.
How can a foreigner get residency in Timor-Leste?
Residence follows work, investment or family. Timor-Leste is a CPLP member, which matters for onward mobility in the Portuguese-speaking world, and it joined ASEAN in 2025.
What taxes does Timor-Leste charge?
A flat 10% rate applies to both personal and corporate income above the exempt threshold, among the lowest in Asia. There is no VAT, no capital gains tax and no wealth or inheritance tax. Petroleum operations are taxed separately.