An Introduction to Doing Business in Hong Kong 2026-27 Guide

An Introduction to Doing Business in Hong Kong 2026-27, the latest publication from China Briefing and Dezan Shira & Associates, is out now and available for download through the Asia Briefing Publication Store.

Hong Kong is the premier hub and gateway for businesses to trade with, invest in, and access the wider China and Asia regions. Compiled by the professionals at Dezan Shira & Associates, the Doing Business in Hong Kong 2026-27 guide introduces the fundamentals of investing in this special administrative region, along with the latest relevant changes this year. This comprehensive guide is ideal for investors entering the Hong Kong market and for existing businesses to stay informed.

In this guide, readers will find clear insights on:

• Why Hong Kong remains a preferred base for foreign businesses
• How to establish and operate a company in Hong Kong
• Tax, audit, and accounting standards
• HR, payroll, and employment rules
• Cybersecurity and data protection compliance

Full summary

The People’s Republic of China resumed sovereignty over Hong Kong in 1997, establishing the city as a Special Administrative Region (SAR) under the “One Country, Two Systems” framework. This model continues to grant Hong Kong a high degree of autonomy and preserves its distinct legal, regulatory, and economic systems. As a result, foreign investors will find that Hong Kong’s business landscape remains fundamentally different from that of the Chinese Mainland.

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For decades, Hong Kong has served as a vital bridge between global markets and China, supported by its strategic location, simple tax regime, open capital flows, independent judiciary, and strong intellectual property protections. Even amid shifting global dynamics, Hong Kong is reinforcing its role as an international financial and commercial hub, with major policy priorities such as the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) driving new opportunities for cross‑border integration and innovation.

In the 2026–27 Budget, the Hong Kong SAR Government introduced a new round of measures to accelerate economic recovery, strengthen long‑term competitiveness, and support strategic industries. Meanwhile, China’s 15^th Five-Year Plan positions Hong Kong as a comprehensive services hub for Chinese companies going global.

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This publication, designed to introduce the fundamentals of doing business in Hong Kong, was updated in April 2026 to reflect the most current information. It has been compiled by Dezan Shira & Associates, a specialist foreign direct investment practice providing corporate establishment, business advisory, tax advisory and compliance, accounting, payroll, due diligence, and financial review services to multinationals investing in emerging Asia.

What’s new in this guide?

Compared to the 2025-26 edition, the following sections have been updated:

• Why Hong Kong: Global economic conditions and investment trends have shifted. This edition re-examines Hong Kong’s appeal and competitive advantages in the current international context.
• Development of the re-domiciliation regime: Hong Kong’s re-domiciliation legislation was gazetted on May 23, 2025, and took effect on the same day. The regime allows non–Hong Kong–incorporated companies to transfer their place of incorporation to Hong Kong while preserving their legal identity, contractual rights, and ongoing business operations.
• New requirements for IP agents: Updated IP filing requirements introduce a mandatory declaration by IP agents confirming their local physical presence in Hong Kong. While the changes do not restrict foreign IP ownership, they tighten standards for professional representation and have implications for trademark, patent, and design filings going forward.
• Tax reductions proposed in the 2026-27 Budget: Relevant chapters have been updated to reflect the tax measures announced in Hong Kong’s 2026-27 Budget, including adjusted reductions in profits tax, salaries tax, and tax under personal assessment for the year of assessment 2025/26.
• AEOI 2.0: Hong Kong’s draft amendments to the Automatic Exchange of Financial Account Information (AEOI) framework introduce a mandatory registration requirement for all reporting financial institutions, enhanced record-keeping obligations, and proportionate penalties. If enacted, the proposed amendments will take effect from January 1, 2027.
• Global minimum tax and Hong Kong top-up tax: Amendments implementing the global minimum tax for multinational enterprise (MNE) groups were enacted on June 6, 2026. Under the new regime, each Hong Kong constituent entity of an in-scope MNE group is required to submit a top-up tax notification and top-up tax return electronically. The first phase of the Pillar Two Portal has been launched, with the second phase scheduled for Q4 2026.
• Tax treaty updates: As of April 2026, Hong Kong has signed comprehensive double taxation agreements (DTAs) with 57 countries or regions and is negotiating comprehensive DTAs with 18 others. (Updates: On June 12, 2026, Hong Kong signed a new DTA with Cyprus, bringing the total number of tax treaties to 58.)
• New statutory minimum wage: The Legislative Council has approved subsidiary legislation to increase the statutory minimum wage from HK$42.1 per hour to HK$43.1 per hour, effective May 1, 2026.
• Hong Kong’s first comprehensive cybersecurity law: On March 19, 2025, Hong Kong strengthened its cybersecurity framework with the passage of the Protection of Critical Infrastructures (Computer Systems) Bill. Effective January 1, 2026, the Ordinance establishes a comprehensive statutory regime requiring designated critical infrastructure operators (CIOs) to implement robust measures to protect their computer systems.

Our Business Advisory service supports companies in establishing and growing their presence in Hong Kong, Asia’s leading international business and financial hub. We provide advice on corporate structuring, company formation, due diligence, commercial and employment contracts, intellectual property protection, and M&A transactions, helping businesses navigate Hong Kong’s regulatory environment and leverage its role as a gateway to the Chinese Mainland and the wider Asia?Pacific region.

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