Family Office in Hong Kong
A simple introduction to what a family office is, why families use one, and how Hong Kong fits into long-term family wealth governance.
Service snapshot
What to expect before you enquire
Best for
Families that need a clearer operating model for governance, records, reporting, succession and adviser coordination.
- What HKBSCL handles
- A scoped starting review covering entity and ownership records, governance calendar, administration and coordination of company, accounting, tax and adviser workstreams.
- Timing
- An initial scope is proposed after the starting discussion; implementation is phased around the number of entities, advisers and workstreams.
- Fee basis
- Bespoke quotation. Legal, tax, investment, trust, banking, licensing and third-party professional work is separate unless expressly included.The initial scope review is free. We aim to issue a written quotation within two business days after receiving the required information.
- What you receive
- Depending on scope, an entity and document map, roles and action list, reporting calendar and coordinated referrals or administrative work.
- What you prepare
- Family objectives, existing entities and ownership, decision makers, adviser and bank relationships, key records and priority deadlines.
- Who makes the final decision
- The family retains its decisions. Lawyers, tax and investment advisers, banks and regulators decide matters within their own remit; HKBSCL does not provide investment advice.
More details
- What you receive
- Depending on scope, an entity and document map, roles and action list, reporting calendar and coordinated referrals or administrative work.
- What you prepare
- Family objectives, existing entities and ownership, decision makers, adviser and bank relationships, key records and priority deadlines.
- Who makes the final decision
- The family retains its decisions. Lawyers, tax and investment advisers, banks and regulators decide matters within their own remit; HKBSCL does not provide investment advice.
Your next step
Share the family objective, entity list, jurisdictions, current advisers and most urgent governance or reporting issue. We will propose a practical first scope.
What is a family office?
A family office is a private coordination hub for one family. It helps organise ownership records, investment reporting, decision-making, succession planning, philanthropy, and day-to-day administration. It is not one fixed legal product; it can be a small coordination setup or a more formal structure with companies, investment vehicles, staff, and external advisers.
Family governance
Investment oversight
Succession and administration
How it can be useful
One family picture
A family office can help consolidate scattered information into one working view for the family and its advisers.
Clear roles and records
Decision rights, signing authority, meeting notes, ownership records, and reporting routines become easier to follow.
Better adviser coordination
Banks, trustees, investment managers, accountants, lawyers, and companies can work from cleaner instructions and documents.
Long-term continuity
The structure supports succession, education of younger family members, philanthropy, and multi-year planning.
Hong Kong context: related rules to keep separate
These official regimes may become relevant after a family understands the family office concept, but they are not the definition of a family office.
No single setup threshold
Hong Kong does not have one simple law saying a family office must start with HK$200 million. Practical thresholds usually come from banks, intermediaries, operating cost, licensing, tax, or immigration rules.
Tax concession is optional
The standalone FIHV/SFO tax concession is a separate framework. Qualifying profits may enjoy a 0% profits tax rate if ownership, Hong Kong management/control, substance, eligible SFO management, and the HK$240 million Schedule 16C asset threshold are met.
New CIES is separate
New CIES is an immigration/residency route for eligible asset owners. It does not require a family office, and using a family office-style structure does not remove the HK$30 million investment requirement.
Holding company route
For New CIES, eligible assets may be held personally or through a qualifying Hong Kong private holding company. If the family office FIHV/FSPE route is used, extra substance and SFO-management requirements apply.
Local investment point
The family office tax concession has no mandatory local investment requirement. New CIES counted assets must instead follow the scheme’s permissible asset, designated account, timing, and reporting rules.
Licensing remains activity-based
Hong Kong has no single “family office licence”, but regulated activities can still trigger SFC licensing. The structure should be checked with legal, tax, CPA, and investment advisers.
Important boundary
This page is general information only. It is not legal, tax, investment, immigration, or regulated financial advice. Rules, caps, accepted assets, licensing treatment, and verification practice can change; confirm the latest official position and obtain professional advice before acting.
Official checkpoints
Use these official sources for the current rule text before making decisions.
Related services to consider
These links help connect the current topic with nearby company, tax, banking, and compliance support. They are not a substitute for professional advice on your actual circumstances.
Want to understand the starting point?
Contact us to learn more about the basic company, record-keeping, governance, and official requirement topics that may be relevant to a Hong Kong family office discussion.
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