Banking in Brunei provides accounts, deposits, payments, cards and digital services. Islamic banking has a major role: Islamic banks, including TAIB, accounted for 63.1 percent of banking assets in 2025. BND is the legal tender, while SGD is also used under the Currency Interchangeability Agreement at a 1:1 relationship with BND. Wealth building includes saving, retirement provision, securities, funds, sukuk and other investments. The Brunei Darussalam Central Bank supervises the local capital market, which remains small and has no confirmed local stock-market trading for retail investors. Access commonly runs through BDCB-licensed dealers, fund managers, investment advisers or financial planners. The SPK system provides formal retirement provision, while each investment has its own access rules, costs and risks. Living costs include housing, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, education, communications and leisure. The official household expenditure survey recorded average monthly spending of BND 2,817 per household and BND 558 per person, with a median household spending of BND 2,163. These figures describe surveyed spending rather than a government minimum budget, and actual costs depend on the household, district and residency status. Debt can arise from loans, credit cards, instalment purchases, hire-purchase agreements and arrears. Income-based debt limits, credit reporting and contract terms affect access to further credit. A borrower who has difficulty paying should contact the lender early; unresolved arrears can lead to collection, court enforcement or Official Receiver and bankruptcy proceedings. Brunei does not levy personal income tax on employment income, self-employment, dividends, interest or pensions of individuals. Companies generally pay 18.5% Corporate Income Tax on taxable income, while petroleum and natural gas production is subject to a separate 55% regime. Withholding tax, stamp duty, import and excise duties, and municipal building tax, known as Cukai Bangunan, can create additional charges. Insurance protects agreed personal, property, liability or income risks in return for premiums or contributions. Brunei uses both conventional insurance and Takaful, a sharia-compliant form of risk-sharing. Motor vehicles and employers’ liability have specific legal obligations, so the relevant policy, contract and statutory requirement must be checked separately.
Finance in Brunei
Finance in Brunei covers banking, wealth building, living costs, debt, taxation and insurance. The Brunei dollar is the legal tender, personal income tax does not apply to individuals, and household spending varies widely by housing, family size, district and residency status. Financial decisions also depend on credit limits, investment access, insurance terms and business obligations.
Treat your finances in Brunei as one connected plan: control regular spending, choose suitable banking and insurance, manage borrowing carefully, and keep tax duties separate for individuals and companies. Use licensed providers for investments, compare conventional insurance with Takaful on the actual contract, and avoid committing money before you know the recurring cost and potential consequence. Keep household and business decisions separate so that personal tax treatment does not obscure company obligations.
Banks
Brunei has a formally established banking system for accounts, deposits, payments, cards and digital banking. Islamic banking is particularly important: in 2025, Islamic banks including TAIB accounted for 63.1 percent of banking assets. BND is the legal tender; SGD is also used and has a 1:1 relationship with BND under the Currency Interchangeability Agreement.
Investing
Investing in Brunei covers long-term wealth building, ongoing income, preservation of value, retirement planning and the transfer of assets. The local capital market is supervised by the Brunei Darussalam Central Bank (BDCB), but remains small and has no confirmed local stock-market trading for retail investors. Access is usually through BDCB-licensed dealers, fund managers, investment advisers or financial planners. The SPK system provides formal retirement provision, while securities, funds, sukuk and other investments each have their own risks, costs and access rules.
Costs
The cost of living in Brunei includes housing, utilities, food, mobility, healthcare, education, communications and leisure. The official household expenditure survey recorded average monthly spending of BND 2,817 per household and BND 558 per person. The median was BND 2,163. These figures are not a government minimum budget and depend on the household, district and residency status.
Debt
Debt in Brunei includes loans, credit cards, instalment purchases, hire-purchase agreements, arrears, collection, court enforcement and bankruptcy. Credit access is shaped by income-based debt limits, credit reporting and the terms of each contract. The available solutions range from early contact with a lender to court or Official Receiver proceedings.
Taxes
Brunei does not levy personal income tax on employment income, self-employment, dividends, interest or pensions of individuals. Companies generally pay 18.5% Corporate Income Tax on taxable income; petroleum and natural gas production is subject to a separate regime with a rate of 55%. Other charges may arise from withholding tax, stamp duty, import and excise duties, and the municipal building tax (Cukai Bangunan) in municipal areas.
Insurance
Insurance in Brunei covers agreed personal, property, liability and income risks in return for premiums or contributions. The system includes conventional insurance and Takaful, a sharia-compliant form of risk-sharing. Special legal obligations apply to motor vehicles and employers’ liability.
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