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The Isle of Man, or Mann, is a self-governing Crown dependency, located in the Irish Sea at the geographical centre of the British Isles. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who holds the title of Lord of Mann. The island lies closest to Scotland followed by England, Ireland and Wales. 

Approximately 32 miles (51 km) long and between 8 miles (13 km) and 15 miles (24 km) wide, the island has an area of around 221 square miles(570 km²). As well as the main island of Man itself, the Isle of Man includes some nearby small islands: the partially inhabited Calf of Man, and the uninhabited Chicken Rock and St. Patrick's Isle. According to the 2006 interim census, the Isle of Man is home to 80,058 people, of whom 26,218 reside in the island's capital Douglas.

Citizenship in the Isle of Man is governed by UK law. Passports issued by the Isle of Man Passport Office say "British Islands - Isle of Man" on the cover but the nationality status stated on the passport is simply "British Citizen". However, although Manx passport holders are British citizens, because the Isle of Man is not part of the European Union, those without a grandparent born in the UK (or who have not lived continuously for a period of five or more years in the UK) do not have the same rights as other British citizens with regard to employment and establishment in the EU. While Manx goods can be freely moved within the EU, people, capital and services cannot. EU citizens are entitled to travel and reside in the Island without restriction.

Offshore banking, manufacturing, and tourism are key sectors of the economy. The government offers incentives to high-technology companies and offshore banks and financial institutions to locate on the island; this has paid off inexpanding employment opportunities in high-income industries. As a result, agriculture and fishing, once the mainstays of the economy, have declined in their shares of GDP. The Isle of Man also attracts online gambling sites and the film industry. Trade is mostly with the UK.

The Isle of Man enjoys free access to EU markets. The Isle of Man is a 'so-called' low tax economy with nocapital gains tax, wealth tax, stamp duty or inheritance tax and a top rate of income tax of 18%. A "tax cap" is in force. Personal income is assessed and taxed on a total 'worldwide' income basis rather than a remittance basis. This means that all income earned throughout the world is assessable for Manx tax rather than only income earned in or brought into the IoM. It is therefore important for individuals to calculate whether Manx tax treatment is actually more favorable than that in remittance based legislatures such as Ireland. That said consulting finance-based websites focusing on the areas of taxes and savings is advised.

Residency rules, 60 days per annum, are lower than those in surrounding states. There are no restrictions on relocation to the island, other than those under the Immigration Act, which apply equally in the UK. And there are no restrictions on buying property either. There is a wide variety of property available on the Isle of Man from flats (apartments) to farms.