AlertNationwide fuel protests and government no-confidence vote
CautionCost-of-living crisis driving civil unrest
WatchConcerns over protest policing practices
Risk signals are informational only. Verify with current government advisories and qualified legal counsel before making residency or incorporation decisions.
Tax Regime Comparison2
🇨🇷Costa RicaTerritorial/25%
🇮🇪IrelandRemittance-Based/40%
Exit tax applies in one jurisdictionCritical
Ireland has an exit tax. If you establish residency and later wish to leave, you may owe tax on unrealized gains or assets at departure. The other country in this comparison does not have an exit tax.
CFC rules apply in one jurisdictionReview
Ireland has Controlled Foreign Corporation (CFC) rules. Owning a foreign company as a resident may trigger local tax on undistributed profits - even if the company pays no dividends. The other country in this comparison does not have CFC rules.
Not tax advice. Tax laws change frequently. Verify with a qualified professional before making residency decisions.
Dimension Breakdown
Tax
Costa Rica: 100+17Ireland: 83
Costa Rica100
Ireland83
FieldCosta RicaIreland
Corp Tax Rate30%12.5%
Capital Gains15%33%
Crypto CGT0%33% (same)
Territorial SystemYesNo
IP Box RegimeNoYes
Tax Treaties1276
VAT Rate13%23%
Funding
Costa Rica: 60-40Ireland: 100
Costa Rica60
Ireland100
FieldCosta RicaIreland
Gov GrantsYesYes
EU FundingNoYes
Active VCs865
Avg Seed Check$200K$900K
Visa
Costa Rica: 90+10Ireland: 80
Costa Rica90
Ireland80
FieldCosta RicaIreland
Startup VisaYesYes
E-ResidencyNoNo
Digital Nomad VisaYesNo
Path to PR3 yrs5 yrs
Processing Time45d90d
Residency
Costa Rica: 58-17Ireland: 75
Costa Rica58
Ireland75
FieldCosta RicaIreland
Citizenship (Naturalization)7 yrs5 yrs
Dual CitizenshipYesYes
CBI AvailableNoNo
Immigration Score7/105/10
Tax Res.
Costa Rica: 75+15Ireland: 60
Costa Rica75
Ireland60
FieldCosta RicaIreland
Tax Res Threshold-183 days
Worldwide TaxNoYes
Territorial TaxYesNo
Personal Tax Top Rate25%40%
Special RegimeNoSpecial Assignee Relief Programme (SARP)
Exit TaxNoYes
Practical
Costa Rica: 78-8Ireland: 86
Costa Rica78
Ireland86
FieldCosta RicaIreland
Banking Difficultymoderatemoderate
100% Foreign OwnershipYesYes
Formation Days14d5d
Formation Cost$1,000$300
Legal Systemcivil_lawcommon_law
Remote
Costa Rica: 84+45Ireland: 39
Costa Rica84
Ireland39
FieldCosta RicaIreland
DNV ExistsYesNo
DNV Min Income$3,000/mo-
Internet Speed60 Mbps90 Mbps
Coworking/mo$200$300
PE Risklowhigh
Family
Costa Rica: 800Ireland: 80
Costa Rica80
Ireland80
FieldCosta RicaIreland
Safety Index5562
Intl SchoolsYesYes
Healthcare7575
Cost of Living5295
Family Budget/mo$3,500$7,500
Ecosystem
Costa Rica: 40-35Ireland: 75
Costa Rica40
Ireland75
FieldCosta RicaIreland
Unicorns012
Talent Pool4560
Avg Dev Salary$25,000/yr$95,000/yr
Coworking Densitymediummedium
Gov Pro-Startup5/104/10
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Costa Rica or Ireland better for startup founders?
Ireland scores 79/100 overall versus Costa Rica at 75/100. The best choice depends on your industry, team structure, and personal tax situation. Review the dimension-by-dimension breakdown above to identify which jurisdiction fits your specific priorities.
What are the corporate tax rates in Costa Rica and Ireland?
Costa Rica has a corporate tax score of 100/100 and Ireland scores 83/100. See the Tax Breakdown section above for specific rates and conditions.
Which country has better startup visa options - Costa Rica or Ireland?
Costa Rica scores 90/100 for visa options versus Ireland at 80/100. Check the Visa section for specific programs, processing timelines, and requirements.
How do Costa Rica and Ireland compare for family relocation?
Costa Rica scores 80/100 for family viability versus Ireland at 80/100. Key factors include healthcare quality, international school availability, safety index, and cost of living.
Can I compare Costa Rica and Ireland with other countries?
Yes. Use the interactive comparison tool at NomadSignal to compare up to 4 jurisdictions simultaneously. You can also view each country's full profile for deeper dimension-level analysis.
Data updated Q1 2026. Scores are based on publicly available information and may not reflect recent regulatory changes. Not legal, tax, or immigration advice. Verify all details with a qualified professional before making relocation or incorporation decisions.