Spain 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.
12pp personal tax rate spreadNote
Both countries tax worldwide income, but the top personal income tax rates differ materially. Spain: 47% vs Cyprus: 35%. Both apply to all global earnings once you establish residency.
CFC rules apply in one jurisdictionReview
Spain 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
Cyprus: 83+51Spain: 32
Cyprus83
Spain32
FieldCyprusSpain
Corp Tax Rate12.5%25%
Capital Gains0%28%
Territorial SystemNoNo
IP Box RegimeYesNo
Tax Treaties6596
VAT Rate19%21%
Funding
Cyprus: 85-15Spain: 100
Cyprus85
Spain100
FieldCyprusSpain
Gov GrantsYesYes
EU FundingYesYes
Active VCs20100
Avg Seed Check$350K$800K
Visa
Cyprus: 900Spain: 90
Cyprus90
Spain90
FieldCyprusSpain
Startup VisaYesYes
E-ResidencyNoNo
Digital Nomad VisaYesYes
Path to PR5 yrs5 yrs
Processing Time60d45d
Residency
Cyprus: 65+22Spain: 43
Cyprus65
Spain43
FieldCyprusSpain
Citizenship (Naturalization)7 yrs10 yrs
Dual CitizenshipYesNo
CBI AvailableNoNo
Immigration Score7/107/10
Tax Res.
Cyprus: 70+25Spain: 45
Cyprus70
Spain45
FieldCyprusSpain
Tax Res Threshold183 days183 days
Worldwide TaxYesYes
Territorial TaxNoNo
Personal Tax Top Rate35%47%
Special RegimeNon-Domicile Status (17-year exemption from Special Defence Contribution)Beckham Law (Impatriate Regime)
Exit TaxNoYes
Practical
Cyprus: 86-10Spain: 96
Cyprus86
Spain96
FieldCyprusSpain
Banking Difficultymoderateeasy
100% Foreign OwnershipYesYes
Formation Days5d7d
Formation Cost$2,000$1,500
Legal Systemmixedcivil_law
Remote
Cyprus: 640Spain: 64
Cyprus64
Spain64
FieldCyprusSpain
DNV ExistsYesYes
DNV Min Income$3,800/mo$3,200/mo
Internet Speed65 Mbps220 Mbps
Coworking/mo$180$250
PE Riskmoderatemoderate
Family
Cyprus: 100+5Spain: 95
Cyprus100
Spain95
FieldCyprusSpain
Safety Index8072
Intl SchoolsYesYes
Healthcare7582
Cost of Living7055
Family Budget/mo$5,500$4,000
Ecosystem
Cyprus: 65+5Spain: 60
Cyprus65
Spain60
FieldCyprusSpain
Unicorns15
Talent Pool6070
Avg Dev Salary$55,000/yr$42,000/yr
Coworking Densitymediumhigh
Gov Pro-Startup7/107/10
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cyprus or Spain better for startup founders?
Cyprus scores 81/100 overall versus Spain at 69/100. 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 Cyprus and Spain?
Cyprus has a corporate tax score of 83/100 and Spain scores 32/100. See the Tax Breakdown section above for specific rates and conditions.
Which country has better startup visa options - Cyprus or Spain?
Cyprus scores 90/100 for visa options versus Spain at 90/100. Check the Visa section for specific programs, processing timelines, and requirements.
How do Cyprus and Spain compare for family relocation?
Cyprus scores 100/100 for family viability versus Spain at 95/100. Key factors include healthcare quality, international school availability, safety index, and cost of living.
Can I compare Cyprus and Spain 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.