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.
Not tax advice. Tax laws change frequently. Verify with a qualified professional before making residency decisions.
Dimension Breakdown
Tax
Spain: 32-10United Kingdom: 42
Spain32
United Kingdom42
FieldSpainUnited Kingdom
Corp Tax Rate25%25%
Capital Gains28%24%
Territorial SystemNoNo
IP Box RegimeNoYes
Tax Treaties96130
VAT Rate21%20%
Funding
Spain: 100+15United Kingdom: 85
Spain100
United Kingdom85
FieldSpainUnited Kingdom
Gov GrantsYesYes
EU FundingYesNo
Active VCs100650
Avg Seed Check$800K$1800K
Visa
Spain: 90+10United Kingdom: 80
Spain90
United Kingdom80
FieldSpainUnited Kingdom
Startup VisaYesYes
E-ResidencyNoNo
Digital Nomad VisaYesNo
Path to PR5 yrs3 yrs
Processing Time45d56d
Residency
Spain: 43-22United Kingdom: 65
Spain43
United Kingdom65
FieldSpainUnited Kingdom
Citizenship (Naturalization)10 yrs6 yrs
Dual CitizenshipNoYes
CBI AvailableNoNo
Immigration Score7/107/10
Tax Res.
Spain: 450United Kingdom: 45
Spain45
United Kingdom45
FieldSpainUnited Kingdom
Tax Res Threshold183 days183 days
Worldwide TaxYesYes
Territorial TaxNoNo
Personal Tax Top Rate47%45%
Special RegimeBeckham Law (Impatriate Regime)No
Exit TaxYesNo
Practical
Spain: 96-4United Kingdom: 100
Spain96
United Kingdom100
FieldSpainUnited Kingdom
Banking Difficultyeasyeasy
100% Foreign OwnershipYesYes
Formation Days7d1d
Formation Cost$1,500$15
Legal Systemcivil_lawcommon_law
Remote
Spain: 64+21United Kingdom: 43
Spain64
United Kingdom43
FieldSpainUnited Kingdom
DNV ExistsYesNo
DNV Min Income$3,200/mo-
Internet Speed220 Mbps85 Mbps
Coworking/mo$250$400
PE Riskmoderatevery_high
Family
Spain: 95+15United Kingdom: 80
Spain95
United Kingdom80
FieldSpainUnited Kingdom
Safety Index7265
Intl SchoolsYesYes
Healthcare8278
Cost of Living55105
Family Budget/mo$4,000$8,500
Ecosystem
Spain: 60-40United Kingdom: 100
Spain60
United Kingdom100
FieldSpainUnited Kingdom
Unicorns575
Talent Pool7090
Avg Dev Salary$42,000/yr$130,000/yr
Coworking Densityhighhigh
Gov Pro-Startup7/108/10
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Spain or United Kingdom better for startup founders?
United Kingdom scores 71/100 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 Spain and United Kingdom?
Spain has a corporate tax score of 32/100 and United Kingdom scores 42/100. See the Tax Breakdown section above for specific rates and conditions.
Which country has better startup visa options - Spain or United Kingdom?
Spain scores 90/100 for visa options versus United Kingdom at 80/100. Check the Visa section for specific programs, processing timelines, and requirements.
How do Spain and United Kingdom compare for family relocation?
Spain scores 95/100 for family viability versus United Kingdom at 80/100. Key factors include healthcare quality, international school availability, safety index, and cost of living.
Can I compare Spain and United Kingdom 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.