Belize, Costa Rica, Singapore, Portugal: Startup Ecosystem & Startup Funding Compared

Side-by-side breakdown of startup ecosystem, startup funding, remote work, and 6 more dimensions for founders choosing where to incorporate in 2026.

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SingaporeCyprusEstoniaUruguayPanamaPortugalCosta RicaBelizeSwitzerlandMaltaUnited KingdomCanadaGreeceItalyParaguaySpainGeorgiaUnited Arab EmiratesGermanyIrelandIndonesiaColombiaNetherlandsArgentinaMexicoThailandSao Tome and Principe
4 selectedClear all
🇧🇿Belize
74
Territorial
🇸🇬Singapore
83
Territorial
🇵🇹Portugal
76
IFICI (Incentivo Fiscal para a Internacionalização de Competências e Investimento)
🇨🇷Costa Rica
75
Territorial

Dimension Profile

Shape = jurisdiction fingerprint. Gap = your decision.

Tax Regime Comparison3
🇧🇿BelizeTerritorial0%
🇸🇬SingaporeTerritorial22%
🇵🇹PortugalIFICI (Incentivo Fiscal para a Internacionalização de Competências e Investimento)48%
🇨🇷Costa RicaTerritorial25%
Exit tax applies in one jurisdictionCritical

Portugal 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 countries in this comparison do not have an exit tax.

CFC rules apply in one jurisdictionReview

Portugal 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 countries in this comparison do not have CFC rules.

Special tax regime available in one jurisdictionNote

Portugal (IFICI (Incentivo Fiscal para a Internacionalização de Competências e Investimento)) offers a qualifying program that may exempt foreign-source income from local tax for up to 10 years. This can significantly reduce your effective rate compared to the standard regime.

Not tax advice. Tax laws change frequently. Verify with a qualified professional before making residency decisions.

Field-by-Field Breakdown

Green = best value per row
Metric
🇧🇿Belize74
🇸🇬Singapore83
🇵🇹Portugal76
🇨🇷Costa Rica75
Dimension Scores
Corporate Tax
100
100
55
100
Funding
40
85
95
60
Visa
50
75
90
90
Residency
68
75
78
58
Tax Res.
90
75
45
75
Practical
86
91
91
78
Remote Work
77
35
69
84
Family
90
90
95
80
Ecosystem
50
100
90
40
Corporate Tax Details
Corporate Tax Rate0%17%21%30%
Capital Gains Tax0%0%28%15%
Tax Treaties3937812
Territorial SystemYesYesNoYes
Funding Details
Active VCs3180488
Government GrantsNoYesYesYes
EU Funding EligibleNoNoYesNo
Visa Details
Has Startup VisaNoYesYesYes
Processing Time-429045
Min Investment-$0$0-
E-ResidencyNoNoNoNo
Digital Nomad VisaYesNoYesYes
Residency Details
Visa Programs Available2332
Citizenship Timeline5257
Dual CitizenshipYesNoYesYes
Immigration Score7787
Tax Res. Details
Tax Residency Days183183183-
Personal Tax Top Rate0224825
Territorial TaxationYesYesNoYes
Special Tax RegimeNoNoYesNo
Exit TaxNoNoYesNo
Practical Details
Banking Difficultymoderateeasymoderatemoderate
100% Foreign OwnershipYesYesYesYes
Company Formation21314
Virtual Office OKYesYesYesYes
Remote Work Details
Nomad VisaYesNoYesYes
Tourist Workgray_areaillegalgray_areatolerated
Tourist Visa Days30309090
PE Risk Levellowvery_highmoderatelow
Days Before Tax Res.183183183-
Internet Speed402508560
Coworking/mo$150$400$180$200
Family Details
Safety Index55918255
Int'l SchoolsYesYesYesYes
Homeschoolinglegallegal_with_restrictionslegal_with_restrictionslegal
Healthcare Quality45907675
Cost of Living501156852
Ecosystem Details
Unicorns02560
English Business EnvYesYesYesNo
Talent Pool Quality35857245

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