Belize, Costa Rica, Spain, United Arab Emirates: Tax Rates & Startup Funding Compared

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

Select Countries

SingaporeCyprusEstoniaUruguayPanamaPortugalCosta RicaBelizeSwitzerlandMaltaUnited KingdomCanadaGreeceItalyParaguaySpainGeorgiaUnited Arab EmiratesGermanyIrelandIndonesiaColombiaNetherlandsArgentinaMexicoThailandSao Tome and Principe
4 selectedClear all
🇧🇿Belize
74
Territorial
🇪🇸Spain
69
Worldwide
🇦🇪United Arab Emirates
67
Territorial
🇨🇷Costa Rica
75
Territorial

Dimension Profile

Shape = jurisdiction fingerprint. Gap = your decision.

Tax Regime Comparison3
🇧🇿BelizeTerritorial0%
🇪🇸SpainWorldwide47%
🇦🇪United Arab EmiratesTerritorial0%
🇨🇷Costa RicaTerritorial25%
Tax system mismatchCritical

Spain taxes all worldwide income once you become a tax resident (top rate: 47%). Belize and United Arab Emirates and Costa Rica do not - only locally-sourced income is taxed. This is a fundamental structural difference that affects your total effective tax burden.

Exit tax applies in one jurisdictionCritical

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 countries in this comparison do not have an exit tax.

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 countries in this comparison do not have CFC rules.

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
🇪🇸Spain69
🇦🇪United Arab Emirates67
🇨🇷Costa Rica75
Dimension Scores
Corporate Tax
100
32
100
100
Funding
40
100
85
60
Visa
50
90
80
90
Residency
68
43
63
58
Tax Res.
90
45
90
75
Practical
86
96
96
78
Remote Work
77
64
85
84
Family
90
95
90
80
Ecosystem
50
60
100
40
Corporate Tax Details
Corporate Tax Rate0%25%9%30%
Capital Gains Tax0%28%0%15%
Tax Treaties39613712
Territorial SystemYesNoYesYes
Funding Details
Active VCs3100958
Government GrantsNoYesYesYes
EU Funding EligibleNoYesNoNo
Visa Details
Has Startup VisaNoYesYesYes
Processing Time-453045
Min Investment--$136K-
E-ResidencyNoNoNoNo
Digital Nomad VisaYesYesYesYes
Residency Details
Visa Programs Available2232
Citizenship Timeline510-7
Dual CitizenshipYesNoNoYes
Immigration Score7787
Tax Res. Details
Tax Residency Days183183183-
Personal Tax Top Rate047025
Territorial TaxationYesNoYesYes
Special Tax RegimeNoYesNoNo
Exit TaxNoYesNoNo
Practical Details
Banking Difficultymoderateeasyeasymoderate
100% Foreign OwnershipYesYesYesYes
Company Formation27314
Virtual Office OKYesYesYesYes
Remote Work Details
Nomad VisaYesYesYesYes
Tourist Workgray_areagray_areatoleratedtolerated
Tourist Visa Days30903090
PE Risk Levellowmoderatelowlow
Days Before Tax Res.183183183-
Internet Speed4022012060
Coworking/mo$150$250$350$200
Family Details
Safety Index55728855
Int'l SchoolsYesYesYesYes
Homeschoolinglegallegal_with_restrictionslegal_with_restrictionslegal
Healthcare Quality45828075
Cost of Living50559052
Ecosystem Details
Unicorns0580
English Business EnvYesNoYesNo
Talent Pool Quality35707245

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