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

Side-by-side breakdown of startup funding, startup ecosystem, tax rates, 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
🇵🇹Portugal
76
IFICI (Incentivo Fiscal para a Internacionalização de Competências e Investimento)
🇺🇾Uruguay
80
Impatriados - 11-year tax holiday on foreign capital income
🇨🇷Costa Rica
75
Territorial

Dimension Profile

Shape = jurisdiction fingerprint. Gap = your decision.

Tax Regime Comparison3
🇧🇿BelizeTerritorial0%
🇵🇹PortugalIFICI (Incentivo Fiscal para a Internacionalização de Competências e Investimento)48%
🇺🇾UruguayImpatriados - 11-year tax holiday on foreign capital income36%
🇨🇷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 and Uruguay have 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)), Uruguay (Impatriados - 11-year tax holiday on foreign capital income) offer 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
🇵🇹Portugal76
🇺🇾Uruguay80
🇨🇷Costa Rica75
Dimension Scores
Corporate Tax
100
55
100
100
Funding
40
95
70
60
Visa
50
90
70
90
Residency
68
78
80
58
Tax Res.
90
45
70
75
Practical
86
91
78
78
Remote Work
77
69
94
84
Family
90
95
95
80
Ecosystem
50
90
55
40
Corporate Tax Details
Corporate Tax Rate0%21%25%30%
Capital Gains Tax0%28%12%15%
Tax Treaties3782512
Territorial SystemYesNoYesYes
Funding Details
Active VCs348158
Government GrantsNoYesYesYes
EU Funding EligibleNoYesNoNo
Visa Details
Has Startup VisaNoYesNoYes
Processing Time-902145
Min Investment-$0--
E-ResidencyNoNoNoNo
Digital Nomad VisaYesYesYesYes
Residency Details
Visa Programs Available2332
Citizenship Timeline5557
Dual CitizenshipYesYesYesYes
Immigration Score7877
Tax Res. Details
Tax Residency Days183183183-
Personal Tax Top Rate0483625
Territorial TaxationYesNoNoYes
Special Tax RegimeNoYesYesNo
Exit TaxNoYesNoNo
Practical Details
Banking Difficultymoderatemoderatemoderatemoderate
100% Foreign OwnershipYesYesYesYes
Company Formation231414
Virtual Office OKYesYesYesYes
Remote Work Details
Nomad VisaYesYesYesYes
Tourist Workgray_areagray_areatoleratedtolerated
Tourist Visa Days30909090
PE Risk Levellowmoderatelowlow
Days Before Tax Res.183183183-
Internet Speed408512060
Coworking/mo$150$180$140$200
Family Details
Safety Index55827255
Int'l SchoolsYesYesYesYes
Homeschoolinglegallegal_with_restrictionslegal_with_restrictionslegal
Healthcare Quality45768275
Cost of Living50684052
Ecosystem Details
Unicorns0610
English Business EnvYesYesNoNo
Talent Pool Quality35726245

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