Belize, Sao Tome and Principe, Costa Rica: Tax Rates & Visa Options Compared

Side-by-side breakdown of tax rates, visa options, personal tax, and 6 more dimensions for founders choosing where to incorporate in 2026.

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SingaporeCyprusEstoniaUruguayPanamaPortugalCosta RicaBelizeSwitzerlandMaltaUnited KingdomCanadaGreeceItalyParaguaySpainGeorgiaUnited Arab EmiratesGermanyIrelandIndonesiaColombiaNetherlandsArgentinaMexicoThailandSao Tome and Principe
3 selectedClear all
🇧🇿Belize
74
Territorial
🇨🇷Costa Rica
75
Territorial
🇸🇹Sao Tome and Principe
46
Worldwide

Dimension Profile

Shape = jurisdiction fingerprint. Gap = your decision.

Tax Regime Comparison1
🇧🇿BelizeTerritorial0%
🇨🇷Costa RicaTerritorial25%
🇸🇹Sao Tome and PrincipeWorldwide25%
Tax system mismatchCritical

Sao Tome and Principe taxes all worldwide income once you become a tax resident (top rate: 25%). Belize and Costa Rica do not - only locally-sourced income is taxed. This is a fundamental structural difference that affects your total effective tax burden.

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
🇨🇷Costa Rica75
🇸🇹Sao Tome and Principe46
Dimension Scores
Corporate Tax
100
100
17
Funding
40
60
40
Visa
50
90
50
Residency
68
58
56
Tax Res.
90
75
55
Practical
86
78
55
Remote Work
77
84
52
Family
90
80
70
Ecosystem
50
40
40
Corporate Tax Details
Corporate Tax Rate0%30%25%
Capital Gains Tax0%15%0%
Tax Treaties3123
Territorial SystemYesYesNo
Funding Details
Active VCs380
Government GrantsNoYesNo
EU Funding EligibleNoNoNo
Visa Details
Has Startup VisaNoYesNo
Processing Time-4542
Min Investment--$90K
E-ResidencyNoNoNo
Digital Nomad VisaYesYesNo
Residency Details
Visa Programs Available222
Citizenship Timeline57-
Dual CitizenshipYesYesYes
Immigration Score777
Tax Res. Details
Tax Residency Days183-183
Personal Tax Top Rate02525
Territorial TaxationYesYesNo
Special Tax RegimeNoNoNo
Exit TaxNoNoNo
Practical Details
Banking Difficultymoderatemoderatevery_difficult
100% Foreign OwnershipYesYesYes
Company Formation21430
Virtual Office OKYesYesNo
Remote Work Details
Nomad VisaYesYesNo
Tourist Workgray_areatoleratedillegal
Tourist Visa Days309015
PE Risk Levellowlowlow
Days Before Tax Res.183-183
Internet Speed406010
Coworking/mo$150$200-
Family Details
Safety Index555565
Int'l SchoolsYesYesNo
Homeschoolinglegallegal-
Healthcare Quality457530
Cost of Living505228
Ecosystem Details
Unicorns000
English Business EnvYesNoNo
Talent Pool Quality354510

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