Belize, United Arab Emirates, Argentina, Portugal: 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.

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SingaporeCyprusEstoniaUruguayPanamaPortugalCosta RicaBelizeSwitzerlandMaltaUnited KingdomCanadaGreeceItalyParaguaySpainGeorgiaUnited Arab EmiratesGermanyIrelandIndonesiaColombiaNetherlandsArgentinaMexicoThailandSao Tome and Principe
4 selectedClear all
🇧🇿Belize
74
Territorial
🇦🇷Argentina
58
Worldwide
🇵🇹Portugal
76
IFICI (Incentivo Fiscal para a Internacionalização de Competências e Investimento)
🇦🇪United Arab Emirates
67
Territorial

Dimension Profile

Shape = jurisdiction fingerprint. Gap = your decision.

Tax Regime Comparison5
🇧🇿BelizeTerritorial0%
🇦🇷ArgentinaWorldwide35%
🇵🇹PortugalIFICI (Incentivo Fiscal para a Internacionalização de Competências e Investimento)48%
🇦🇪United Arab EmiratesTerritorial0%
Tax system mismatchCritical

Argentina taxes all worldwide income once you become a tax resident (top rate: 35%). Belize and Portugal and United Arab Emirates 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

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.

13pp personal tax rate spreadNote

Both countries tax worldwide income, but the top personal income tax rates differ materially. Portugal: 48% vs Argentina: 35%. Both apply to all global earnings once you establish residency.

CFC rules apply in one jurisdictionReview

Argentina and Portugal 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)) 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
🇦🇷Argentina58
🇵🇹Portugal76
🇦🇪United Arab Emirates67
Dimension Scores
Corporate Tax
100
0
55
100
Funding
40
85
95
85
Visa
50
90
90
80
Residency
68
91
78
63
Tax Res.
90
55
45
90
Practical
86
81
91
96
Remote Work
77
79
69
85
Family
90
85
95
90
Ecosystem
50
80
90
100
Corporate Tax Details
Corporate Tax Rate0%35%21%9%
Capital Gains Tax0%15%28%0%
Tax Treaties32278137
Territorial SystemYesNoNoYes
Funding Details
Active VCs3654895
Government GrantsNoYesYesYes
EU Funding EligibleNoNoYesNo
Visa Details
Has Startup VisaNoYesYesYes
Processing Time-609030
Min Investment-$5K$0$136K
E-ResidencyNoNoNoNo
Digital Nomad VisaYesYesYesYes
Residency Details
Visa Programs Available2333
Citizenship Timeline525-
Dual CitizenshipYesYesYesNo
Immigration Score7888
Tax Res. Details
Tax Residency Days183365183183
Personal Tax Top Rate035480
Territorial TaxationYesNoNoYes
Special Tax RegimeNoNoYesNo
Exit TaxNoNoYesNo
Practical Details
Banking Difficultymoderatedifficultmoderateeasy
100% Foreign OwnershipYesYesYesYes
Company Formation2133
Virtual Office OKYesYesYesYes
Remote Work Details
Nomad VisaYesYesYesYes
Tourist Workgray_areagray_areagray_areatolerated
Tourist Visa Days30909030
PE Risk Levellowmoderatemoderatelow
Days Before Tax Res.183365183183
Internet Speed4013085120
Coworking/mo$150$150$180$350
Family Details
Safety Index55458288
Int'l SchoolsYesYesYesYes
Homeschoolinglegallegal_with_restrictionslegal_with_restrictionslegal_with_restrictions
Healthcare Quality45727680
Cost of Living50506890
Ecosystem Details
Unicorns01468
English Business EnvYesNoYesYes
Talent Pool Quality35787272

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