Belize, United Arab Emirates, Costa Rica, Portugal: Startup Ecosystem & Startup Funding Compared

Side-by-side breakdown of startup ecosystem, startup funding, tax rates, 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
🇵🇹Portugal
76
IFICI (Incentivo Fiscal para a Internacionalização de Competências e Investimento)
🇦🇪United Arab Emirates
67
Territorial
🇨🇷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%
🇦🇪United Arab EmiratesTerritorial0%
🇨🇷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
🇵🇹Portugal76
🇦🇪United Arab Emirates67
🇨🇷Costa Rica75
Dimension Scores
Corporate Tax
100
55
100
100
Funding
40
95
85
60
Visa
50
90
80
90
Residency
68
78
63
58
Tax Res.
90
45
90
75
Practical
86
91
96
78
Remote Work
77
69
85
84
Family
90
95
90
80
Ecosystem
50
90
100
40
Corporate Tax Details
Corporate Tax Rate0%21%9%30%
Capital Gains Tax0%28%0%15%
Tax Treaties37813712
Territorial SystemYesNoYesYes
Funding Details
Active VCs348958
Government GrantsNoYesYesYes
EU Funding EligibleNoYesNoNo
Visa Details
Has Startup VisaNoYesYesYes
Processing Time-903045
Min Investment-$0$136K-
E-ResidencyNoNoNoNo
Digital Nomad VisaYesYesYesYes
Residency Details
Visa Programs Available2332
Citizenship Timeline55-7
Dual CitizenshipYesYesNoYes
Immigration Score7887
Tax Res. Details
Tax Residency Days183183183-
Personal Tax Top Rate048025
Territorial TaxationYesNoYesYes
Special Tax RegimeNoYesNoNo
Exit TaxNoYesNoNo
Practical Details
Banking Difficultymoderatemoderateeasymoderate
100% Foreign OwnershipYesYesYesYes
Company Formation23314
Virtual Office OKYesYesYesYes
Remote Work Details
Nomad VisaYesYesYesYes
Tourist Workgray_areagray_areatoleratedtolerated
Tourist Visa Days30903090
PE Risk Levellowmoderatelowlow
Days Before Tax Res.183183183-
Internet Speed408512060
Coworking/mo$150$180$350$200
Family Details
Safety Index55828855
Int'l SchoolsYesYesYesYes
Homeschoolinglegallegal_with_restrictionslegal_with_restrictionslegal
Healthcare Quality45768075
Cost of Living50689052
Ecosystem Details
Unicorns0680
English Business EnvYesYesYesNo
Talent Pool Quality35727245

Next steps

Ready to take action?

Ready to incorporate in Belize?

Recommended services used by founders targeting this jurisdiction.

Affiliate links - we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Open a business bank account

Best options for founders incorporated in or targeting Belize.

Affiliate links - we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Discussion (0)

A community of sovereign individuals - founders, families, and remote operators. Share what you know, ask what you don't.

No comments yet - be the first to share what you know about this page.

BEYOND SCORES

Track entities, compliance, and residency days

NomadSignal is more than country scores. Manage your multi-jurisdiction business with pathway playbooks, presence tracking, compliance alerts, and an AI advisor that knows your data.

See the platformPricing