Costa Rica, Greece, United Kingdom, Netherlands: Tax Rates & Startup Ecosystem Compared

Side-by-side breakdown of tax rates, startup ecosystem, remote work, 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
🇬🇧United Kingdom
71
Worldwide
🇨🇷Costa Rica
75
Territorial
🇳🇱Netherlands
59
Worldwide
🇬🇷Greece
70
Worldwide

Dimension Profile

Shape = jurisdiction fingerprint. Gap = your decision.

Tax Regime Comparison3
🇬🇧United KingdomWorldwide45%
🇨🇷Costa RicaTerritorial25%
🇳🇱NetherlandsWorldwide49.5%
🇬🇷GreeceWorldwide44%
Tax system mismatchCritical

United Kingdom and Netherlands and Greece tax all worldwide income once you become a tax resident (top rate: 49.5%). Costa Rica does 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

Netherlands and Greece have 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

United Kingdom and Netherlands and Greece 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 country in this comparison does 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
🇬🇧United Kingdom71
🇨🇷Costa Rica75
🇳🇱Netherlands59
🇬🇷Greece70
Dimension Scores
Corporate Tax
42
100
39
52
Funding
85
60
100
85
Visa
80
90
75
85
Residency
65
58
73
60
Tax Res.
45
75
45
45
Practical
100
78
100
83
Remote Work
43
84
39
79
Family
80
80
90
85
Ecosystem
100
40
100
65
Corporate Tax Details
Corporate Tax Rate25%30%25.8%22%
Capital Gains Tax24%15%36%22%
Tax Treaties1301210057
Territorial SystemNoYesNoNo
Funding Details
Active VCs650820016
Government GrantsYesYesYesYes
EU Funding EligibleNoNoYesYes
Visa Details
Has Startup VisaYesYesYesYes
Processing Time564530120
Min Investment$0--$272K
E-ResidencyNoNoNoNo
Digital Nomad VisaNoYesNoYes
Residency Details
Visa Programs Available3236
Citizenship Timeline6757
Dual CitizenshipYesYesNoYes
Immigration Score7786
Tax Res. Details
Tax Residency Days183-183183
Personal Tax Top Rate45255044
Territorial TaxationNoYesNoNo
Special Tax RegimeNoNoYesYes
Exit TaxNoNoYesYes
Practical Details
Banking Difficultyeasymoderateeasymoderate
100% Foreign OwnershipYesYesYesYes
Company Formation114510
Virtual Office OKYesYesYesYes
Remote Work Details
Nomad VisaNoYesNoYes
Tourist Workillegaltoleratedgray_areaillegal
Tourist Visa Days180909090
PE Risk Levelvery_highlowhighmoderate
Days Before Tax Res.183-183183
Internet Speed856030093
Coworking/mo$400$200$300$175
Family Details
Safety Index65557854
Int'l SchoolsYesYesYesYes
Homeschoolinglegallegalillegallegal_with_restrictions
Healthcare Quality78758559
Cost of Living105528040
Ecosystem Details
Unicorns750122
English Business EnvYesNoYesYes
Talent Pool Quality90458268

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