Costa Rica, Italy, United Kingdom: 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.

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3 selectedClear all
🇬🇧United Kingdom
71
Worldwide
🇨🇷Costa Rica
75
Territorial
🇮🇹Italy
70
Worldwide

Dimension Profile

Shape = jurisdiction fingerprint. Gap = your decision.

Tax Regime Comparison2
🇬🇧United KingdomWorldwide45%
🇨🇷Costa RicaTerritorial25%
🇮🇹ItalyWorldwide43%
Tax system mismatchCritical

United Kingdom and Italy tax all worldwide income once you become a tax resident (top rate: 45%). Costa Rica does not - only locally-sourced income is taxed. This is a fundamental structural difference that affects your total effective tax burden.

CFC rules apply in one jurisdictionReview

United Kingdom and Italy 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
🇮🇹Italy70
Dimension Scores
Corporate Tax
42
100
32
Funding
85
60
100
Visa
80
90
90
Residency
65
58
68
Tax Res.
45
75
55
Practical
100
78
83
Remote Work
43
84
64
Family
80
80
85
Ecosystem
100
40
65
Corporate Tax Details
Corporate Tax Rate25%30%27.9%
Capital Gains Tax24%15%26%
Tax Treaties13012100
Territorial SystemNoYesNo
Funding Details
Active VCs650880
Government GrantsYesYesYes
EU Funding EligibleNoNoYes
Visa Details
Has Startup VisaYesYesYes
Processing Time564560
Min Investment$0--
E-ResidencyNoNoNo
Digital Nomad VisaNoYesYes
Residency Details
Visa Programs Available324
Citizenship Timeline6710
Dual CitizenshipYesYesYes
Immigration Score776
Tax Res. Details
Tax Residency Days183-183
Personal Tax Top Rate452543
Territorial TaxationNoYesNo
Special Tax RegimeNoNoYes
Exit TaxNoNoNo
Practical Details
Banking Difficultyeasymoderatemoderate
100% Foreign OwnershipYesYesYes
Company Formation11430
Virtual Office OKYesYesYes
Remote Work Details
Nomad VisaNoYesYes
Tourist Workillegaltoleratedgray_area
Tourist Visa Days1809090
PE Risk Levelvery_highlowmoderate
Days Before Tax Res.183-183
Internet Speed8560117
Coworking/mo$400$200$275
Family Details
Safety Index655565
Int'l SchoolsYesYesYes
Homeschoolinglegallegallegal_with_restrictions
Healthcare Quality787582
Cost of Living1055255
Ecosystem Details
Unicorns7509
English Business EnvYesNoNo
Talent Pool Quality904565

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