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

Side-by-side breakdown of tax rates, visa options, 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
🇵🇾Paraguay
69
Territorial
🇵🇦Panama
76
Territorial
🇨🇷Costa Rica
75
Territorial
🇸🇹Sao Tome and Principe
46
Worldwide

Dimension Profile

Shape = jurisdiction fingerprint. Gap = your decision.

Tax Regime Comparison1
🇵🇾ParaguayTerritorial10%
🇵🇦PanamaTerritorial25%
🇨🇷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%). Paraguay and Panama 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
🇵🇾Paraguay69
🇵🇦Panama76
🇨🇷Costa Rica75
🇸🇹Sao Tome and Principe46
Dimension Scores
Corporate Tax
100
100
100
17
Funding
40
60
60
40
Visa
50
90
90
50
Residency
66
73
58
56
Tax Res.
80
80
75
55
Practical
76
81
78
55
Remote Work
69
88
84
52
Family
80
80
80
70
Ecosystem
40
40
40
40
Corporate Tax Details
Corporate Tax Rate10%25%30%25%
Capital Gains Tax10%10%15%0%
Tax Treaties1417123
Territorial SystemYesYesYesNo
Funding Details
Active VCs51280
Government GrantsNoYesYesNo
EU Funding EligibleNoNoNoNo
Visa Details
Has Startup VisaNoYesYesNo
Processing Time60304542
Min Investment$70K$200K-$90K
E-ResidencyNoNoNoNo
Digital Nomad VisaNoYesYesNo
Residency Details
Visa Programs Available2322
Citizenship Timeline357-
Dual CitizenshipYesYesYesYes
Immigration Score9877
Tax Res. Details
Tax Residency Days120183-183
Personal Tax Top Rate10252525
Territorial TaxationYesYesYesNo
Special Tax RegimeNoNoNoNo
Exit TaxNoNoNoNo
Practical Details
Banking Difficultydifficultmoderatemoderatevery_difficult
100% Foreign OwnershipYesYesYesYes
Company Formation751430
Virtual Office OKYesYesYesNo
Remote Work Details
Nomad VisaNoYesYesNo
Tourist Worktoleratedtoleratedtoleratedillegal
Tourist Visa Days901809015
PE Risk Levellowlowlowlow
Days Before Tax Res.120183-183
Internet Speed30506010
Coworking/mo$80$200$200-
Family Details
Safety Index52555565
Int'l SchoolsYesYesYesNo
Homeschoolinglegallegallegal-
Healthcare Quality52687530
Cost of Living35655228
Ecosystem Details
Unicorns0000
English Business EnvNoNoNoNo
Talent Pool Quality38484510

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