Costa Rica, Sao Tome and Principe, United Arab Emirates: Tax Rates & Startup Ecosystem Compared

Side-by-side breakdown of tax rates, startup ecosystem, startup funding, and 6 more dimensions for founders choosing where to incorporate in 2026.

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3 selectedClear all
🇦🇪United Arab Emirates
67
Territorial
🇨🇷Costa Rica
75
Territorial
🇸🇹Sao Tome and Principe
46
Worldwide

Dimension Profile

Shape = jurisdiction fingerprint. Gap = your decision.

Tax Regime Comparison1
🇦🇪United Arab EmiratesTerritorial0%
🇨🇷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%). United Arab Emirates 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
🇦🇪United Arab Emirates67
🇨🇷Costa Rica75
🇸🇹Sao Tome and Principe46
Dimension Scores
Corporate Tax
100
100
17
Funding
85
60
40
Visa
80
90
50
Residency
63
58
56
Tax Res.
90
75
55
Practical
96
78
55
Remote Work
85
84
52
Family
90
80
70
Ecosystem
100
40
40
Corporate Tax Details
Corporate Tax Rate9%30%25%
Capital Gains Tax0%15%0%
Tax Treaties137123
Territorial SystemYesYesNo
Funding Details
Active VCs9580
Government GrantsYesYesNo
EU Funding EligibleNoNoNo
Visa Details
Has Startup VisaYesYesNo
Processing Time304542
Min Investment$136K-$90K
E-ResidencyNoNoNo
Digital Nomad VisaYesYesNo
Residency Details
Visa Programs Available322
Citizenship Timeline-7-
Dual CitizenshipNoYesYes
Immigration Score877
Tax Res. Details
Tax Residency Days183-183
Personal Tax Top Rate02525
Territorial TaxationYesYesNo
Special Tax RegimeNoNoNo
Exit TaxNoNoNo
Practical Details
Banking Difficultyeasymoderatevery_difficult
100% Foreign OwnershipYesYesYes
Company Formation31430
Virtual Office OKYesYesNo
Remote Work Details
Nomad VisaYesYesNo
Tourist Worktoleratedtoleratedillegal
Tourist Visa Days309015
PE Risk Levellowlowlow
Days Before Tax Res.183-183
Internet Speed1206010
Coworking/mo$350$200-
Family Details
Safety Index885565
Int'l SchoolsYesYesNo
Homeschoolinglegal_with_restrictionslegal-
Healthcare Quality807530
Cost of Living905228
Ecosystem Details
Unicorns800
English Business EnvYesNoNo
Talent Pool Quality724510

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