Cyprus, United Kingdom, Thailand, Spain: Tax Rates & Business Setup Compared

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

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4 selectedClear all
🇪🇸Spain
69
Worldwide
🇬🇧United Kingdom
71
Worldwide
🇨🇾Cyprus
81
Worldwide
🇹🇭Thailand
57
Worldwide

Dimension Profile

Shape = jurisdiction fingerprint. Gap = your decision.

Tax Regime Comparison3
🇪🇸SpainWorldwide47%
🇬🇧United KingdomWorldwide45%
🇨🇾CyprusWorldwide35%
🇹🇭ThailandWorldwide35%
Exit tax applies in one jurisdictionCritical

Spain 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.

12pp personal tax rate spreadNote

Both countries tax worldwide income, but the top personal income tax rates differ materially. Spain: 47% vs Cyprus: 35%. Both apply to all global earnings once you establish residency.

CFC rules apply in one jurisdictionReview

Spain and United Kingdom 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 countries in this comparison do 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
🇪🇸Spain69
🇬🇧United Kingdom71
🇨🇾Cyprus81
🇹🇭Thailand57
Dimension Scores
Corporate Tax
32
42
83
43
Funding
100
85
85
70
Visa
90
80
90
90
Residency
43
65
65
58
Tax Res.
45
45
70
60
Practical
96
100
86
58
Remote Work
64
43
64
72
Family
95
80
100
80
Ecosystem
60
100
65
60
Corporate Tax Details
Corporate Tax Rate25%25%12.5%20%
Capital Gains Tax28%24%0%0%
Tax Treaties961306561
Territorial SystemNoNoNoNo
Funding Details
Active VCs1006502020
Government GrantsYesYesYesYes
EU Funding EligibleYesNoYesNo
Visa Details
Has Startup VisaYesYesYesYes
Processing Time45566060
Min Investment-$0$30K-
E-ResidencyNoNoNoNo
Digital Nomad VisaYesNoYesYes
Residency Details
Visa Programs Available2332
Citizenship Timeline106712
Dual CitizenshipNoYesYesNo
Immigration Score7776
Tax Res. Details
Tax Residency Days183183183180
Personal Tax Top Rate47453535
Territorial TaxationNoNoNoNo
Special Tax RegimeYesNoYesNo
Exit TaxYesNoNoNo
Practical Details
Banking Difficultyeasyeasymoderatemoderate
100% Foreign OwnershipYesYesYesNo
Company Formation71514
Virtual Office OKYesYesYesYes
Remote Work Details
Nomad VisaYesNoYesYes
Tourist Workgray_areaillegalgray_areagray_area
Tourist Visa Days901809030
PE Risk Levelmoderatevery_highmoderatelow
Days Before Tax Res.18318360180
Internet Speed2208565200
Coworking/mo$250$400$180$150
Family Details
Safety Index72658062
Int'l SchoolsYesYesYesYes
Homeschoolinglegal_with_restrictionslegallegal_with_restrictionslegal_with_restrictions
Healthcare Quality82787572
Cost of Living551057040
Ecosystem Details
Unicorns57513
English Business EnvNoYesYesNo
Talent Pool Quality70906055

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