Greece, United Kingdom, Sao Tome and Principe, Costa Rica: 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.

Select Countries

SingaporeCyprusEstoniaUruguayPanamaPortugalCosta RicaBelizeSwitzerlandMaltaUnited KingdomCanadaGreeceItalyParaguaySpainGeorgiaUnited Arab EmiratesGermanyIrelandIndonesiaColombiaNetherlandsArgentinaMexicoThailandSao Tome and Principe
4 selectedClear all
🇬🇧United Kingdom
71
Worldwide
🇨🇷Costa Rica
75
Territorial
🇸🇹Sao Tome and Principe
46
Worldwide
🇬🇷Greece
70
Worldwide

Dimension Profile

Shape = jurisdiction fingerprint. Gap = your decision.

Tax Regime Comparison4
🇬🇧United KingdomWorldwide45%
🇨🇷Costa RicaTerritorial25%
🇸🇹Sao Tome and PrincipeWorldwide25%
🇬🇷GreeceWorldwide44%
Tax system mismatchCritical

United Kingdom and Sao Tome and Principe and Greece 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.

Exit tax applies in one jurisdictionCritical

Greece 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.

20pp personal tax rate spreadReview

Both countries tax worldwide income, but the top personal income tax rates differ materially. United Kingdom: 45% vs Sao Tome and Principe: 25%. Both apply to all global earnings once you establish residency.

CFC rules apply in one jurisdictionReview

United Kingdom 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 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
🇬🇧United Kingdom71
🇨🇷Costa Rica75
🇸🇹Sao Tome and Principe46
🇬🇷Greece70
Dimension Scores
Corporate Tax
42
100
17
52
Funding
85
60
40
85
Visa
80
90
50
85
Residency
65
58
56
60
Tax Res.
45
75
55
45
Practical
100
78
55
83
Remote Work
43
84
52
79
Family
80
80
70
85
Ecosystem
100
40
40
65
Corporate Tax Details
Corporate Tax Rate25%30%25%22%
Capital Gains Tax24%15%0%22%
Tax Treaties13012357
Territorial SystemNoYesNoNo
Funding Details
Active VCs6508016
Government GrantsYesYesNoYes
EU Funding EligibleNoNoNoYes
Visa Details
Has Startup VisaYesYesNoYes
Processing Time564542120
Min Investment$0-$90K$272K
E-ResidencyNoNoNoNo
Digital Nomad VisaNoYesNoYes
Residency Details
Visa Programs Available3226
Citizenship Timeline67-7
Dual CitizenshipYesYesYesYes
Immigration Score7776
Tax Res. Details
Tax Residency Days183-183183
Personal Tax Top Rate45252544
Territorial TaxationNoYesNoNo
Special Tax RegimeNoNoNoYes
Exit TaxNoNoNoYes
Practical Details
Banking Difficultyeasymoderatevery_difficultmoderate
100% Foreign OwnershipYesYesYesYes
Company Formation1143010
Virtual Office OKYesYesNoYes
Remote Work Details
Nomad VisaNoYesNoYes
Tourist Workillegaltoleratedillegalillegal
Tourist Visa Days180901590
PE Risk Levelvery_highlowlowmoderate
Days Before Tax Res.183-183183
Internet Speed85601093
Coworking/mo$400$200-$175
Family Details
Safety Index65556554
Int'l SchoolsYesYesNoYes
Homeschoolinglegallegal-legal_with_restrictions
Healthcare Quality78753059
Cost of Living105522840
Ecosystem Details
Unicorns75002
English Business EnvYesNoNoYes
Talent Pool Quality90451068

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