Malta, Spain, Greece: Residency Pathways & Tax Rates Compared

Side-by-side breakdown of residency pathways, tax rates, personal tax, and 6 more dimensions for founders choosing where to incorporate in 2026.

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3 selectedClear all
🇪🇸Spain
69
Worldwide
🇲🇹Malta
72
Remittance-Based
🇬🇷Greece
70
Worldwide

Dimension Profile

Shape = jurisdiction fingerprint. Gap = your decision.

Tax Regime Comparison3
🇪🇸SpainWorldwide47%
🇲🇹MaltaRemittance-Based35%
🇬🇷GreeceWorldwide44%
Exit tax applies in one jurisdictionCritical

Spain and Greece have 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 country in this comparison does 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 Malta: 35%. Both apply to all global earnings once you establish residency.

CFC rules apply in one jurisdictionReview

Spain 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 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
🇪🇸Spain69
🇲🇹Malta72
🇬🇷Greece70
Dimension Scores
Corporate Tax
32
25
52
Funding
100
85
85
Visa
90
90
85
Residency
43
83
60
Tax Res.
45
70
45
Practical
96
86
83
Remote Work
64
84
79
Family
95
100
85
Ecosystem
60
50
65
Corporate Tax Details
Corporate Tax Rate25%35%22%
Capital Gains Tax28%0%22%
Tax Treaties967757
Territorial SystemNoNoNo
Funding Details
Active VCs1001816
Government GrantsYesYesYes
EU Funding EligibleYesYesYes
Visa Details
Has Startup VisaYesYesYes
Processing Time4560120
Min Investment-$27K$272K
E-ResidencyNoNoNo
Digital Nomad VisaYesYesYes
Residency Details
Visa Programs Available236
Citizenship Timeline1057
Dual CitizenshipNoYesYes
Immigration Score776
Tax Res. Details
Tax Residency Days183183183
Personal Tax Top Rate473544
Territorial TaxationNoNoNo
Special Tax RegimeYesYesYes
Exit TaxYesNoYes
Practical Details
Banking Difficultyeasymoderatemoderate
100% Foreign OwnershipYesYesYes
Company Formation7710
Virtual Office OKYesYesYes
Remote Work Details
Nomad VisaYesYesYes
Tourist Workgray_areatoleratedillegal
Tourist Visa Days909090
PE Risk Levelmoderatelowmoderate
Days Before Tax Res.183183183
Internet Speed2206593
Coworking/mo$250$200$175
Family Details
Safety Index727254
Int'l SchoolsYesYesYes
Homeschoolinglegal_with_restrictionslegal_with_restrictionslegal_with_restrictions
Healthcare Quality827459
Cost of Living557240
Ecosystem Details
Unicorns502
English Business EnvNoYesYes
Talent Pool Quality705568

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