Mexico, Colombia, Sao Tome and Principe, Spain: Startup Funding & Business Setup Compared

Side-by-side breakdown of startup funding, business setup, visa options, and 6 more dimensions for founders choosing where to incorporate in 2026.

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4 selectedClear all
🇪🇸Spain
69
Worldwide
🇲🇽Mexico
58
Worldwide
🇨🇴Colombia
59
Worldwide
🇸🇹Sao Tome and Principe
46
Worldwide

Dimension Profile

Shape = jurisdiction fingerprint. Gap = your decision.

Tax Regime Comparison3
🇪🇸SpainWorldwide47%
🇲🇽MexicoWorldwide35%
🇨🇴ColombiaWorldwide39%
🇸🇹Sao Tome and PrincipeWorldwide25%
Exit tax applies in one jurisdictionCritical

Spain and Mexico 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 countries in this comparison do not have an exit tax.

22pp personal tax rate spreadReview

Both countries tax worldwide income, but the top personal income tax rates differ materially. Spain: 47% vs Sao Tome and Principe: 25%. Both apply to all global earnings once you establish residency.

CFC rules apply in one jurisdictionReview

Spain and Mexico and Colombia 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
🇲🇽Mexico58
🇨🇴Colombia59
🇸🇹Sao Tome and Principe46
Dimension Scores
Corporate Tax
32
15
0
17
Funding
100
85
85
40
Visa
90
50
60
50
Residency
43
65
70
56
Tax Res.
45
40
50
55
Practical
96
73
86
55
Remote Work
64
56
79
52
Family
95
80
80
70
Ecosystem
60
70
60
40
Corporate Tax Details
Corporate Tax Rate25%30%35%25%
Capital Gains Tax28%30%10%0%
Tax Treaties9665173
Territorial SystemNoNoNoNo
Funding Details
Active VCs10082550
Government GrantsYesYesYesNo
EU Funding EligibleYesNoNoNo
Visa Details
Has Startup VisaYesNoNoNo
Processing Time45304542
Min Investment-$40K$27K$90K
E-ResidencyNoNoNoNo
Digital Nomad VisaYesNoYesNo
Residency Details
Visa Programs Available2332
Citizenship Timeline1055-
Dual CitizenshipNoYesYesYes
Immigration Score7777
Tax Res. Details
Tax Residency Days183183183183
Personal Tax Top Rate47353925
Territorial TaxationNoNoNoNo
Special Tax RegimeYesNoNoNo
Exit TaxYesYesNoNo
Practical Details
Banking Difficultyeasymoderatemoderatevery_difficult
100% Foreign OwnershipYesYesYesYes
Company Formation710530
Virtual Office OKYesYesYesNo
Remote Work Details
Nomad VisaYesNoYesNo
Tourist Workgray_areatoleratedtoleratedillegal
Tourist Visa Days901809015
PE Risk Levelmoderatemoderatelowlow
Days Before Tax Res.183183183183
Internet Speed220554510
Coworking/mo$250$150$120-
Family Details
Safety Index72414465
Int'l SchoolsYesYesYesNo
Homeschoolinglegal_with_restrictionslegallegal-
Healthcare Quality82656530
Cost of Living55484228
Ecosystem Details
Unicorns51850
English Business EnvNoNoNoNo
Talent Pool Quality70686210

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