Mexico, Greece, 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.

Select Countries

SingaporeCyprusEstoniaUruguayPanamaPortugalCosta RicaBelizeSwitzerlandMaltaUnited KingdomCanadaGreeceItalyParaguaySpainGeorgiaUnited Arab EmiratesGermanyIrelandIndonesiaColombiaNetherlandsArgentinaMexicoThailandSao Tome and Principe
4 selectedClear all
🇪🇸Spain
69
Worldwide
🇲🇽Mexico
58
Worldwide
🇸🇹Sao Tome and Principe
46
Worldwide
🇬🇷Greece
70
Worldwide

Dimension Profile

Shape = jurisdiction fingerprint. Gap = your decision.

Tax Regime Comparison3
🇪🇸SpainWorldwide47%
🇲🇽MexicoWorldwide35%
🇸🇹Sao Tome and PrincipeWorldwide25%
🇬🇷GreeceWorldwide44%
Exit tax applies in one jurisdictionCritical

Spain and Mexico 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.

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 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
🇲🇽Mexico58
🇸🇹Sao Tome and Principe46
🇬🇷Greece70
Dimension Scores
Corporate Tax
32
15
17
52
Funding
100
85
40
85
Visa
90
50
50
85
Residency
43
65
56
60
Tax Res.
45
40
55
45
Practical
96
73
55
83
Remote Work
64
56
52
79
Family
95
80
70
85
Ecosystem
60
70
40
65
Corporate Tax Details
Corporate Tax Rate25%30%25%22%
Capital Gains Tax28%30%0%22%
Tax Treaties9665357
Territorial SystemNoNoNoNo
Funding Details
Active VCs10082016
Government GrantsYesYesNoYes
EU Funding EligibleYesNoNoYes
Visa Details
Has Startup VisaYesNoNoYes
Processing Time453042120
Min Investment-$40K$90K$272K
E-ResidencyNoNoNoNo
Digital Nomad VisaYesNoNoYes
Residency Details
Visa Programs Available2326
Citizenship Timeline105-7
Dual CitizenshipNoYesYesYes
Immigration Score7776
Tax Res. Details
Tax Residency Days183183183183
Personal Tax Top Rate47352544
Territorial TaxationNoNoNoNo
Special Tax RegimeYesNoNoYes
Exit TaxYesYesNoYes
Practical Details
Banking Difficultyeasymoderatevery_difficultmoderate
100% Foreign OwnershipYesYesYesYes
Company Formation7103010
Virtual Office OKYesYesNoYes
Remote Work Details
Nomad VisaYesNoNoYes
Tourist Workgray_areatoleratedillegalillegal
Tourist Visa Days901801590
PE Risk Levelmoderatemoderatelowmoderate
Days Before Tax Res.183183183183
Internet Speed220551093
Coworking/mo$250$150-$175
Family Details
Safety Index72416554
Int'l SchoolsYesYesNoYes
Homeschoolinglegal_with_restrictionslegal-legal_with_restrictions
Healthcare Quality82653059
Cost of Living55482840
Ecosystem Details
Unicorns51802
English Business EnvNoNoNoYes
Talent Pool Quality70681068

Next steps

Ready to take action?

Ready to incorporate in Spain?

Recommended services used by founders targeting this jurisdiction.

Affiliate links - we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Open a business bank account

Best options for founders incorporated in or targeting Spain.

Affiliate links - we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Discussion (0)

A community of sovereign individuals - founders, families, and remote operators. Share what you know, ask what you don't.

No comments yet - be the first to share what you know about this page.

BEYOND SCORES

Track entities, compliance, and residency days

NomadSignal is more than country scores. Manage your multi-jurisdiction business with pathway playbooks, presence tracking, compliance alerts, and an AI advisor that knows your data.

See the platformPricing