Mexico, Spain, Thailand: Visa Options & Business Setup Compared

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

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3 selectedClear all
🇪🇸Spain
69
Worldwide
🇲🇽Mexico
58
Worldwide
🇹🇭Thailand
57
Worldwide

Dimension Profile

Shape = jurisdiction fingerprint. Gap = your decision.

Tax Regime Comparison3
🇪🇸SpainWorldwide47%
🇲🇽MexicoWorldwide35%
🇹🇭ThailandWorldwide35%
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 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 Mexico: 35%. Both apply to all global earnings once you establish residency.

CFC rules apply in one jurisdictionReview

Spain and Mexico 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
🇹🇭Thailand57
Dimension Scores
Corporate Tax
32
15
43
Funding
100
85
70
Visa
90
50
90
Residency
43
65
58
Tax Res.
45
40
60
Practical
96
73
58
Remote Work
64
56
72
Family
95
80
80
Ecosystem
60
70
60
Corporate Tax Details
Corporate Tax Rate25%30%20%
Capital Gains Tax28%30%0%
Tax Treaties966561
Territorial SystemNoNoNo
Funding Details
Active VCs1008220
Government GrantsYesYesYes
EU Funding EligibleYesNoNo
Visa Details
Has Startup VisaYesNoYes
Processing Time453060
Min Investment-$40K-
E-ResidencyNoNoNo
Digital Nomad VisaYesNoYes
Residency Details
Visa Programs Available232
Citizenship Timeline10512
Dual CitizenshipNoYesNo
Immigration Score776
Tax Res. Details
Tax Residency Days183183180
Personal Tax Top Rate473535
Territorial TaxationNoNoNo
Special Tax RegimeYesNoNo
Exit TaxYesYesNo
Practical Details
Banking Difficultyeasymoderatemoderate
100% Foreign OwnershipYesYesNo
Company Formation71014
Virtual Office OKYesYesYes
Remote Work Details
Nomad VisaYesNoYes
Tourist Workgray_areatoleratedgray_area
Tourist Visa Days9018030
PE Risk Levelmoderatemoderatelow
Days Before Tax Res.183183180
Internet Speed22055200
Coworking/mo$250$150$150
Family Details
Safety Index724162
Int'l SchoolsYesYesYes
Homeschoolinglegal_with_restrictionslegallegal_with_restrictions
Healthcare Quality826572
Cost of Living554840
Ecosystem Details
Unicorns5183
English Business EnvNoNoNo
Talent Pool Quality706855

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