Panama, Costa Rica, Sao Tome and Principe, Thailand: Tax Rates & Visa Options Compared

Side-by-side breakdown of tax rates, visa options, remote work, 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
🇵🇦Panama
76
Territorial
🇹🇭Thailand
57
Worldwide
🇨🇷Costa Rica
75
Territorial
🇸🇹Sao Tome and Principe
46
Worldwide

Dimension Profile

Shape = jurisdiction fingerprint. Gap = your decision.

Tax Regime Comparison2
🇵🇦PanamaTerritorial25%
🇹🇭ThailandWorldwide35%
🇨🇷Costa RicaTerritorial25%
🇸🇹Sao Tome and PrincipeWorldwide25%
Tax system mismatchCritical

Thailand and Sao Tome and Principe tax all worldwide income once you become a tax resident (top rate: 35%). Panama and Costa Rica do not - only locally-sourced income is taxed. This is a fundamental structural difference that affects your total effective tax burden.

10pp personal tax rate spreadNote

Both countries tax worldwide income, but the top personal income tax rates differ materially. Thailand: 35% vs Sao Tome and Principe: 25%. Both apply to all global earnings once you establish residency.

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
🇵🇦Panama76
🇹🇭Thailand57
🇨🇷Costa Rica75
🇸🇹Sao Tome and Principe46
Dimension Scores
Corporate Tax
100
43
100
17
Funding
60
70
60
40
Visa
90
90
90
50
Residency
73
58
58
56
Tax Res.
80
60
75
55
Practical
81
58
78
55
Remote Work
88
72
84
52
Family
80
80
80
70
Ecosystem
40
60
40
40
Corporate Tax Details
Corporate Tax Rate25%20%30%25%
Capital Gains Tax10%0%15%0%
Tax Treaties1761123
Territorial SystemYesNoYesNo
Funding Details
Active VCs122080
Government GrantsYesYesYesNo
EU Funding EligibleNoNoNoNo
Visa Details
Has Startup VisaYesYesYesNo
Processing Time30604542
Min Investment$200K--$90K
E-ResidencyNoNoNoNo
Digital Nomad VisaYesYesYesNo
Residency Details
Visa Programs Available3222
Citizenship Timeline5127-
Dual CitizenshipYesNoYesYes
Immigration Score8677
Tax Res. Details
Tax Residency Days183180-183
Personal Tax Top Rate25352525
Territorial TaxationYesNoYesNo
Special Tax RegimeNoNoNoNo
Exit TaxNoNoNoNo
Practical Details
Banking Difficultymoderatemoderatemoderatevery_difficult
100% Foreign OwnershipYesNoYesYes
Company Formation5141430
Virtual Office OKYesYesYesNo
Remote Work Details
Nomad VisaYesYesYesNo
Tourist Worktoleratedgray_areatoleratedillegal
Tourist Visa Days180309015
PE Risk Levellowlowlowlow
Days Before Tax Res.183180-183
Internet Speed502006010
Coworking/mo$200$150$200-
Family Details
Safety Index55625565
Int'l SchoolsYesYesYesNo
Homeschoolinglegallegal_with_restrictionslegal-
Healthcare Quality68727530
Cost of Living65405228
Ecosystem Details
Unicorns0300
English Business EnvNoNoNoNo
Talent Pool Quality48554510

Next steps

Ready to take action?

Ready to incorporate in Panama?

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 Panama.

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