Portugal, Greece, Ireland, Cyprus: Remote Work & Tax Rates Compared

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

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4 selectedClear all
🇵🇹Portugal
76
IFICI (Incentivo Fiscal para a Internacionalização de Competências e Investimento)
🇮🇪Ireland
62
Remittance-Based
🇨🇾Cyprus
81
Worldwide
🇬🇷Greece
70
Worldwide

Dimension Profile

Shape = jurisdiction fingerprint. Gap = your decision.

Tax Regime Comparison5
🇵🇹PortugalIFICI (Incentivo Fiscal para a Internacionalização de Competências e Investimento)48%
🇮🇪IrelandRemittance-Based40%
🇨🇾CyprusWorldwide35%
🇬🇷GreeceWorldwide44%
Tax system mismatchCritical

Cyprus and Greece tax all worldwide income once you become a tax resident (top rate: 44%). Portugal does not - only locally-sourced income is taxed. This is a fundamental structural difference that affects your total effective tax burden.

Exit tax applies in one jurisdictionCritical

Portugal and Ireland 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.

13pp personal tax rate spreadNote

Both countries tax worldwide income, but the top personal income tax rates differ materially. Portugal: 48% vs Cyprus: 35%. Both apply to all global earnings once you establish residency.

CFC rules apply in one jurisdictionReview

Portugal and Ireland 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.

Special tax regime available in one jurisdictionNote

Portugal (IFICI (Incentivo Fiscal para a Internacionalização de Competências e Investimento)) offers a qualifying program that may exempt foreign-source income from local tax for up to 10 years. This can significantly reduce your effective rate compared to the standard regime.

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
🇵🇹Portugal76
🇮🇪Ireland62
🇨🇾Cyprus81
🇬🇷Greece70
Dimension Scores
Corporate Tax
55
83
83
52
Funding
95
100
85
85
Visa
90
80
90
85
Residency
78
75
65
60
Tax Res.
45
60
70
45
Practical
91
86
86
83
Remote Work
69
39
64
79
Family
95
80
100
85
Ecosystem
90
75
65
65
Corporate Tax Details
Corporate Tax Rate21%12.5%12.5%22%
Capital Gains Tax28%33%0%22%
Tax Treaties78766557
Territorial SystemNoNoNoNo
Funding Details
Active VCs48652016
Government GrantsYesYesYesYes
EU Funding EligibleYesYesYesYes
Visa Details
Has Startup VisaYesYesYesYes
Processing Time909060120
Min Investment$0$55K$30K$272K
E-ResidencyNoNoNoNo
Digital Nomad VisaYesNoYesYes
Residency Details
Visa Programs Available3336
Citizenship Timeline5577
Dual CitizenshipYesYesYesYes
Immigration Score8576
Tax Res. Details
Tax Residency Days183183183183
Personal Tax Top Rate48403544
Territorial TaxationNoNoNoNo
Special Tax RegimeYesYesYesYes
Exit TaxYesYesNoYes
Practical Details
Banking Difficultymoderatemoderatemoderatemoderate
100% Foreign OwnershipYesYesYesYes
Company Formation35510
Virtual Office OKYesYesYesYes
Remote Work Details
Nomad VisaYesNoYesYes
Tourist Workgray_areagray_areagray_areaillegal
Tourist Visa Days90909090
PE Risk Levelmoderatehighmoderatemoderate
Days Before Tax Res.18318360183
Internet Speed85906593
Coworking/mo$180$300$180$175
Family Details
Safety Index82628054
Int'l SchoolsYesYesYesYes
Homeschoolinglegal_with_restrictionslegallegal_with_restrictionslegal_with_restrictions
Healthcare Quality76757559
Cost of Living68957040
Ecosystem Details
Unicorns61212
English Business EnvYesYesYesYes
Talent Pool Quality72606068

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