Portugal, Thailand, Greece, Switzerland: Visa Options & Remote Work Compared

Side-by-side breakdown of visa options, remote work, startup ecosystem, and 6 more dimensions for founders choosing where to incorporate in 2026.

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4 selectedClear all
🇨🇭Switzerland
73
Lump-Sum Taxation (Forfait / Expenditure-Based Taxation)
🇵🇹Portugal
76
IFICI (Incentivo Fiscal para a Internacionalização de Competências e Investimento)
🇹🇭Thailand
57
Worldwide
🇬🇷Greece
70
Worldwide

Dimension Profile

Shape = jurisdiction fingerprint. Gap = your decision.

Tax Regime Comparison5
🇨🇭SwitzerlandLump-Sum Taxation (Forfait / Expenditure-Based Taxation)40%
🇵🇹PortugalIFICI (Incentivo Fiscal para a Internacionalização de Competências e Investimento)48%
🇹🇭ThailandWorldwide35%
🇬🇷GreeceWorldwide44%
Tax system mismatchCritical

Thailand and Greece tax all worldwide income once you become a tax resident (top rate: 44%). Switzerland and Portugal do 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 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 countries in this comparison do 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 Thailand: 35%. Both apply to all global earnings once you establish residency.

CFC rules apply in one jurisdictionReview

Switzerland and Portugal 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

Switzerland (Lump-Sum Taxation (Forfait / Expenditure-Based Taxation)), Portugal (IFICI (Incentivo Fiscal para a Internacionalização de Competências e Investimento)) offer a qualifying program that may exempt foreign-source income from local tax. 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
🇨🇭Switzerland73
🇵🇹Portugal76
🇹🇭Thailand57
🇬🇷Greece70
Dimension Scores
Corporate Tax
75
55
43
52
Funding
85
95
70
85
Visa
40
90
90
85
Residency
60
78
58
60
Tax Res.
70
45
60
45
Practical
88
91
58
83
Remote Work
39
69
72
79
Family
75
95
80
85
Ecosystem
100
90
60
65
Corporate Tax Details
Corporate Tax Rate14.9%21%20%22%
Capital Gains Tax0%28%0%22%
Tax Treaties100786157
Territorial SystemNoNoNoNo
Funding Details
Active VCs80482016
Government GrantsYesYesYesYes
EU Funding EligibleNoYesNoYes
Visa Details
Has Startup VisaNoYesYesYes
Processing Time459060120
Min Investment-$0-$272K
E-ResidencyNoNoNoNo
Digital Nomad VisaNoYesYesYes
Residency Details
Visa Programs Available3326
Citizenship Timeline105127
Dual CitizenshipYesYesNoYes
Immigration Score6866
Tax Res. Details
Tax Residency Days90183180183
Personal Tax Top Rate40483544
Territorial TaxationNoNoNoNo
Special Tax RegimeYesYesNoYes
Exit TaxNoYesNoYes
Practical Details
Banking Difficultyeasymoderatemoderatemoderate
100% Foreign OwnershipYesYesNoYes
Company Formation531410
Virtual Office OKNoYesYesYes
Remote Work Details
Nomad VisaNoYesYesYes
Tourist Workillegalgray_areagray_areaillegal
Tourist Visa Days90903090
PE Risk Levelhighmoderatelowmoderate
Days Before Tax Res.90183180183
Internet Speed2008520093
Coworking/mo$400$180$150$175
Family Details
Safety Index90826254
Int'l SchoolsYesYesYesYes
Homeschoolinglegal_with_restrictionslegal_with_restrictionslegal_with_restrictionslegal_with_restrictions
Healthcare Quality95767259
Cost of Living140684040
Ecosystem Details
Unicorns12632
English Business EnvYesYesNoYes
Talent Pool Quality85725568

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