Sao Tome and Principe, Mexico, Spain, United Kingdom: Startup Funding & Startup Ecosystem Compared

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

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4 selectedClear all
🇪🇸Spain
69
Worldwide
🇲🇽Mexico
58
Worldwide
🇬🇧United Kingdom
71
Worldwide
🇸🇹Sao Tome and Principe
46
Worldwide

Dimension Profile

Shape = jurisdiction fingerprint. Gap = your decision.

Tax Regime Comparison3
🇪🇸SpainWorldwide47%
🇲🇽MexicoWorldwide35%
🇬🇧United KingdomWorldwide45%
🇸🇹Sao Tome and PrincipeWorldwide25%
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 countries in this comparison do 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 United Kingdom 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
🇬🇧United Kingdom71
🇸🇹Sao Tome and Principe46
Dimension Scores
Corporate Tax
32
15
42
17
Funding
100
85
85
40
Visa
90
50
80
50
Residency
43
65
65
56
Tax Res.
45
40
45
55
Practical
96
73
100
55
Remote Work
64
56
43
52
Family
95
80
80
70
Ecosystem
60
70
100
40
Corporate Tax Details
Corporate Tax Rate25%30%25%25%
Capital Gains Tax28%30%24%0%
Tax Treaties96651303
Territorial SystemNoNoNoNo
Funding Details
Active VCs100826500
Government GrantsYesYesYesNo
EU Funding EligibleYesNoNoNo
Visa Details
Has Startup VisaYesNoYesNo
Processing Time45305642
Min Investment-$40K$0$90K
E-ResidencyNoNoNoNo
Digital Nomad VisaYesNoNoNo
Residency Details
Visa Programs Available2332
Citizenship Timeline1056-
Dual CitizenshipNoYesYesYes
Immigration Score7777
Tax Res. Details
Tax Residency Days183183183183
Personal Tax Top Rate47354525
Territorial TaxationNoNoNoNo
Special Tax RegimeYesNoNoNo
Exit TaxYesYesNoNo
Practical Details
Banking Difficultyeasymoderateeasyvery_difficult
100% Foreign OwnershipYesYesYesYes
Company Formation710130
Virtual Office OKYesYesYesNo
Remote Work Details
Nomad VisaYesNoNoNo
Tourist Workgray_areatoleratedillegalillegal
Tourist Visa Days9018018015
PE Risk Levelmoderatemoderatevery_highlow
Days Before Tax Res.183183183183
Internet Speed220558510
Coworking/mo$250$150$400-
Family Details
Safety Index72416565
Int'l SchoolsYesYesYesNo
Homeschoolinglegal_with_restrictionslegallegal-
Healthcare Quality82657830
Cost of Living554810528
Ecosystem Details
Unicorns518750
English Business EnvNoNoYesNo
Talent Pool Quality70689010

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