Sao Tome and Principe, Spain, Netherlands: 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.

Select Countries

SingaporeCyprusEstoniaUruguayPanamaPortugalCosta RicaBelizeSwitzerlandMaltaUnited KingdomCanadaGreeceItalyParaguaySpainGeorgiaUnited Arab EmiratesGermanyIrelandIndonesiaColombiaNetherlandsArgentinaMexicoThailandSao Tome and Principe
3 selectedClear all
🇪🇸Spain
69
Worldwide
🇳🇱Netherlands
59
Worldwide
🇸🇹Sao Tome and Principe
46
Worldwide

Dimension Profile

Shape = jurisdiction fingerprint. Gap = your decision.

Tax Regime Comparison3
🇪🇸SpainWorldwide47%
🇳🇱NetherlandsWorldwide49.5%
🇸🇹Sao Tome and PrincipeWorldwide25%
Exit tax applies in one jurisdictionCritical

Spain and Netherlands 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.

24.5pp personal tax rate spreadReview

Both countries tax worldwide income, but the top personal income tax rates differ materially. Netherlands: 49.5% vs Sao Tome and Principe: 25%. Both apply to all global earnings once you establish residency.

CFC rules apply in one jurisdictionReview

Spain and Netherlands 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
🇳🇱Netherlands59
🇸🇹Sao Tome and Principe46
Dimension Scores
Corporate Tax
32
39
17
Funding
100
100
40
Visa
90
75
50
Residency
43
73
56
Tax Res.
45
45
55
Practical
96
100
55
Remote Work
64
39
52
Family
95
90
70
Ecosystem
60
100
40
Corporate Tax Details
Corporate Tax Rate25%25.8%25%
Capital Gains Tax28%36%0%
Tax Treaties961003
Territorial SystemNoNoNo
Funding Details
Active VCs1002000
Government GrantsYesYesNo
EU Funding EligibleYesYesNo
Visa Details
Has Startup VisaYesYesNo
Processing Time453042
Min Investment--$90K
E-ResidencyNoNoNo
Digital Nomad VisaYesNoNo
Residency Details
Visa Programs Available232
Citizenship Timeline105-
Dual CitizenshipNoNoYes
Immigration Score787
Tax Res. Details
Tax Residency Days183183183
Personal Tax Top Rate475025
Territorial TaxationNoNoNo
Special Tax RegimeYesYesNo
Exit TaxYesYesNo
Practical Details
Banking Difficultyeasyeasyvery_difficult
100% Foreign OwnershipYesYesYes
Company Formation7530
Virtual Office OKYesYesNo
Remote Work Details
Nomad VisaYesNoNo
Tourist Workgray_areagray_areaillegal
Tourist Visa Days909015
PE Risk Levelmoderatehighlow
Days Before Tax Res.183183183
Internet Speed22030010
Coworking/mo$250$300-
Family Details
Safety Index727865
Int'l SchoolsYesYesNo
Homeschoolinglegal_with_restrictionsillegal-
Healthcare Quality828530
Cost of Living558028
Ecosystem Details
Unicorns5120
English Business EnvNoYesNo
Talent Pool Quality708210

Next steps

Ready to take action?

Ready to incorporate in Spain?

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 Spain.

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