Sao Tome and Principe, Spain, Thailand, Italy: Startup Funding & Business Setup Compared

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

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4 selectedClear all
🇪🇸Spain
69
Worldwide
🇹🇭Thailand
57
Worldwide
🇸🇹Sao Tome and Principe
46
Worldwide
🇮🇹Italy
70
Worldwide

Dimension Profile

Shape = jurisdiction fingerprint. Gap = your decision.

Tax Regime Comparison3
🇪🇸SpainWorldwide47%
🇹🇭ThailandWorldwide35%
🇸🇹Sao Tome and PrincipeWorldwide25%
🇮🇹ItalyWorldwide43%
Exit tax applies in one jurisdictionCritical

Spain has 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 Italy 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 countries in this comparison do 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
🇹🇭Thailand57
🇸🇹Sao Tome and Principe46
🇮🇹Italy70
Dimension Scores
Corporate Tax
32
43
17
32
Funding
100
70
40
100
Visa
90
90
50
90
Residency
43
58
56
68
Tax Res.
45
60
55
55
Practical
96
58
55
83
Remote Work
64
72
52
64
Family
95
80
70
85
Ecosystem
60
60
40
65
Corporate Tax Details
Corporate Tax Rate25%20%25%27.9%
Capital Gains Tax28%0%0%26%
Tax Treaties96613100
Territorial SystemNoNoNoNo
Funding Details
Active VCs10020080
Government GrantsYesYesNoYes
EU Funding EligibleYesNoNoYes
Visa Details
Has Startup VisaYesYesNoYes
Processing Time45604260
Min Investment--$90K-
E-ResidencyNoNoNoNo
Digital Nomad VisaYesYesNoYes
Residency Details
Visa Programs Available2224
Citizenship Timeline1012-10
Dual CitizenshipNoNoYesYes
Immigration Score7676
Tax Res. Details
Tax Residency Days183180183183
Personal Tax Top Rate47352543
Territorial TaxationNoNoNoNo
Special Tax RegimeYesNoNoYes
Exit TaxYesNoNoNo
Practical Details
Banking Difficultyeasymoderatevery_difficultmoderate
100% Foreign OwnershipYesNoYesYes
Company Formation7143030
Virtual Office OKYesYesNoYes
Remote Work Details
Nomad VisaYesYesNoYes
Tourist Workgray_areagray_areaillegalgray_area
Tourist Visa Days90301590
PE Risk Levelmoderatelowlowmoderate
Days Before Tax Res.183180183183
Internet Speed22020010117
Coworking/mo$250$150-$275
Family Details
Safety Index72626565
Int'l SchoolsYesYesNoYes
Homeschoolinglegal_with_restrictionslegal_with_restrictions-legal_with_restrictions
Healthcare Quality82723082
Cost of Living55402855
Ecosystem Details
Unicorns5309
English Business EnvNoNoNoNo
Talent Pool Quality70551065

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