Sao Tome and Principe, United Kingdom, Italy, Spain: 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
🇬🇧United Kingdom
71
Worldwide
🇸🇹Sao Tome and Principe
46
Worldwide
🇮🇹Italy
70
Worldwide

Dimension Profile

Shape = jurisdiction fingerprint. Gap = your decision.

Tax Regime Comparison3
🇪🇸SpainWorldwide47%
🇬🇧United KingdomWorldwide45%
🇸🇹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 United Kingdom 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 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
🇬🇧United Kingdom71
🇸🇹Sao Tome and Principe46
🇮🇹Italy70
Dimension Scores
Corporate Tax
32
42
17
32
Funding
100
85
40
100
Visa
90
80
50
90
Residency
43
65
56
68
Tax Res.
45
45
55
55
Practical
96
100
55
83
Remote Work
64
43
52
64
Family
95
80
70
85
Ecosystem
60
100
40
65
Corporate Tax Details
Corporate Tax Rate25%25%25%27.9%
Capital Gains Tax28%24%0%26%
Tax Treaties961303100
Territorial SystemNoNoNoNo
Funding Details
Active VCs100650080
Government GrantsYesYesNoYes
EU Funding EligibleYesNoNoYes
Visa Details
Has Startup VisaYesYesNoYes
Processing Time45564260
Min Investment-$0$90K-
E-ResidencyNoNoNoNo
Digital Nomad VisaYesNoNoYes
Residency Details
Visa Programs Available2324
Citizenship Timeline106-10
Dual CitizenshipNoYesYesYes
Immigration Score7776
Tax Res. Details
Tax Residency Days183183183183
Personal Tax Top Rate47452543
Territorial TaxationNoNoNoNo
Special Tax RegimeYesNoNoYes
Exit TaxYesNoNoNo
Practical Details
Banking Difficultyeasyeasyvery_difficultmoderate
100% Foreign OwnershipYesYesYesYes
Company Formation713030
Virtual Office OKYesYesNoYes
Remote Work Details
Nomad VisaYesNoNoYes
Tourist Workgray_areaillegalillegalgray_area
Tourist Visa Days901801590
PE Risk Levelmoderatevery_highlowmoderate
Days Before Tax Res.183183183183
Internet Speed2208510117
Coworking/mo$250$400-$275
Family Details
Safety Index72656565
Int'l SchoolsYesYesNoYes
Homeschoolinglegal_with_restrictionslegal-legal_with_restrictions
Healthcare Quality82783082
Cost of Living551052855
Ecosystem Details
Unicorns57509
English Business EnvNoYesNoNo
Talent Pool Quality70901065

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