Sao Tome and Principe, United Kingdom, 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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3 selectedClear all
🇪🇸Spain
69
Worldwide
🇬🇧United Kingdom
71
Worldwide
🇸🇹Sao Tome and Principe
46
Worldwide

Dimension Profile

Shape = jurisdiction fingerprint. Gap = your decision.

Tax Regime Comparison3
🇪🇸SpainWorldwide47%
🇬🇧United KingdomWorldwide45%
🇸🇹Sao Tome and PrincipeWorldwide25%
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 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
Dimension Scores
Corporate Tax
32
42
17
Funding
100
85
40
Visa
90
80
50
Residency
43
65
56
Tax Res.
45
45
55
Practical
96
100
55
Remote Work
64
43
52
Family
95
80
70
Ecosystem
60
100
40
Corporate Tax Details
Corporate Tax Rate25%25%25%
Capital Gains Tax28%24%0%
Tax Treaties961303
Territorial SystemNoNoNo
Funding Details
Active VCs1006500
Government GrantsYesYesNo
EU Funding EligibleYesNoNo
Visa Details
Has Startup VisaYesYesNo
Processing Time455642
Min Investment-$0$90K
E-ResidencyNoNoNo
Digital Nomad VisaYesNoNo
Residency Details
Visa Programs Available232
Citizenship Timeline106-
Dual CitizenshipNoYesYes
Immigration Score777
Tax Res. Details
Tax Residency Days183183183
Personal Tax Top Rate474525
Territorial TaxationNoNoNo
Special Tax RegimeYesNoNo
Exit TaxYesNoNo
Practical Details
Banking Difficultyeasyeasyvery_difficult
100% Foreign OwnershipYesYesYes
Company Formation7130
Virtual Office OKYesYesNo
Remote Work Details
Nomad VisaYesNoNo
Tourist Workgray_areaillegalillegal
Tourist Visa Days9018015
PE Risk Levelmoderatevery_highlow
Days Before Tax Res.183183183
Internet Speed2208510
Coworking/mo$250$400-
Family Details
Safety Index726565
Int'l SchoolsYesYesNo
Homeschoolinglegal_with_restrictionslegal-
Healthcare Quality827830
Cost of Living5510528
Ecosystem Details
Unicorns5750
English Business EnvNoYesNo
Talent Pool Quality709010

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