Spain, Costa Rica, Greece, Mexico: Tax Rates & Startup Funding Compared

Side-by-side breakdown of tax rates, startup funding, visa options, 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
🇨🇷Costa Rica
75
Territorial
🇬🇷Greece
70
Worldwide

Dimension Profile

Shape = jurisdiction fingerprint. Gap = your decision.

Tax Regime Comparison4
🇪🇸SpainWorldwide47%
🇲🇽MexicoWorldwide35%
🇨🇷Costa RicaTerritorial25%
🇬🇷GreeceWorldwide44%
Tax system mismatchCritical

Spain and Mexico and Greece tax all worldwide income once you become a tax resident (top rate: 47%). Costa Rica does not - only locally-sourced income is taxed. This is a fundamental structural difference that affects your total effective tax burden.

Exit tax applies in one jurisdictionCritical

Spain and Mexico and Greece 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.

12pp personal tax rate spreadNote

Both countries tax worldwide income, but the top personal income tax rates differ materially. Spain: 47% vs Mexico: 35%. Both apply to all global earnings once you establish residency.

CFC rules apply in one jurisdictionReview

Spain and Mexico and Greece 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
🇨🇷Costa Rica75
🇬🇷Greece70
Dimension Scores
Corporate Tax
32
15
100
52
Funding
100
85
60
85
Visa
90
50
90
85
Residency
43
65
58
60
Tax Res.
45
40
75
45
Practical
96
73
78
83
Remote Work
64
56
84
79
Family
95
80
80
85
Ecosystem
60
70
40
65
Corporate Tax Details
Corporate Tax Rate25%30%30%22%
Capital Gains Tax28%30%15%22%
Tax Treaties96651257
Territorial SystemNoNoYesNo
Funding Details
Active VCs10082816
Government GrantsYesYesYesYes
EU Funding EligibleYesNoNoYes
Visa Details
Has Startup VisaYesNoYesYes
Processing Time453045120
Min Investment-$40K-$272K
E-ResidencyNoNoNoNo
Digital Nomad VisaYesNoYesYes
Residency Details
Visa Programs Available2326
Citizenship Timeline10577
Dual CitizenshipNoYesYesYes
Immigration Score7776
Tax Res. Details
Tax Residency Days183183-183
Personal Tax Top Rate47352544
Territorial TaxationNoNoYesNo
Special Tax RegimeYesNoNoYes
Exit TaxYesYesNoYes
Practical Details
Banking Difficultyeasymoderatemoderatemoderate
100% Foreign OwnershipYesYesYesYes
Company Formation7101410
Virtual Office OKYesYesYesYes
Remote Work Details
Nomad VisaYesNoYesYes
Tourist Workgray_areatoleratedtoleratedillegal
Tourist Visa Days901809090
PE Risk Levelmoderatemoderatelowmoderate
Days Before Tax Res.183183-183
Internet Speed220556093
Coworking/mo$250$150$200$175
Family Details
Safety Index72415554
Int'l SchoolsYesYesYesYes
Homeschoolinglegal_with_restrictionslegallegallegal_with_restrictions
Healthcare Quality82657559
Cost of Living55485240
Ecosystem Details
Unicorns51802
English Business EnvNoNoNoYes
Talent Pool Quality70684568

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