Spain, Ireland, Portugal, Thailand: Tax Rates & Business Setup Compared

Side-by-side breakdown of tax rates, business setup, residency pathways, and 6 more dimensions for founders choosing where to incorporate in 2026.

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4 selectedClear all
🇮🇪Ireland
62
Remittance-Based
🇪🇸Spain
69
Worldwide
🇵🇹Portugal
76
IFICI (Incentivo Fiscal para a Internacionalização de Competências e Investimento)
🇹🇭Thailand
57
Worldwide

Dimension Profile

Shape = jurisdiction fingerprint. Gap = your decision.

Tax Regime Comparison5
🇮🇪IrelandRemittance-Based40%
🇪🇸SpainWorldwide47%
🇵🇹PortugalIFICI (Incentivo Fiscal para a Internacionalização de Competências e Investimento)48%
🇹🇭ThailandWorldwide35%
Tax system mismatchCritical

Spain and Thailand tax all worldwide income once you become a tax resident (top rate: 47%). Portugal 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

Ireland and Spain and Portugal 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.

13pp personal tax rate spreadNote

Both countries tax worldwide income, but the top personal income tax rates differ materially. Portugal: 48% vs Thailand: 35%. Both apply to all global earnings once you establish residency.

CFC rules apply in one jurisdictionReview

Ireland and Spain and Portugal 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.

Special tax regime available in one jurisdictionNote

Portugal (IFICI (Incentivo Fiscal para a Internacionalização de Competências e Investimento)) offers a qualifying program that may exempt foreign-source income from local tax for up to 10 years. This can significantly reduce your effective rate compared to the standard regime.

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
🇮🇪Ireland62
🇪🇸Spain69
🇵🇹Portugal76
🇹🇭Thailand57
Dimension Scores
Corporate Tax
83
32
55
43
Funding
100
100
95
70
Visa
80
90
90
90
Residency
75
43
78
58
Tax Res.
60
45
45
60
Practical
86
96
91
58
Remote Work
39
64
69
72
Family
80
95
95
80
Ecosystem
75
60
90
60
Corporate Tax Details
Corporate Tax Rate12.5%25%21%20%
Capital Gains Tax33%28%28%0%
Tax Treaties76967861
Territorial SystemNoNoNoNo
Funding Details
Active VCs651004820
Government GrantsYesYesYesYes
EU Funding EligibleYesYesYesNo
Visa Details
Has Startup VisaYesYesYesYes
Processing Time90459060
Min Investment$55K-$0-
E-ResidencyNoNoNoNo
Digital Nomad VisaNoYesYesYes
Residency Details
Visa Programs Available3232
Citizenship Timeline510512
Dual CitizenshipYesNoYesNo
Immigration Score5786
Tax Res. Details
Tax Residency Days183183183180
Personal Tax Top Rate40474835
Territorial TaxationNoNoNoNo
Special Tax RegimeYesYesYesNo
Exit TaxYesYesYesNo
Practical Details
Banking Difficultymoderateeasymoderatemoderate
100% Foreign OwnershipYesYesYesNo
Company Formation57314
Virtual Office OKYesYesYesYes
Remote Work Details
Nomad VisaNoYesYesYes
Tourist Workgray_areagray_areagray_areagray_area
Tourist Visa Days90909030
PE Risk Levelhighmoderatemoderatelow
Days Before Tax Res.183183183180
Internet Speed9022085200
Coworking/mo$300$250$180$150
Family Details
Safety Index62728262
Int'l SchoolsYesYesYesYes
Homeschoolinglegallegal_with_restrictionslegal_with_restrictionslegal_with_restrictions
Healthcare Quality75827672
Cost of Living95556840
Ecosystem Details
Unicorns12563
English Business EnvYesNoYesNo
Talent Pool Quality60707255

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