Spain, Sao Tome and Principe, Italy, Greece: 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
🇸🇹Sao Tome and Principe
46
Worldwide
🇬🇷Greece
70
Worldwide
🇮🇹Italy
70
Worldwide

Dimension Profile

Shape = jurisdiction fingerprint. Gap = your decision.

Tax Regime Comparison3
🇪🇸SpainWorldwide47%
🇸🇹Sao Tome and PrincipeWorldwide25%
🇬🇷GreeceWorldwide44%
🇮🇹ItalyWorldwide43%
Exit tax applies in one jurisdictionCritical

Spain 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 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 Greece 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
🇸🇹Sao Tome and Principe46
🇬🇷Greece70
🇮🇹Italy70
Dimension Scores
Corporate Tax
32
17
52
32
Funding
100
40
85
100
Visa
90
50
85
90
Residency
43
56
60
68
Tax Res.
45
55
45
55
Practical
96
55
83
83
Remote Work
64
52
79
64
Family
95
70
85
85
Ecosystem
60
40
65
65
Corporate Tax Details
Corporate Tax Rate25%25%22%27.9%
Capital Gains Tax28%0%22%26%
Tax Treaties96357100
Territorial SystemNoNoNoNo
Funding Details
Active VCs10001680
Government GrantsYesNoYesYes
EU Funding EligibleYesNoYesYes
Visa Details
Has Startup VisaYesNoYesYes
Processing Time454212060
Min Investment-$90K$272K-
E-ResidencyNoNoNoNo
Digital Nomad VisaYesNoYesYes
Residency Details
Visa Programs Available2264
Citizenship Timeline10-710
Dual CitizenshipNoYesYesYes
Immigration Score7766
Tax Res. Details
Tax Residency Days183183183183
Personal Tax Top Rate47254443
Territorial TaxationNoNoNoNo
Special Tax RegimeYesNoYesYes
Exit TaxYesNoYesNo
Practical Details
Banking Difficultyeasyvery_difficultmoderatemoderate
100% Foreign OwnershipYesYesYesYes
Company Formation7301030
Virtual Office OKYesNoYesYes
Remote Work Details
Nomad VisaYesNoYesYes
Tourist Workgray_areaillegalillegalgray_area
Tourist Visa Days90159090
PE Risk Levelmoderatelowmoderatemoderate
Days Before Tax Res.183183183183
Internet Speed2201093117
Coworking/mo$250-$175$275
Family Details
Safety Index72655465
Int'l SchoolsYesNoYesYes
Homeschoolinglegal_with_restrictions-legal_with_restrictionslegal_with_restrictions
Healthcare Quality82305982
Cost of Living55284055
Ecosystem Details
Unicorns5029
English Business EnvNoNoYesNo
Talent Pool Quality70106865

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