Thailand, Indonesia, Costa Rica, Sao Tome and Principe: 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.

Select Countries

SingaporeCyprusEstoniaUruguayPanamaPortugalCosta RicaBelizeSwitzerlandMaltaUnited KingdomCanadaGreeceItalyParaguaySpainGeorgiaUnited Arab EmiratesGermanyIrelandIndonesiaColombiaNetherlandsArgentinaMexicoThailandSao Tome and Principe
4 selectedClear all
🇮🇩Indonesia
61
Worldwide
🇹🇭Thailand
57
Worldwide
🇨🇷Costa Rica
75
Territorial
🇸🇹Sao Tome and Principe
46
Worldwide

Dimension Profile

Shape = jurisdiction fingerprint. Gap = your decision.

Tax Regime Comparison2
🇮🇩IndonesiaWorldwide35%
🇹🇭ThailandWorldwide35%
🇨🇷Costa RicaTerritorial25%
🇸🇹Sao Tome and PrincipeWorldwide25%
Tax system mismatchCritical

Indonesia and Thailand and Sao Tome and Principe tax all worldwide income once you become a tax resident (top rate: 35%). Costa Rica does not - only locally-sourced income is taxed. This is a fundamental structural difference that affects your total effective tax burden.

10pp personal tax rate spreadNote

Both countries tax worldwide income, but the top personal income tax rates differ materially. Indonesia: 35% vs Sao Tome and Principe: 25%. Both apply to all global earnings once you establish residency.

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
🇮🇩Indonesia61
🇹🇭Thailand57
🇨🇷Costa Rica75
🇸🇹Sao Tome and Principe46
Dimension Scores
Corporate Tax
37
43
100
17
Funding
80
70
60
40
Visa
90
90
90
50
Residency
43
58
58
56
Tax Res.
55
60
75
55
Practical
45
58
78
55
Remote Work
67
72
84
52
Family
75
80
80
70
Ecosystem
70
60
40
40
Corporate Tax Details
Corporate Tax Rate22%20%30%25%
Capital Gains Tax-0%15%0%
Tax Treaties7161123
Territorial SystemNoNoYesNo
Funding Details
Active VCs302080
Government GrantsYesYesYesNo
EU Funding EligibleNoNoNoNo
Visa Details
Has Startup VisaYesYesYesNo
Processing Time60604542
Min Investment---$90K
E-ResidencyNoNoNoNo
Digital Nomad VisaYesYesYesNo
Residency Details
Visa Programs Available2222
Citizenship Timeline10127-
Dual CitizenshipNoNoYesYes
Immigration Score5677
Tax Res. Details
Tax Residency Days183180-183
Personal Tax Top Rate35352525
Territorial TaxationNoNoYesNo
Special Tax RegimeNoNoNoNo
Exit TaxNoNoNoNo
Practical Details
Banking Difficultydifficultmoderatemoderatevery_difficult
100% Foreign OwnershipNoNoYesYes
Company Formation30141430
Virtual Office OKNoYesYesNo
Remote Work Details
Nomad VisaYesYesYesNo
Tourist Workgray_areagray_areatoleratedillegal
Tourist Visa Days30309015
PE Risk Levellowlowlowlow
Days Before Tax Res.183180-183
Internet Speed252006010
Coworking/mo$100$150$200-
Family Details
Safety Index55625565
Int'l SchoolsYesYesYesNo
Homeschoolinglegallegal_with_restrictionslegal-
Healthcare Quality55727530
Cost of Living32405228
Ecosystem Details
Unicorns8300
English Business EnvNoNoNoNo
Talent Pool Quality50554510

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