United Kingdom, Costa Rica, Sao Tome and Principe: Tax Rates & Startup Ecosystem Compared

Side-by-side breakdown of tax rates, startup ecosystem, startup funding, and 6 more dimensions for founders choosing where to incorporate in 2026.

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SingaporeCyprusEstoniaUruguayPanamaPortugalCosta RicaBelizeSwitzerlandMaltaUnited KingdomCanadaGreeceItalyParaguaySpainGeorgiaUnited Arab EmiratesGermanyIrelandIndonesiaColombiaNetherlandsArgentinaMexicoThailandSao Tome and Principe
3 selectedClear all
🇬🇧United Kingdom
71
Worldwide
🇨🇷Costa Rica
75
Territorial
🇸🇹Sao Tome and Principe
46
Worldwide

Dimension Profile

Shape = jurisdiction fingerprint. Gap = your decision.

Tax Regime Comparison3
🇬🇧United KingdomWorldwide45%
🇨🇷Costa RicaTerritorial25%
🇸🇹Sao Tome and PrincipeWorldwide25%
Tax system mismatchCritical

United Kingdom and Sao Tome and Principe tax all worldwide income once you become a tax resident (top rate: 45%). Costa Rica does not - only locally-sourced income is taxed. This is a fundamental structural difference that affects your total effective tax burden.

20pp personal tax rate spreadReview

Both countries tax worldwide income, but the top personal income tax rates differ materially. United Kingdom: 45% vs Sao Tome and Principe: 25%. Both apply to all global earnings once you establish residency.

CFC rules apply in one jurisdictionReview

United Kingdom has 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 countries in this comparison do 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
🇬🇧United Kingdom71
🇨🇷Costa Rica75
🇸🇹Sao Tome and Principe46
Dimension Scores
Corporate Tax
42
100
17
Funding
85
60
40
Visa
80
90
50
Residency
65
58
56
Tax Res.
45
75
55
Practical
100
78
55
Remote Work
43
84
52
Family
80
80
70
Ecosystem
100
40
40
Corporate Tax Details
Corporate Tax Rate25%30%25%
Capital Gains Tax24%15%0%
Tax Treaties130123
Territorial SystemNoYesNo
Funding Details
Active VCs65080
Government GrantsYesYesNo
EU Funding EligibleNoNoNo
Visa Details
Has Startup VisaYesYesNo
Processing Time564542
Min Investment$0-$90K
E-ResidencyNoNoNo
Digital Nomad VisaNoYesNo
Residency Details
Visa Programs Available322
Citizenship Timeline67-
Dual CitizenshipYesYesYes
Immigration Score777
Tax Res. Details
Tax Residency Days183-183
Personal Tax Top Rate452525
Territorial TaxationNoYesNo
Special Tax RegimeNoNoNo
Exit TaxNoNoNo
Practical Details
Banking Difficultyeasymoderatevery_difficult
100% Foreign OwnershipYesYesYes
Company Formation11430
Virtual Office OKYesYesNo
Remote Work Details
Nomad VisaNoYesNo
Tourist Workillegaltoleratedillegal
Tourist Visa Days1809015
PE Risk Levelvery_highlowlow
Days Before Tax Res.183-183
Internet Speed856010
Coworking/mo$400$200-
Family Details
Safety Index655565
Int'l SchoolsYesYesNo
Homeschoolinglegallegal-
Healthcare Quality787530
Cost of Living1055228
Ecosystem Details
Unicorns7500
English Business EnvYesNoNo
Talent Pool Quality904510

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