Expatriation Costa Rica - tax comparison
🇨🇷

Costa Rica

VS
Expatriation Estonia - tax comparison
🇪🇪

Estonia

Costa Rica vs Estonia

Complete comparison for your tax relocation

Data up to date as of January 15, 2025
Top income tax bracket
25%
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
vs
22%
🇪🇪 Estonia
Monthly cost (single)
1 000 €
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
vs
1 000 €
🇪🇪 Estonia
Safety
7/10
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
vs
8/10
🇪🇪 Estonia

Taxation

🇨🇷Costa Rica
🇪🇪Estonia
Top income tax bracket25%22%
Corporate tax30%20%
Capital gains15%22%
VAT13%24%
Tax treaty with FranceNoYes
Special regimeTaxation territorialeIS sur bénéfices distribués uniquement
Wealth taxNoNo
Territorial taxationYesNo
🇨🇷

Taxation territoriale

Duration: Permanente (systeme territorial par défaut)

Le Costa Rica applique une imposition strictement territoriale. Seuls les revenus de source costaricaine sont imposés. Les revenus de source étrangere (freelance, dividendes, loyers étrangers) ne sont pas taxés. Le taux maximum d'IR est de 25 %, nettement inférieur aux standards européens.

🇪🇪

IS sur bénéfices distribués uniquement

Duration: Illimitée (systeme fiscal national permanent)

L'Estonie applique un modele unique en Europe : les sociétés ne paient l'impot sur les sociétés (22 %) que lorsque les bénéfices sont distribués sous forme de dividendes. Les bénéfices réinvestis ne sont pas imposés, ce qui favorise la croissance des entreprises.

Cost of living

🇨🇷Costa Rica
🇪🇪Estonia
Monthly cost (single)1 000 €1 000 €
Monthly cost (couple)1 600 €1 600 €
City center rent700 €700 €
Outside city rent450 €450 €
Private health insurance55 €50 €
Public healthcareAccessibleAccessible

Estimated total monthly budget (single, with city center rent)

🇨🇷 Costa Rica1 700 €/mo
🇪🇪 Estonia1 700 €/mo

Quality of life

🇨🇷Costa Rica
🇪🇪Estonia
Average temperature25°C6°C
Safety7/108/10
Health index67/10075/100
Internet40 Mbps150 Mbps
Timezone vs Paris-7h+1h
French-speaking communityVery smallVery small
LanguagesEspagnolEstonien, Russe, Anglais
CurrencyColon (CRC)Euro (EUR)
Corruption index55/10076/100
Democracy index7.88/107.96/10

Settling in

🇨🇷Costa Rica
🇪🇪Estonia
Residence permit delay3 months2 months
Company creation23 days3 days
Bank accountModerateEasy
Political stability6.5/108.5/10
Ease of business74th worldwide18th worldwide

Summary

🇨🇷

Costa Rica

  • Top IT: 25% | Corp. tax: 30%
  • Cost of living: 1 000 €/mo
  • Safety: 7/10 | Health: 67/100
  • Regime: Taxation territoriale (Permanente (systeme territorial par défaut))
View full profile Costa Rica
🇪🇪

Estonia

  • Top IT: 22% | Corp. tax: 20%
  • Cost of living: 1 000 €/mo
  • Safety: 8/10 | Health: 75/100
  • Regime: IS sur bénéfices distribués uniquement (Illimitée (systeme fiscal national permanent))
View full profile Estonia

Comparative analysis: Costa Rica vs Estonia

Which country has lower taxes?

In terms of taxation, Estonie is generally more advantageous. The top marginal income tax rate is 22% compared to 25% in Costa Rica. Corporate tax stands at 20% versus 30%. Capital gains are taxed at 15% in Costa Rica versus 22% in Estonia.

Which country is cheaper to live in?

The cost of living is lower in Estonie. A single person spends about 1 000 EUR/month excluding rent, compared to 1 000 EUR/month in Costa Rica. City center rent averages 700 EUR versus 700 EUR.

Which country is safer?

Estonie scores higher on safety (8/10 versus 7/10). In terms of healthcare, Estonie leads with an index of 75/100 compared to 67/100 for Costa Rica.

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Disclaimer

The tax information presented is based on estimates from public sources (PwC, OECD, government sources). It does not constitute tax or legal advice. Tax rules change regularly and your personal situation may significantly affect the calculation. Consult a qualified professional before making any relocation decision.