Costa Rica
Greece
Costa Rica vs Greece
Complete comparison for your tax relocation
Taxation
| Top income tax bracket | 25% | 44% |
| Corporate tax | 30% | 22% |
| Capital gains | 15% | 15% |
| VAT | 13% | 24% |
| Tax treaty with France | No | Yes |
| Special regime | Taxation territoriale | Flat tax 7 % pour retraités étrangers |
| Wealth tax | No | No |
| Territorial taxation | Yes | No |
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.
Flat tax 7 % pour retraités étrangers
Duration: 15 ans
Les retraités qui transferent leur résidence fiscale en Grece peuvent bénéficier d'un taux forfaitaire de 7 % sur tous leurs revenus de source étrangere (pensions, revenus fonciers, dividendes, intérets). Ce régime est tres attractif pour les retraités français.
Cost of living
| Monthly cost (single) | 1 000 € | 900 € |
| Monthly cost (couple) | 1 600 € | 1 500 € |
| City center rent | 700 € | 600 € |
| Outside city rent | 450 € | 400 € |
| Private health insurance | 55 € | 80 € |
| Public healthcare | Accessible | Accessible |
Estimated total monthly budget (single, with city center rent)
Greece is approximately 200 € cheaper per month in total.
Quality of life
| Average temperature | 25°C | 18°C |
| Safety | 7/10 | 5/10 |
| Health index | 67/100 | 59/100 |
| Internet | 40 Mbps | 55 Mbps |
| Timezone vs Paris | -7h | +1h |
| French-speaking community | Very small | Small |
| Languages | Espagnol | Grec |
| Currency | Colon (CRC) | Euro (EUR) |
| Corruption index | 55/100 | 49/100 |
| Democracy index | 7.88/10 | 7.56/10 |
Settling in
| Residence permit delay | 3 months | 4 months |
| Company creation | 23 days | 4 days |
| Bank account | Moderate | Moderate |
| Political stability | 6.5/10 | 6.5/10 |
| Ease of business | 74th worldwide | 79th 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))
Greece
- Top IT: 44% | Corp. tax: 22%
- Cost of living: 900 €/mo
- Safety: 5/10 | Health: 59/100
- Regime: Flat tax 7 % pour retraités étrangers (15 ans)
Comparative analysis: Costa Rica vs Greece
Which country has lower taxes?
In terms of taxation, Costa Rica is generally more advantageous. The top marginal income tax rate is 25% compared to 44% in Grece. Corporate tax stands at 30% versus 22%.
Which country is cheaper to live in?
The cost of living is lower in Grece. A single person spends about 900 EUR/month excluding rent, compared to 1 000 EUR/month in Costa Rica. City center rent averages 600 EUR versus 700 EUR.
Which country is safer?
Costa Rica scores higher on safety (7/10 versus 5/10). In terms of healthcare, Costa Rica leads with an index of 67/100 compared to 59/100 for Grece.
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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.