Costa Rica
Thailand
Costa Rica vs Thailand
Complete comparison for your tax relocation
Taxation
| Top income tax bracket | 25% | 35% |
| Corporate tax | 30% | 20% |
| Capital gains | 15% | 0% |
| VAT | 13% | 7% |
| Tax treaty with France | No | Yes |
| Special regime | Taxation territoriale | Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa |
| Wealth tax | No | No |
| Territorial taxation | Yes | Yes |
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.
Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa
Duration: 10 ans
Le visa LTR lancé en 2022 offre un taux forfaitaire de 17 % sur les revenus thailandais pour les professionnels hautement qualifiés, et une exonération totale sur les revenus de source étrangere pour certaines catégories (retraités fortunés, investisseurs).
Cost of living
| Monthly cost (single) | 1 000 € | 700 € |
| Monthly cost (couple) | 1 600 € | 1 100 € |
| City center rent | 700 € | 500 € |
| Outside city rent | 450 € | 300 € |
| Private health insurance | 55 € | 80 € |
| Public healthcare | Accessible | Accessible |
Estimated total monthly budget (single, with city center rent)
Thailand is approximately 500 € cheaper per month in total.
Quality of life
| Average temperature | 25°C | 28°C |
| Safety | 7/10 | 6/10 |
| Health index | 67/100 | 78/100 |
| Internet | 40 Mbps | 200 Mbps |
| Timezone vs Paris | -7h | +6h |
| French-speaking community | Very small | Small |
| Languages | Espagnol | Thai, Anglais |
| Currency | Colon (CRC) | Baht (THB) |
| Corruption index | 55/100 | 36/100 |
| Democracy index | 7.88/10 | 6.35/10 |
Settling in
| Residence permit delay | 3 months | 2 months |
| Company creation | 23 days | 6 days |
| Bank account | Moderate | Moderate |
| Political stability | 6.5/10 | 5.5/10 |
| Ease of business | 74th worldwide | 21th 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))
Thailand
- Top IT: 35% | Corp. tax: 20%
- Cost of living: 700 €/mo
- Safety: 6/10 | Health: 78/100
- Regime: Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa (10 ans)
Comparative analysis: Costa Rica vs Thailand
Which country has lower taxes?
Both countries are fairly close on taxation. Income tax reaches 25% in Costa Rica and 35% in Thailand. Corporate tax is 30% and 20% respectively. Capital gains are taxed at 0% in Thailand versus 15% in Costa Rica.
Which country is cheaper to live in?
The cost of living is lower in Thailande. A single person spends about 700 EUR/month excluding rent, compared to 1 000 EUR/month in Costa Rica. City center rent averages 500 EUR versus 700 EUR.
Which country is safer?
Costa Rica scores higher on safety (7/10 versus 6/10). In terms of healthcare, Thailande leads with an index of 78/100 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.