🇨🇷 Costa Rica vs 🇹🇭 Thailand
Complete Tax Residency Comparison for Digital Nomads & Entrepreneurs
Quick Comparison
| Factor | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica | 🇹🇭 Thailand |
|---|---|---|
| Tax System | Territorial | Territorial (changing) |
| Income Tax (Foreign) | 0% (foreign income) | 0-35% (local income) |
| Capital Gains Tax | 0% (foreign) | 0% (foreign, if not remitted) |
| Corporate Tax | 30% | 20% |
| Residency Requirement | Rentista ($2,500/mo income) | LTR Visa ($80k/year income) |
| Minimum Stay | None required | 180 days for tax residency |
| Cost of Living | Moderate ($1,800-3,000/mo) | Low ($1,200-2,500/mo) |
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
Highlights
- ✅Stable democracy
- ✅No army, peaceful
- ✅Beautiful nature
- ✅Good healthcare
- ✅Large expat community
Considerations
- ⚠️Higher cost than neighbors
- ⚠️Bureaucratic processes
- ⚠️Some areas touristy
Best For
- 👤Retirees
- 👤Nature lovers
- 👤Families
🇹🇭 Thailand
Highlights
- ✅Amazing lifestyle
- ✅Low cost of living
- ✅Great food and culture
- ✅Digital nomad friendly
- ✅Good healthcare
Considerations
- ⚠️Tax rules changing in 2024
- ⚠️Visa can be complex
- ⚠️Language barrier
Best For
- 👤Lifestyle seekers
- 👤Digital nomads
- 👤Retirees
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Costa Rica if: You prioritize stable democracy and no army, peaceful. Ideal for retirees, nature lovers, families.
Choose Thailand if: You prioritize amazing lifestyle and low cost of living. Ideal for lifestyle seekers, digital nomads, retirees.
Not Sure Which is Right for You?
Take our free eligibility assessment to see which tax residency program fits your situation.