Costa Rica vs Germany
Tax Rate Comparison
Enter your income below for a personal tax estimate, then scroll down for full rate breakdowns.
๐ฐ Personal Income Tax Calculator
Enter your income to see your estimated annual tax liability in each country โ side by side.
๐จ๐ท Costa Rica โ Municipal Taxes
Costa Rica's 84 cantons (municipalities) levy the impuesto sobre bienes inmuebles (property tax at 0.25% of assessed value), business licences (patente municipal), and construction permits. The Municipalidad de San Josรฉ and other urban cantons have highest rates. National taxes are administered by the Ministry of Finance (Hacienda). Costa Rica underwent significant fiscal reform in 2018โ19 to address a fiscal deficit, converting the sales tax to a comprehensive VAT and modifying income tax.
๐ฉ๐ช Germany โ Trade Tax (Gewerbesteuer) & Church Tax
Germany's 16 Bundeslรคnder apply federal income tax rates uniformly โ no state income tax variation. Municipalities levy Gewerbesteuer (trade tax) on business profits at ~7โ17% effective. Church tax (Kirchensteuer) of 8โ9% of income tax applies to registered members. The solidarity surcharge (Soli) now only applies to the top ~10% of earners.
Costa Rica vs Germany: Key Tax Differences (2026)
๐ฐ Income Tax: ๐ฉ๐ช Germany has a higher top income tax rate (0โ25% vs 14โ45%). ๐จ๐ท Costa Rica is more favourable for high earners.
๐ VAT/Sales Tax: Germany has a higher consumption tax (13% vs 7โ19%).
๐ข Corporate Tax: ๐ฉ๐ช Germany offers a lower corporate rate (29% vs 30%), which can influence business location decisions.
๐ Capital Gains: ๐จ๐ท Costa Rica taxes investment gains at a lower rate (15% vs 25%), benefiting investors.