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Costa Rica vs Spain
Tax Rate Comparison

Enter your income below for a personal tax estimate, then scroll down for full rate breakdowns.

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ท Costa Rica
vs
๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ Spain
Tax Year:

๐Ÿ’ฐ Personal Income Tax Calculator

Enter your income to see your estimated annual tax liability in each country โ€” side by side.

Enter your annual income above to see your personal tax comparison โ†’
Individual Income Tax (Top Marginal Rate)
Top Income Tax Rate
0โ€“25%
25% top; fiscal consolidation achieved
No change
19โ€“47%
National rates stable; community variation continues
No change
VAT / GST / Sales Tax
VAT / GST / Sales Tax
13%
13% IVA maintained
No change
4โ€“21%
Basic food VAT returning toward normal rates
No change
Corporate Tax Rate
Corporate Tax Rate
30%
30%; Pillar Two for MNCs; tech sector growing
No change
25%
25% standard; digital services levy discussions
No change
Capital Gains Tax
Capital Gains Tax
15%
15% maintained
No change
19โ€“28%
Progressive savings tax maintained
No change
Social Security & Payroll
Social Security / Payroll
~41.17%
High contributions; reform proposals for sustainability
No change
~37.2%
MEI surcharge continues gradual increase to 2032
โ–ฒ +0.2pp vs 2025
State, Regional & Local Taxes

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ท 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 2018โ€“19 to address a fiscal deficit, converting the sales tax to a comprehensive VAT and modifying income tax.

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ Spain โ€” Autonomous Community & Municipal Taxes

Spain's 17 autonomous communities set their own half of income tax. Madrid applies significant reductions while Catalonia has higher regional rates. The Basque Country and Navarre have special tax regimes (concierto econรณmico). Municipal taxes include IBI (property tax) and IAE (business activity tax). Effective top rates (national + regional) range from ~43% (Madrid) to ~54% in some communities.

โš ๏ธ Disclaimer: Rates shown are standard top/headline rates for informational purposes. Actual tax liability depends on income level, residency, deductions, and tax treaties. 2025โ€“2026 data reflects announced or enacted rates and may be subject to change. Not financial or legal advice.

Costa Rica vs Spain: Key Tax Differences (2026)

๐Ÿ’ฐ Income Tax: ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ Spain has a higher top income tax rate (0โ€“25% vs 19โ€“47%). ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ท Costa Rica is more favourable for high earners.

๐Ÿ›’ VAT/Sales Tax: Spain has a higher consumption tax (13% vs 4โ€“21%).

๐Ÿข Corporate Tax: ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ Spain offers a lower corporate rate (25% vs 30%), which can influence business location decisions.

๐Ÿ“ˆ Capital Gains: ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ท Costa Rica taxes investment gains at a lower rate (15% vs 28%), benefiting investors.

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