Expatriation for European entrepreneurs: 10 destinations, one honest verdict
Ireland, Dubai, Portugal, Estonia, Cyprus, Malta, Georgia, Panama, Bulgaria, Lithuania. Each guide covers real tax data, advantages, pitfalls, and a direct comparison with Latvia.
Choose your destination guide
Each guide includes real tax data, honest pros and cons, and a comparison with Latvia.
Ireland
Low corporate tax but high personal tax and Dublin's sky-high cost of living. English-speaking EU member.
Portugal
NHR is gone. IFICI is restrictive. The tax advantage Portugal once held has diminished significantly.
Dubai
Zero personal tax is real. But no SEPA, no EU, and a very high cost of living erode the advantage.
Estonia
Latvia's closest cousin in tax model. The deferred system is identical. VAT and social costs differ.
Cyprus
0% dividends for 17 years under non-dom. CIT rose to 15%. EU but not Schengen.
Malta
5% effective CIT after refund is attractive. But the refund takes 6-12 months and requires a holding structure.
Georgia
Very low taxes and the Virtual Zone for IT companies. Outside EU and SEPA — friction for European business.
Panama
Territorial tax: 0% on all foreign income. Banking friction with European institutions is a real obstacle.
Bulgaria
EU's lowest flat tax at 10%. But applies annually — no deferral model. Partial Schengen only.
Lithuania
0% CIT for startups for 2 years, then 7-17%. Latvia's 0% is permanent. Strong fintech licensing hub.
Why most European entrepreneurs choose Latvia in the end
Every destination above has a genuine argument. Latvia answers most of them.
0% CIT — forever
No deferred 2-year limit like Lithuania. No upfront 35% payment like Malta. No distribution requirement at all — pay 0% as long as profits are reinvested.
Full EU, Schengen, SEPA
Unlike Dubai, Georgia, or Panama: full EU credibility, SEPA banking, and Schengen travel. Unlike Cyprus: full land-border Schengen. Unlike Bulgaria: complete integration.
Low cost of living
Riga is 60% cheaper than Dublin, 50% cheaper than Dubai, and comparable to Sofia or Tallinn. Your purchasing power is genuinely higher.
Not sure which destination is right for you?
Book a free call. We will compare your top choices against Latvia based on your income, business model, and lifestyle priorities.