Find the Cheapest Country to Start Your Business

Estimated cost breakdowns, tax rates, and setup steps across 18 countries - sourced from World Bank, OECD, and national agencies. Pick your business type and see where your money goes furthest.

Setup Cost

The total one-time cost to legally register your company, including government fees, legal fees, and notarization.

Break-Even

How many months of operation until your accumulated revenue covers your initial setup cost. Lower is better.

Foreign Ownership

Whether foreigners can own 100% of a company. Some countries require a local partner or limit foreign shareholding in certain sectors.

What type of business?

Sort by:

🇬🇧

United Kingdom

100% foreignCheapest

Private Limited Company (Ltd)

$16

$15 fees + $1 capital

25%

Corp. Tax

20%

VAT/GST

~5 weeks

Setup Time

$28K

Monthly (7 staff)

12 mo

Break-even

🇻🇳

Vietnam

100% foreign

Limited Liability Company (LLC)

$25

registration fees

20%

Corp. Tax

10%

VAT/GST

~3 months

Setup Time

$9K

Monthly (7 staff)

14 mo

Break-even

🇵🇰

Pakistan

100% foreign

Private Limited Company (Pvt Ltd)

$32

registration fees

29%

Corp. Tax

18%

VAT/GST

~5 weeks

Setup Time

$4.5K

Monthly (7 staff)

12 mo

Break-even

🇨🇳

China

100% foreign

Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprise (WFOE)

$50

registration fees

25%

Corp. Tax

13%

VAT/GST

~3 months

Setup Time

$15K

Monthly (7 staff)

12 mo

Break-even

🇬🇪

Georgia

100% foreign

Limited Liability Company

$80

registration fees

15%

Corp. Tax

18%

VAT/GST

~6 weeks

Setup Time

$4K

Monthly (7 staff)

12 mo

Break-even

🇮🇪

Ireland

100% foreign

Private Company Limited by Shares (LTD)

$81

$80 fees + $1 capital

12.5%

Corp. Tax

23%

VAT/GST

~8 weeks

Setup Time

$22K

Monthly (7 staff)

12 mo

Break-even

🇷🇼

Rwanda

100% foreign

Private Limited Company (Ltd)

$90

registration fees

30%

Corp. Tax

18%

VAT/GST

~3 weeks

Setup Time

$4K

Monthly (7 staff)

12 mo

Break-even

🇨🇱

Chile

100% foreign

Corporation by Shares (SpA)

$100

registration fees

27%

Corp. Tax

19%

VAT/GST

~5 weeks

Setup Time

$10K

Monthly (7 staff)

10 mo

Break-even

🇬🇷

Greece

100% foreign

Private Company

$100

registration fees

22%

Corp. Tax

24%

VAT/GST

~4 weeks

Setup Time

$8K

Monthly (7 staff)

12 mo

Break-even

🇳🇿

New Zealand

100% foreign

Limited Company (Ltd)

$107

registration fees

28%

Corp. Tax

15%

VAT/GST

~3 weeks

Setup Time

$30K

Monthly (7 staff)

16 mo

Break-even

🇰🇪

Kenya

100% foreign

Private Limited Company

$128

registration fees

30%

Corp. Tax

16%

VAT/GST

~5 weeks

Setup Time

$6.5K

Monthly (7 staff)

14 mo

Break-even

🇮🇳

India

100% foreign

Private Limited Company

$140

registration fees

25.17%

Corp. Tax

18%

VAT/GST

~6 weeks

Setup Time

$7K

Monthly (7 staff)

10 mo

Break-even

🇷🇸

Serbia

100% foreign

Limited Liability Company

$186

$185 fees + $1 capital

15%

Corp. Tax

20%

VAT/GST

~5 weeks

Setup Time

$6K

Monthly (7 staff)

14 mo

Break-even

🇨🇴

Colombia

100% foreign

Simplified Joint Stock Company (SAS)

$190

registration fees

35%

Corp. Tax

19%

VAT/GST

~8 weeks

Setup Time

$8K

Monthly (7 staff)

10 mo

Break-even

🇱🇰

Sri Lanka

100% foreign

Private Limited Company (Pvt Ltd)

$195

registration fees

30%

Corp. Tax

18%

VAT/GST

~7 weeks

Setup Time

$5K

Monthly (7 staff)

15 mo

Break-even

🇰🇿

Kazakhstan

100% foreign

Limited Liability Partnership

$200

registration fees

20%

Corp. Tax

12%

VAT/GST

~3 weeks

Setup Time

$7K

Monthly (7 staff)

8 mo

Break-even

🇨🇦

Canada

100% foreign

Corporation (Federal)

$215

registration fees

15%

Corp. Tax

VAT/GST

~4 weeks

Setup Time

$35K

Monthly (7 staff)

18 mo

Break-even

🇺🇸

United States

100% foreign

Limited Liability Company (LLC)

$250

registration fees

21%

Corp. Tax

VAT/GST

~7 weeks

Setup Time

$35K

Monthly (7 staff)

12 mo

Break-even

🇧🇬

Bulgaria

100% foreign

Limited Liability Company

$251

$250 fees + $1 capital

10%

Corp. Tax

20%

VAT/GST

~4 weeks

Setup Time

$6.5K

Monthly (7 staff)

12 mo

Break-even

🇦🇷

Argentina

100% foreign

Simplified Stock Corporation

$252

$250 fees + $2 capital

25%

Corp. Tax

21%

VAT/GST

~3 months

Setup Time

$8K

Monthly (7 staff)

10 mo

Break-even

🇲🇾

Malaysia

100% foreign

Sdn Bhd (Private Limited)

$253

$252 fees + $1 capital

24%

Corp. Tax

VAT/GST

~3 weeks

Setup Time

$10K

Monthly (7 staff)

14 mo

Break-even

🇷🇴

Romania

100% foreign

Limited Liability Company

$261

$260 fees + $1 capital

16%

Corp. Tax

19%

VAT/GST

~3 weeks

Setup Time

$9K

Monthly (7 staff)

8 mo

Break-even

🇿🇦

South Africa

100% foreign

Private Company (Pty Ltd)

$281

registration fees

27%

Corp. Tax

15%

VAT/GST

~2 months

Setup Time

$12K

Monthly (7 staff)

16 mo

Break-even

🇰🇷

South Korea

100% foreign

Chusik Hoesa (Stock Company)

$300

registration fees

24%

Corp. Tax

10%

VAT/GST

~4 weeks

Setup Time

$22K

Monthly (7 staff)

14 mo

Break-even

🇸🇬

Singapore

100% foreign

Private Limited Company (Pte Ltd)

$307

$306 fees + $1 capital

17%

Corp. Tax

VAT/GST

~2 months

Setup Time

$25K

Monthly (7 staff)

12 mo

Break-even

🇵🇪

Peru

100% foreign

Closed Stock Corporation

$315

registration fees

29.5%

Corp. Tax

18%

VAT/GST

~6 weeks

Setup Time

$6.5K

Monthly (7 staff)

14 mo

Break-even

🇹🇼

Taiwan

100% foreign

Company Limited by Shares

$355

registration fees

20%

Corp. Tax

VAT/GST

~7 weeks

Setup Time

$14K

Monthly (7 staff)

10 mo

Break-even

🇦🇺

Australia

100% foreign

Proprietary Limited (Pty Ltd)

$375

registration fees

25%

Corp. Tax

10%

VAT/GST

~3 weeks

Setup Time

$35K

Monthly (7 staff)

14 mo

Break-even

🇵🇹

Portugal

100% foreign

Private Limited Company (Lda)

$431

$430 fees + $1 capital

21%

Corp. Tax

23%

VAT/GST

~6 weeks

Setup Time

$12K

Monthly (7 staff)

12 mo

Break-even

🇧🇩

Bangladesh

100% foreign

Private Limited Company

$456

$455 fees + $1 capital

27.5%

Corp. Tax

15%

VAT/GST

~2 months

Setup Time

$4K

Monthly (7 staff)

14 mo

Break-even

🇵🇭

Philippines

100% foreign

Domestic Corporation

$540

registration fees

25%

Corp. Tax

12%

VAT/GST

~2 months

Setup Time

$8K

Monthly (7 staff)

14 mo

Break-even

🇯🇴

Jordan

100% foreign

Limited Liability Company (LLC)

$566

$565 fees + $1 capital

20%

Corp. Tax

16%

VAT/GST

~5 weeks

Setup Time

$7K

Monthly (7 staff)

14 mo

Break-even

🇧🇷

Brazil

100% foreign

Ltda (Limitada)

$600

registration fees

34%

Corp. Tax

VAT/GST

~4 months

Setup Time

$12K

Monthly (7 staff)

14 mo

Break-even

🇪🇬

Egypt

100% foreign

Limited Liability Company (LLC)

$615

registration fees

22.5%

Corp. Tax

14%

VAT/GST

~6 weeks

Setup Time

$5K

Monthly (7 staff)

14 mo

Break-even

🇨🇿

Czech Republic

100% foreign

Limited Liability Company

$631

$630 fees + $1 capital

21%

Corp. Tax

21%

VAT/GST

~7 weeks

Setup Time

$12K

Monthly (7 staff)

9 mo

Break-even

🇺🇾

Uruguay

100% foreign

Simplified Joint Stock Company

$650

registration fees

25%

Corp. Tax

22%

VAT/GST

~6 weeks

Setup Time

$11K

Monthly (7 staff)

10 mo

Break-even

🇮🇱

Israel

100% foreign

Private Company (Ltd.)

$660

registration fees

23%

Corp. Tax

17%

VAT/GST

~2 months

Setup Time

$22K

Monthly (7 staff)

10 mo

Break-even

🇫🇷

France

100% foreign

SAS (Simplified Joint-Stock Company)

$771

$770 fees + $1 capital

25%

Corp. Tax

20%

VAT/GST

~6 weeks

Setup Time

$30K

Monthly (7 staff)

20 mo

Break-even

🇨🇷

Costa Rica

100% foreign

Limited Liability Company

$800

registration fees

30%

Corp. Tax

13%

VAT/GST

~8 weeks

Setup Time

$10K

Monthly (7 staff)

10 mo

Break-even

🇯🇵

Japan

100% foreign

Kabushiki Kaisha (KK)

$801

$800 fees + $1 capital

23.2%

Corp. Tax

10%

VAT/GST

~5 weeks

Setup Time

$30K

Monthly (7 staff)

16 mo

Break-even

🇬🇭

Ghana

100% foreign

Private Limited Company (Ltd)

$935

$435 fees + $500 capital

25%

Corp. Tax

15%

VAT/GST

~6 weeks

Setup Time

$5K

Monthly (7 staff)

14 mo

Break-even

🇸🇦

Saudi Arabia

100% foreign

Limited Liability Company (LLC)

$1.0K

registration fees

20%

Corp. Tax

15%

VAT/GST

~4 weeks

Setup Time

$15K

Monthly (7 staff)

12 mo

Break-even

🇲🇪

Montenegro

100% foreign

Limited Liability Company

$1.1K

$1,092 fees + $1 capital

12%

Corp. Tax

21%

VAT/GST

~4 months

Setup Time

$5K

Monthly (7 staff)

16 mo

Break-even

🇭🇰

Hong Kong

100% foreign

Private Company Limited by Shares

$1.2K

$1,190 fees + $1 capital

16.5%

Corp. Tax

VAT/GST

~6 weeks

Setup Time

$25K

Monthly (7 staff)

12 mo

Break-even

🇰🇭

Cambodia

100% foreign

Private Limited Company

$1.5K

$460 fees + $1,000 capital

20%

Corp. Tax

10%

VAT/GST

~2 months

Setup Time

$8K

Monthly (7 staff)

18 mo

Break-even

🇵🇱

Poland

100% foreign

Limited Liability Company (Sp. z o.o.)

$1.5K

$275 fees + $1,200 capital

19%

Corp. Tax

23%

VAT/GST

~6 weeks

Setup Time

$12K

Monthly (7 staff)

10 mo

Break-even

🇳🇱

Netherlands

100% foreign

BV (Private Limited Company)

$1.6K

$1,555 fees + $1 capital

25.8%

Corp. Tax

21%

VAT/GST

~7 weeks

Setup Time

$28K

Monthly (7 staff)

16 mo

Break-even

🇧🇪

Belgium

100% foreign

Private Limited Liability Company

$2.1K

registration fees

25%

Corp. Tax

21%

VAT/GST

~5 months

Setup Time

$22K

Monthly (7 staff)

14 mo

Break-even

🇲🇺

Mauritius

100% foreign

Global Business Corporation (GBC)

$2.1K

$2,110 fees + $1 capital

15%

Corp. Tax

15%

VAT/GST

~6 weeks

Setup Time

$7K

Monthly (7 staff)

11 mo

Break-even

🇫🇮

Finland

100% foreign

Private Limited Company

$2.8K

$300 fees + $2,500 capital

20%

Corp. Tax

25.5%

VAT/GST

~5 weeks

Setup Time

$18K

Monthly (7 staff)

10 mo

Break-even

🇪🇪

Estonia

100% foreign

Private Limited Company (OU)

$2.9K

$385 fees + $2,500 capital

20%

Corp. Tax

22%

VAT/GST

~6 weeks

Setup Time

$12K

Monthly (7 staff)

10 mo

Break-even

🇪🇸

Spain

100% foreign

Sociedad Limitada (SL)

$3.7K

$727 fees + $3,000 capital

25%

Corp. Tax

21%

VAT/GST

~8 weeks

Setup Time

$18K

Monthly (7 staff)

14 mo

Break-even

🇴🇲

Oman

100% foreign

Limited Liability Company

$3.8K

registration fees

15%

Corp. Tax

VAT/GST

~7 months

Setup Time

$11K

Monthly (7 staff)

18 mo

Break-even

🇸🇻

El Salvador

100% foreign

Limited Liability Company

$4.4K

$2,425 fees + $2,000 capital

30%

Corp. Tax

13%

VAT/GST

~5 months

Setup Time

$6K

Monthly (7 staff)

16 mo

Break-even

🇨🇾

Cyprus

100% foreign

Private Limited Company by Shares

$6.1K

$6,080 fees + $1 capital

12.5%

Corp. Tax

19%

VAT/GST

~9 months

Setup Time

$12K

Monthly (7 staff)

14 mo

Break-even

🇦🇪

UAE

100% foreign

Free Zone LLC

$6.6K

registration fees

Corp. Tax

VAT/GST

~7 weeks

Setup Time

$20K

Monthly (7 staff)

10 mo

Break-even

🇱🇹

Lithuania

100% foreign

Private Limited Liability Company

$9.3K

$8,330 fees + $1,000 capital

16%

Corp. Tax

21%

VAT/GST

~10 months

Setup Time

$9K

Monthly (7 staff)

12 mo

Break-even

🇳🇬

Nigeria

100% foreign

Private Limited Company (Ltd)

$10.3K

$315 fees + $10,000 capital

30%

Corp. Tax

7.5%

VAT/GST

~7 weeks

Setup Time

$8K

Monthly (7 staff)

14 mo

Break-even

🇲🇦

Morocco

100% foreign

Limited Liability Company

$10.3K

$340 fees + $10,000 capital

20%

Corp. Tax

20%

VAT/GST

~5 weeks

Setup Time

$6K

Monthly (7 staff)

13 mo

Break-even

🇵🇦

Panama

100% foreign

Corporation

$10.6K

$565 fees + $10,000 capital

25%

Corp. Tax

VAT/GST

~5 weeks

Setup Time

$10K

Monthly (7 staff)

11 mo

Break-even

🇹🇷

Turkey

100% foreign

Limited Liability Company

$10.8K

$850 fees + $10,000 capital

25%

Corp. Tax

20%

VAT/GST

~3 weeks

Setup Time

$10K

Monthly (7 staff)

14 mo

Break-even

🇮🇹

Italy

100% foreign

Societa a Responsabilita Limitata (SRL)

$12.7K

$2,700 fees + $10,000 capital

24%

Corp. Tax

22%

VAT/GST

~7 weeks

Setup Time

$20K

Monthly (7 staff)

16 mo

Break-even

🇱🇺

Luxembourg

100% foreign

Private Limited Liability Company

$14.8K

$2,750 fees + $12,000 capital

24.94%

Corp. Tax

17%

VAT/GST

~7 weeks

Setup Time

$25K

Monthly (7 staff)

14 mo

Break-even

🇨🇭

Switzerland

100% foreign

GmbH (Limited Liability Company)

$22.1K

$2,100 fees + $20,000 capital

14.6%

Corp. Tax

8.1%

VAT/GST

~8 weeks

Setup Time

$45K

Monthly (7 staff)

20 mo

Break-even

🇸🇪

Sweden

100% foreign

Aktiebolag (AB)

$25.3K

$330 fees + $25,000 capital

20.6%

Corp. Tax

25%

VAT/GST

~2 months

Setup Time

$25K

Monthly (7 staff)

14 mo

Break-even

🇩🇪

Germany

100% foreign

GmbH

$26.1K

$1,125 fees + $25,000 capital

30%

Corp. Tax

19%

VAT/GST

~3 months

Setup Time

$30K

Monthly (7 staff)

14 mo

Break-even

🇳🇴

Norway

100% foreign

Private Limited Company

$30.8K

$800 fees + $30,000 capital

22%

Corp. Tax

25%

VAT/GST

~5 weeks

Setup Time

$25K

Monthly (7 staff)

12 mo

Break-even

🇦🇹

Austria

100% foreign

Limited Liability Company

$37.0K

$1,950 fees + $35,000 capital

23%

Corp. Tax

20%

VAT/GST

~8 weeks

Setup Time

$16K

Monthly (7 staff)

11 mo

Break-even

🇩🇰

Denmark

100% foreign

Anpartsselskab (ApS)

$40.1K

$90 fees + $40,000 capital

22%

Corp. Tax

25%

VAT/GST

~4 weeks

Setup Time

$28K

Monthly (7 staff)

12 mo

Break-even

🇧🇭

Bahrain

100% foreign

Limited Liability Company (WLL)

$50.2K

$225 fees + $50,000 capital

Corp. Tax

10%

VAT/GST

~3 weeks

Setup Time

$8K

Monthly (7 staff)

12 mo

Break-even

🇲🇽

Mexico

100% foreign

S.A. de C.V. (Corporation)

$51K

$1,000 fees + $50,000 capital

30%

Corp. Tax

16%

VAT/GST

~3 months

Setup Time

$12K

Monthly (7 staff)

14 mo

Break-even

🇹🇭

Thailand

100% foreign

Thai Limited Company

$66.2K

$6,185 fees + $60,000 capital

20%

Corp. Tax

VAT/GST

~7 months

Setup Time

$12K

Monthly (7 staff)

16 mo

Break-even

🇶🇦

Qatar

100% foreign

Limited Liability Company (WLL)

$201.3K

$1,255 fees + $200,000 capital

10%

Corp. Tax

VAT/GST

~5 weeks

Setup Time

$18K

Monthly (7 staff)

11 mo

Break-even

🇮🇸

Iceland

100% foreign

Private Limited Company

$500.8K

$800 fees + $500,000 capital

20%

Corp. Tax

24%

VAT/GST

~6 weeks

Setup Time

$25K

Monthly (7 staff)

16 mo

Break-even

🇮🇩

Indonesia

100% foreign

PT PMA (Foreign Investment Company)

$1200.7K

$700 fees + $1,200,000 capital

22%

Corp. Tax

11%

VAT/GST

~3 months

Setup Time

$10K

Monthly (7 staff)

16 mo

Break-even

🇭🇺

Hungary

100% foreign

Limited Liability Company

$3000.6K

$600 fees + $3,000,000 capital

Corp. Tax

27%

VAT/GST

~3 weeks

Setup Time

$10K

Monthly (7 staff)

8 mo

Break-even

Want a personalized recommendation?

The Market Entry Advisor weighs your priorities, constraints, and sector to find the best match.

How We Calculate These Numbers

Setup Costs

Sum of government registration fees, filing costs, and minimum capital requirements. Each step shows the responsible agency. Costs are in USD equivalents at time of last update.

Monthly Overhead

Estimated for a 7-person team (3 skilled + 4 general staff) in a 50 sqm office. Includes salaries, employer social contributions, rent, electricity (2,000 kWh), and internet. Use the Cost Calculator to model your exact setup.

Break-even Time

Industry-typical estimates based on local market conditions, competition density, and sector maturity. Actual results vary significantly by business model and execution.

Data Sources

World Bank Doing Business indicators, OECD tax databases, national investment promotion agencies, government labor statistics, and commercial real estate platforms. Data is reviewed quarterly.

These figures are estimates for cross-country comparison purposes. They should not be used as financial advice. Always verify with local legal and accounting professionals before making investment decisions. If you spot an error, let us know.