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Global — Business Location Research

Global Intelligence · 61-country research directory

Compare countries before you commit

Use the same business scenario for every country: owner residence, actual work location, customers, staff, stock, regulated activity, banking and payment requirements. Incorporation alone does not prove tax residence, banking approval, payment access or permission to operate.

ITERAQ research shortlists

These are editorial research priorities, not a universal “best country” ranking and not legal, tax or investment advice. Position depends on the business model and the founder’s facts. Review date: 20 September 2026.

First 10 to research for internationally oriented digital and service businesses

  1. United Kingdom
  2. Estonia
  3. Ireland
  4. Singapore
  5. Canada
  6. Australia
  7. Netherlands
  8. Sweden
  9. United States
  10. United Arab Emirates

Next 20 for a wider comparison

  1. Germany
  2. Denmark
  3. Finland
  4. Norway
  5. France
  6. Spain
  7. Portugal
  8. Poland
  9. Lithuania
  10. Latvia
  11. Czechia
  12. Switzerland
  13. New Zealand
  14. Hong Kong
  15. Japan
  16. South Korea
  17. Malaysia
  18. Cyprus
  19. Malta
  20. Georgia

Method: start with availability of current official information, digital administration, cross-border relevance, operational practicality and the need for specialist verification. No score predicts approval, profit or tax outcome.

61-country directory

Europe · 27 countries

United Kingdom; Sweden; Norway; Denmark; Finland; Germany; Netherlands; Ireland; France; Spain; Portugal; Italy; Belgium; Austria; Switzerland; Poland; Czechia; Estonia; Latvia; Lithuania; Romania; Bulgaria; Greece; Cyprus; Malta; Luxembourg; Iceland.

Check entity eligibility, beneficial-owner filings, VAT, payroll, social security, permanent establishment, local address or representative rules and annual accounts. For EU/EEA comparisons start with Your Europe Business. For the UK use GOV.UK.

North and South America · 6 countries

United States; Canada; Mexico; Brazil; Chile; Colombia.

Check federal and state or provincial registration, registered-agent requirements, sales taxes, payroll, foreign-owner filings, banking and local operating licences. Start with the US SBA and Canada Business Network; use the relevant national authority for other countries.

Middle East, Türkiye and Caucasus · 9 countries

United Arab Emirates; Saudi Arabia; Qatar; Bahrain; Türkiye; Israel; Georgia; Armenia; Azerbaijan.

Check permitted activity, ownership route, mainland or zone rules, local manager or address requirements, corporate tax, VAT, substance, visas and payment-provider eligibility. For the UAE begin with UAE Government.

Asia · 12 countries and economies

Singapore; Hong Kong; Japan; South Korea; India; Indonesia; Malaysia; Thailand; Vietnam; Philippines; China; Taiwan.

Check foreign ownership, required directors or representatives, paid-in capital where applicable, licences, data rules, tax registration, payroll and currency controls. Start with Singapore ACRA and GovHK.

Oceania · 2 countries

Australia; New Zealand.

Check company eligibility, director requirements, tax and goods-and-services registration, employment obligations and industry licences. Start with business.gov.au and the New Zealand Companies Office.

Africa · 5 countries

South Africa; Kenya; Nigeria; Morocco; Egypt.

Check foreign ownership, company registry, tax registration, local address, exchange controls, payroll, sector licences, banking and import rules. Confirm every requirement with the responsible national authority before paying an intermediary.

Build your own Top 10 or Top 20

Score every country from 1 to 5 using the same evidence and date. Do not assign a score when information is unknown.

Criterion Evidence to record Suggested weight
Founder eligibility Residence, nationality, director and representative requirements 20%
Real operating fit Where work, staff, stock and customers are located 20%
Banking and payments Written provider eligibility for the company, owners and activity 15%
Total recurring cost Accounting, address, filings, payroll and licences 15%
Tax and reporting complexity Qualified review of corporate, owner, VAT and cross-border exposure 15%
Customer and logistics fit Market access, delivery, customs, returns and support 10%
Evidence confidence Official source, publication date and unresolved questions 5%

Country comparison workflow

  1. Select no more than 10 countries from the directory.
  2. Use current official sources and record the date for every claim.
  3. Request written banking, payment, accounting and address eligibility before paying.
  4. Build one-time and annual cost columns in the same currency.
  5. Mark unknown information as unknown, not zero.
  6. Reduce the list to three finalists and obtain country-specific professional advice.

Cross-country research sources: World Bank Business Ready · World Bank Data · OECD business dynamics. Source review: 20 September 2026. Recheck requirements before acting.

Open the comparison tools · Compare personalised packages · Read the country and company guide.

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