Countries with lower taxes and a better quality of living?
I’m currently stuck in Denmark, and it feels like I’m in a never ending financial tug of war with the government, saying goodbye to 50% of my hard earned cash each month. Add a 25% VAT on everything and throw in some hefty taxes on utilities, electricity etc, and you’ve got a situation that has me questioning if this is the life I signed up for.
Living in a place where the cold weather feels like an extra tax on happiness, I’m craving a change.
I’m all about individualism, self-sufficiency, and independence. So here’s the big question: Where in the world are you guys finding that sweet spot between low taxes and a great quality of life?
As I contemplate my escape plan, Cyprus, Portugal, and Dubai are on my radar. I dream of living in a country where taxes don’t feel like daylight robbery. But, and it’s a big ‘but,’ my online income isn’t quite flexing its muscles enough for a move to the streets of Dubai just yet.
So, where are you residing? What’s the tax scene like in your corner of the world? Are you doing a happy dance every payday, or are you, like me, wistfully staring at your bank statement, wondering where all your money went?
And let’s not forget the living conditions. On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your overall quality of life?
I’m not just asking for my benefit, this is a collective quest for a better lifestyle.
Your input is greatly appreciated!
(Just to be crystal clear, I’m not fishing for a lecture on why I should be grateful for my current Danish situation or any unrelated personal opinions. If your input doesn’t contribute constructively, save it for another time.)
Try Texas! Land of rugged individualism & freedom. A cancer diagnosis here, no problem, just file bankruptcy and lose your house plus anything you wanted to leave your children.
Speaking of children, the kids here get trained in school for what to do in case of a crazed shooter. I say well trained, but it never works – the shooter always kills a bunch of them. The main effect of the training is to traumatize them & give them bad dreams.
You can carry a gun here, like openly wild west style. My mechanic accidentally pointed his at me when he was removing his holster belt. Thrilling!
Want a college education? You can absolutely have it here if your parents are rich or if you don’t mind going into crippling predatory lending debt. People are often paying these loans into their 60’s.
We have great roads, but be prepared to pay $150+ plus in tolls per month if you use them routinely.
Hope you don’t need an abortion. You’ll need to go out of state as it’s illegal.
Our governor is kind of a monster, we’ve decided to find it charming. He didn’t make sure to take care of the electric grid infrastructure and the Texas Tribune estimates 900 Texans froze to death one winter, although that’s higher than official numbers.
Lots of people here pay 25-40% in federal taxes, btw.
The Stockholm syndrome is strong with this thread
He’s in Denmark 👍
It’s just simple nationalism.
I met a lot of people in Paraguay like you. It definitely attracts the ‘libertarian’ types.
I keep hearing more and more about Paraguay as a good place for taxes.
Anyone able to share more info on how taxes work there and why it’s a popular choice?
Bro, i know and feel your pain. Finally got rid of it. DM me if you want some serious help.
Get a rifle, a big knife, a warm jacket, and go to Alaska.
No real suggestions (I’ve heard New Zealand comes close, but have no actual data), but I am so glad you posted this if only to shut up the whiny Americans who point to Scandinavian countries as utopian examples of “if they have free healthcare, why can’t we?!” Nothing’s free. I’ve pointed out elsewhere that Denmark, also Finland and I think Sweden, take half your paycheck to take care of other people before you can take care of your own family. I mean, if that floats your boat, have at it, but I’ve been bullied on other subs for having the gall to point this out. Like there’s something wrong with someone who isn’t glad to, as you put it, hand over half your salary to the government each month. I stand in solidarity with you. Let us know what you decide!
Thanks for the insight Beth.
You are absolutely right, most people have no idea how it is to live here. It’s absolutely insane, prices and taxation on everything.
The keyboard warriors are sitting either jobless or unemployed attacking the hard working people tbat is contributing to society. Whatever that means.
I am done living my life for the sake of others, paying 50% just to see the government send another billion to Ukraine.
Just drained and sad tbh. There must be more to life than this, sad and pathetic country.
Thanks for the affirmation, Malik. You mention Portugal as a candidate for your next stop. I’m toying with retiring there. What data do you have on it?
Even if I didn’t mind letting the government take half my pay, Scandinavia, Finland, and Estonia are out just because of the weather.
You mention Portugal as a candidate for your next stop. I’m toying with retiring there.
Please do not come to Portugal. With your mindset, we do not want you here.
Honestly, if you can’t achieve upwards financial mobility in DK, you wouldn’t stand a chance in the US or Dubai. It’s absurdly easy to carve out a comfortable middle class lifestyle here. If you’re goal however is to be super rich, then yes Northern Europe isn’t set up for that. But you’re going to have to adjust your mindset
Completely false.
What part?
I am on your side on the excess taxation and working all the time to meet these obligations but I am not going to roll huge tear drops for you living in Denmark. Maybe take Prozac or go visit Sri Lanka, Zanzibar, Africa, etc to gain perspective of how your life could be. When a 4 year old is trying to sell fruits by the side of road while you are complaining that you net only 30-50K after all these taxes. You of all should not mention unemployed keyboard warriors when unable to put 2 plus 2 together…This is for your comment of not liking Bali because of its lack of infrastructure. No taxes, equal no healthcare, no pension, no roads, etc. Wherever low taxation country you move, don’t forget your pension because it will not earn itself magically.
Same boat here in Belgium. My taxes pay for lots of peoples kids (none myself) and was told that’s one of the perks of living here. As a single childless person - the taxes are brutal.
I’ve wanted to ask this question before because not all of us want to live in these places with high taxation. Some of us would love to have savings. Or own a house.
These people downvoting you and OP are those basement dwellers who get rock hard off righteousness.
Georgia 1% tax
Texas or Florida.
Lots of pathetic comments here. Completely gaslit into thinking they get value for their taxes. The only place I know where this is true is Switzerland where the taxes are pretty low and you have a social safety net and excellent infrastructure. If it’s possible as a Danish citizen to be a tax resident nowhere when continously traveling then this combined with a US LLC is your easiest answer. If not then having a base in Dubai or some of Eastern Europe is probably best.
I exactly think alike. I didn’t chose to be born in a country where taxes are %50 of my income. I dont expect anything from the government just leave me the fuck qlone. I already pay for my bills etc and everything has tax on them.
The thing is in other countries you will probably encounter “other” problems that you ve never heard/seen in your life.
You won’t just avoid Danish taxes because you work remotely
What?
Singapore
Cyprus is the best choice in Europe, but rents are high now. Tax can be as low as 18% (look up Johnny Rico on Youtube).
Dubai is probably good if you’re well off.
Estonia can work, but same issues with weather, though no corp tax, only dividends (20%).
Forget about Hong Kong and Singapore, much too expensive.
Thailand is a great and cheap place to live, but difficult to be legal as self employed. Lots of danes up north in Chiang Mai though.
In your case, I’d consider Cyprus. See if you can rent a room somewhere. You only have to live in Cyprus 3 months as long as you keep an adress. You can live in Thailand the rest of the year.
Great insight
If you’re making less than 100k and plan to have kids, you’re getting amazing value for your taxes in Denmark. You also got a great education and quality services through your whole life.
Yes, it’s annoying to pay taxes, but denmark has some of the best infrastructure and public services in in world. If you think Dubai is a step up you are in for a rude awakening. Dubai is made for rich people. If you aren’t rich, your quality of life in Dubai will be lower than in Denmark.
I live in Dubai and there are less poor people here than in Denmark.
If you want to emigrate to a lower tax state, then you need to do it carefully.
- Research how the tax collection department in Denmark determines if you are or are not tax resident. In order to no longer be considered tax resident you may need to cut all ties with Denmark.
- Create a new residency in your new country with taxes you prefer.
It’s not as easy as just leaving and going somewhere else. If you don’t create a new residency somewhere else and you’re just travelling, Denmark will probably still consider you tax resident.
If you have $200,000 then Panama’s Friendly Nations Visa is an option, it gives you permanent residency and so you can become tax resident there. It has good infrastructure (mostly), warm climate (if you like the tropics), good healthcare in Panama City and it’s beautiful. Taxes for foreign earned income are 0.