Transparent scoring
Scoring Methodology
How Paraisolist scores and ranks jurisdictions across 8 independent dimensions.
Each jurisdiction is evaluated across 8 weighted dimensions using verified public data: tax legislation, OECD compliance reports, FATF evaluations, World Bank governance indicators, and practitioner knowledge. The result is a transparent, reproducible score from 0 to 100 per jurisdiction per investor profile.
The 8 Scoring Dimensions
Tax Burden
25% overallEffective tax rates on personal income, corporate profits, and capital gains. High-scoring jurisdictions have low or zero rates, territorial systems, foreign income exemptions, or remittance-based regimes that substantially reduce the tax load for mobile professionals.
income_tax_rate_maxcorporate_tax_ratecapital_gains_tax_rateterritorial_taxationforeign_income_treatmentEase of Setup
20% overallSpeed, cost, and administrative simplicity of establishing legal presence and tax residency. Considers company formation timeline, annual compliance burden, and residency permit difficulty.
setup_difficultycompany_formation_daysannual_compliance_cost_eurBanking Access
15% overallAvailability and quality of multi-currency banking, international SWIFT transfers, and fintech alternatives. Also reflects internet infrastructure quality, which correlates with financial services modernisation.
banking_easeinternet_qualityResidency Options
15% overallBreadth and accessibility of legal pathways: digital nomad visas, golden visas, retirement programmes, entrepreneur visas, and investment residency schemes — weighted by minimum physical presence requirements.
has_digital_nomad_visahas_golden_visavisa_accessibility_scoremin_days_per_yearInternational Reputation
10% overallFATF compliance status, OECD information-exchange standards, EU blacklist position, and political stability. Poor reputation creates banking friction, tighter KYC scrutiny, and reputational risk for residents and companies.
fatf_statuseu_blacklist_statusoecd_compliancepolitical_stability_scoreCost of Living
5% overallRelative cost of living indexed against global averages (inverted: 100 = cheapest). A higher score means lower costs, which affects purchasing power and is a primary factor for freelancers and digital nomads.
cost_of_living_indexVisa Accessibility
5% overallHow easily foreign nationals can obtain a legal residency permit — covering dedicated visa programmes, minimum income or asset thresholds, and minimum physical presence requirements per year.
visa_accessibility_scoremin_days_per_yearhas_digital_nomad_visaLifestyle Quality
5% overallComposite of internet infrastructure quality, political stability, access to Schengen/EU travel, and overall affordability. Most relevant to digital nomads and long-term quality-of-life optimisers.
internet_qualitypolitical_stability_scoreis_eu_membercost_of_living_indexWeights by Investor Profile
Each profile applies different weights to the 8 dimensions. A freelancer prioritises tax burden and easy setup; a founder weights banking and corporate tax heavily; a digital nomad cares most about lifestyle and cost of living.
| Dimension | Overall | Freelancer | Founder / Entrepreneur | High Net Worth Individual | Digital Nomad |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tax Burden | 25% | 25% | 25% | 30% | 15% |
| Ease of Setup | 20% | 20% | 25% | 10% | 20% |
| Banking Access | 15% | 10% | 20% | 20% | 10% |
| Residency Options | 15% | 15% | 10% | 20% | 15% |
| International Reputation | 10% | 10% | 15% | 15% | 5% |
| Cost of Living | 5% | 10% | — | — | 20% |
| Visa Accessibility | 5% | 5% | — | — | 10% |
| Lifestyle Quality | 5% | 5% | 5% | 5% | 5% |
Scoring Formula
Each final score is a weighted sum of the 8 dimension sub-scores (all integers, 0–100). Weights are fixed per profile type and sum to 100%:
Scorepersona = Tax × 25% + Ease × 20% + Banking × 15% + Residency × 15% + International × 10% + Cost × 5% + Visa × 5% + Lifestyle × 5%Weights vary by profile type — see table above. All dimension scores are integers in [0, 100].
Data Sources
Scores are derived from publicly available sources: OECD tax and transparency databases, FATF mutual evaluation reports, official government legislation and gazette publications, World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators, Numbeo cost-of-living index, IMF economic outlook data, and review by qualified international tax practitioners.
Disclaimer
Scores are periodically updated and reflect general conditions at the time of last review. Individual circumstances, applicable tax treaty positions, corporate structure choices, and recent legislative amendments may significantly affect suitability for any specific person. This information is provided for general orientation only and does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. Always consult a qualified professional licensed in the relevant jurisdictions before making any decisions.