this post was submitted on 24 Nov 2023
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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.)

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[–] RProgrammerMan@alien.top 2 points 10 months ago (2 children)

The Stockholm syndrome is strong with this thread

[–] matbur81@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

He's in Denmark 👍

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[–] laughing_cat@alien.top 2 points 10 months ago

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.

[–] Admiral-PoopyDick@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Tons of Scandinavians in Thailand obviously but mostly of the old retired variety. One nice thing here is no property taxes unless you are renting your place out. That bothered me in the US, in some places you pay so much in property taxes but there's no guarantees: you may or may not get public trash pickup, you may or may not be connected to the public sewer systems (i.e. need a private septic system), cops & fire can take 1+ hour unless it's life threatening, sometimes they don't come at all, roads aren't guaranteed to be good quality just because property taxes are high, etc.

[–] suriyanram@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Well. Half to the gov, the other half to ex wife as alimony. Haha, the life!

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[–] noodlez@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Based on most of your comments, Mogadishu. Little to no taxes (mostly sales tax), you get almost exclusively ONLY what YOU pay for.

[–] jupedya@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

????? you guys are paying taxes to more than one country?????? how

i thought the whole point was to country hop as a visitor/tourist

[–] nomadengineering@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Bro, i know and feel your pain. Finally got rid of it. DM me if you want some serious help.

[–] claude_the_shamrock@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

I met a lot of people in Paraguay like you. It definitely attracts the ‘libertarian’ types.

[–] MarkOSullivan@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

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?

[–] nabadiyonolol@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago (2 children)

You must be of immigrant background. Danish people usually are ok with the high tax because how efficient their government utilizes it.

[–] mekistein@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

They complain!

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[–] -thats-tuff-@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago
[–] steveoscaro@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Fuck Dubai, why would you even consider that place?

[–] BethMD@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago (2 children)

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!

[–] Malik_Archive@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago (5 children)

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.

[–] BethMD@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

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.

[–] _Hiugans_@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

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.

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[–] Normal_Chicken_2115@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

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.

[–] Chicken_Fried_Snails@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Try the good ol' USA. Low tax rates and lots of job opportunities. We borrow from our future instead of taxing appropriate rates now.

[–] Firm_Newspaper3370@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Mexico is not far off from being a libertarian dream. Of course you’re trading freedom for security, but I believe those to be mutually exclusive.

It really is a beautiful country with beautiful people. And you can live anywhere from a high tech penthouse in a modern city to a shack in the jungle.

If you live in a big city you pay more taxes and higher prices in exchange for better infrastructure. Also laws and rules are more likely to be enforced, which can be seen as a good thing or a bad thing.

If you live in a rural area there is not really any enforcement of laws other than murder unless you are involved in drug or human trafficking, which for me is perfect. Where I live few people have drivers licenses or tags on their cars and motorcycles. Most businesses pay their employees cash to avoid taxes. No building permits or engineering documentation to build or add to your house.

It’s pretty great.

[–] OnlineDopamine@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago (4 children)

Dubai probably still the best deal since it’s 0% and you can establish tax residency within 3 months, then travel the rest of the year (that’s what I do).

[–] as1992@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago (9 children)

Yeah but then you have to live in a city which is actively being built on the back of slaves.

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[–] stacy362@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Just establish tax residency in Paraguay and go live where ever you want

[–] makeinomyourgreentea@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago (10 children)

Go to the Philippines. Lower taxes, and good quality of life outside Manila as long as you have a house, car, and lots of money.

Just be careful with getting sick or accidents because your savings will run out after a trip to the hospital (even with insurance) 😂

Also, don’t expect good functioning social benefits anywhere.

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[–] arramburi@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago (4 children)

If you earn under 85k € in Italy, as a contractor (partita iva) you get a flat tax. You pay like 25 % Total, including social security ( hospital and everything).

You can live with half the Money you spend in Denmark I assume.

Maybe some small city near Venice (Bassano del Grappa come to my mind, they have cowork, good vibe-Diesel Company Hq).

Or going to Sicily, Costiera Amalfitana... But It would be for sure a culture shock. Less pricey, weak infrastructures.

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[–] dreamskij@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Under 85k€ per year, freelancer and permission to work in the EU?

In Italy your taxes would roughly halve, cost of living would be lower and if you move to central/south Italy winters will be much less of an issue (or tbh, a place like Genova or Trieste could also work).

[–] Benglian@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Bansko, Bulgaria.

[–] IcelandLady@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Denmark is beautiful. Such a fantastic place. But yes, the taxes are very high. At least you get what you pay for.

Did you not notice before you went there? In Nord countries our taxes are famously high.

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[–] justinwtt@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Hey why Dubai? The women there has no freedom and alcohol is banned.

[–] nowwmad@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago (5 children)

In all my years nomading, I’ve never actually met a single scandinavian person who felt happy living there. But hey! Those happiness indexes always puts them at the top. Always felt such bs. Country where half the years sun doesn’t shine? Happy? Yeah, sure.

[–] Fictional-adult@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

If your sample consists of nomads, is that really surprising? Like if I was happy in the US I wouldn’t be in South America right now.

[–] nowwmad@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Yeah, that could be a flawed sample I guess.

[–] matadorius@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

probably cuz the ones that are happy do not leave the place where they are happy?? and the want they arent go nomading ???

[–] igormuba@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

The lack of needing to survive allows one to pursue it’s own happiness, if he can’t find satisfaction in a wealthy and safe space to me it doesn’t seem like he can find it somewhere else, the grass will always be greener in another place

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[–] sagestruggler@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Really? Because I've met plenty here in Norway that are quite happy here. Very few that say otherwise.

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[–] rockymountain05@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Singapore has pretty low income tax and very high quality of public services and infrastructure. So the taxes are pretty bang for your buck. The cost of living is high in terms of rental and car ownership, but food can be really cheap. It is summer year round, which I dislike but seems like something you may like. I don't think there's any sort of digital nomad visa currently, however.

[–] steveoscaro@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

OP wants freedom and is considering Dubai LOL

[–] Saafine@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago (2 children)

In Poland you can pay 5% tax if you work in IT.

[–] Centucerulean@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

So how does this work if I work remotely for a company outside of Poland and just want to reside there. Do I still have to pay Polish tax? How would they know where I work?

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[–] richbiatches@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Cyprus is a well known place for online criminality. I wouldn’t go there.

[–] jasonalexander1977@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

What are taxes like for expats living/working in the places throughout the UAE?

[–] nuclearmeltdown2015@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

If you do leave the country, wouldn't you still have the same tax situation? How do you see DN as helping you to avoid paying the taxes?

[–] FloralChesterfield@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

lol me and you both

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