Main points
- The best countries for starting a business are attractive due to low barriers to entry, political stability, quality of digital infrastructure, etc.
- The list of leading countries in 2026 includes the UAE, Singapore, the USA, the UK, Estonia, Canada and the Netherlands.
The best countries to start a business in 2026 / Collage of Channel 24
There is much more to choosing a country to start a business in than it might seem at first glance. Taxes, access to talent, quality of infrastructure, and even the ease of opening a corporate account all vary significantly across jurisdictions.
Which countries are the best for starting a business?
AB Capital has already presented its ranking. It includes 7 countries recognized as the best for starting your own business in 2026.
Countries that combine low barriers to entry, political and economic stability, and reliable legal protection for company owners and investors are usually considered the best for starting a business.
Important criteria are also the speed of business registration, ease of obtaining permits, quality of digital infrastructure, access to qualified personnel, etc. Among the leaders:
- The United Arab Emirates attracts with zero personal income tax, the possibility of 100% foreign ownership in free economic zones, fast company registration, and a strategic location that connects East and West.
- Singapore is distinguished by its favorable business climate, transparent judicial system, and developed capital markets.
- The United States of America is unique in terms of the size of its consumer market, strong corporate law (such as the states of Delaware and Wyoming), and access to venture capital.
- The United Kingdom maintains its position as a global financial center with a developed legal system and a simple company registration procedure.
- Estonia remains one of the leaders in digital governance thanks to the e-Residency program, which allows you to manage your business online.
- Canada attracts with its stability, skilled workforce and “generous” incentives for technology companies.
- The Netherlands is a “gateway to Europe” with an extensive network of tax treaties, competitive holding company structures, and a highly educated, multilingual workforce.
At the same time, choosing the best country to start your own business depends on your industry, citizenship, target markets, and long-term capital management strategy.
Important! You should not choose solely based on tax criteria. “A jurisdiction with zero taxation where it is impossible to open a bank account has no value,” experts warn.
Which Ukrainians made it to the Forbes list?
-
Recall that in March, Forbes updated the list of the richest people in the world, which included seven Ukrainians.
-
Among them are the owner of DTEK and Metinvest groups Rinat Akhmetov, the owner of the Interpipe investment and industrial group Viktor Pinchuk, the co-founder of the fintech company Revolut Vlad Yatsenko, Petro Poroshenko, the founder of the Kernel agricultural holding Andriy Verevsky, as well as Vadym Novinsky and Kostyantyn Zhevago.