Costa Rica Company Formation and Registration Services
What Our Service Includes
From choosing the corporate structure and preparing the necessary legal documents for registry filing to opening a corporate bank account, our company formation and registration service handles the details. We handle the entire process on your behalf to ensure a hassle-free experience. Simply provide the information, sign documents, and watch your business grow.
Company formation and registration in Costa Rica should not be a complicated process of solving a non-native puzzle. Our company formation and registration services take care of all the legal formalities, paperwork, registry filings, and tax procedures so that you can turn your attention to more important matters: running your business.
Who Our Service Is For
Whether you are a solo entrepreneur planning to establish your business in Costa Rica, an investor considering the Costa Rican real estate market or tourism hotspot, or a foreign company that wishes to open a branch in Costa Rica, you need our company formation and registration service. Our service is particularly beneficial for non-residents since you do not have to travel to Costa Rica to establish your business.
Business Structures Available in Costa Rica
Costa Rica allows several corporate structures, but the majority of businesses use either the S.R.L. or the S.A; other options include the registration of a company branch. Choosing the right corporate structure is vital to ensure ease of maintenance and save both time and money.
Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada — S.R.L.
S.R.L. is the Costa Rican equivalent to an LLC, and it is one of the most common and flexible structures for small businesses and startups. It is also much simpler and cheaper to maintain than an S.A. and perfect for individuals or small teams that want to operate with limited liability.
Requirements for Non-Resident Companies
Anyone can own and operate a company in Costa Rica, regardless of their nationality and residency status. However, there are a few requirements non-resident shareholders and managers need to be aware of when opening a company in Costa Rica.
Corporate Shareholder and Management Requirements
It is possible to own 100% of a Costa Rican company as a foreigner without a local partner. Nevertheless, all companies must have at least one shareholder and appointed officers (president, secretary, etc.). These individuals do not have to be Costa Rican residents, but a representative must be available to receive legal documents on behalf of the company.
Registered Office and Resident Agent
Every company in Costa Rica must have a registered office address and, preferably, a resident agent to accept legal correspondence on behalf of the company. In practice, it means having an address where mail can be sent and someone who can receive legal documents in person.
Capital and Beneficial Ownership Requirements
There is no significant minimum capitalization required to register a company in Costa Rica nowadays. However, it is mandatory to register beneficial ownership with Costa Rica’s central bank, which we can assist with.
Documents Required From a Foreign Company
If you incorporate a company as a foreigner or represent a foreign company that wishes to establish its presence in Costa Rica, you will be asked to provide several documents to complete the registration.
Corporate and Registry Documents
If a foreign company is a shareholder, we will request its certificate of incorporation, certificate of good standing, and articles of organization. For individual shareholders, a scanned copy of a passport is sufficient.
Power of Attorney
Since most clients cannot visit Costa Rica in person, a power of attorney is necessary to allow us or our representative to sign documents on your behalf. We provide a sample power of attorney, which you can sign and legalize notarially.
Apostille and Translation Requirements
All foreign documents must be legalized (apostilled) and translated into Spanish by a sworn translator, which we can assist with.
How to Register a Company in Costa Rica
Registering a company in Costa Rica is a systematic process that follows specific guidelines. It is essential to understand the general idea of company formation in Costa Rica to avoid delays and complications during the process.
Choose the Corporate Structure
Decide on the corporate structure you want to use based on your individual circumstances and preferences. Keep in mind that different structures have varying requirements, liabilities, and tax implications.
Prepare and Legalize the Documents
Prepare the company formation documents and provide the information and documents we ask for to continue the process. It will be necessary to legalize several documents, including passports and identification cards, company formation documents if applicable, and the power of attorney.
Register With the National Registry
Submit the documents to the Costa Rican National Registry to officially register your company. After this step, your company will have a corporate ID number issued by the Registry.
Complete Tax and Beneficial Ownership Registration
Register your company with the Costa Rican tax authority (Hacienda) and register beneficial ownership with the central bank to complete the company formation process.
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Remote Company Formation in Costa Rica
You do not have to be present in Costa Rica to form a company. By notarizing the power of attorney and using digital signatures and apostille services, it is possible to complete the entire process remotely. Simply send us your information, and we will take care of the Costa Rican company formation on your behalf.
Company Formation Costs and Timeline
The costs and time required to form a company in Costa Rica vary depending on several factors. Below is a brief overview of the approximate expenses and duration of the process.
Registration and Professional Fees
At the time of company formation, you will be expected to pay government registration fees and notary costs, as well as our professional fee for handling the process. We will provide you with a detailed quote so that you know the cost breakdown from the beginning.
Annual Maintenance Costs
After your company is formed, you will be responsible for a few maintenance expenses, primarily the annual corporate tax (impuesto a las personas jurídicas) and resident agent fees, if applicable. Additionally, you may incur costs associated with our ongoing support services.
Estimated Registration Time
The company formation process typically takes 2-4 weeks after we receive all of your documents. The length of the process is mainly dictated by how fast the legalization of documents takes place, which is typically handled by the client.
Tax Registration and Ongoing Compliance
After registration, the company must remain current with tax filings, accounting records, beneficial ownership reporting, and other statutory obligations. Our accounting and reporting services and corporate compliance services help businesses manage these recurring requirements.
Corporate Bank Account Opening
Having a bank account in Costa Rica is often necessary to run a business in the country. We can advise you on the preparation of the required documents for the bank and help you meet their specific requirements.
Why Choose Our Company Formation Services?
Why choose us? Our company formation services in Costa Rica are the perfect choice for anyone who wishes to avoid the hassles of legal studies and international travel while ensuring their business is incorporated correctly the first time.
