Company Registration in Costa Rica

A local director is not mandatory for a Company registration in Costa Rica for foreigners, but a Resident Agent (local attorney) needs to be appointed for official correspondence.

After business setup in Costa Rica, companies must meet key ongoing compliances, including annual disclosure of beneficial ownership with the Central Bank, payment of the yearly corporate levy, and maintenance of statutory corporate records. Businesses are also required to file annual income tax returns, monthly VAT returns (if applicable), register with social security and obtain workers’ insurance when hiring employees, secure a municipal license, and maintain proper accounting and financial records.

Yes, special permits or licenses for regulated sectors like fintech, healthcare, and education are required to set up a business in Costa Rica.

For company formation in Costa Rica, key documents and information include the proposed company name, legal form (such as S.A. or S.R.L.), date of incorporation, registration and tax identification numbers, authorized share capital and capital structure, company duration, registered office address, and province of registration.
Details of business activities, products and services, shareholders, directors or managers, legal status, and Mercantile Registry particulars are also required, along with ownership, management, and other publicly available corporate and banking information.

The company registration process in Costa Rica begins with selecting an appropriate business structure, such as an SA, SRL, or a branch office. Once the structure is chosen, a unique company name must be reserved through the National Registry. The next step involves preparing and filing incorporation documents, including the articles of incorporation, details of shareholders and directors, registered office address, and obtaining a Taxpayer Identification Number.
After incorporation, a corporate bank account is opened to manage business transactions, taxes, and payroll. Finally, the company must register for applicable taxes, including corporate income tax, VAT (if applicable), and social security, to ensure full regulatory compliance.

Registering a company in Costa Rica offers key advantages such as 100% foreign ownership with no residency requirement, allowing full control without relocation. The country provides a politically stable and legally secure environment, supported by a transparent corporate registry.
Its strategic location and wide network of Free Trade Agreements ensure strong access to global markets. Costa Rica also offers a skilled, English-speaking workforce, flexible company structures like SRL and SA, and a strong international reputation, making it an attractive and compliant destination for foreign businesses.

For company registration in Costa Rica, foreign applicants must choose a compliant company name that includes the appropriate legal abbreviation such as S.A., Ltda., SRL, or LLC. The company must have a minimum of two shareholders, which can be individuals or legal entities, and at least three directors namely a president, secretary, and treasurer with no residency requirement.
Additionally, the appointment of a resident registered agent in Costa Rica is mandatory to handle all official correspondence on behalf of the company.

The different types of Costa Rica Company Registration include the Sociedad Anónima (SA) for larger businesses, the Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada (SRL) for small and medium enterprises, a Branch Office (Sucursal) for foreign companies operating through a local representative, and a Representative Office, which is fully foreign-owned but limited to non-commercial activities such as market research and promotion.

Yes, foreigners can start a business in Costa Rica. They can indeed register a company and operate in the country just like a local entrepreneur. However, there are may be some restrictions on certain types of businesses and activities, therefore it is advisable to take the help of a professional like Enterslice services for better understanding and smooth processing.