Company Registration in Costa Rica- Free 30 Min Consulting Support

Eligibility Criteria for Company Incorporation in Costa Rica

The key eligibility criteria required for company incorporation in Costa Rica are as follows:

• Must have a minimum of 1 shareholder and a maximum of 50
• Must appoint at least 1 director (manager/ gerente) for an SRL
• No mandatory minimum share capital is required under Costa Rican law
• Must maintain a registered office space in Costa Rica
• The shareholder’s limited liability is limited to the amount of capital they contributed

Who Can Register a Company in Costa Rica?

The applicants eligible to register a company in Costa Rica are as discussed below:

• Any individual of any nationality
• Legal entities (foreign or local corporations)
• Local representative or resident agent

How to Apply for Company Registration in Costa Rica with Corpbiz?

The applicants looking for company registration in Costa Rica must comply with the following procedure with Corpbiz, as discussed below:

• Step 1: Determine Type of Entity
  The first step requires the applicant to determine the most suitable business structure based on ownership, liability, and management requirements.
• Step 2: Reserve a Company Name
  The next step requires the applicant to reserve a unique company name at the time of filing with the National Registry (Registro Nacional).
• Step 3: Appoint a Legal Representative
  In the next step, the applicant must appoint a legal representative or manager (who need not be a Costa Rican resident) to handle official correspondence.
• Step 4: Draft and Notarize Incorporation Documents
  The next step requires the applicant to draft and notarise the incorporation documents (Articles of Incorporation) before a Costa Rican Notary Public.
• Step 5: Register with the National Registry
  Once notarized, the incorporation documents are submitted to the National Registry for official registration and legal recognition.
• Step 6: Received Corporate Identification Number
  Upon approval by the National Registry, the company is legally incorporated and receives a corporate identification number (Cédula Jurídica).

Post-Setup Compliance for Costa Rica Company Registration

The post-setup compliance requirements for Costa Rica company registration are as discussed below:

• Register for Social Security (CCSS)
  Upon hiring employees, the companies must register with the Caja Costarricense de Seguro.
• Beneficial Owner Declaration (RTBF)
  All Costa Rican companies must file an annual beneficial ownership declaration under the Central Bank’s Transparency and Final Beneficiaries Registry (RTBF).
• Obtain Municipal Business License (Patente Municipal)
  If the company carries out commercial or operational activities in Costa Rica, it must obtain a municipal business license from the local municipality where it operates.
• Health and Safety Permit
  Businesses in food, healthcare, manufacturing, or public services must obtain a health and safety permit from the Ministry of Health.
• Open a Corporate Bank Account
  Although not legally required for incorporation, applicants must open a corporate bank account to conduct business transactions.
• File Tax Returns (VAT & Income Tax)
  Registered companies must file monthly VAT returns and annual tax returns under Costa Rica's territorial tax system.
• Obtain Workers’ Insurance
  If the company employs staff, it must register with the National Insurance Institute (INS) for mandatory workers’ compensation insurance.
• Pay Legal & Cultural Contributions
  The companies must pay the annual statutory charges, including the education and cultural stamp (Timbre de Educación y Cultura).
• File Statutory Records (Libros Legales)
  The companies are further required to file and maintain statutory books, including the shareholders’ register, minutes of meetings, and accounting & corporate records.

Corpbiz’s Services for Company Formation in Costa Rica

• Pre-Incorporation & Regulatory Consultation
  Connect with Corpbiz for pre-incorporation & regulatory consultation on suitable business structure, foreign ownership norms, and tax framework under Costa Rica’s territorial tax system.
• Document Preparation & Filing Support
  Connect with our experts to prepare, review, and organise all mandatory documentation required to establish a business in Costa Rica.
• Streamlined HR & Employment Support
  We at Corpbiz provide streamlined HR and employment support, including employer registration with CCSS, workers’ compensation insurance, and employee benefit structuring.
• Tax Registration & Advisory Services
  Connect with our team at Corpbiz to get expert services on tax registration with the Authority (Ministerio de Hacienda).
• Bank Account Setup Assistance
  Connect with us for assistance with bank account setup, enabling you to manage company funds, pay taxes, and conduct daily operations.
• Municipal Licensing & Operational Permits
  Our experts at Corpbiz support businesses in obtaining municipal licensing and sector-specific operational permits (where applicable).
• Resident Agent & Local Representation Support
  Connect with Corpbiz for assistance with appointing a resident agent or local legal representative to ensure smooth communication with Costa Rican authorities.
• Business Expansion & Advisory Support
  Connect with us for ongoing advisory services in business restructuring or expansion, branch or subsidiary setup, regulatory queries, and long-term compliance and governance planning.
• Post-Incorporation & Ongoing Compliance
  Connect with us for post-incorporation & ongoing compliance services, including annual beneficial owner declarations, maintenance of statutory corporate records, and advisory support for regulatory updates.