Company registration in Central America

Country of incorporation Registration fee
Belize
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1100 USD
Costa Rica
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2300 USD
El Salvador
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1550 EUR
Guatemala
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2500 USD
Nicaragua
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Оn request
Panama
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1780 USD

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The region of Central America conventionally includes El Salvador, Panama, Belize, Guatemala, Costa Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and other nearby countries. Many of these jurisdictions are interesting in terms of tourism and doing business, primarily because of the following advantages.

Advantages of registering a company in Central America

The decision to open a business in Central America can provide access to the following advantages of the region:

  • the simplicity of the process of registration and support of business activities;
  • openness and interest in foreign capital;
  • opportunity to gain access to minerals (gold, ores, and other resources);
  • availability of mechanisms for the protection of assets;
  • the possibility of establishing offshore companies in some countries.

Forms of business in Central America

Business registration in Central America is available in one of the following forms:

  • A limited liability company is a type of legal entity in which the financial and legal liability of the shareholders is limited solely to the number of contributions to the company. The maximum number of participants in this company is usually specified. It is suitable for small and medium-sized businesses. The legislation restricts the free transfer of company shares to third parties.
  • A joint-stock company is designed for larger businesses to attract external financing. A JSC usually has a minimum number of shareholders but no limit on their maximum number. Shareholders are also limited to the number of shares they own. These shares can be freely alienated from third parties and quoted on the stock exchange.
  • Branch - an option available to non-resident companies and assumes simple registration without contributing share capital. A branch does not have legal entity status; the parent company is fully responsible for its activities.
  • Representative office - an option also available for a foreign company to test the capabilities of local markets and promote its goods/services.
  • Offshore - a company that operates outside the jurisdiction of its incorporation, thus being exempt from taxes. The liability of the participants is limited to the limits of their contributions.

Procedure for registering a company in Central America

You can register a company in Central America by following a series of interrelated steps:

  1. Selection of the most optimal legal form of organization.
  2. Selection and reservation of a unique name for the future company.
  3. Drawing up documents on the founders, managers, and beneficiaries.
  4. Drafting and execution of incorporation documents and registration forms. Filing the package of documents with the registrar and paying the appropriate registration fees.
  5. Registration for the payment of taxes and mandatory social security contributions.
  6. Opening corporate bank accounts.
  7. Obtaining additional permits and licenses.

Regulatory environment and taxation aspects

The region aims to attract foreign investment, which, among other things, manifests itself in a simplified procedure for starting a business and keeping records. Non-residents enjoy equal rights to start a business as residents.

As a rule, the legislation of most Central American countries has no minimum capital requirements for private companies. However, it still has to be formed at a specific size for certain legal forms (e.g., JSC) and companies from certain areas (e.g., financial or banking).

The tax system in each Central American jurisdiction has its particularities. Still, the common types of taxes that businesses must face are corporation tax, personal income tax, VAT, withholding tax, and capital gains tax. If a jurisdiction can register offshore, the tax burden is almost absent. We can talk about a relatively low tax burden on businesses in this region.

How Prifinance lawyers can assist

Suppose the agenda is to open a business in Central America. In that case, the lawyers of Prifinance are ready to help in every possible way its practical realization, including through the following legal services:

  • selection of the best options for the purchase or registration of a company in Central America, drawing up a roadmap for the project;
  • collecting and preparation of all necessary data for registration of a new company;
  • drawing up and executing incorporation documents and registration forms;
  • negotiating with local authorities and banks;
  • providing comprehensive support to address all issues that may arise during the follow-up of the business in Central America and around the world.

Prifinance lawyers have successfully implemented more than 11,000 projects in the registration field. They will be happy to support the start-up and operation of the business in the new case study.

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I NI N
10:31 20 Mar 24
Collaborated with the company for 3 years. I can’t say that everything was smooth from the point of view of organizing the work; there was confusion in the structure of the work, etc. But I’ll specifically highlight employee Lyubov Malinowski, she very diligently corrected all errors and was in touch at the right time, her help was significant in all processes and she approached all issues precisely. I would like to separately highlight the moment when she solved the problem at her own expense, which speaks of the person’s professionalism and increased responsibility.
K NK N
11:40 01 Mar 24
As a software development crew at FewMoreTaps OÜ, we've had the pleasure of working with Prifinance on some key financial moves.First of all, navigating the world of corporate banking and finance can be a maze, but Prifinance made it feel like a walk in the park. They helped us set up a corporate bank account without the hassle of jumping on a plane or drowning in paperwork. Everything was done remotely, smoothly and securely.But that's not all. We had a slightly time-sensitive situation when it came to changing the beneficiary details on our account. Prifinance stepped up to the plate and handled everything quickly and professionally.It's not just about getting the job done. It's about how Prifinance does it. They're all about making complex financial matters simple and accessible for companies like ours. Plus, their team, especially Liubov Malinowski, has been nothing short of fantastic to work with - professional, timely and always on the ball.In short, FewMoreTaps OÜ wholeheartedly endorses Prifinance OÜ. Whether it's opening bank accounts remotely or navigating the financial legalities of running an international business, these guys have got your back. A big thank you to the entire Prifinance team for their first class support and expertise.Here's to more collaborations in the future!Best,Kiryl Nest
Mina KedisMina Kedis
18:10 23 Feb 24
I had their assistance in company registration and I would recommend them. They were answering all my clarification during the process and offering all their supportThank you Daniel and Irinia
Róbert KnapecRóbert Knapec
15:08 22 Feb 24
We found PRIFINANCE COMPANYvia the Internet and asked for help in organizing the opening of their company in Estonia. PRIFINANCE COMPANY specialists helped us a lot with this. Their professional, competent approach and knowledge of their business left us with only the best impressions.
Anna AnnaAnna Anna
13:33 07 Feb 24
I'm thrilled with my experience with PriFinance! They helped me obtain a crypto license in Estonia without any hassle. The team was super understanding and always available to answer my questions and assist. It was great to see how they put effort into preparing the documents to ensure everything went smoothly. I'm delighted with the outcome and highly recommend PriFinance to anyone looking to get a license stress-free!
Opening an account with Prifinance in a Swiss bank was such an easy and quick process that I was shocked. It all started with the first call, where I received detailed guidance on the required documents and the entire procedure.One of the key highlights was their attention to detail. As someone who usually gets tangled up in paperwork, I was pleasantly surprised when they sent me all the documents and instructions clearly and neatly. No misunderstandings!Honestly, I expected opening a Swiss bank account to be complex and time-consuming, but thanks to Prifinance, I felt like a professional financial expert. Thank you for making this process so easy and enjoyable!
Maria Jose SantomeMaria Jose Santome
20:39 13 Dec 23
I recently had the pleasure of working with Boris.. and I must say, it was a fantastic experience. Boris went above and beyond to assist me with my residency needs. His professionalism, knowledge, and dedication truly stood out. I highly recommend working with Boris and the team!
Valon StatovciValon Statovci
12:43 27 Nov 23
I used Prifinance to help me with a new corporate structure. The team were helpful and communicated well from the initial onboarding with Daniel to case handling by Karmen. They also responded to additional requests post incorporation very quickly, Thank you and would work with them again
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