Dmitri Mihhailov
General Partner
Leads Prifinance's corporate practice and oversees client engagements, with senior expertise in international company structuring and bank-account setup.
Register a company in Costa Rica, territorial and stable.
Set up a Costa Rican S.R.L. remotely: a company in Latin America's most stable democracy with genuinely territorial taxation, where income earned outside Costa Rica is not taxed. Full foreign ownership, no minimum capital, and a jurisdiction that doubles as a residency and real-estate base. Incorporated by notarial deed under power of attorney.A Costa Rican S.R.L. set up remotely by power of attorney: territorial taxation with 0% on foreign income, 100% foreign ownership, in Latin America's most stable democracy.
27 yrs
on the international marketon the market
60+
in-house specialistsspecialists
6,000+
companies servedcompanies served
Updated
Costa Rica · at a glance
Legal formS.R.L. · Limited Liability Company
Time to set up1-2 weeks
Tax on foreign income0% - territorial system
Foreign ownership100% allowed
Min. capitalNominal - no real minimum
Remote setupYes - by power of attorney
4.7
★★★★★
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Costa Rica in brief
Latin America's safe harbour.
Costa Rica is the region's byword for stability - an unbroken democracy that abolished its army in 1948 and built its brand on rule of law, ecotourism and a growing tech-services economy. Companies register in the National Registry through a notarial deed, foreigners can own them outright, and the S.R.L. form pairs simple governance with limited liability - plus friendly treatment under US check-the-box rules, which is why American founders in particular favour it.
Taxation is territorial at its core: Costa Rica taxes income generated inside the country, while profits earned abroad sit outside the system - a position confirmed by the 2023 reforms that satisfied the EU and took the country off its watchlists. Companies without local operations keep obligations light: a modest flat annual entity tax and a short informative filing. Add investor-friendly residency programmes and a mature real-estate market, and the company often becomes the first step of a bigger relocation plan.
Costa Rica is the region's byword for stability - democracy since 1948, no army, courts investors use. Companies register by notarial deed; foreigners own them outright; the S.R.L. is US check-the-box friendly.
Taxation is territorial: foreign profits sit outside the system (EU-confirmed since 2023). Offshore-only companies owe a small flat entity tax and a short informative filing.
Packages & pricing
Costa Rica company registration - cost & packages.
01 - S.R.L. · LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
Company
from$2,400USD · all-in
Remote incorporation of a Costa Rican S.R.L. by power of attorney - notarial deed, National Registry filing, legal books and the first year of the registered address and resident agent included.
✓Company name check & reservation✓Notarial deed & National Registry filing✓Registry fees & legal books✓Registered address & resident agent - first year✓Corporate documents with apostille✓Free pre-incorporation consultation
Optional add-ons: S.A. instead of S.R.L. - same price · tax ID & digital signature support - from $300 · annual renewal - from $1,200/year.Add-ons: S.A. same price · tax ID & digital signature from $300 · renewal from $1,200/year.
Start with Company →02 - S.R.L. · LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
Most popularCompany + Bank Account
from$4,100USD · all-in
A working Costa Rican company with a bank or fintech account - USD and colón balances, cards and online banking, arranged with local institutions and EMIs.
✓Everything in Company✓Account with a Costa Rican bank or EMI - USD/CRC multi-currency✓Account application & KYC file preparation✓Introduction to 2-3 suitable institutions✓Compliance onboarding support✓Dedicated account manager
Start with Banking →Prices are entry points, fixed for your case before work begins. Notarial and registry fees are itemised; the resident agent is included where directors live abroad.Entry prices, fixed before work begins. Notarial and registry fees itemised.
What you can do
Popular uses for a Costa Rica company.
Costa Rican law welcomes foreign founders, and an S.R.L. may pursue almost any lawful business. One company can combine several of the uses below; only regulated sectors such as banking or insurance need a licence.An S.R.L. may pursue almost any lawful business. One company can combine several uses.
Real estate & tourism
Holding villas, hotels and rentals in one of the hemisphere's strongest property markets.
IT & nearshore services
Development, support and BPO for US clients in the same time zone.
E-commerce
Online stores and digital products billed worldwide, settled in USD.
International trading
Import-export through a stable base between the Americas.
Holding & investment
Foreign assets held territorially. Outside Costa Rican tax.
Relocation vehicle
The company that anchors residency, payroll and property for a move to Costa Rica.
Real estate & tourism
Villas, hotels and rentals.
IT & nearshore
US-time-zone services.
E-commerce
Online sales settled in USD.
Trading
Import-export between the Americas.
Holding & investment
Foreign assets outside CR tax.
Relocation vehicle
Anchors residency and property.
Why Costa Rica
Key advantages of the jurisdiction.
✓
Territorial taxation
Income earned outside Costa Rica is not taxed there. Confirmed by the 2023 reforms that satisfied the EU.0% on foreign income - EU-confirmed reforms.
✓
Region's most stable state
Decades of unbroken democracy, no army since 1948, and courts investors actually use.No army since 1948; real rule of law.
✓
100% foreign ownership
No local shareholder or director requirement. A resident agent handles service of process.No local partner or director needed.
✓
US-friendly S.R.L.
Check-the-box eligible, which lets American owners choose pass-through treatment at home.Check-the-box pass-through for US owners.
✓
Light duties offshore
Companies without local operations owe a modest flat entity tax and a short informative filing.Flat entity tax + short informative filing.
✓
Residency springboard
Investor and rentista programmes turn the company into a genuine relocation base.Investor and rentista routes fit the company.
How it compares
Costa Rica next to the usual shortlist.
Panama is the region's offshore classic with heavier scrutiny; Belize is cheaper but flimsier; Hong Kong is territorial at a different scale. Costa Rica trades pure cheapness for stability and liveability. Figures current as of 2026.Panama is the offshore classic with heavier scrutiny; Belize is cheaper but flimsier. Costa Rica trades cheapness for stability. Figures as of 2026.
| Country | Tax on foreign income | Annual state cost | Fully remote incorporation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Costa Rica | 0% - territorial system | Entity tax ~$120-400 | Yes - by power of attorney, 1-2 weeks |
| Panama | 0% - territorial | From $300 | Yes - heavier bank scrutiny |
| Belize | 0% - territorial | From $350 | Yes - budget option |
| Hong Kong | 0% offshore claim | From ~$250 | Yes - audit required |
| Georgia | 0% until distribution | Minimal | Yes - CIS-adjacent profile |
Costa RicaRemote ✓
Foreign income0% - territorial
State costentity tax ~$120-400
PanamaClassic
Foreign income0% - territorial
State costfrom $300
BelizeBudget
Foreign income0% - territorial
State costfrom $350
Hong KongAudit req.
Foreign income0% offshore claim
State costfrom ~$250
GeorgiaDistribution tax
Foreign income0% until payout
State costminimal
Requirements
What Costa Rican law actually demands.
01
Owners (quotaholders) - One or more owners, individuals or companies of any nationality; 100% foreign ownership is allowed.
02
Manager - At least one manager of any nationality; if none lives in Costa Rica, a resident agent. A local lawyer. Is appointed, and we provide one.
03
Capital - A nominal capital in colones is enough. There is no real minimum and no paid-in requirement.
04
Registered address - A registered address in Costa Rica is mandatory. We provide it as part of the package.
05
Notarial deed - Incorporation is executed by a Costa Rican notary. Signed remotely through a power of attorney we prepare.
06
Books & filings - Legal books, the shareholder registry filing and a short annual informative return. We keep the calendar for you.
How it works
From application to a live company in weeks.
A Costa Rican notary executes the deed under your POA; the National Registry records most companies within two weeks.Signed remotely by power of attorney; the notary and National Registry complete most files in 1-2 weeks.
01Same day
Free consultation
We confirm that Costa Rica fits your case. S.R.L. or S.A.. And fix the full cost.
021-2 days
KYC & documents
Passports, proof of address and a short description of the business; we draft the deed and POA.
031 day
Name reservation
We clear the company name with the National Registry.
042-4 days
Notarial deed
The notary executes the incorporation deed under your power of attorney.
053-7 days
Registry & tax ID
The company is recorded, books issued, and the tax ID obtained; apostilled documents follow.
062-4 weeks
Banking
We introduce the company to suitable banks or EMIs and support the account opening.
Quick facts
Legal formS.R.L. / S.A.
Min. capitalNominal
Tax on foreign income0%
Standard timeline1-2 weeks
Local directorNot required
Annual entity tax~$120-400
Financial yearOct-Sep or calendar
The notarial deed and registry recording run in parallel with KYC, so most files complete within two weeks.
On the ground
On the ground in Costa Rica.
Prifinance - Costa Rica
San José
San José, Costa Rica
01
Latin America specialists
Your setup is run by a team that files Central-American structures with local notaries every month.
02
Address & resident agent included
A registered address and resident agent keep the company in good standing while you operate remotely.
03
Banking & residency help
Account introductions, KYC preparation, entity-tax payments and residency guidance handled by one team.
04
Also in Tallinn, London, Dubai & more
A network of offices across Europe, the Gulf and the Americas. One team for your whole international structure.
We also have offices in
Tallinn
Estonia
Roseni 13
Hong Kong
Hong Kong
5/F, Yau Lee Centre, 45 Hoi Yuen Road, Kwun Tong
Vilnius
Lithuania
Gedimino pr. 2
London
United Kingdom
7 Bell Yard
Prague
Czech Republic
Vlkova 532/8, Žižkov
Berlin
Germany
Rankestraße 26
Madeira
Portugal
Rua da Alegria 31, 1F
Budapest
Hungary
Korányi Sándor u. 4
Istanbul
Türkiye
Perpa Ticaret Merkezi, A Blok
Dubai
UAE
33 Level, Al Saqr Business Tower
Toronto
Canada
1110 Finch Avenue West, suite 406
Singapore
Singapore
3 Church Street, #29-68 Samsung Hub
Bangkok
Thailand
Unit P01, Penthouse, VASU1, 1 Sukhumvit 25 Alley
Foshan
China
A-Tower, Yuneng Digital Plaza, 46 Lishui Avenue South
Almaty
Kazakhstan
Republic Square 13
Bishkek
Kyrgyzstan
32 Razzakov Street
Taxation 2026
Territorial at its core.
Costa Rica taxes income generated inside the country; profits earned abroad sit outside the system. Companies trading internationally therefore owe no Costa Rican tax on foreign earnings - while local business pays normal progressive rates. The recurring state cost for offshore-only companies is a modest flat entity tax.Foreign income 0%; local income 5-30%; every company pays a small flat entity tax (~$120-400).
Foreign income - 0%
Profits earned outside Costa Rica are outside the tax system. The 2023 reforms kept it that way with EU blessing.Profits earned abroad are outside the system - EU-blessed.
Local income - up to 30%
Costa Rican-source profits pay progressive rates from 5% to 30% depending on revenue - irrelevant offshore.Progressive rates only for CR-source business.
Flat entity tax
Every company owes a small annual legal-entity tax (roughly $120-400). The price of good standing.~$120-400/year. The price of good standing.
Substance & reporting
A shareholder-registry declaration and a short informative return; full accounting only with local operations.Short informative return; full books only with local operations.
Levies in 2026
Tax on foreign-source income0%
CIT on local income5-30% progressive
Capital gains (foreign assets)None
Withholding (non-residents)On local-source only
Annual legal-entity tax~$120-400
VAT on local supplies13% - local business only
Dormant and foreign-only companies file a short informative return and pay the flat entity tax - we handle both.
Your team
The specialists who'll handle your case.
Eugeniu Bevziuc
Corporate services advisor
Advises clients on company formation, VAT and ongoing compliance, coordinating each step of the setup across the EU.
Alex Danila
Company formation specialist
Your day-to-day contact - coordinates incorporation, documents and the bank introduction, from the first call through to launch.
Follow Prifinance
Active across our channels.
Watch: opening a company in Costa Rica with Prifinance
A stable Latin-American base with 0% on foreign income - full support for your Costa Rican company, start to finish.
Talk to a specialist →FAQ
Costa Rica, in questions.
Can I open a company without visiting Costa Rica?+
Yes. A local notary executes the deed under your power of attorney and the National Registry filing follows; you sign remotely and receive apostilled originals by courier.
How much does it cost to set up a Costa Rican company?+
Turnkey incorporation starts from $2,400 including notarial and registry fees, legal books and the first year of the registered address and resident agent. With an account arranged, packages start from $4,100.
How long does incorporation take?+
Most files complete within one to two weeks: the notarial deed takes a few days after KYC and the registry recording about a week more.
Will the company pay tax in Costa Rica?+
Not on foreign income - the system is territorial, so profits earned outside Costa Rica stay outside its tax net. Local-source business pays progressive rates up to 30%. Every company owes the small flat entity tax each year. Where the owners live keeps its own rules; we flag them in the consultation.
Is Costa Rica on any blacklists?+
No - after the 2023 amendments the EU removed Costa Rica from its watchlist, and the country participates in OECD transparency standards. It reads as a normal onshore state with a territorial system, not an offshore flag.
S.R.L. or S.A. - which one?+
The S.R.L. is simpler - no board, easy transfers, and eligible for US check-the-box elections, which American owners value. The S.A. suits larger structures wanting a classic board. Same price with us; the S.R.L. wins most cases, and we'll say when yours is the exception.
Do I need a local director or partner?+
No. Owners and managers can all be foreign; if no manager resides in Costa Rica, a resident agent - a local lawyer we provide - receives official notices.
Does the company file accounts?+
Companies with only foreign income file a short informative return and the shareholder-registry declaration; full accounting and tax returns apply once you have Costa Rican-source operations.
Can the company open a local bank account?+
Yes - Costa Rican banks onboard resident companies, though they like to see local substance; for purely international operations we usually pair the company with a multi-currency EMI first.
Does the company help with residency?+
It fits naturally: Costa Rica's inversionista route accepts qualifying investments - including through your company - and rentista suits income-based applicants. We can run the company and residency tracks together.
Client notes
Google4.7★★★★★
Founders who wanted it done right.
Google4.7★★★★★
“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…”
Google
“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”
Google
“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.”
Google
“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…”
Google
“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…”
Google
“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!”
Google
More from Prifinance
Other jurisdictions & licenses.
Free consultation
Start your Costa Rica company today.
Write to us about your plans; within one business day a specialist sends a recommendation (S.R.L. or S.A.), a timeline and a fixed quote.A Costa Rica specialist replies within one business day: S.R.L. or S.A., with a timeline and a fixed quote.
✓No obligation; the first consultation is free✓A clear recommendation, not a sales pitch✓Transparent fixed fees, confirmed up front✓EN · RU speaking team