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 taxation and long-term stability.Costa Rica company registration allows foreign founders to establish an S.R.L. remotely in one of Latin America’s most stable jurisdictions. Income earned outside Costa Rica is not taxed locally, 100% foreign ownership is allowed, and there is no meaningful minimum capital requirement. A company can also form part of a wider real-estate or residency strategy, while incorporation is completed through a local notarial deed under power of attorney.
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
A stable Central American jurisdiction for business and relocation.
Costa Rica is known for political stability: it has maintained uninterrupted democratic government, abolished its army in 1948 and built its economy around the rule of law, ecotourism and a growing technology-services sector. Companies are registered with the National Registry through a notarial deed, foreigners may own them outright, and the S.R.L. combines limited liability with relatively simple governance and favourable treatment under US check-the-box rules.
Taxation is territorial at its core. Costa Rica taxes income generated inside the country, while profits earned abroad remain outside the local tax system. The 2023 reforms preserved this approach and led to Costa Rica’s removal from the EU watchlist. Companies without local operations face relatively light recurring obligations: a modest annual legal-entity tax and a short informative filing. Investor residency programmes and a mature real-estate market also make a company a practical part of a broader relocation strategy.
Packages & pricing
Costa Rica company registration - cost and packages.
01 - S.R.L. · LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
Company
from$2,400USD · all-in
Remote company formation in Costa Rica by power of attorney includes the notarial deed, National Registry filing, legal books and the first year of the registered address and resident agent.
✓Company name check and reservation✓Notarial deed and National Registry filing✓Registry fees and legal books✓Registered address and 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 and digital signature support - from $300 · annual 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 through local institutions and EMIs.
✓Everything in Company✓Account with a Costa Rican bank or EMI - USD / CRC multi-currency✓Account application and KYC file preparation✓Introduction to 2-3 suitable institutions✓Compliance onboarding support✓Dedicated account manager
Start with Banking →These are starting prices; the final quote is confirmed before work begins. Notarial and registry fees are itemised, while the resident agent is included where the managers live outside Costa Rica.
What you can do
Popular uses for a Costa Rica company.
Costa Rican law welcomes foreign founders, and an S.R.L. may conduct almost any lawful business. Several activities may be combined within one company, while regulated sectors such as banking and insurance require separate licensing.
Real estate & tourismlicensed
Holding villas, hotels and rental property in one of the region’s strongest real-estate and tourism markets.
IT & nearshore serviceslicensed
Development, support and BPO services for US clients within a convenient time zone.
E-commercelicensed
Online stores and digital products invoiced internationally and settled in USD.
International tradingstandard
Import-export and intermediary operations through a stable base between North and South America.
Holding & investmentstandard
Foreign assets and investment holdings whose non-Costa-Rican income remains outside the local tax system.
Relocation vehiclestandard
A company can support residency, payroll and property ownership as part of a move to Costa Rica.
Why Costa Rica
Key advantages of the jurisdiction.
✓
Territorial taxation
Income earned outside Costa Rica is not taxed locally; this position was preserved by the 2023 reforms.
✓
Regional stability
Decades of uninterrupted democracy, no army since 1948 and a functioning court system create a predictable environment for investors.
✓
100% foreign ownership
No local shareholder or director is required; a resident agent can receive official notices where necessary.
✓
US-friendly S.R.L.
The form is eligible for check-the-box treatment, allowing US owners to choose the relevant tax classification at home.
✓
Light obligations without local operations
Companies with foreign-source income pay a modest annual legal-entity tax and submit a short informative filing.
✓
Residency pathway
The inversionista and rentista programmes allow a company to fit naturally into a wider relocation strategy.
How it compares
Costa Rica alongside the main alternatives.
Panama remains the region’s classic territorial jurisdiction, Belize is cheaper to establish, and Hong Kong applies territorial taxation on a different scale. Costa Rica trades pure low cost for political stability, onshore credibility and practical liveability. Figures current 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 ✓
Tax on foreign income0% - territorial system
Annual state costEntity tax ~$120-400
PanamaRemote ✓
Tax on foreign income0% - territorial
Annual state costFrom $300
BelizeRemote ✓
Tax on foreign income0% - territorial
Annual state costFrom $350
Hong KongRemote ✓
Tax on foreign income0% offshore claim
Annual state costFrom ~$250
GeorgiaRemote ✓
Tax on foreign income0% until distribution
Annual state costMinimal
Requirements
What Costa Rican law actually requires.
01
Owners (quotaholders) - one or more individuals or companies of any nationality; 100% foreign ownership is permitted.
02
Manager - at least one manager of any nationality; if none resides in Costa Rica, a resident agent who is a local lawyer must be appointed.
03
Capital - nominal capital in colones is sufficient; there is no meaningful minimum or paid-in requirement.
04
Registered address - a registered address in Costa Rica is mandatory and included in the package.
05
Notarial deed - business registration in Costa Rica is completed by a Costa Rican notary and can be signed remotely through a power of attorney prepared for the founder.
06
Books & filings - legal books, the shareholder-registry filing and a short annual informative return must be maintained.
How it works
From application to a registered company - within weeks.
To register a company in Costa Rica, the entire process can be completed remotely through legal advisers and a Costa Rican notary. The founder signs a power of attorney, and most companies are recorded by the National Registry within two weeks.
01Same day
Free consultation
We confirm whether Costa Rica fits the case, determine whether S.R.L. or S.A. is more appropriate and fix the full cost.
021-2 days
KYC & documents
Passports, proof of address and a short business description; the deed and power of attorney are prepared.
031 day
Name reservation
The company name is cleared with the National Registry.
042-4 days
Notarial deed
The Costa Rican notary executes the incorporation deed under the power of attorney.
053-7 days
Registry & tax ID
The company is registered, legal books are issued and the tax ID is obtained; apostilled documents follow.
062-4 weeks
Banking
The company is introduced to suitable banks or EMIs and supported through 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 process run alongside KYC, so most files are completed within approximately 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 Hong Kong, 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
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 taxation: 0% on foreign income.
Costa Rica taxes income generated inside the country, while profits earned abroad remain outside its local tax system. A company conducting international activity without Costa Rican-source income therefore pays no local tax on those foreign profits. Domestic business is taxed at the normal progressive rates, while companies without local operations pay a modest annual legal-entity tax.
Foreign income - 0%
Profits earned outside Costa Rica remain outside the local tax system; the 2023 reforms preserved this territorial treatment.
Local income - up to 30%
Costa Rican-source profits are taxed at progressive rates of 5-30% depending on revenue.
Annual entity tax
Every company pays a modest annual legal-entity tax of roughly $120-400.
Substance & reporting
A shareholder-registry declaration and a short informative filing are required; full accounting applies once local operations begin.
Levies in 2026
Tax on foreign-source income0%
CIT on local income5-30% progressive
Capital gains - foreign assetsNone
Withholding - non-residentsLocal-source only
Annual legal-entity tax~$120-400
VAT on local supplies13% - local business only
Dormant and foreign-income-only companies continue to file a short informative return and pay the flat legal-entity tax.
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
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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
Common questions about Costa Rica company registration.
Can I open a company in Costa Rica without visiting?+
Yes. A local notary executes the incorporation deed under power of attorney, after which the documents are filed with the National Registry. Everything can be signed remotely, and apostilled corporate documents are sent by courier.
How much does it cost to open a company in Costa Rica?+
Turnkey incorporation starts from $2,400, including notarial and registry fees, legal books and the first year of the registered address and resident agent. Packages with an arranged account start from $4,100.
How long does company registration in Costa Rica take?+
Most files are completed within 1-2 weeks. The notarial deed takes several days after KYC, while registration with the National Registry normally requires approximately another week.
Will the company pay tax in Costa Rica?+
Not on foreign income. The system is territorial, so profits earned outside Costa Rica remain outside the local tax base. Costa Rican-source business is taxed progressively up to 30%, while every company also pays the modest annual legal-entity tax.
Is Costa Rica an offshore jurisdiction?+
Not in the classic sense. After the 2023 reforms, the EU removed Costa Rica from its watchlist, and the country participates in OECD transparency standards. The phrase offshore company registration in Costa Rica is therefore better understood as a search term for a company benefiting from territorial taxation rather than a traditional offshore flag.
S.R.L. or S.A. - which should I choose?+
The S.R.L. is simpler to manage, does not require a board and is eligible for US check-the-box elections. The S.A. is better suited to larger structures that prefer a traditional board. Both are offered at the same formation price.
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 - is appointed to receive official notices.
Does the company file accounts?+
A company with only foreign-source income files a short informative return and the shareholder-registry declaration. Full accounting and tax returns apply once Costa Rican-source operations begin.
Can the company open a local bank account?+
Yes. Costa Rican banks work with resident companies, although they generally prefer to see local substance. For purely international activity, a multi-currency EMI may be used first.
Can the company support residency?+
Yes. The structure can fit naturally into a relocation plan: the inversionista route accepts qualifying investments, including through a company, while the rentista programme is designed for applicants with qualifying income.
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
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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.
✓No obligation; the first consultation is free✓A clear recommendation, not a sales pitch✓Transparent fixed fees, confirmed up front✓EN · RU speaking team