Costa Rica changed something fundamental about company formation in 2025: as of 30 May, under Law 10729, you no longer pick a company name at registration. The National Registry assigns a unique legal identification number instead, which doubles as the company's legal name, and you can separately register an optional trade name for branding. Here's what it takes to start a business in Costa Rica in 2026.
1. Which business structure fits you?
Before you register anything, it helps to know what you're actually choosing between.
- S.A. (Sociedad Anonima). A corporation with freely transferable shares, no meaningful minimum capital beyond issuing at least two shares, generally the better fit for operational businesses and anything you might want to scale or bring investors into.
- S.R.L. (Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada). Managed by one or more gerentes (managers), no board of directors required, both members and managers can be foreign and nonresident. Often preferred for holding companies and simpler governance.
You don't need to be a resident or citizen to own a Costa Rican company; foreigners can own either structure outright.
2. Register your business
A Costa Rican Notary Public drafts and notarizes the incorporation deed, then files it with the National Registry (Registro Nacional), which assigns your cedula juridica (the numeric ID that now serves as your legal name under the 2025 reform). You'll also appoint a licensed Resident Agent, set a fiscal address, and register with tax authorities (Hacienda). Banking is often the slowest part of the whole process, budget 60 to 90 days for a foreign-owned entity's corporate account, well beyond the incorporation timeline itself.
3. Take the RTBF filing seriously
Every Costa Rican company must keep its RTBF (Registry of Transparency and Ultimate Beneficial Owners) filing current under Law 9416. As of 2026, non-compliance is described as the number-one operational risk for foreign-owned companies specifically, with penalties now fully enforced rather than a formality that gets overlooked. Build this into your annual compliance calendar from day one.
4. Check licenses and permits
Costa Rica doesn't issue a single national business license. Every operating business needs a municipal patente (business license) from its local municipality, renewed periodically; certain sectors carry additional permits.
5. Understand Costa Rican taxes
Costa Rica taxes on a territorial basis: only income generated within Costa Rica is taxed locally, a genuine draw for holding structures or businesses serving clients abroad. Standard corporate tax is 30% on net profits, with progressive SME rates of 5% to 20% available for companies with annual gross revenue up to roughly CRC 119 million. A corporate tax return must be filed every year even with zero Costa Rican-source income; these zero-income filings are simplified and often bundled into standard corporate services. Audited financial statements aren't mandatory regardless of company size, a lighter compliance touch than many countries in this series.
6. Stay compliant
Every registered company owes the annual Corporate Legal Entity Tax, even while dormant, unless a specific exemption applies; missing it risks penalties, registry restrictions, or dissolution. If you operate with employees, CCSS (social security) contributions run roughly 36% of total payroll, a substantial cost to plan for. Costa Rican compliance overall is calendar-driven, missed filing deadlines trigger automatic penalties and registry locks that can quickly exceed what incorporation itself cost.
Costa Rica business costs at a glance
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| S.A./S.R.L. minimum capital | Minimal (S.A.: at least 2 shares issued) |
| Corporate bank account setup | 60 to 90 days |
| Corporate tax, standard | 30% |
| Corporate tax, SME progressive rates (revenue under ~CRC 119M) | 5% to 20% |
| Foreign-sourced income | Generally exempt (territorial system) |
| CCSS (social security, if employing staff) | ~36% of payroll |
Frequently asked questions
How are Costa Rican companies named now?
As of 30 May 2025 under Law 10729, companies no longer pick a name at registration. The National Registry assigns a unique legal identification number that doubles as the legal name, with an optional trade name available separately.
How long does it take to open a corporate bank account in Costa Rica?
Often the slowest part of the whole process, budget 60 to 90 days for a foreign-owned entity's account, well beyond the incorporation timeline itself.
What's the corporate tax rate in Costa Rica?
A standard 30% on net profits, with progressive SME rates of 5% to 20% available for companies with annual gross revenue up to roughly CRC 119 million.
Is foreign-sourced income taxed in Costa Rica?
Generally no. Costa Rica taxes on a territorial basis, so only income generated within Costa Rica is taxed locally.
What is RTBF compliance in Costa Rica?
The Registry of Transparency and Ultimate Beneficial Owners filing every Costa Rican company must keep current under Law 9416. As of 2026, non-compliance is described as the number-one operational risk for foreign-owned companies.
Fees and rates above come from the Registro Nacional and the Ministerio de Hacienda as of 2026, and they do change over time, so double check before you file. None of this is legal or tax advice. Talk to a Costa Rica-qualified accountant or lawyer about your specific situation.