Peru is genuinely open to foreign investment: no quotas, no mandatory local partner, no legal minimum capital, and full ownership from the day you register. Here's what it takes to start a business in Peru in 2026.
1. Which business structure fits you?
Before you register anything, it helps to know what you're actually choosing between.
- EIRL (Empresa Individual de Responsabilidad Limitada). A sole-owner limited liability structure; adding partners later requires converting to a different structure entirely.
- SACS (Sociedad por Accion Cerrada Simplificada). The fastest, fully digital route, incorporated through SUNARP's SACS module without a public deed or notary. Needs 2 to 20 natural-person shareholders; legal entities can't be shareholders in a SACS.
- SAC (Sociedad Anonima Cerrada). The most common choice for foreign founders overall: up to 20 shareholders, no Board of Directors required, which keeps it faster and cheaper than a full SA.
2. Register your business
Standard SAC formation runs through SUNARP (Peru's Public Registry): reserve your name (24 hours), draft bylaws (Minuta), convert to a notarized Public Deed (1 to 2 weeks), file with SUNARP (7 to 10 days), then activate your RUC (tax ID) with SUNAT. Total timeline is 4 to 6 weeks. The SACS digital route skips the notary entirely and carries a SUNARP qualification period of 72 hours, with a modest incorporation fee around PEN 18.70 (about $6) plus a registry fee. Either way, a Peru-resident legal representative must be appointed, doable via Power of Attorney, so you can own and direct the company entirely from abroad. There's no legal minimum capital, though banks typically expect roughly PEN 1,000 (about $270) to open an account.
3. Get your RUC ready to invoice
SUNARP includes an inactive RUC number in your registration file; your legal representative must activate it through SUNAT Operaciones en Linea using the Clave SOL before the company can issue invoices or transact formally. From 1 June 2026, newly registered taxpayers under the standard tax regimes are automatically designated as electronic invoice issuers from the day of RUC registration, so plan to have electronic invoicing set up before your very first transaction, not after.
4. Check licenses and permits
Peru doesn't issue a single national business license. Every company needs a municipal operating license (licencia de funcionamiento) from its district municipality before commercial activity begins; certain sectors carry additional permits.
5. Understand Peruvian taxes
Corporate income tax is 29.5% on net income, taxed on worldwide income if the company is domiciled in Peru. IGV (Peru's VAT) is 18% standard, made up of 16% IGV plus a 2% Municipal Promotion Tax, reduced to 10.5% for qualifying restaurants, hotels, and tourist accommodation. Dividend withholding tax is 5%. Small companies within certain net-sales limits can access a simplified regime paying a flat 1.5% of monthly income plus 18% monthly IGV, with no annual tax return required, a genuinely lighter option worth checking if your revenue qualifies. Products made and sold within Peru's Amazon region are IGV-exempt under the Law of the Amazon.
6. Stay compliant
Monthly IGV/VAT returns are due starting the month after your RUC is activated. Register for EsSalud (social security) if you hire staff. Peru is a Pacific Alliance member alongside Mexico, Colombia, and Chile, with 20-plus free trade agreements in force, worth factoring in if cross-border trade is part of your plan.
Peru business costs at a glance
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| SAC/SACS minimum capital | None legally required |
| SACS incorporation fee | ~PEN 18.70 (~$6) + registry fee |
| Practical bank account minimum | ~PEN 1,000 (~$270) |
| Corporate tax, standard | 29.5% |
| IGV (VAT), standard rate | 18% |
| Dividend withholding tax | 5% |
| Simplified regime (qualifying small companies) | 1.5% of income + 18% IGV |
Frequently asked questions
Can a foreigner own 100% of a company in Peru?
Yes, with no quotas, no mandatory local partner, and no legal minimum capital, though a Peru-resident legal representative must be appointed via Power of Attorney.
What's the fastest way to register a company in Peru?
The SACS digital route, which skips the notary entirely and carries a SUNARP qualification period of just 72 hours.
What's the corporate tax rate in Peru?
29.5% on net income, taxed on worldwide income if the company is domiciled in Peru.
What's the IGV (VAT) rate in Peru?
18% standard, made up of 16% IGV plus a 2% Municipal Promotion Tax.
What's changing about invoicing in Peru from June 2026?
Newly registered taxpayers under the standard tax regimes are automatically designated as electronic invoice issuers from the day of RUC registration.
Fees and rates above come from SUNARP and SUNAT 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 Peru-qualified accountant or lawyer about your specific situation.