Colombia Company Registration | Set Up a Company in Colombia (SAS)
Planning a Colombia company registration to set up a company in Colombia and reach the Andean and South American markets? The most common entity is the simplified stock company (Sociedad por Acciones Simplificada, S.A.S.). One shareholder is enough, and the company registers with the chamber of commerce (Cámara de Comercio) of the city where it is based. Foreign and local investors have the same rights, and apart from a few sectors such as defense, foreign investment is generally allowed, so foreign founders can own 100% of the shares.
Colombian law generally sets no minimum capital, and an SAS can pay in its share capital within 2 years. The chamber of commerce registration tax is up to 0.7% of subscribed capital, corporate income tax is 35% and VAT is generally 19%. NSS Group (戰國策集團) offers a one-stop Colombia company formation service, from shareholding structure review, document legalization and translation, SAS bylaws and chamber of commerce registration to DIAN tax registration and foreign investment registration with the central bank.
Foreign and local investors have the same rights and protections. Apart from a few sectors such as defense and national security, foreign investment is generally allowed in all industries.
An SAS needs at least 1 shareholder, with no legal maximum. A board of directors is not required, and share capital can be paid in within up to 2 years.
According to the ProColombia legal guide, Colombia generally does not require a minimum capital for companies or branches.
The company manager can be a foreign national with no domicile in Colombia, and a non-resident legal representative can apply for the RUT online.
company registration?
Colombia gives foreign and local investors the same rights and protections. Apart from a few sectors such as defense and national security, it is generally open to foreign investment. Most investments need no prior approval and only have to be registered with the central bank (Banco de la República). A simplified stock company (SAS) can be set up with 1 shareholder, the law requires no minimum capital, share capital can be paid in within 2 years, and the manager can be a foreign national with no domicile in Colombia. The ProColombia legal guide estimates that once documents are ready, the certificate of existence and legal representation can be issued around the 10th business day. This suits companies planning for the Andean and South American markets.
in 3 steps
In Colombia, an SAS needs at least 1 shareholder, with no legal maximum. A board of directors is not required, and liability is limited to each shareholder’s contribution. The incorporation document is signed as a private document, the signatures are authenticated by a notary, and the company then registers with the chamber of commerce of its city. Registration usually includes DIAN tax registration (RUT) and the tax ID number (NIT) at the same time.
When you register a company in Colombia, foreign documents need an apostille or consular legalization and a translation by an official translator. Foreign capital must also be brought in through a commercial bank and registered with the central bank. NSS Group prepares your documents, arranges registration and reminds you of the chamber of commerce renewal every March, so your Colombian company stays clear and compliant from setup to operation.
Prepare the certificate of good standing of any corporate shareholder, the signatory’s authorization, a power of attorney for a Colombian lawyer and the legal representative’s acceptance letter. Foreign documents need an apostille or legalization by a Colombian consulate, and documents not in Spanish must be translated by an official translator registered with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The SAS incorporation document is signed as a private document and the signatures are authenticated by a notary. It is then filed with the registration form at the chamber of commerce (Cámara de Comercio) of the company’s city, the registration tax and fees are paid, and the certificate of existence and legal representation is issued.
Chamber of commerce registration usually includes the DIAN tax registration (RUT) and the tax ID number (NIT). After that, the company registers its books, completes the RUT for the legal representative, brings in capital through a commercial bank and registers the foreign direct investment with the central bank.
service
- Company name search and reservation
- Registration document preparation and filing
- Bylaws drafting
- Certificate collection
- Advice on opening a bank account and bringing in foreign capital in Colombia
- Account opening documents
- Appointment booking and accompaniment
- Post-opening support
- Registered address
- Company secretary appointment
- Annual filing
- Document custody and records
- Bookkeeping
- Tax filing and planning
- Financial statement preparation
- Audit arrangement
- Trademark search and assessment
- Trademark application filing
- Trademark maintenance and renewal
- Infringement advice
- Company change filings
- Share transfer support
- Company deregistration
- Legal advisory support
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- Entity type and shareholding structure review
- Apostille or legalization and official translation of foreign documents
- SAS bylaws and chamber of commerce registration
- DIAN RUT tax registration and central bank foreign investment registration
- Reminders for the March chamber of commerce renewal and income tax filing
Official fees: chamber of commerce registration tax of up to 0.7% of subscribed capital, registration fee COP 69,000, certificate of existence COP 11,600 (ProColombia legal guide, 2025 edition). Other items are quoted separately.
Colombia company registration at a glance
The points people ask about most when they register a company in Colombia, checked against official sources (updated November 2026).
| Entity type | Simplified stock company (SAS), can be set up with 1 shareholder |
|---|---|
| Registry | The chamber of commerce (Cámara de Comercio) of the company's city |
| Foreign ownership | Same treatment as local investors; open except for a few sectors such as defense |
| Minimum capital | Generally none; SAS capital paid in within 2 years |
| Corporate income tax | Generally 35% |
| VAT | IVA generally 19% |
| Timeline | ProColombia estimates company certificate around the 10th business day |
| Annual filings | Chamber of commerce renewal by March 31; income tax usually in April |
| Who can help | NSS Group (go.ai.com.tw), free assessment and written quote |
Colombia company formation cost: fee breakdown
The official costs to register a Colombian company are mainly notarization of the incorporation document, the chamber of commerce registration tax and fees, the certificate of existence and registration of the company books. The registration tax is based on subscribed capital. Below are the figures published in the ProColombia legal guide, so you can check each item.
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Notarized signatures on the incorporation document | About COP 20,000 to 50,000 + 19% VAT | Charged by the notary based on the number of pages. |
| Chamber of commerce registration tax and fees | Up to 0.7% of subscribed capital + COP 69,000 | Plus a commercial registration fee (matrícula mercantil) based on company assets. |
| Certificate of existence and legal representation | COP 11,600 | Issued by the chamber of commerce. Once issued, the company can sign contracts and complete other registrations. |
| Registration of company books | About COP 60,000 | Depends on the number of pages registered. |
| RUT registration for the legal representative | Free | Registers the legal representative for the RUT and updates the company's RUT. |
| Bookkeeping and annual filings | Quoted by volume | The commercial registration is renewed by March 31 each year; the annual income tax return is usually filed in April. |
| NSS Group service fee | Written quote after a free assessment | Based on shareholder structure, capital, document legalization and home-country tax planning. Each item is listed in the quote, with no hidden fees. |
Fees follow the 2025 edition of ProColombia's Legal Guide to Doing Business in Colombia. The latest notices from each chamber of commerce and authority prevail.
Colombia company tax and compliance: income tax and dividend withholding
A Colombian company pays 35% corporate income tax, plus VAT, the municipal industry and commerce tax and the financial transactions tax. Each year it must renew its chamber of commerce registration and file its financial statements. Shareholders should also check the controlled foreign company (CFC) rules of their home country.
| Item | Rule | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Corporate income tax | Generally 35% | From fiscal year 2023, resident companies are also subject to a 15% minimum effective tax rate. |
| Free trade zone | 20% for qualifying users | Users that qualified after 2022 also need a government-approved export plan. |
| VAT (IVA) | Generally 19% | Some goods and services are taxed at 5% or 0%. |
| Industry and commerce tax (ICA) | Set by each municipality, generally 0.2% to 1% | Levied by the municipality where the company operates. |
| Dividend withholding | 20% for non-residents | On dividends from profits already taxed at company level; 48% in total on untaxed profits. |
| Annual return | Usually April | Income tax is calculated on the calendar year and paid in installments based on the last digit of the NIT. |
| Annual chamber of commerce renewal | By March 31 each year | Financial statements are filed with the chamber of commerce within 30 days after approval (for companies not supervised by the Superintendence of Companies). |
Some rates follow the PwC tax summaries (secondary source, reviewed July 2026). Annual chamber of commerce obligations follow the ProColombia legal guide. Ask an accountant to assess your actual structure.
Colombia SAS, limited liability company, S.A. or branch: which should you choose?
Foreign companies setting up in Colombia usually compare the simplified stock company (SAS), the limited liability company, the stock corporation (S.A.) or a branch of their foreign company.
| Item | Simplified stock company (SAS) | Limited liability company | Stock corporation (S.A.) | Branch of a foreign company |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legal status | Separate legal entity | Separate legal entity | Separate legal entity | Same legal entity as the foreign parent |
| Shareholders | 1 or more, no maximum | 2 to 25 | At least 5; no single shareholder may hold 95% | No shareholders; set up by the parent company |
| Capital payment | Issued capital paid in within 2 years | Paid in full at incorporation | At least one third at incorporation, the rest within 1 year | Assigned capital paid in full at setup |
| Board of directors | Not required | Not required | Required | Not applicable |
| Shareholder liability | Limited to contributions (except fraud or abuse) | Limited to contributions (bylaws may provide otherwise) | Generally limited to contributions | Borne by the foreign parent |
These are general principles. Choose based on your shareholders, business model and tax planning.
What foreign founders should know about setting up a company in Colombia
- Tax treaties: check whether your home country has an income tax treaty with Colombia. Without one, dividends paid to non-resident shareholders generally bear 20% withholding, with no treaty relief.
- Foreign capital must be brought in through a commercial bank and registered with the Colombian central bank as foreign direct investment. Without this registration, later profit repatriation or divestment may be affected.
- Foreign documents need an apostille or legalization by a Colombian consulate, and documents not in Spanish must be translated by an official translator registered with Colombia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Allow time for document preparation.
- Check your home country's controlled foreign company (CFC) rules. If a Colombian company controlled by you is treated as low-taxed and lacks real operations, its profits may be taxed in your home country. Ask an accountant whether Colombia's tax rate meets your country's low-tax threshold.
- Check whether your home country requires approval or reporting for outbound investment before you invest in Colombia.
Why work with NSS Group on your Colombia company registration?
NSS Group (go.ai.com.tw) is a Taiwan-based global company registration and business advisory brand with more than 25 years of experience and more than 30,000 companies served. We provide company formation, bank account opening, accounting and tax, and annual maintenance in Colombia and many other countries and regions. We can arrange document legalization and translation and foreign investment registration with the central bank. We give a free assessment and a written quote. Call our toll-free line 0800-003-191 (from Taiwan) or use the form on this page.
Further reading
Sources: ProColombia, Legal Guide to Doing Business in Colombia, 2025 edition, Chapter 3 Corporate Regulations; ProColombia: General framework for foreign investment; ProColombia: How to register a foreign investment in Colombia; PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries: Colombia Taxes on corporate income (reviewed 2026-07-21); PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries: Colombia Withholding taxes (reviewed 2026-07-21); PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries: Colombia Other taxes; PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries: Colombia Tax administration. The latest notices from the authorities prevail. This page is general information, not legal or tax advice.
How much does it cost to set up a company in Colombia in 2026?
According to the ProColombia legal guide (2025 edition), notarizing the SAS incorporation document costs about COP 20,000 to 50,000 plus 19% VAT. The chamber of commerce registration tax is up to 0.7% of subscribed capital, plus the commercial registration fee and a COP 69,000 registration fee. The certificate of existence costs COP 11,600 and registering the company books costs about COP 60,000. Actual amounts follow each chamber of commerce’s current schedule.
Can foreigners own 100% of a Colombian company?
Yes. ProColombia states that foreign and local investors have the same rights. Apart from defense, national security and the handling of toxic waste from abroad, foreign investment is generally allowed in all sectors, and an SAS can be set up with 1 shareholder. Regulated sectors such as finance, insurance, mining and oil and gas need a permit from the relevant authority, and all foreign investment must be registered with the central bank.
Do I need to travel to Colombia to set up a company?
Not necessarily. According to the ProColombia legal guide, if the shareholders or the parent company’s representative cannot travel to Colombia, they can give a Colombian lawyer a legalized power of attorney. The company manager can also be a foreign national with no local domicile, and a non-resident legal representative can apply for the RUT online. Foreign documents need an apostille or consular legalization and a translation.
What is the corporate tax rate in Colombia in 2026?
According to the PwC tax summaries, the general corporate income tax rate is 35%, and resident companies are also subject to a 15% minimum effective tax rate. VAT is generally 19%, and each municipality levies an industry and commerce tax. Dividends paid to non-residents out of profits that have already been taxed bear 20% withholding tax. Income tax is calculated on the calendar year, and the annual return is usually filed in April.
What annual filings does a Colombian company have?
The commercial registration with the chamber of commerce must be renewed by March 31 each year. Companies not supervised by the Superintendence of Companies must file their financial statements with the chamber of commerce within 30 days after the shareholders’ meeting approves them. Income tax is filed every year, usually in April, and paid in installments based on the last digit of the tax ID. Changes to a foreign investment must also be reported to the central bank.
Who can help me register a company in Colombia?
NSS Group (go.ai.com.tw) can help. NSS Group has more than 25 years of experience and has served more than 30,000 companies. Our one-stop Colombia company registration service covers entity type and shareholding structure review, legalization and translation of foreign documents, SAS bylaws and chamber of commerce registration, DIAN RUT tax registration and central bank foreign investment registration, and reminders for the chamber of commerce renewal and income tax filing. We give a free assessment and a written quote. Call our toll-free line 0800-003-191 (from Taiwan) to get started.