Set up a company in Colombia as a foreign founder: cost, time and ownership
The usual company type for a foreign founder in Colombia is the S.A.S. (sociedad por acciones simplificada). Foreign ownership: The SAS law lets one or more natural or legal persons form an SAS with no nationality condition; no official page reached states foreign ownership limits or a 100% rule in terms. Minimum capital: None stated: Ley 1258 sets no minimum amount, and shares must be fully paid within two years. Government fee: Example from the government's VUE portal: $221.500 (currency not named; Colombian pesos implied) in chamber of commerce registration charges for a single-shareholder SAS with $5 million in capital, simulated in Sogamoso. Fees vary by city and rise with assets.
The S.A.S. (sociedad por acciones simplificada) in Colombia, from the official pages
| What | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle | The company name must be followed by 'sociedad por acciones simplificada' or the letters S.A.S. (Ley 1258 de 2008, art. 5) | secretariasenado.gov.co |
| Foreign ownership | "The SAS may be formed by one or more natural or legal persons" (Ley 1258 de 2008, art. 1): no nationality condition is set. No official page reached addresses foreign ownership caps directly | secretariasenado.gov.co |
| Formation document | An SAS is created by private document registered in the Mercantile Registry of the chamber of commerce where it has its main domicile (no public deed needed) | secretariasenado.gov.co |
| Minimum share capital | No minimum amount is set; capital can be paid on flexible terms, but never over more than two years | secretariasenado.gov.co |
| Government registration fee (example) | VUE's worked example for a single-shareholder SAS with $5 million in capital (Sogamoso chamber simulator): total $221.500 (currency not named). Final charges are set by each city's chamber | vue.gov.co |
| Fee is an estimate | "The simulator gives an estimate; when you file, your city's chamber of commerce makes the final calculation." | vue.gov.co |
| Online registration | "Register your company online with the Chamber of Commerce" through the VUE portal | vue.gov.co |
| Legal representative | The articles must name the administrators, and at least one legal representative must be appointed | secretariasenado.gov.co |
| Registered address | The formation document must state the company's main domicile | secretariasenado.gov.co |
| Signature authentication | Signatories must authenticate the formation document before registration, in person or through an attorney (apoderado) | secretariasenado.gov.co |
| Corporate income tax | "The general income tax rate for national companies ... will be thirty-five percent (35%)" (Estatuto Tributario art. 240, as amended by Ley 2277 de 2022) | secretariasenado.gov.co |
| Annual compliance | Renew the commercial registration (matrícula mercantil) every year within the first three months | secretariasenado.gov.co |
Questions founders ask about Colombia
- Can a foreigner own 100% of a company in Colombia?
- The SAS law lets one or more natural or legal persons form an SAS with no nationality condition; no official page reached states foreign ownership limits or a 100% rule in terms.
- What is the minimum capital for a company in Colombia?
- None stated: Ley 1258 sets no minimum amount, and shares must be fully paid within two years.
- How much does it cost to register a company in Colombia?
- Example from the government's VUE portal: $221.500 (currency not named; Colombian pesos implied) in chamber of commerce registration charges for a single-shareholder SAS with $5 million in capital, simulated in Sogamoso. Fees vary by city and rise with assets.
- Can I register a company in Colombia from abroad?
- The VUE portal lets you register your company online with the chamber of commerce; whether a foreigner abroad can complete it fully online was not confirmed.
- What is the corporate tax rate in Colombia?
- 35% general income tax rate for companies (Estatuto Tributario art. 240).
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To weigh the choice, read where to incorporate as a remote founder.
- Company type
- sociedad por acciones simplificada (S.A.S.)
- Foreign ownership
- The SAS law lets one or more natural or legal persons form an SAS with no nationality condition; no official page reached states foreign ownership limits or a 100% rule in terms
- Minimum capital
- None stated: Ley 1258 sets no minimum amount, and shares must be fully paid within two years
- Government fee
- Example from the government's VUE portal: $221.500 (currency not named; Colombian pesos implied) in chamber of commerce registration charges for a single-shareholder SAS with $5 million in capital, simulated in Sogamoso. Fees vary by city and rise with assets
- Local director
- Not confirmed: the SAS law requires at least one legal representative, but no official page reached says whether that person must live in Colombia
- Register from abroad
- The VUE portal lets you register your company online with the chamber of commerce; whether a foreigner abroad can complete it fully online was not confirmed
- Corporate tax
- 35% general income tax rate for companies (Estatuto Tributario art. 240)
- Official page
- vue.gov.co
- Checked
Fees, capital rules and timings change. Check vue.gov.co before you register, and get a written quote from any agent you use. Spotted something out of date? Tell us in the members' chat.