Company Formation · Americas
Costa Rica
We form companies in Costa Rica. Stripe is not available as a merchant account. We also advise on local banking.
- Entity
- S.A. / SRL
- Visit
- A visit may be required for identification or banking
- Timeframe
- Typically 2–6 weeks
- Typical cost
- Attorney and registry fees
Country overview
About Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a republic in Central America. San José is the capital and the largest city. About 5.2 million people live here. It borders Nicaragua and Panama, with coasts on the Pacific and the Caribbean. Spanish is the official language. The currency is the colón (CRC).
Costa Rica is known for political continuity and a services economy centred on San José. It has no standing army. English is used in parts of business and tourism. A Costa Rican company is formed under Costa Rican law for business or holding in Costa Rica.
Brikseka forms Costa Rican companies. The usual vehicles are a sociedad anónima (S.A.) or a sociedad de responsabilidad limitada (SRL). Formation typically takes two to six weeks. Company documents can often be prepared with Costa Rican counsel; identification, banking, or immigration may still require travel.
We then advise on a business bank account. Stripe is not available as a merchant account on a Costa Rican company. Costa Rican banks often require presence. Approvals are decided by the providers. If your aim is to live in Costa Rica, company formation is not a residence permit — that is a separate immigration file, which we also advise on.
Company formation
We form an S.A. or SRL with Costa Rican counsel. A visit may still be needed for identification, banking, or immigration.
San José
A politically stable Central American republic with San José as the commercial centre and the colón as the currency.
Banking
Stripe is not available as a merchant account. Local banks often require presence. Approvals are decided by the providers.
Tax setting
Corporate income tax is published at 30 percent on Costa Rican-source income, with lower bands for smaller companies. We confirm the live position before you proceed.
How we work
From briefing to a registered company
Briefing
We review your business, the right entity for this country, costs, and whether a visit is likely.
Company formation
Local counsel, notary where required, and the commercial register. We coordinate the documents through to a registered company.
Banking and payments
After the company exists, we prepare applications for a business account and payment gateways.
After incorporation
Statutory records, a named contact, and introductions to accounting so the company can operate.
Also available
Business immigration
Forming a company in Costa Rica does not grant the right to live there. If you intend to relocate, we also advise on Costa Rica business immigration — including Inversionista. Requirements, capital, and processing times are confirmed before any engagement.
After the company exists
Payment gateways
- Stripe is not available as a merchant account for this entity
- Payoneer receiving account, subject to Payoneer’s approval
- Merchant of record: Paddle, Lemon Squeezy, Polar
Operating stack
Business banking
- Costa Rican banks often require presence
Provider lists are indicative. We confirm current availability, government fees, and account-opening requirements during consultation.
Business Tools covers payment gateways, business accounts, email, websites, and related tools after the company exists.
Consultation
Start a confidential conversation
Tell us what you are building or where you need to move. We respond within one business day.