Doing business in Costa Rica

are foreign investors welcome in Costa Rica?
From what I have seen, depending on how you conduct business, foreign investors can be very welcome.  You must be a permanent resident (three years with a temporary residency) before you can legally work in Costa Rica, however you may form your own business venture and employ Ticos while running your endeavor.  Many Ticos are grateful for the regular employment

Is it complicated to register a company in Costa Rica? What is the procedure?
It is very simple.  Contact any lawyer who works in this field and he or she will have "off the shelf" or pre-formed companies available or you can chose your own name and have one formed from scratch (this takes a couple of months longer).  We paid $900 USD to obtain an off the shelf corporation.

What is the corporate tax rate in Costa Rica?
Currently we pay about $35 USD on our corporation however there is a new tax in the works.  I would like to refer you to this article.  Under this law your corporation will be an active corporation.

Is it easy to recruit?
Not sure what you are asking here, if you are referring to recruiting Tico workers there is no answer per say.  It will depend on what area of expertise you are looking for, your location within Costa Rica, your grasp of the Spanish language, and your Costa Rican "contacts"

Cheers .... Terry

Thanks Terry

My pleasure Julien

Are foreign investors welcome in Costa Rica?

Your money is welcome here, you probably not.  You will be looked at as a Gringo Piñata, lots of money just waiting to fall from your pockets.  There are two prices here Tico price and Gringo price.

Do not ever make the mistake of believing anything or anyone here.  Do your due diligence and research first.  There is so much misinformation here, be very cautious.  There is no recourse as the legal system is totally dysfunctional.

Is it complicated to register a company in Costa Rica? What is the procedure?

No, but you need a good Lawyer, a “good” one.  Better to ask around to Gringos who they could recommend.  Lawyers cheat you here and there is no governing body to keep them accountable, so be very careful, they will rip you off in a heartbeat!  I have heard from plenty of people that have gotten cheated here, including me.  I have a Hotel and talked to many guests that have been cheated.  I see this on a daily basis.

What is the corporate tax rate in Costa Rica?

30% of profits, not that you will ever have any...  If you want to make a small fortune here come with a large one!

Is it easy to recruit?

Everybody here can do everything....  Unfortunately you will have to hire a trained person from outside the country to fix it correctly after the locals have fixed it... 

It is very tough to get trained personnel.  Cleaning staff abound, but since the level clean is relative to here, you could be quite disappointed.  Be prepared for total frustration and long waits for repairs or people to show up, welcome Tico time.   

Any advice you would share with us?

Do not ever make the mistake of believing anything or anyone here.  Do your due diligence and research first.  There is so much misinformation here, be very cautious.  There is no recourse at all.  The legal system is totally dysfunctional and will only irritate you further.

Please do not expect anything like North American Standards here in Costa Rica, you will be greatly disappointed.  Simple things like addresses, postal service, quick service, good roads, parts or supplies availability, any sort of selection, constant electricity, common sense, etc, these are all in short supply here in Costa Rica.  Things are definitely different, in comparison to Europe or North America.  It is more simple and basic living, harder at times for sure, but less demanding.  Step back in time to different era.
   
This is a developing country and people live very simple here, without all the North American selection and conveniences.  They are available here but you will pay dearly for them, double or triple price is conservative. 

Live here for a while before investing a penny or you could be broke before you know it.


Regards,
Hotel owner two years

Hi,
no complicated to register a company in Costa Rica.
Good lawer will do it for 400-500 $


The corporate tax rate in Costa Rica is actually 150 $/year for not active company and 300 $ /year for working company.

Regards

Hi:

I agree with Euroman, to set up a business in Costa Rica is doable, if you are surrounded by the right people, keep in mind that both ticos and expats who had lived in Costa Rica, have the tendency to think they know everything about everything. The key is the start up process, do it right and once.

I am one of the Doing Business Report contributor for The World Bank in Costa Rica, and would able to share some tips about Business in Costa Rica, so please feel free to contact me
Best

Thank you very much for your contribution.

There is truth in everything that has been posted. Just expect the unexpected...and get a good lawyer.
I have a great lawyer you can contact and he speaks fluent English:
[email protected]
Good luck.

Hi:

I Agree with getting a good attorney but that is one of the team members, you need also help with taxes, banking, business license, payroll, etc, and most of the attorneys are good settin up corporations but after there is a whole trip after that.

Very best

Hello everybody

                   After reading the precedent comments, I gues this is the proper moment to ask everybody who is resident in Costa Rica about what is to their concern the most profitable business to be started .
                    I would appreciate so much if anybody is kind enough so as to advice me about which areas are still needing development and which activities are left enough to be worth thinking to start with.

                      Best regards

An honest mechanic and a reliable attorney are the best businessness in CR.

To  DDTica .
                  A good and honest mechanic is your answer to my question I appreciate very much,but let me go forward to wonder whether a profession as an electromecanic/electronic specialist could also have a big chance .
          If so which is the best and reliable way to contact people interested in the same field as I was told that the beginning of such a business should better be carried out with a partner,which I will be glad to know.
           Perhaps you may suggest me a new way to search that someone who were expecting about.
            By the way it is also important to know how much money should one invest ,what kind of taxes are in force and where is the most suitable place to setle down for that purpose.
            Once more,best regards and thank you in advance.

                             Hermeuto

I have a question. If someone is an artist and wants to work out of their home, are there any regulations against that?