Do I need to travel to Costa Rica to open a corporation?

No. Formation is typically handled remotely through a power of attorney coordinated with the licensed notary.

S.R.L. or S.A. — which should I choose?

For holding property, most foreign buyers use an S.R.L. — simpler governance, same protection. We confirm the right fit for your situation before filing.

How long does it take to open a Costa Rica corporation?

Up to 10 business days from documents complete to registered corporation with cédula jurídica.

Can I transfer my property into the corporation later?

Yes. Property can be acquired by the corporation directly at purchase, or transferred in later — we coordinate either path with the notary.

Incorporation · Folio Concierge

Your Costa Rica corporation.
$1,000 flat. 10 days.

S.R.L. or S.A., executed by a licensed Costa Rican notary and coordinated end to end by Folio — in English. No travel. No hourly billing. No surprise invoices, ever.

$1,000 · everything included Up to 10 business days Remote — no travel needed

Open my corporation What's included

Why smart buyers incorporate

Most foreign buyers hold property through a corporation. Here's why.

Liability shield

The corporation owns the property — your personal assets stay separate from anything that happens on it.

Privacy + estate flexibility

Shares move more privately than deeds, and succession planning gets dramatically simpler.

Cheaper future sale

Selling shares of the corporation can simplify the closing and often reduces transfer costs — we confirm the exact numbers for your case.

The flat fee

Everything a property-holding corporation needs — nothing billed later.

One flat fee covers formation start to finish, including your first beneficial-owners filing.

✓Name search + reservation at the Registro Nacional

✓Articles of incorporation drafted for your situation — shares, powers, directors

✓Executed by a licensed notary — the legal act, done right

✓Registration + cédula jurídica — your corporation's official ID

✓Legal books established

✓First beneficial-owners (RTBF) filing included — you start 100% compliant

✓English guidance throughout — what you're signing and why, in plain words

The choice, made simple

S.R.L. or S.A.?

	S.R.L. (most buyers)	S.A.
Best for	Holding property, small ownership groups	Larger structures, boards, share classes
Governance	Simple — managers (gerentes)	Formal — board of directors required
Protection	Full liability shield	Full liability shield
Upkeep	Lighter	Heavier

Our default: S.R.L. for property holding. Same protection, simpler to run. We confirm the right fit for your exact situation before anything is filed — you don't have to decide alone.

How it works

Four steps. Ten business days.

Day 0

Order + details

Pay, tell us the owners and the purpose. We confirm S.R.L. vs S.A. with you.

Days 1–2

Documents + POA

Passport copies and a power of attorney — formation runs remotely, no flight needed.

Days 3–7

Notary executes

Articles drafted and executed, filed with the Registro Nacional.

By day 10

Corporation delivered

Cédula jurídica, legal books, RTBF filed. Ready to hold your property.

After it's open

A corporation isn't a one-time purchase. We keep yours legal.

Deadlines you didn't know existed — handled.

Every Costa Rica corporation must file its beneficial-owners declaration yearly — and foreigners can't self-file without a Costa Rican digital signature. Miss it and fines can reach up to ~₡53 million, with your corporation blocked at the registry. There are yearly tax duties too.

Folio handles all of it, every year, so you never miss a deadline you didn't know existed:

The honest part

Who does the legal work?

A licensed Costa Rica notary performs the legal act of incorporation — that's the law, and it's also your protection.

Folio coordinates, translates, and stays accountable: one point of contact, one invoice, in English. We are not a law firm — we make sure the right professional does the right thing on time, and that you understand every paper you sign.

Pricing

One number. That's the point.

$1,000 flat · everything included

Formation + notary + registration + legal books + cédula jurídica + first RTBF filing

Pay $1,000 · Open my corporation

Secure card checkout · itemized receipt · IVA included

From year two, staying compliant runs $149–$327/yr depending on what you want us to handle — shown above, never sprung on you.

Questions

What buyers ask before the $1,000.

Do I need to travel to Costa Rica?

No. Formation runs remotely through a power of attorney coordinated with the notary. Most clients never leave home for this.

Can I be the only owner?

Costa Rican corporations are typically formed with two founding quota-holders; structures exist to consolidate control afterward. We set this up correctly for your situation — ask us.

Can I put my property into it later?

Yes — the corporation can buy the property directly at closing (cleanest), or receive a property you already own via transfer. We coordinate either with the notary.

What does it cost to keep each year?

The mandatory pieces are the beneficial-owners filing and annual corporate tax; for a holding corporation add the inactive D-195 return. With Folio handling everything: $149–$327/yr, listed above.

Will this get me a bank account?

A corporation is a prerequisite, but CR banks run their own KYC on the owners — that's a separate process with its own requirements. We tell you honestly what to expect before you start it.

Ready to own it the right way?

Pay $1,000 · Open my corporation

Questions first? hello@foliocostarica.com or the chat on any Folio page.

Buying property? Verify it first.

Tap any parcel on the live map — free check, or the full verified report for $29.

Open Property Check →

Investing $150K+? Make it your residency.

The property your corporation holds can qualify you for Costa Rica residency. We handle the entire process — $10,000 flat, family included.

Residency, handled →