Guides · Open a company in Colombia
Open your company in Colombia with the right structure from day one.
S.A.S. formation, tax registration, e-invoicing and the bank account file, coordinated by one licensed accountant. Remote where the law allows, with the accounting structured from month one.
In short
The essentials, in three lines.
- 01The S.A.S. (simplified stock company) is the standard vehicle: one or more shareholders, no minimum capital, limited liability, and a foreigner can be shareholder and legal representative.
- 02Formation runs through the Chamber of Commerce and the tax authority (RUT and NIT). Electronic invoicing must be enabled before the first sale.
- 03Choosing the tax regime (SIMPLE or ordinary) before invoicing, and registering the capital as foreign investment, are the two decisions founders most often get wrong.
Key figures
The numbers this turns on.
1 shareholder, no minimum capital
S.A.S.
Allowed
Foreign shareholders and directors
Extra documentation depending on migratory status.
New companies at RUT registration
SIMPLE regime enrollment
Existing companies only until the last business day of February.
Days, with complete documents
Typical timeline
Bank accounts take longer; we prepare the file.
Scope
What the formation service includes.
Entity type and capital structure advice
Bylaws drafting and shareholder documentation (passport, apostilles, powers)
Chamber of Commerce registration and commercial registry
RUT and NIT registration with the tax authority
Tax regime decision: SIMPLE versus ordinary, with a simulation
Electronic invoicing enablement
Corporate bank account file and KYC support
Foreign investment registration of the paid-in capital
Opening accounting structure and first-month bookkeeping
What to know
Before you start.
Remote formation
Apostilled powers of attorney allow formation without travelling. Some banks require the legal representative in person; we tell you which ones do not.
Payroll and hiring
Hiring in Colombia brings social security, benefits and electronic payroll. We set it up so the labor expense stays deductible.
After formation
Most founders continue with the Global plan: monthly bookkeeping, taxes, payroll and English reporting.
How it works
A practical route, with owners and dates.
- Call01
Free initial call
30 minutes to understand your situation, timeline and structure.
You receiveA first read on your position.
- 48 h02
Written roadmap
Corporate, tax, foreign exchange and accounting steps with owners and dates.
You receiveRoadmap in English.
- Setup03
Setup
Registrations, bank file, e-invoicing and the opening accounting structure.
You receiveA company that can operate.
- Monthly04
Ongoing support
Monthly bookkeeping, taxes, payroll and English reporting.
You receiveManagement report each month.
Who answers
A licensed Colombian Public Accountant, not a filing agent.
Kathiuska Villegas Padilla is a Contadora Pública with a postgraduate specialization in Tax Management and IFRS certification, and more than nine years directing accounting, tax and finance for companies and groups. She sets the technical position on every engagement and signs what leaves the office.
We work inside your company's software
QuickBooks
- Zeus
Questions
What people ask us.
No. A foreigner can own 100% of an S.A.S.
Not necessarily. With apostilled powers most steps are remote. Bank onboarding is the exception for some banks.
Professional fees quoted after the first call, plus Chamber of Commerce, notary and tax authority costs itemized separately.
Yes. Dedicated accountant, double review and reports in English.
Free initial call
Start my company
Thirty minutes on your plan, your timeline and what already exists. You leave with a written next step whether or not you engage us.
The rule behind most of this
183 days
Colombian tax residency starts at 183 days of presence in any rolling 365-day window, whatever visa you hold. Almost everything else follows from where you sit against that line.
Start my company
Free initial call with the director. We reply the same business day.
Talk to the firm
Two ways to start. Both answer today.
Free initial call
Thirty minutes that order the year.
- TodayWe write back to confirm a time.
- 30 minA call with the director, in English.
- 24 hA written proposal with scope and fees.
WhatsApp, direct
Message us now. The firm replies, not a bot.
A specific question, a deadline this week or a letter from the tax office. We reply the same business day.
+57 316 664 6068
Monday to Friday, 8:00 to 18:00 Colombia time