Bolivia company structures: at a glance

Options for registering companies in Bolivia

Bolivia serves as a primary entry point to the Andean Community (CAN), providing strategic trade access to Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. The nation's economy is anchored in natural gas, mining and agriculture, with current initiatives focusing on lithium industrialisation and digital service expansion.

Business operations are governed by the Commercial Code. Corporate registration is centralised through SEPREC (Servicio Plurinacional de Registro de Comercio), which utilises a digital portal to streamline the issuance of the Matrícula de Comercio (Commerce Registry).

Bolivia offers international investors the following legal structures for establishing a local presence:

Limited liability company (Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada - S.R.L.)

• The S.R.L. is the preferred vehicle for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) due to its administrative simplicity and low entry costs.
• The structure requires a minimum of two partners and a maximum of 25. Partners' liability is strictly limited to their capital contributions, which are divided into "quotas" of equal value.
• The statutory minimum share capital is nominal, starting at BOB 1 (approximately US$1). All quotas must be fully paid at the time of incorporation.
• Foreign-owned S.R.L.s must appoint at least one Bolivian resident director or a legal representative with a permanent residency permit.

Branch office (Sucursal)

• A Sucursal operates as a direct extension of a foreign parent company. It does not possess a separate legal personality from its overseas headquarters.
• There is no statutory minimum share capital requirement for the registration of a branch. The parent company assumes full legal and financial liability for all Bolivian operations and debts.
• The entity must appoint a local legal representative with broad powers of attorney. Under the new tax regulations, branches are taxed similarly to local entities but may be subject to additional withholding taxes on the repatriation of profits.

Corporation (Sociedad Anónima - S.A.)

• The S.A. structure is designed for large-scale capital investments and companies intending to raise funds through public share offerings.
• It requires a minimum of three shareholders and three directors. The legal minimum paid-up share capital to complete incorporation is BOB 690 (approximately US$100).
• Liability is limited to the value of the shares held. This structure mandates a Comptroller (Síndico) to oversee management and requires at least 50% of the capital to be subscribed at incorporation, with 25% paid in cash.

To help you choose the right structure, we have created an 'at a glance' summary table for the common company types that outlines key differences in formation processes, requirements and timelines. It serves as a valuable resource for foreign companies looking to set up or expand a business in Bolivia.

Comparison of the common types of companies in Bolivia

Information verified against Servicio Plurinacional de Registro de Comercio (SEPREC)

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