Options for registering companies in Armenia
Armenia is a republic in the South Caucasus and a member of the Eurasian Economic Union. Its company framework supports domestic legal entities, free economic zone operators and representative presences of foreign legal persons.
Legal entities and separate subdivisions are registered through the State Register of Legal Entities under the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia. The Civil Code, the Law on limited liability companies, the Law on state registration and the Law on free economic zones provide the core statutory framework.
The available entity types vary in legal status, tax treatment, capital thresholds and governance structure, shaping how foreign businesses operate and manage risk locally.
Armenia offers international investors the following legal structures for establishing a local presence:
Limited liability company
A limited liability company is a commercial legal person whose authorised capital is divided into participant shares stated in its charter.
- A limited liability company is a separate legal person under Armenian law and bears liability with its own property. In contrast to a representative office, it contracts in its own name.
- This structure is commonly used for trading, services, production and holding activities in Armenia. The State Register records it as a commercial organisation with legal entity status.
- The company must state authorised capital divided into participant shares in its charter. Official government confirmation of a fixed minimum capital amount was not located.
- An LLC is founded by one or more persons and forms its executive body through the founding decision. The Ministry of Justice service confirms a maximum of 49 participants.
- Corporate income is taxed at 18% for organisations under the State Revenue Committee tax framework. VAT is 20%, except for transactions subject to zero VAT.
- Beneficial ownership declarations are filed through the Ministry of Justice e-register platform. Armenian law permits bank accounts in Armenia and outside Armenia for an LLC.
- Unlike a representative office, an LLC carries full corporate obligations and independent liability. Regulated financial, insurance and securities activities require separate sector rules.
Free economic zone company
A free economic zone company is a commercial legal entity or registered operator conducting approved activity within an Armenian free economic zone.
- A free economic zone company operates through a registered Armenian legal entity or operator status. Compared to a representative office, it conducts entrepreneurial activity in the zone.
- This structure is commonly used for export-focused production, technology and activities approved for a free economic zone. Operators work under permission and contract arrangements.
- Capital follows the chosen Armenian legal form and the operator approval process. Official government confirmation of a fixed minimum capital amount for FEZ companies was not located.
- The operator must be registered in Armenia and included in the Register of Operators. Permission depends on business plan approval and a contract with the zone organiser.
- Tax holidays apply to qualifying FEZ activity, with profit tax at 0% and VAT exemption for goods and services supplied in the FEZ. Payroll taxes remain outside this exemption.
- Operators submit initial and regular investment declarations under the Free Economic Zones Law. Beneficial ownership disclosure applies through general Armenian registry rules.
- In contrast to a standard LLC, the 0% tax treatment applies only to activity approved within the FEZ. Activities outside the approved scope do not receive FEZ privileges.
Representative office
A representative office is a separated subdivision of a foreign legal person and is not a separate Armenian legal entity.
- A representative office represents and protects the interests of the foreign legal person. Unlike an LLC, it is not a separate legal entity under the Armenian Civil Code.
- This structure is commonly used for liaison, coordination and parent-company representation. It is unsuitable for independent trading because it acts for the foreign legal person.
- No minimum share capital is required because a representative office has no separate share capital. Funding and liabilities remain connected to the foreign legal person.
- The head of a representative office is appointed by the foreign legal person and acts under a power of attorney. No resident management requirement was located in official sources.
- The general profit tax rate in Armenia is 18% for organisations where taxable activity arises. The tax treatment depends on the activity conducted and applicable Armenian tax rules.
- Representative offices are record-registered as separate subdivisions under the state registration law. Bank signatory verification is handled through banking compliance procedures.
- This structure does not allow independent legal personality, whereas an LLC operates as a legal person. It cannot trade independently or generate revenue in its own name.
Comparison of the common types of companies in Armenia
Information verified against State Register of Legal Entities under the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia, the State Revenue Committee of the Republic of Armenia, the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia and the Armenian Legal Information System (ARLIS).
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