Doing business in Bolivia

How quickly can I set up a business?

It depends on the nature of the company: S.R.L. (Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada) or S.A. (Sociedad Anónima) most used in Bolivia. According to the Bolivian code, it takes 30 to 45 days.

What is the minimum investment needed?

S.R.L. (Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada) $ 1500 to $ 2000
S.A. (Sociedad Anónima) $ 3500 to $ 4000

How can I raise finance?

• State entities can generate financing.
• In private companies depending on the heading or sector.
• Bolivia needs foreign investors and this is governed by the investor law.

What are the legal requirements for setting up my business?

Business registration in Bolivia is administered by SEPREC (Servicio Plurinacional de Registro de Comercio). Registration requirements depend on the type of business or company being established.

SEPREC currently uses Virtual Registration Forms for a range of Commercial Registry procedures. Applicants access the SEPREC procedures portal, complete the relevant virtual form, provide the supporting documents required for the chosen entity type and pay the applicable registration fee. Many procedures use Bolivia’s Ciudadanía Digital system.

The specific documents and procedure should therefore be checked against the current SEPREC guidance for the relevant legal form rather than using a single generic list of registration requirements.

What structure should I consider?

• Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada (S.R.L.) — Limited Liability Company

Strategic Overview: This is the most frequently selected framework for small to medium enterprises (SMEs) and international subsidiaries.Structural Rules: It requires a minimum of 2 partners and caps the total at 25. Partners are only financially liable up to the exact amount of their capital contribution.Ownership: Global investors can maintain 100% foreign equity ownership.

• Sociedad Anónima (S.A.) — Corporation

Strategic Overview: This structure suits large-scale investments or ventures aiming to raise public capital.Structural Rules: Capital is divided into negotiable shares rather than partner quotas. It requires a complex oversight model involving a board of directors, a corporate secretary, and a statutory auditor.

• Empresa Unipersonal — Sole Proprietorship

Strategic Overview: Designed strictly for individual freelancers or micro-merchants.

Structural Rules: The entity relies entirely on a single owner. There is no legal division between corporate liability and personal assets, meaning the owner holds unlimited personal financial liability for all business debts.

• Sucursal — Foreign Branch Office

Strategic Overview: This allows an existing international corporation to operate directly within Bolivia without establishing an independent local subsidiary.

Structural Rules: The branch must register locally and secure a physical commercial address. The overseas parent organization retains full legal and financial accountability for all local activities.

What advice can you give me in regards to payroll and taxation requirements?

Advice on payroll and human resources requirements, tax, regulatory and reporting matters is provided by the relevant authorities including Impuestos Nacionales, SEPREC (Servicio Plurinacional de Registro de Comercio), Ministerio de Trabajo and Autoridad de Supervisión del Sistema Financiero (ASFI).

Is there anything else that I should know?

Regulations on transfer pricing and investment law.