Doing business in Colombia is a tangible and strategic opportunity. Medellín and Antioquia have consolidated themselves as favorable territories for investment, business growth, and the realization of innovative initiatives.
Aware of this potential, ACI Medellín and the Medellín Chamber of Commerce for Antioquia have developed this microsite, an integrated space that gathers in one place all the information and resources needed to establish and formalize a company in Colombia. From guidance on visas and tax benefits, to practical guides, online procedures, and support materials, here you will find the tools designed to facilitate every stage of the process.
Our purpose is to accompany entrepreneurs and investors along an agile, transparent, and secure path, ensuring that their experience in creating and consolidating businesses in Colombia is clear, reliable, and successful.
Registering your company with the Medellín Chamber of Commerce is much more than a legal obligation. When you do, you open the doors to a world of commercial possibilities and receive multiple benefits.
Discover the testimonials of Colombian companies and entrepreneurs who, with the support of entities like the Medellín Chamber of Commerce for Antioquia, managed to build solid foundations in different areas to drive sustainable growth.
Access tax incentives that support the creation and growth of your company in Medellín and throughout the country.
Reduce company registration costs by applying the benefit created for small youth-owned businesses.
Companies that have one or more shareholders between 18 and 35 years old, and where they hold at least half plus one of the shares making up the subscribed capital, can access commercial registration at no cost.
Additionally, the company must have a maximum of 50 employees and assets that do not exceed five thousand monthly legal minimum wages.
Learn about the main aspects to consider regarding immigration in Colombia, such as requirements, documents, immigration procedures, visa types, and permit types established for the regular entry of foreign nationals into Colombia.
The Simplified Shares Company (SAS) is currently the most widely used business structure to start a business in Colombia, thanks to its flexibility and ease of constitution. In this guide, discover the steps, requirements, and legal considerations to create a SAS quickly and securely, leveraging its benefits to formalize your business.
If the shareholders and the individuals appointed to management positions, such as legal representatives, have a national ID (cédula de ciudadanía) or foreign ID (cédula de extranjería), you can incorporate the SAS company 100% online from anywhere in the world. Learn more in the following documents:
The Simplified Shares Company (S.A.S.) is the most practical and flexible way to start a business in Colombia. In this guide, you will find every single step required for its constitution and registration, with clear guidelines to help you formalize your company simply and securely.
If the shareholders identify themselves with a document other than a national or foreign ID, and they have gone through the corresponding apostille or legalization process for the documents, you can submit the company creation through the document filing service for pre-drafted documents. For more information on apostilles and legalization, click here.
The incorporation of a company in Colombia requires the implementation of various legal mechanisms, including regulations and bylaws, which aim to regulate, supervise, and determine, from a legal perspective, the formation process of a new commercial company. Therefore, legal bylaws establish the fundamental principles governing the general operation of the company.
Download and fill out the forms and annexes that accompany the application.
*Please note that if at least half plus one of the shares, quotas, or capital interest belongs to one or more partners or shareholders who are between 18 and 35 years old at the time of registration, they can access the benefits of Law 1780 of 2016, and must attach additional documents.
When registering your company with a commercial establishment, it is necessary to complete a specific form. In this document, you will find the fields you must fill out and step-by-step instructions to do so correctly, ensuring your registration is completed without setbacks.
The Medellín Chamber of Commerce offers you the possibility to send your Simplified Shares Company (SAS) documents entirely online, without lines or travel. Through this tool, you can manage your procedures in an agile and secure way, with automatic checks that reduce errors and allow you to advance in your company’s incorporation process from anywhere and at any time.
Now you can incorporate your Simplified Shares Company (SAS) without the need for travel, using your national or foreign ID. This virtual procedure allows you to streamline the creation process of your company, reducing time and costs, and ensuring that the entire transaction is carried out securely and reliably from anywhere.
Incorporating a company in Colombia offers a legal structure that separates the personal assets of the shareholders from the assets and goods destined for the business, providing greater legal certainty and asset clarity.
One of the most flexible and recommended options is the Simplified Shares Company (SAS). This corporate type allows the participation of a single shareholder or several, depending on the project’s needs. The SAS is ideal for individual or collective undertakings, as it facilitates the definition of participation percentages, operating rules, and business ownership, all within a modern and efficient legal framework.
Undoubtedly, the SAS represents an excellent alternative for investors seeking agility, protection, and clarity in the management of their businesses in Colombia.
This is a legal requirement for all companies, as it guarantees transparency and formality in business management. Through the Medellín Chamber of Commerce, you can carry out this procedure easily, ensuring that your company complies with current regulations and has adequate legal backing in its operations.
Commercial Books in Colombia: Key Tools for Transparency and Proof of Corporate Ownership
In Colombia, companies are required to keep certain commercial books, which are official records of their internal decisions and ownership structure. For a foreign investor, understanding these books is essential to ensure transparency, legal compliance, and protection of their investment.
This book contains detailed information about the company’s shareholders: names, number, and type of shares they own, and any changes in their ownership. It is the primary legal document to prove who the owners of the company are and in what proportion.
This book records the decisions made by the governing bodies of the company (shareholders’ meeting), including capital increases, appointments of legal representatives, approval of financial statements, and amendments to the bylaws.
By formalizing your business, you acquire legal responsibilities that guarantee the transparency and sustainability of your company. Knowing and fulfilling these commitments will allow you to strengthen your company and avoid penalties.
With the opening of businesses and companies in Medellín, important commitments are acquired that strengthen economic sectors and government projects for entrepreneurs.
Some commitments are with national entities like DIAN, while others are local in nature, with the Chamber of Commerce, the Mayor’s Office of Medellín, and some of its secretariats.
When creating a company in Colombia, it is essential to know and comply with current labor regulations. This includes hiring employees under formal contracts, paying social security, pension and health contributions, affiliation to the occupational hazards system, and respecting labor rights. These aspects guarantee not only legal compliance, but also fair and sustainable working relations that strengthen trust in your company.
Every company in Colombia must guarantee the protection of its workers against occupational accidents and diseases. To do this, it is mandatory to affiliate employees to the General Occupational Hazards System (SGRL) through an Occupational Risk Administrator (ARL). This process, regulated by the National Government, can be done virtually on the Single Business Window (VUE).
If your company manufactures, preserves, handles, or distributes products for human consumption, it is mandatory to have a sanitary registry issued by INVIMA. This procedure ensures that products meet the quality and safety standards required by Colombian regulations, providing confidence to both consumers and national and international markets.
The information and process for this registration are public and can be completed online through the Single Business Window (VUE).
We support national and international companies with comprehensive legal advisory at every stage of their investment process.