Are you thinking of expanding your business to Panama? This Central American country offers a favorable business environment, with a growing economy and strategic location that seems to be attracting new investors and entrepreneurs today. Whether in or out of the country, finding out about the latest developments in the Panamanian business landscape is a good way to get started.
Additionally, it’s wise to outline the characteristics of the company you plan to establish in Panama, taking your specific requirements into account. Seeking legal counsel can be a prudent choice. Numerous specialists, like Legal Solutions Panama, stand out in this arena due to their extensive experience and expertise.
What do you need to create a company in Panama from United Kingdom?
If you’re an entrepreneur from United Kingdom aiming to open your business in Panama, you’ll need to meet specific criteria outlined by the Panamanian Government. These prerequisites include:
- Simple copy of the general passport of the directors, in this case three, and of the shareholders, which would be a minimum of one.
- Directors and shareholders must be of legal age, over 18 years old, and possess a current passport.
- Complete online forms with information regarding the company and its beneficiaries.
It’s crucial to understand that these requirements are applicable to both Panamanians and foreign nationals. Nonetheless, if you are a foreigner residing outside of Panama, there’s no necessity for you to travel there; you can appoint a trusted lawyer or representative to handle your documentation.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Launching a Company in Panama
Once you have thoroughly examined the requirements mentioned earlier, it would be beneficial to familiarize yourself with several steps that could aid you in the process of establishing your company in this country:
- Determine your company’s location: An essential initial step is to identify your business’s premises or establish its legal and tax domicile, effectively the company’s headquarters. Depending on your economic and legal requirements, consider which locale aligns best with your objectives, and decide whether the premises will be rented or purchased.
- Apply for the Notice of Operations: This requirement ties in with the first step. The Notice of Operations is among the limited documents required by the Panamanian government for those setting up a business. To apply for this document, your company must be registered with the Panamanian Public Registry.
- Register the corporation or legal entity: This is akin to your company’s identification document in Panama. Registration requires a name and an identification card, typically taking between 5 to 7 days to complete.
- Apply for the Single Taxpayer Registry: This serves as the tax identification number for each taxpayer and is issued by Panama’s General Directorate of Revenue. Currently, several online resources allow for this document’s procurement, which can be examined in more detail on official Panamanian government websites.
- Register with the Municipality of Panama (MUPA): This final step ensures your business is locally registered.
To finalize this registration, you must also meet a set of requirements:
- A copy of the Notice of Operations.
- A copy of the ID card or passport of the legal representative mentioned in the notice of operations.
- A sketch detailing the location of the commercial establishment.
- The location must include details such as township, urbanization, neighborhood, street name and number, premises or residence number, building name, and apartment or commercial space number, along with at least two reference points.
- Updated email addresses and phone numbers.
- A copy of income tax returns from the date operations began. For businesses established before 2016, it’s advisable to bring all income tax returns from the start of the notice.
- A copy of the Articles of Incorporation and a Certificate from the Public Registry of Panama, which should be updated and not older than three months.
- Since January 2016, signage must be declarative based on area, presented in square meters during registration, considering length by width.
- A copy of income tax returns since the commencement of operations.
- Photos of the commercial premises, focusing on the exterior front.
Advice for Launching Your Business in Panama as a Foreigner
With its favorable environment, Panama offers unique opportunities for entrepreneurs from United Kingdom. Being well informed on the subject and planning each stage could maximize the chances of success of your business. However, it is also very important to have the help of experts in legal advice, as this would optimize the process. In this case, Legal Solutions Panama may be your best option.
As a team of expert lawyers specializing in these processes, you would have robust support in Panamanian legal matters, easing the establishment of your start-up company. If you’re keen to learn more about Legal Solutions Panama’s offerings, visit this link and reach out to them.
