Starting a Business in Costa Rica: Tips and Steps

Company Formation · Costa Rica How to Start a Business in Costa Rica – Complete Legal Guide (2026) Starting a business in Costa Rica is a smart move for entrepreneurs targeting the U.S.–LatAm corridor. With political stability, strong rule of law and FTA access, Costa Rica is a prime destination for company registration, business licenses […]

Inactive Companies in Costa Rica: Obligations 2026-2027

Home › Blog › Commercial Law › Inactive Companies in Costa Rica Inactive Companies in Costa Rica 2026-2027: Obligations, Risks and What Happens Next Inactive does not mean obligation-free. A Costa Rican company that holds a single property, sits dormant after a paused project, or was formed for a deal that never closed is still […]

Marijuana Laws in Costa Rica: The 2026 Investor-Legal Guide

Home ›Blog ›Marijuana laws in Costa Rica Marijuana Laws in Costa Rica By AG Legal · Updated 2026 Quick Take: • Costa Rica prohibits recreational marijuana but regulates medical cannabis and hemp under Law 10113. • THC products are legal exclusively through medical and pharmaceutical channels. • Licenses exist for cultivation, manufacturing, industrial hemp, and […]

Opening a Bank Account in Costa Rica 2026

Home › Blog › Commercial Law › Opening a Bank Account in Costa Rica Opening a Bank Account in Costa Rica 2026: Foreigners, Companies and Banking Readiness Checker Opening a bank account in Costa Rica is not usually difficult because of one form. The frustration starts when one missing document leads to another request, a […]

Costa Rica–China FTA: 2025 Investor Guide

  Home › Blog › Costa Rica–China Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Costa Rica–China Free Trade Agreement (FTA): 2025 Investor Guide for Market Entry & Tariff Savings Quick take: The Costa Rica–China FTA—signed April 8, 2010 and in force since August 1, 2011—removes tariffs on most goods over staged schedules, adds clear rules of origin, and […]

15 Common Costa Rica Investing Mistakes Foreign Investors Make in Costa Rica (and How to Avoid Them)

15 Common Costa Rica Investing Mistakes — and How to Avoid Them (2025 Legal Playbook) Costa Rica Investing Mistakes Quick take: Costa Rica is a rule-of-law jurisdiction with predictable registries and permitting—if you structure correctly, check zoning and water availability before buying land, respect coastal concession rules, and keep up with taxes and transparency (RTBF/UBO). […]

Company Formation in Panama (For US Investors) – Step-by-Step Guide, Costs, Banking & Tax

Quick Take Best for: US owners seeking territorial taxation, privacy, and global operations. Popular entities: Sociedad Anónima (S.A.), Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada (SRL), and Private Interest Foundations (PIF) for asset-holding. Timeline: 3–10 business days for incorporation; banking KYC may add 1–3 weeks. Ongoing costs: Annual government Tasa Única, resident agent, and basic compliance. US angle: […]

Costa Rica Corporate Tax Rate 2026-2027

Home › Blog › Commercial Law › Costa Rica Corporate Tax Costa Rica Corporate Income Tax 2026: Rates for Companies, Calculator and 2027 Planning If you are budgeting a Costa Rican operation, the useful question is not simply whether companies “pay 30% tax.” The Costa Rica corporate tax rate depends first on the company’s annual […]

Private Interest Foundation Panama

Home › Blog › Private Interest Foundation in Panama Private Interest Foundation in Panama: 2025 Legal Guide for Families, Businesses, and Asset Protection Quick take: A Panama Private Interest Foundation is a civil law structure for wealth management and estate planning. Its assets are legally separate from the founder and beneficiaries. It is not used […]