Start-up S.A.
- Incorporation of the sociedad anónima
- SAT registration, corporate books, share certificates and shareholder registry
- Trademark application
- Shareholders' agreement
Entrepreneurs · Guatemala and abroad
Start your business in Guatemala on solid legal ground
Company formation, trademark, contracts and founder succession, in one firm in Zona 10. We work with founders in Guatemala and with Guatemalans and foreigners abroad.
13+years of practice
≈ 10 daysto incorporate an S.A.
4 packagesfree quote
At a glance
- For
- Founders, partners and family businesses
- Includes
- Entity, registrations, trademark, contracts, compliance
- Office
- Zona 10, Guatemala City, and remote
- Fees
- Free quote by WhatsApp
Key facts
- Service
- Legal advice to start and formalize a business in Guatemala
- Entities
- Sole proprietorship (comerciante individual) or sociedad anónima
- Incorporation
- About 10 days for a sociedad anónima, including SAT, books, share certificates and shareholder registry
- Compliance
- Shareholder registry, beneficial owner and Decree 15-2026 filings
- Fees
- Free quote by WhatsApp
The roadmap
The legal path of a business in Guatemala
1. Choose the entity
Sole proprietorship or sociedad anónima, depending on partners, risk and growth plans.
2. Formalize
Commercial Registry, commercial license and SAT. See company formation.
3. Protect your brand
Registering the company does not register your trademark. See trademark registration.
4. Agree with your partners
A shareholders' agreement on contributions, decisions and exits, before any disagreement.
5. Everyday contracts
Services, confidentiality, distribution, leases and online terms and conditions.
6. Stay compliant
Annual meeting, renewal of appointments and Decree 15-2026 filings.
7. Plan succession
Prepare the founder's succession so the business continues.
Packages
Packages for each stage
They bundle the procedures usually needed together and are adjusted to your case. Free quote by WhatsApp.
Sole proprietorship start-up
- Registration as comerciante individual and of your business
- Commercial license (patente de comercio)
- SAT registration
- Trademark application
Entrepreneur abroad
- Either start-up package
- Advice by WhatsApp and video call
- Guidance on how to sign from your country
- Progress updates by WhatsApp
Annual maintenance
- Annual shareholders' meeting minutes
- Renewal of the legal representative's appointment
- Shareholder registry and Decree 15-2026 filings
- Calendar of your company's deadlines
An honest note
What about the sociedad de emprendimiento?
Guatemalan law allows a simplified company called sociedad de emprendimiento. In our experience, however, its registration rarely gets completed in practice. That is why we usually recommend a sociedad anónima for founders with partners and a sole proprietorship for those starting alone.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Sociedad anónima or sole proprietorship?
It depends on whether you will have partners, the risk of the activity and your growth plans. A sociedad anónima separates your personal assets from the business and requires at least two shareholders; a sole proprietorship (comerciante individual) is simpler, but you are personally liable.
How long does it take to incorporate a sociedad anónima?
About 10 days with our service, including tax registration with SAT, authorization of corporate books, share certificates and the shareholder registry.
Can I start a business in Guatemala while living abroad?
Yes. Advice and follow-up are done remotely. To sign the incorporation you can come on a visit or appoint an attorney-in-fact through a power of attorney.
What about the sociedad de emprendimiento?
It exists in Guatemalan law, but in our experience its registration rarely gets completed in practice. We usually recommend a sociedad anónima or a sole proprietorship instead.
Does registering my company protect my brand?
No. Registering the company with the Commercial Registry is not the same as registering a trademark with the Intellectual Property Registry.
Do you offer packages?
Yes: Start-up S.A., Sole proprietorship start-up, Entrepreneur abroad and Annual maintenance. We send you a free quote by WhatsApp.
Your attorney
Lic. Sergio Alvarez
Lic. Sergio Alvarez advises founders and family businesses in Guatemala and abroad, in English or Spanish.
- Attorney and Notary — Universidad Francisco Marroquín
- LL.M. in Finance — Universidad Francisco Marroquín
- MBA — Universidad Francisco Marroquín
- Master in Management — Tulane University
- Specialization in Corporate Law — Universidad del Istmo
- Diploma in Finance — INCAE Business School and Georgetown University
Next step
Tell us about your project
Tell us what business you want to start and whether you will have partners. We will reply with the route and the package that fits your case.