Starting a business in Guatemala

Legal Forms of Companies

Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada is a Private Limited Company.

Number of partners: Minimum 2 partners, maximum 20.
Capital (max/min): GTQ 5,000
Shareholders and liability: Liability is limited to the investment capital.

Sociedad Anonima is a Public Limited Company

Number of partners: Minimum 2 partners.
Capital (max/min): GTQ 5,000
Shareholders and liability: Liability is limited to the amount of shares held.

Sociedad Collectiva is a general partnership.

Number of partners: Minimum 2 partners.
Capital (max/min): GTQ 5,000 of minimum capital.
Shareholders and liability: Partners' liability is unlimited and joint.

Sociedad en Comandita Simple is a limited partnership.

Number of partners: Two types of partners: active partners and sleeping partners.
Capital (max/min): GTQ 5,000 of minimum capital.
Shareholders and liability: Liability of active partners is unlimited. Liability of sleeping partners is limited to the amount contributed as long as they do not take part in the company management.

Sociedad en Comandita por Acciones is a partnership limited by shares.

Number of partners: Two types of partners: active partners and sleeping partners.
Capital (max/min): GTQ 5,000 of minimum capital.
Shareholders and liability: Liability of active partners is unlimited. Liability of sleeping partners is limited to the amount of shares held as long as they do not take part in the company management.

The Competent Organisation

Company registration is done at the Registro Mercantil.

Company Directories

Companies Registry

Source: Doing Business, 2016