Costa Rica vs Peru
Weighted for the selected setup lens
55/100
6-10 weeks
$4,500
Weighted for the selected setup lens
64/100
6-12 weeks
$3,500
Operational Ease updated: Costa Rica 55; Peru 64.
What are you setting up?
NavviPal's formation fee in Costa Rica is $4,500. In Peru, it's $3,500. Formation takes 6-10 weeks in Costa Rica and 6-12 weeks in Peru.
How to decide
Operational Ease scores and category leaders are mechanical outputs from the source facts, not a universal country recommendation. Use the selected lens, then assess the complete legal, tax, banking, payroll, and operating requirements for your structure.
Review Costa Rica
Review Costa Rica if this market remains in scope after you assess its entity types, local-management requirements, published cost basis, tax rules, banking timeline, and payroll obligations.
View Costa Rica guideReview Peru
Review Peru if this market remains in scope after you assess its entity types, local-management requirements, published cost basis, tax rules, banking timeline, and payroll obligations.
View Peru guideSource-backed formation and operating facts
The selected lens changes which source facts appear first and how the five dimension scores are weighted. Category leaders use the displayed calculated scores only.
| Category | Costa Rica | Peru |
|---|---|---|
| Corporate tax | Costa Rica's corporate income tax (Impuesto sobre las Utilidades) is a flat 30% on gross annual income above ₡119,174,000, the bracket most foreign-owned subsidiaries fall into. A reduced progressive scale, 5% up to ₡5.58M, 10% up to ₡8.38M, 15% up to ₡11.17M, and 20% above that, applies only to smaller taxpayers below the threshold. Entities not generating income pay a flat Timbre (territorial fee). Monthly advance payments are required. Country guide | Peru's corporate income tax (Impuesto a la Renta de Tercera Categoría) is levied at 29.5% on net taxable income. Monthly advance payments (pagos a cuenta) of approximately 1.5% of net monthly revenue are required throughout the year, with a final settlement in April. Country guide |
| Local management or representation | Costa Rica does not require local directors or shareholders for most corporate structures. Foreign individuals can serve as directors and own 100% of the company. A 2025 law change removed the general resident agent requirement, replacing it with a registered official email address in the incorporation deed; a licensed Costa Rican attorney must still be appointed as resident agent only if none of the company's representatives are domiciled in the country. Country guide | Peru requires companies to have a legal representative (Gerente General) who is a Peruvian national or legal resident. NavviPal provides a qualified local legal representative who acts solely on your company's instructions with full indemnity protections. Country guide |
| Payroll and employment | Costa Rica's labor framework is governed by the Código de Trabajo. Costa Rica has a well-developed social security system administered by the CCSS, with employer contributions being a significant component of total employment cost. Country guide | Peru's labor framework is governed by the Decreto Legislativo 728 (LPCL). Employers must budget for mandatory CTS (severance), profit sharing (under certain conditions), and social security contributions. Country guide |
| Formation timeline | 6-12 weeks Country guide | |
| Foreign ownership | Costa Rica allows 100% foreign ownership with minimal restrictions. No Costa Rican director or shareholder is required for most corporate structures. Costa Rica has a stable legal framework, a strong rule-of-law tradition, and signed investment protection agreements with major trading partners. Restrictions are limited to specific regulated sectors such as fishing, public utilities, and professional services that require local licensing. Country guide | Peru permits 100% foreign ownership in most sectors. All economic ownership can be held by foreign nationals, but a Peruvian national or foreign resident with a valid work visa must serve as Gerente General. Restrictions apply in broadcasting, commercial aviation, and land within 50km of national borders. Foreign investment registration with PROINVERSIÓN is optional but recommended for stabilization agreements and investment recovery guarantees. Country guide |
| Corporate bank-account timeline | 2-4 weeks Country guide | |
| NavviPal formation fee | $4,500 Country guide | |
| VAT or indirect tax | Costa Rica's IVA (VAT) is levied at a general rate of 13% on goods and services. Reduced rates of 4% apply to private health and education, and 2% applies to medicines and insurance premiums. Monthly IVA declarations are filed electronically through the Ministerio de Hacienda's ATV portal. Country guide | Peru's VAT (IGV, Impuesto General a las Ventas) is levied at 18% (16% IGV + 2% municipal promotion tax, IPM). Monthly IGV declarations are filed electronically through the SUNAT portal. Electronic invoicing (comprobantes electrónicos) is mandatory. Country guide |
| Authorities | Ministerio de Hacienda: Ministry of Finance responsible for tax administration and NITE issuance, Registro Nacional: National registry where companies are officially incorporated and corporate records are maintained Country guide | SUNAT (Superintendencia Nacional de Aduanas y de Administración Tributaria): Peru's tax and customs authority responsible for RUC issuance, tax compliance, and customs administration Country guide |
| Entity types | Sociedad Anónima (S.A.), SRL (Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada) Country guide | SAC (Sociedad Anónima Cerrada), SRL (Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada), SA (Sociedad Anónima) Country guide |
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Services you'll need in both markets
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