🇨🇴 Colombia · Company Registration
Entity types, registration process, required documents, costs, and official registries.
Quick answer
The sociedad por acciones simplificada (SAS) is by far the most common company and can be formed by a private document without a notary. You register with the local Chamber of Commerce (mercantile registry) and obtain a NIT tax ID and RUT from the tax authority (DIAN).
Companies register with the local Chamber of Commerce (recorded in the unified business registry, RUES) and obtain a tax ID (NIT/RUT) from the tax authority (DIAN); the SAS is the dominant form.
- The SAS (simplified shares company) is by far the most common form.
- Registration is done through the Chamber of Commerce and recorded in RUES.
- A NIT/RUT from DIAN is required to operate and invoice.
Step-by-step
- 1
Choose the company type
The sociedad por acciones simplificada (SAS) is the standard flexible company; it can be created by one or more shareholders.
- 2
Draft the constitution document
Draft the private document of constitution (or public deed where required) with the bylaws, capital and legal representative.
- 3
Register with the Chamber of Commerce
Register in the mercantile registry at the local Chamber of Commerce; you receive the registration and the company’s NIT is generated.
- 4
Get the NIT / RUT from DIAN
Obtain the tax registration (RUT) and NIT from the tax authority (DIAN).
- 5
Set up invoicing and any licences
Enable electronic invoicing with DIAN and obtain any activity-specific licences.
- 6
Open a bank account and register employees
Open a business bank account and register employees with social security if you hire staff.
Checklist
- Company type chosen (usually SAS)
- Private document of constitution (or public deed if required)
- Chamber of Commerce mercantile registration
- Tax registration (RUT) + NIT from DIAN
- Electronic invoicing enabled
- Activity-specific licences if applicable
- Business bank account
- Employee social-security registration if hiring
Official authorities
- RUES (unified business registry)
Unified business registry.
- DIAN
Tax ID (NIT/RUT) and tax registration.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the SAS so popular?
The SAS is flexible, needs no minimum capital and can be created by a private document without a notary, making it fast and low-cost.
What is the NIT?
The NIT is the tax identification number used for the company’s tax, invoicing and official dealings.
Where do I register?
You register in the mercantile registry at the Chamber of Commerce for the city where the company is domiciled.
Official-information aggregation, not legal advice. Always verify on the authority's own site.