Accounting, tax & legal firm · Bogotá, since 2010
Invest in Colombia with local accountants and lawyers on your side
We help foreign investors set up and run their business in Colombia: we choose the right investment vehicle, incorporate the company, register the investment with the Central Bank and plan the taxes on your profits.
What we do
One team for your whole investment
Accountants, auditors and lawyers working together, so the legal, tax and accounting sides of your investment fit from day one.
Company formation
We set up your S.A.S. (simplified stock company), branch or other vehicle: by-laws, Chamber of Commerce registration, tax ID (NIT) and e-invoicing.
Investment registration
We channel your funds through the foreign exchange market and register the investment with Banco de la República, so you can remit profits and repatriate capital.
Tax planning and compliance
Corporate income tax, VAT, withholding and municipal taxes, plus tax treaty analysis for dividends paid abroad.
Accounting and payroll
Monthly bookkeeping under IFRS (NIIF), financial statements, payroll and social security.
Legal and corporate
Shareholder meetings, by-law amendments, contracts, mergers and liquidations.
Real estate investment
Purchase structure, registration as foreign investment and taxes when you rent or sell.
Options
How you can invest in Colombia
Set up a company
The most common route: an S.A.S. with foreign capital, which can have a single shareholder. Step-by-step guide (Spanish).
Open a branch
For foreign companies with permanent activities in Colombia. The parent company is liable for the branch.
Buy a company
Acquire shares of a Colombian company. We review its financial statements, taxes and contingencies first.
Real estate
Buy property to rent or sell. It is also registered as foreign investment.
Portfolio investment
Shares and securities on the stock market, through an authorized local custodian.
Contributions in kind
Machinery, technology or intangibles contributed to a company's capital, with their own registration.
Foreign exchange rules
Registering your investment with the Central Bank
Registration with Banco de la República is what guarantees your right to send profits abroad and repatriate your capital. It is governed by Decree 119 of 2017 and the Central Bank's rules.
- Channeling: the foreign currency must enter through a bank or another authorized foreign exchange intermediary, or through a compensation account.
- Registration: as a general rule, it is made with the foreign exchange declaration when the funds are converted; contributions in kind and other forms follow their own procedure.
- Updates: changes to the investment (capitalizations, sales, substitutions) must also be reported.
- Exit: when you sell or liquidate, the registration is cancelled and the funds are remitted.
Taxes
Main taxes for investors
General rates in force in 2026. Some sectors and special regimes, such as free trade zones, have their own rules.
| Tax | General rate | What it applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Corporate income tax | 35 % | The company's profits in Colombia |
| Dividends to non-residents | 20 % withholding | Profits paid to shareholders abroad; may be lower under a tax treaty |
| VAT (IVA) | 19 % | Sales of goods and services, with special rates and exclusions |
| Industry and commerce tax (ICA) | Set by each municipality | Revenue from the business in each municipality |
| Financial transactions tax (GMF) | 0.4 % | Withdrawals and payments from bank accounts |
Colombia has double taxation treaties with countries such as Spain, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Canada, Mexico, Chile, Portugal, South Korea, India and the Czech Republic, plus Andean Community Decision 578. We check whether yours applies and which rate you get.
How we work
Your investment, from start to finish
- 1
Assessment
Your country of residence, amount, goals and time horizon, and whether a tax treaty applies.
- 2
Structure
We choose the vehicle and draft the documents: by-laws, powers of attorney and contracts.
- 3
Set-up and registration
We incorporate the company, open the bank account, channel the funds and register the investment.
- 4
Operation and profits
Accounting, taxes, foreign exchange reports and dividend payments, with the same team.
About us
A Bogotá firm founded in 2010
Cortés Accounting Services Ltda. was founded by brothers Antonio and Enrique Cortés. Antonio spent 15 years at DIAN, Colombia's tax and customs authority, so we know how the tax administration reviews companies and how to be ready for it.
Today our team of accountants, auditors and lawyers serves companies, entrepreneurs and investors throughout Colombia.
FAQ
What investors ask us most
Can a foreigner own 100 % of a company in Colombia?
Yes. As a general rule, foreign investment receives the same treatment as domestic investment and is allowed in almost every sector. The few exceptions include defense and national security, and some regulated sectors require additional authorizations.
What happens if I do not register my investment with the Central Bank?
Without registration you may have trouble sending profits abroad or repatriating your capital, and you are exposed to foreign exchange penalties. That is why the entry of funds should be planned before you transfer the money.
How are dividends paid abroad taxed?
As a general rule, dividends paid to non-resident shareholders are subject to a 20 % withholding tax, which may be lower if your country has a double taxation treaty with Colombia. We calculate it based on your country of residence.
Can I get a visa by investing?
Yes. The M investor visa requires a foreign direct investment of at least 100 monthly minimum wages, and the R resident visa at least 650, under Resolution 5477 of 2022 of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We confirm the amounts and requirements in force when we start your case.
Can a foreigner buy property in Colombia?
Yes. Foreigners can buy property in Colombia, and the purchase is also foreign investment that must be channeled and registered. We also review the taxes on the purchase and on future rent or sale.
Contact
Tell us about your plans
Send us a message with your country, the type of investment you have in mind and an approximate amount. We will reply with the next steps.
- Email: Info@cortesaccounting.com
- Phone: +57 300 555 6537
- Office: Carrera 9 # 13-36, Office 204, Bogotá D.C., Colombia
- Hours: Mon – Fri, 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. (Colombia time, UTC−5)
Information updated on October 14, 2026. It is general information and does not replace advice on your specific case. Rates and requirements may change.