Organizational and legal forms of companies in Costa Rica
In Costa Rica, the most common organizational and legal forms of companies are:
Limited Liability Company (Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada; Sociedad Limitada, SRL)
In this case, the members of the company are liable for the obligations of the company only within the limits of their contribution to the authorized capital of the company. However, there are restrictions on the number of participants. It should be noted that this form is considered the most popular for registering companies in Costa Rica.
Public Joint Stock Company (Sociedad Anónima, SA)
In an indecent joint-stock company, the shareholders of the company contribute the authorized capital. Within the limits of the contribution, each shareholder is responsible for the obligations of the company. In this form, there are restrictions on the number of shareholders and on the free circulation of shares on the market.
Public Joint Stock Company (Sociedad Anónima Abierta, SAA)
In the case of a publicly-traded company, there is no limit on the number of shareholders. In addition, there are no restrictions on the circulation of shares on the stock market.
General Partnership (Sociedad en Nombre Colectivo)
It involves at least two partners who jointly carry out activities in order to generate profit. The rights and obligations of partners are regulated by the Partnership Agreement. The general partnership partners are personally responsible for the debts and other obligations of the partnership.
Limited Liability Partnership (Collectivo Sociedad en Comandita Simple; Sociedad Comandita)
In this case, there are two types of partners: general partners, who are personally liable for the obligations of the partnership, and partners with limited liability, whose liability is limited to the amount of their contribution as agreed in the partnership agreement.