START A COMPANY / AMERICAS
How to register a company in Mexico
Companies are formed before a notary, then registered in the Public Registry of Commerce and with the tax authority (SAT) for an RFC. The usual vehicles are S. de R.L. de C.V. and S.A.P.I. de C.V. Expect several weeks, mostly for paperwork and the bank account.
- REGISTRY
- Secretaría de Economía, Tu Empresa portal / Registro Público de Comercio (Public Registry of Commerce)
- ONLINE
- Partly online
- FROM
- MX$0 (≈ £1)
- STRUCTURES HERE
- 3
Setting up from abroad
Yes. Foreigners can own up to 100% of most companies. You need at least two shareholders (for an S. de R.L. or S.A.), a Mexican notary, a Mexican address, an RFC tax ID, and apostilled, translated documents. A local legal representative and accountant are usual.
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
S. de R.L. de C.V.: Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada de Capital Variable (limited liability company)
Subsidiaries of foreign companies and small firms; simple governance, partners' interests not freely transferable.
- Liability
- Limited to what you put in
- You need
- 2 partners (maximum 50)
- Minimum capital
- None set by law (any amount); capital is divided into partnership interests
- Time
- 4–8 weeks (name 1–3 days, deed and registry 2–4 weeks, RFC and bank account extra)
Steps
Choose three name options and request authorisation of the company name through the Secretaría de Economía (Tu Empresa / Permisos de denominaciones).
Draft the by-laws (estatutos) in Spanish with a lawyer; apostille and translate foreign partners' documents (passport or good-standing certificate).
Sign the notarial deed (escritura constitutiva) before a Mexican notary public.
Register the deed in the Public Registry of Commerce (Registro Público de Comercio).
Register the company with SAT to obtain an RFC and e.firma, using a Mexican fiscal address.
Register foreign investment with the RNIE (National Foreign Investment Registry) within 40 business days.
Register as employer with IMSS and INFONAVIT if hiring, and open a Mexican bank account.
Documents
- Name authorisation
- Notarial deed with by-laws
- Passport and apostilled documents for foreign partners
- Proof of Mexican address
- SAT RFC registration
Official fees
Name authorisation is free; notary and registry fees vary by state and capital, roughly MXN 15,000–50,000 combined (unverified).
Budget
| How | About | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Do it yourself | MX$15,000≈ £650 | DIY: notary deed and public registry fees, about (unverified) |
| With an accountant or agent | MX$35,000≈ £1,500 | About: lawyer, notary, registry, SAT and accountant set-up |
| Full service | MX$80,000≈ £3,500 | About: law firm formation, registered address, RNIE and bank account help |
Every year
- File monthly provisional ISR and VAT (IVA) returns and e-invoice (CFDI) every sale
- File the annual income tax return by 31 March
- File annual informative returns and keep accounting on SAT's electronic mailbox
- Hold annual shareholders' meeting and update the beneficial controller information
Check before you rely on it. Not confirmed with an official source: all costs and timelines come from secondary sources (e.g. Montero & Vega); the gob.mx pages could not be fetched. Mexico also has the S.A.S. (simplified company, free, online, 1+ individual shareholders, but with an annual revenue cap) that generally suits Mexican residents with an e.firma rather than foreign founders.
CORPORATION
S.A.P.I. de C.V.: Sociedad Anónima Promotora de Inversión de Capital Variable (investment promotion corporation)
Venture-backed startups: allows drag-along, tag-along and investor protections that a plain S.A. cannot.
- Liability
- Limited to what you put in
- You need
- 2 shareholders
- Minimum capital
- None set by law
- Time
- 6–10 weeks
Steps
Request authorisation of the company name from the Secretaría de Economía.
Draft by-laws including shareholder agreement terms and investor rights, in Spanish.
Gather apostilled, translated documents for foreign shareholders and a legal representative with powers of attorney.
Sign the notarial deed before a Mexican notary.
Register the deed in the Public Registry of Commerce.
Obtain the RFC and e.firma from SAT, and register the foreign investment with the RNIE within 40 business days.
Register with IMSS and INFONAVIT if hiring, then open a bank account.
Documents
- Name authorisation
- Notarial deed and by-laws
- Apostilled passports / certificates of good standing
- Powers of attorney for the legal representative
- SAT RFC registration
Official fees
Name authorisation is free; notary and registry about MXN 20,000–60,000 combined (unverified).
Budget
| How | About | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Do it yourself | MX$20,000≈ £870 | DIY: notary deed and registry fees, about (unverified) |
| With an accountant or agent | MX$45,000≈ £2,000 | About: lawyer, notary, registry, RFC and accountant |
| Full service | MX$100,000≈ £4,300 | About: law firm formation with investor-ready by-laws, address and bank help |
Every year
- File monthly provisional ISR and IVA returns and issue CFDI e-invoices
- File the annual tax return by 31 March
- Hold annual shareholders' meeting and keep the share register
- Update beneficial controller and RNIE information
Check before you rely on it. Not confirmed with an official source: timeline and figures from a law-firm guide. The more traditional S.A. de C.V. is similar but with fewer investor options.
SOLE TRADER
Persona física con actividad empresarial: Individual with business activity (sole proprietor)
Freelancers and small traders resident in Mexico; not suited to non-residents.
- Liability
- Unlimited: you are personally liable
- You need
- 1 individual
- Minimum capital
- None
- Time
- 1–2 weeks
Steps
Obtain a CURP (population ID) and proof of address.
Book an appointment with SAT and register for an RFC with business activity.
Obtain an e.firma and a digital mailbox (Buzón Tributario).
Choose a tax regime (e.g. Régimen Simplificado de Confianza, RESICO) and enable CFDI invoicing.
Register with IMSS voluntarily and for any employees.
Get municipal licences.
Documents
- Passport or INE
- CURP
- Proof of address
- Bank account details
Official fees
SAT RFC and e.firma are free; municipal licences vary.
Budget
| How | About | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Do it yourself | MX$0≈ £1 | DIY: SAT registration is free |
| With an accountant or agent | MX$3,000≈ £130 | About: accountant set-up and e-invoicing software |
| Full service | MX$8,000≈ £350 | About: accountant, licences and a first year's tax filings |
Every year
- File monthly VAT and ISR returns
- File the annual return in April
- Issue CFDI invoices
Good to know. Foreigners need a valid Mexican residency permit with work permission.
After you register
- RFC and e.firma from SAT (tax ID and electronic signature); required to invoice (CFDI), pay tax and open a bank account.
- Corporate income tax (ISR) is 30%; file monthly provisional payments and an annual return.
- VAT (IVA) is 16% (0% on exports); file monthly.
- Employer registration with IMSS (social security), INFONAVIT (housing) and state payroll tax; profit sharing (PTU) of 10% applies to employees.
- Register foreign investment with the RNIE within 40 business days of incorporation.
- Beneficial controller identification is required with SAT and the notary; keep the share register current.
- Open a Mexican bank account; banks typically require RFC, deed, address and in-person KYC.
Sources
Checked against:
Pound amounts use HMRC's exchange rates for 2026-10 and are a rough guide only.
Other countries in Americas
This guide is general information to help you plan, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Fees, forms and rules change: check the official registry before you file, and take professional advice for anything complex. Agent and lawyer costs are typical market prices, not quotes.