Gracias a su gran apertura económica y a las inversiones extranjeras, crear una empresa en Chile, para iniciar o expandir tu negocio sin salir de Colombia, ya no es un sueño, y en este artículo te mostramos cómo puedes hacerlo realidad.
Chile has positioned itself as one of the most attractive destinations for investment and entrepreneurship in Latin America.
Its economic stability, its clear legal framework, and its free trade agreements make it an ideal platform to expand your business.
If you are an entrepreneur in Colombia and are looking to make the leap to the Chilean market, this guide to company registration in Chile is for you.
The economic relationship between Chile and Colombia is one of the strongest and most dynamic in Latin America.
Un pilar fundamental de esta alianza es el Tratado de Libre Comercio (TLC) Chile-Colombia, firmado en Santiago de Chile el 27 de noviembre de 2006; un acuerdo que ha transformado el intercambio de bienes, servicios e inversiones entre ambas naciones, consolidándolas como socios estratégicos dentro del bloque de la Alianza del Pacífico.
Below, we break down the key aspects, the benefits, and the impact of this momentous agreement.
Fundamental pillars when creating a company in Chile from Colombia
- Total Elimination of Tariffs
- Access to Services Markets
- Promotion and Protection of Investments
- Clear Rules of Origin
- Trade Facilitation and Customs Cooperation
Benefits when creating a company in Chile from Colombia
For Colombia:
- Access to a key market: Chile is a market with high purchasing power and a gateway for Colombian products in the Southern Cone.
- Export diversification: Colombia ha logrado posicionar productos con valor agregado más allá de los tradicionales. Sectores como plásticos, confitería, textiles, cosméticos y productos de aseo han visto un gran crecimiento.
- Attraction of Chilean investment: The FTA has been a magnet for Chilean capital in sectors such as retail (Falabella, Cencosud, Ripley), energy, the forestry industry and financial services.
For Chile:
- Access to a large and expanding market: Colombia represents a market of more than 50 million people.
- Positioning of flagship products: Chile has consolidated its exports of wines, fresh fruits (apples, grapes, kiwis), seafood (salmon), and forestry products.
- Expansion of services: Chilean engineering, construction, and technology companies have found important opportunities in the Colombian market.
El Tratado de Libre Comercio (TLC) representa un mapa de oportunidades claro para cualquier empresario colombiano, que desee crear una empresa en Chile desde Colombia, expandir sus operaciones y acceder a un mercado socio con reglas claras y beneficios tangibles
Steps to create a company in Chile from Colombia
At Iberocapital, we specialize in facilitating this process, removing bureaucratic barriers so you can focus on what really matters: your business.
Below, we explain step by step how to achieve company registration in Chile efficiently and securely from Colombia.
Step 1: Obtaining the RUT for a foreign investor in Colombia
First and foremost, as a foreigner, you need an identification number in Chile. This is the Single Tax Role (RUT), also known as Foreign Investor RUT (Tax ID). Without it, you cannot form a company, sign contracts, or operate commercially.
How do you obtain the RUT of Foreign Investor from Colombia?
Se solicita ante el Servicio de Impuestos Internos (SII). Para hacerlo desde Colombia, necesitarás un representante legal en Chile que realice el trámite en tu nombre. Para ello deberás otorgar un poder o mandato, el cual puede ser otorgado de tres formas:
1) At a notary in Chile:
If you plan to travel from Colombia to Chile to create your company, this will be the fastest and simplest way to obtain a Foreign Investor RUT (Tax ID) for the creation of your company.
Una vez te encuentres en Chile deberás otorgar un poder a quien será tu mandante o representante legal para tramitar el RUT de Inversionista Extranjero, idealmente que el poder sea otorgado en una notaría que cuente con Advanced Electronic Signature.
You will obtain a power of attorney like the one in the following image that must be presented to the SII along with a legalized photocopy of the applicant's identity documents.
2) At a notary in Colombia and then apostilled:
Ten presente que puedes crear tu empresa en Chile sin tener que viajar al país sureño, para ello deberás obtener el RUT de Inversionista Extranjero otorgando un poder en una notaría en Colombia, el cual deberá contener tus documentos de identidad anexos:
3) Signed at a Chilean consulate in Colombia
Below, you will find current contact information needed for your procedures.
Consulate General in Bogotá
Address: Calle 100 N° 11B–46, Bogotá, Colombia
Phones: +57 1 6375299
Email: bogota@consulado.gob.cl
Hours: Mon–Fri 09:00–13:00 hrs
Contacts:
Patricio Javier Imbert Puelma – Second Secretary – Consul
The Iberocapital solution: We handle this initial procedure. We manage your temporary representation and submit all required documentation to the SII so that you obtain your RUT of investor without the need to travel. We already have experience creating companies in Chile from Colombia, with Colombian and foreign citizens, who have granted us powers of attorney at notaries in Colombia.
Step 2: انتخاب of the appropriate legal structure
Chile ofrece diversas figuras societarias para el registro de empresas. La elección dependerá de tu modelo de negocio, número de socios y proyección de crecimiento. Las más comunes para inversionistas extranjeros son:
- Corporation by Shares (SpA): It is the most flexible and recommended. It allows a single partner (or more), its management is simple and it facilitates the entry and exit of capital or new shareholders in the future.
- Individual Limited Liability Company (E.I.R.L.): Ideal for a single owner. The main advantage is that it separates personal assets from those of the company.
- Limited Liability Company (Ltda.): Requires a minimum of two partners. Important decisions are made unanimously, which makes it ideal for family businesses or with highly trusted partners.
Our team of experts at Iberocapital will advise you to choose the structure that best fits your strategic objectives.
Step 3: The company registration process in Chile
Once the structure is defined, formal incorporation begins. There are two main paths:
A) Traditional Method (Public Deed):
Implica redactar los estatutos con un abogado, firmar ante notario, inscribir la sociedad en el Registro de Comercio y publicarla en el Diario Oficial. Es un proceso más lento y costoso, pero necesario para estructuras muy complejas.
B) Simplified Method (Portal «Tu Empresa en un Día»):
This is the modern route and the one we recommend most for its agility. Through the government platform, Registro de Empresas y Sociedades the company can be incorporated online.
To sign electronically on this portal from Colombia, you will need your legal representative in Chile (servicio que ofrecemos en Iberocapital) utilice su firma electrónica avanzada. Nosotros nos encargamos de redactar los estatutos en la plataforma, asegurando que todas las cláusulas protejan tus intereses como inversionista extranjero.
Step 4: Assignment of a legal and tax domicile for company registration
Every company in Chile must have a registered physical address for legal and tax purposes. Being in Colombia, this can be an obstacle.
The Iberocapital solution: We provide you with a service of Virtual Office and Tax Address. In this way, you meet the legal requirement before the SII without needing to rent a physical space from the start, optimizing your operating costs.
Step 5: Start of activities before the SII
With the company already formed, the next step is to «bring it to life» for tax purposes. The Start of Activities is the sworn statement submitted to the Servicio de Impuestos Internos (SII) to report that your company will begin generating taxable operations. This procedure is essential to be able to invoice. For that, go to Servicio de Impuestos Internos (SII)
En Iberocapital, realizamos este trámite de forma remota, acreditando el domicilio y registrando los giros comerciales de tu empresa para que quede 100% operativa. El costo actual (año 2025) de este servicio es de $14.980 CLP.
Step 6: Opening a business bank account in Chile
Este suele ser uno de los mayores desafíos para los extranjeros. Los bancos en Chile son rigurosos y solicitan múltiples antecedentes. Tener una empresa bien constituida, con inicio de actividades y un representante legal sólido es clave.
We guide you in this process, preparing the documentation file and using our network of contacts to facilitate and speed up the opening of your business checking account.
En Iberocapital ofrecemos el servicio de apertura de cuenta bancaria, en el Plan Constituye de nuestro servicio de Representación Lega Mensual, se incluye la apertura de cuentas bancarias en bancos digitales, como Mercado Pago, La cuenta FAN Empresas de Banco de Chile o la Cuenta Pyme Digital de Banco Scotiabank.
The Commercialize Plan includes the Bank Account Opening Service in traditional banks such as Banco Santander.
Keep in mind that banks charge fees and monthly maintenance subject to the use of banking products.
Why choose Iberocapital to create your company in Chile from Colombia?
Creating a company in Chile from Colombia, remotely, does not have to be complicated. At Iberocapital, we offer you a comprehensive solution:
- Proven Experience: We know Chilean legislation and the challenges faced by Colombian entrepreneurs perfectly.
- End-to-End Management: We take care of everything, from your personal RUT to the bank account of your new company.
- Time and Money Savings: Avoid unnecessary trips, costly mistakes, and bureaucratic delays.
- Complementary Services: We offer monthly accounting, tax advisory, and permanent legal representation.
Chile is a land of opportunities. Take the first step toward your internationalization with the security and support of an expert partner.
Ready to start registering your company in Chile?
Contact an Iberocapital advisor today and request a free consultation
