If you are a foreign individual or company evaluating opening a subsidiary, investing in a Chilean company, or transferring capital to Chile, this article summarizes the process, deadlines, and real costs — not the generic version usually found online.
By Claudio Cortés Ríos, Contador Auditor (Chilean CPA) and Master's in Taxation (Universidad de Chile), founding partner of C&C Contadores Auditores.
Published on 09-08-2026.
In brief
The simplified «Your Company in One Day» regime admits an exhaustive list of eight company types, and the regulation in force is Decree No. 83 of 2021 —the old Supreme Decree 45 of 2013 has been repealed, and still circulates in out-of-date guides—. For a foreign investor the two most used structures are the SpA and the limited liability company.
- The available corporate forms
- Notary fees for incorporation
- RUT and start of activities
- When does the law consider him a "foreign investor"?«
- Report to the Central Bank
- Prices and market value
- In summary
- Sources and regulations
The available corporate forms
Law 20,659 establishes an exhaustive list of 8 company types that can be formed through the simplified «Set Up Your Company in a Day» procedure. The regulation currently in force is Decree No. 83 of 2021 (the former DS 45 of 2013 has been repealed). Law 21,366 also added a shareholders' registry and a registry of powers of attorney within the same system.
In practice, for a foreign investor, the two most common structures are the Sociedad por Acciones (SpA)—flexible, allowing for a single owner, and offering simple corporate governance—and the Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada (Ltda.). If the subsidiary's business is providing professional services, the choice also has its own specific tax implications, which we will review in [section/section/etc.]. formation of professional companies.
Notary fees for incorporation
According to Exempt Decree No. 11 of 2019, the notary fees for incorporating through the Set Up Your Company in a Day system are:
| Item | Tariff |
|---|---|
| Signing the incorporation form | 0.26 UF |
| Review of the documents of each person appearing (partner or shareholder) | 0.18 UF |
For a company with a foreign parent, this last point matters: each party appearing — including the foreign legal entity represented by power of attorney — adds 0.18 UF to the notary cost.
RUT and start of activities: the most overlooked obligation
Since Exempt Resolution SII No. 77 of 26-06-2025, the procedure for obtaining a Tax ID (RUT) and starting operations was adjusted to Law 21,713. The point a non-resident foreigner cannot skip: must appoint an agent domiciled or resident in Chile to process the RUT and start operations before the SII.
The deadline to report the start of operations is 2 months, counted from the month in which operations actually begin —not from the date of incorporation of the company (Art. 68 of the Tax Code). The SII itself provides an example: activities started on March 12, 2025 → deadline until May 31, 2025. It is a common mistake to assume that the deadline runs from the date of incorporation. From that moment, the subsidiary enters the monthly cycle of declarations and contributions: the details are in the monthly schedule of obligations of a subsidiary in Chile.
When does the law consider him a "foreign investor"?«
Law 20,848 (the current foreign investment framework) defines a foreign investor as a person not resident in Chile who transfers capital into the country. To qualify as Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) under that framework, the transaction must meet two cumulative conditions:
- An amount of USD 5,000,000 or more, and
- Control of at least 10% of the voting rights of the receiving company.
Whoever meets these requirements can apply for a foreign investor certificate, which InvestChile issues within 15 days.
Regarding the former DL 600 regime (Foreign Investment Statute): the window to sign new contracts under that statute — open for 4 years from 01-01-2016 — has already closed. DL 600 contracts already in force continue to apply and remain administered by InvestChile, but it is not possible to sign a new one today.
Report to the Central Bank if there is a capital flow
Chapter XIV of the Central Bank's Compendium of Foreign Exchange Regulations sets out reporting obligations for international exchange transactions:
| Situation | Rule |
|---|---|
| Transactions up to USD 10,000 | Excluded from reporting |
| Operations from USD 10,000 | They are reported in the Annex 4 |
| Loans from USD 1,000,000 | They are reported in the Annex 1 |
| Deadline, general rule | Within the first 10 days of the following month to the operation |
| Responsible for reporting | The resident in Chile who participates in the operation, not the foreign investor directly |
One point of focus: prices and market value
Law 21,713 (art. 64 of the Tax Code, SII Circular 23/2025) empowers the SII to assess the value of goods and services when the agreed price differs markedly from normal market value, with no limitation when the goods are destined for a preferential tax regime. Any differences detected are subject to the 40% of article 21 of the Income Tax Law. This is relevant from the very first day of operation for a subsidiary that transacts with its foreign parent.
The supporting documentation for these transactions is as important as the price: the errors in electronic invoicing that result in the loss of VAT tax credits are detailed in This article.
In summary
Setting up a company in Chile is, on paper, quick: the Your Company in a Day system is designed for that. What takes real time—and where most mistakes are made in structures with foreign parent companies—is appointing a representative in Chile, the deadline for commencing operations, and reporting to the Central Bank if there is a capital inflow. Let's discuss your specific case before incorporation, so that the structure is sound from day one. You can also review our legal and corporate services.
Are you considering investing in or opening a subsidiary in Chile? Write to us on WhatsApp (wa.link/s9s7v2) or through our contact form. We review your specific case before you take the first step.
Sources and regulations
Laws and regulations
- Law No. 20.659, simplified incorporation of companies "Your Company in One Day"«
- Decree No. 83 of 2021, current regulations of Law No. 20,659 (repeals DS No. 45 of 2013)
- Law No. 21,366, registration of shareholders and registration of powers of attorney in the Registry of Companies and Societies
- Exempt Decree No. 11 of 2019, notary fees of the Your Company in a Day system
- Law No. 20.848, framework for foreign direct investment in Chile
- Decree Law No. 600, Foreign Investment Statute (closed to new contracts)
- Law No. 21,713, compliance with tax obligations
- Decree Law No. 830, Tax Code: Articles 64 and 68
- Income Tax Law: Article 21
Administrative instructions and sector regulations
- SII Exempt Resolution No. 77 of 26-06-2025, procedure for obtaining RUT and starting activities
- SII Circular No. 23 of 2025, valuation power of article 64 of the Tax Code
- Central Bank of Chile, Compendium of International Exchange Regulations, Chapter XIV
Claudio Cortés Ríos is a founding partner of C&C Contadores Auditores, a Chilean accounting, auditing, and tax advisory firm. He is a Public Accountant and Auditor and holds a Master's degree in Taxation from the University of Chile. Analysis of the C&C tax team. About us · LinkedIn
This content is general informational material and does not constitute tax, accounting, labor, or legal advice for specific cases. Before making decisions about your particular situation, let's talk.