Short answer
Chilean companies are formed as a sociedad por acciones (SpA) under Law 20.190 (Commercial Code arts. 424–446), a sociedad anónima under Law 18.046, or a Ltda., and can be registered online in the Registro de Empresas y Sociedades (Law 20.659) or by notarial deed. The company and each foreign shareholder need an SII RUT. Corporate tax is 27% under the general regime. The online betting bill (Boletín 14.838-03), still in the Senate, would license only closed corporations (sociedades anónimas cerradas) incorporated in Chile with an exclusive purpose, minimum capital and a minimum number of shareholders.
Chile company formation at a glance
- Entity type
- SpA, sociedad anónima (closed or open), Ltda., or an agency of a foreign company
- Governing law
- Law 20.190 / Commercial Code arts. 424–446 (SpA); Law 18.046 (S.A.); Law 3.918 (Ltda.); Law 20.659 (online registry)
- Registry
- Registro de Empresas y Sociedades (online), or notarial deed with registration in the Commercial Register and publication in the Diario Oficial
- Minimum capital
- No general statutory minimum for SpA, S.A. or Ltda.; the online betting bill would set a minimum capital (figure not yet fixed)
- Shareholders
- SpA: one or more; Ltda.: 2–50 partners; S.A.: two or more. Foreign individuals and companies allowed with a Chilean RUT
- Directors
- SpA: administration as set in the bylaws (a sole manager is possible); closed S.A.: board of at least three directors
- Local resident requirement
- Foreign shareholders must appoint a representative in Chile for SII purposes; in practice the company needs a Chile-based legal representative for SII, banks and notices
- Registered office
- Chilean address required; a municipal commercial license (patente) is issued for the premises
- Corporate tax
- 27% first-category tax under the general (semi-integrated) regime; reduced Pro Pyme regime for qualifying SMEs
- UBO register
- SII collects ownership information; the betting bill would require disclosure of beneficial owners to the regulator
- Accounts/audit
- Annual tax return to SII (April); closed S.A. appoint external auditors or account inspectors under Law 18.046
- Time to incorporate
- Online registry: same day once signatories can sign electronically; with foreign shareholders, indicatively 2–6 weeks including RUTs and powers
What the gambling regulator expects of the company
- There is no online gambling license in Chile today. The Supreme Court held on 30 September 2025 that unauthorized online gambling is illegal and ordered ISPs to block offshore sites.
- As described by the Senate in August 2025, the bill would license only closed corporations incorporated in Chile with an exclusive purpose, a minimum capital and a minimum number of shareholders.
- Operators would have to disclose beneficial owners, maintain a liquidity reserve before launch, disclose the bank accounts they use and obtain final certification from the renamed Superintendency of Casinos, Betting and Games of Chance.
- Proposed economics reported for the bill include a 20% specific tax on gross gaming revenue, plus income tax and VAT, and an annual license fee of 1,000 UTM (a figure from the 2022 government bill that may have changed). These terms are not law.
- The bill would allow refusal of operators that served Chile without a license in the 12 months before applying.
- SII Exempt Resolution 69 of 2 June 2026 lets foreign online betting platforms register and pay VAT. SII states that this is a tax matter only and does not authorize the activity.
License fees, process and documents: Chile online gambling license.
Which Chile entity to use
| Vehicle | Use it for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sociedad por acciones (SpA) | Fast, flexible vehicle for B2B suppliers, holding activity or a pre-license setup | One or more shareholders, bylaws largely free-form, can be registered online. If the bill passes as described, an SpA may need to convert to a closed S.A. before applying. |
| Sociedad anónima cerrada (closed S.A.) | The form the online betting bill points to for future licensed operators | Law 18.046; board of at least three directors and auditor or account-inspector requirements. Heavier governance than an SpA. |
| Sociedad de responsabilidad limitada (Ltda.) | Small closely held businesses | Two to 50 partners; transfers of participations require amending the bylaws. Rarely suitable for investor-backed gaming groups. |
| Agency of a foreign company | Supplier contracts where a local subsidiary is not needed | Registered on the basis of the parent’s legalized documents. Would not meet a requirement to be a company incorporated in Chile. |
How to incorporate in Chile
- Week 1
Decide the role of the entity
B2B supplier or holding now, or a future operator. If you plan to operate, check whether a closed S.A. is the better starting form.
- Weeks 1–3
Foreign documents and powers
Legalize or apostille the parent’s documents and the power of attorney for the Chilean representative.
- Weeks 2–4
RUT for foreign shareholders
Obtain an SII RUT for each foreign shareholder through the appointed representative.
- Weeks 3–5
Incorporate
Register the company online in the Registro de Empresas y Sociedades or by notarial deed, registration and publication.
- Weeks 3–5
Start of activities
Obtain the company RUT, file the start of activities with SII and choose the tax regime.
- Weeks 4–10
Bank and municipal license
Open a bank account and obtain the municipal patente for the registered address.
Documents you will need
- Parent certificate of incorporation and good standing (apostilled, translated)
- Parent bylaws and resolution approving the Chilean company
- Power of attorney for the Chilean representative (apostilled)
- Passports of individual shareholders and managers
- Draft bylaws with corporate purpose and administration rules
- Chilean registered address
- Beneficial ownership chart down to individuals
Tax
- Corporate income tax
- 27% (general semi-integrated regime)
- Pro Pyme regime
- Reduced rate for qualifying SMEs; check the rate in force
- VAT
- 19%
- Dividends to non-residents
- Additional tax of 35%, with credit for first-category tax paid
- Online gaming (proposed)
- 20% specific tax on gross gaming revenue under the bill; not law
Annual upkeep
Monthly tax
Monthly VAT and provisional income tax payments (Form 29) to SII.
Annual return
First-category income tax return to SII in April.
Sworn declarations
Annual SII sworn declarations on shareholders, dividends and related information as applicable.
Municipal patente
Renew the municipal commercial license, payable in two installments a year.
Corporate
Annual shareholders’ meeting for S.A.; keep the shareholder register current.
Legislation
Track the Senate text of Boletín 14.838-03 and convert the entity if the final law requires it.
Banking and payments
Chilean banks open accounts for ordinary companies with foreign owners after full due diligence, but they will not knowingly bank unlicensed online gambling, and the bill would require operators to disclose their accounts to the regulator. Expect in-person or notarized onboarding steps and several weeks of review.
How we prepare the underwriting file: payments and banking.
Mistakes to avoid
- Forming an SpA for a future operator without planning for the bill’s closed-corporation and exclusive-purpose requirements.
- Serving Chilean players through the new company or an affiliate before the law passes, which could trigger the 12-month refusal ground.
- Treating SII VAT registration as permission to operate; SII says it is not.
- Leaving foreign shareholders’ RUTs and powers of attorney until the end of the process.
Chile compared
| Chile | Costa Rica | Brazil | Peru | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Usual vehicle | SpA now; closed S.A. (proposed) | S.A. or S.R.L. | Ltda or S.A. | S.A.C. or branch | S.A.S. or branch |
| Minimum capital | No minimum (bill: TBD) | None | None; R$30m for betting (suspended) | No minimum; solvency test | No minimum; Coljuegos tests |
| Local requirement | CL representative for SII | Resident agent, office | Resident attorney/administrator | PE legal representative | CO legal representative |
| Corporate tax | 27% | 30% local; Law 9050 | 34% IRPJ+CSLL | 29.5% | 35% |
| Time | 1 day–6 weeks | 1–2 weeks + permit | 1–3 months | 2–4 weeks | 2–4 weeks |
Every formation jurisdiction side by side: company formation for gambling licenses. Licenses compared: gambling license jurisdictions. How we work: gambling consulting services.
What we do
Before you incorporate
We check that the entity, ownership chain and tax position will pass the regulator and the bank, and model the year-one cost.
Formation and registered office
We prepare the documents and coordinate incorporation, registered office and tax registration through licensed local agents and counsel.
Banking
We prepare the underwriting file and introduce banks, EMIs and PSPs that work with gambling businesses in Chile.
The license
We prepare and file the Chile online gambling license and stay on for renewals and reporting.
Chile company formation — FAQs
Can I form a company in Chile to hold an online gambling license?
Not yet. Chile does not issue online gambling licenses. You can form a company now for supplier, holding or preparatory work. See our Chile online gambling license page for the bill status.
Which entity will the online betting law require?
As described by the Senate, a closed corporation (sociedad anónima cerrada) incorporated in Chile with an exclusive corporate purpose, a minimum capital and a minimum number of shareholders. Figures are not yet fixed.
Is an SpA enough?
An SpA is the quickest company to form and works well for suppliers and holding activity. For a future operator it may need to be converted into a closed S.A. if the final law keeps the current wording.
How long does it take to set up a Chilean company?
Registration in the online registry can be done in a day. With foreign shareholders who need RUTs and legalized powers, plan two to six weeks before the bank account is open.
What is the corporate tax rate in Chile?
27% under the general regime. Dividends paid abroad bear a 35% additional tax with a credit for corporate tax paid.
Sources
Checked against the sources below on 9 October 2026. Registry fees, tax rates and filing rules change; confirm with us before you incorporate.
- Registro de Empresas y Sociedades (Law 20.659)
- SII — FAQ for foreign investors (RUT, representative)
- SII — Exempt Resolution 69 of 2026 on foreign betting platforms
- Senado de Chile — key aspects of the online betting bill
- Biblioteca del Congreso Nacional — Law 20.190 and Commercial Code
- Superintendencia de Casinos de Juego
Set up the right Chile company the first time
An entity that the regulator, the bank and the tax authority will all accept. We screen the structure first, then incorporate, open accounts and file the license.
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