Business entities in Guinea-Bissau in 2023

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Since 2003, Healy Consultants Group offers our multinational Clients with a range of corporate vehicles with which to do business in Guinea-Bissau. The most popular structure for our Clients is the limited liability company (SARL). A public limited company (SA) is used for larger investments, while foreign companies also establish a permanent presence in Guinea-Bissau as either a branch or representative office.

  • The Guinea-Bissau limited liability company (SARL)

    The Guinea-Bissau limited liability company, known locally as Sociedade por Quotas de Responsabilidad Limitada (SARL), is the preferred entity for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Guinea-Bissau. A SARL requires just one shareholder, who can be any nationality and does not need to be resident in Guinea-Bissau. The minimum share capital for a SARL is 1 million XOF (€1,525) which needs to be deposited into the bank account during company incorporation.
  • The Guinea-Bissau public limited company (SA)

    The Guinea-Bissau public limited company, known locally as the Societe Anonyme (SA) is recommended for entrepreneurs seeking to establish larger, more liquid operations in Guinea-Bissau. If unlisted, an SA needs only a single shareholder and director, who can be any nationality. An unlisted SA has a minimum paid up capital requirement of 10 million XOF (€15,250) which must be injected into the bank account during company incorporation.

    If the SA is to be listed, a minimum share capital of 100 million XOF (€152,500) is required in the bank account. The company must also appoint a board of directors consisting of at least three individuals.

  • The Guinea-Bissau branch (Filial)

    Foreign legal entities looking to do business in Guinea-Bissau without setting up a subsidiary are allowed by law to establish a branch in Guinea-Bissau. A branch is not considered a separate legal entity and is governed by the statutes of its parent company. The branch must have a manager resident in Guinea-Bissau to represent the company locally, although the manager need not be a Guinea-Bissau citizen. A branch must also register with the Trade Register.
  • The Guinea-Bissau representative office (escritório de representação)

    Foreign companies are legally allowed to open representative offices in Guinea-Bissau. Just like the branch, this entity is not considered a separate legal entity and is linked entirely to its parent company. A Guinea-Bissau representative office is not allowed to engage in commercial activities in Guinea-Bissau. It can only i) conduct market research and ii) promote the parent company’s activities.
  • Table of comparison between Guinea-Bissau entities

    Comparison table of Guinea-Bissau entitiesLLCPLCBranch officeRep office
    Also known asSARLSAFilialescritório de representação
    How long to set the company up?6 weeks6 weeks2 months2 months
    How long to open company bank account?8 weeks8 weeks2 months2 months
    Legal liability?LimitedLimitedUnlimitedUnlimited
    Wholly foreign owned?YesYesYesYes
    Minimum share capital?€1,525€15,250N/AN/A
    File annual tax return?YesYesYesNo
    Tax registration certificate required?YesYesYesNo
    Recommended corporate bank account?EcoBankBanco Da UniaoBanco Da Africa OcidentalOrabank
    Does our Client need to travel?NoNoNoNo
    Resident director required?NoNoNoNo
    Resident shareholder required?NoNoNoNo
    Minimum directors allowed?1131
    Minimum shareholders?1111
    Tax identification code (TIN) needed?YesYesYesNo
    Guinea-Bissau resident company secretary required?NoNoNoNo
    Corporate shareholders allowed?YesYesYesYes
    Corporate director(s) allowed?YesYesYesYes
    Guinea-Bissau corporate tax rate?25%25%25%0%
    Annual financial statements required?YesYesYesNo
    Statutory audit required?No (Except certain cases)YesNoNo
    Regulated by?Ministry of JusticeMinistry of JusticeMinistry of JusticeMinistry of Justice
    Allowed to issue sales invoices?YesYesYesNo
    Allowed to sign contracts?YesYesYesNo
    Allowed to import and export goods?YesYesYesNo
    Can rent an office space in Guinea-Bissau?YesYesYesYes
    Can buy Guinea-Bissau property?YesYesYesNo
    Can own equity in other Guinea-Bissau companies?YesYesYesNo
    Total Guinea-Bissau business setup costs in Yr. 1US$15,525Contact us€17,650Contact us
    Subsequent annual costs (incl. accounting and tax fee)US$4,950Contact us€4,950Contact us
    Sample engagement invoiceView invoice PDFContact usContact usContact us

Contact us

For additional information on our business setup services in Guinea-Bissau, please contact our in-house country expert, Mr. Simon Guidecoq, directly:
client relationship officer - Simon
BCEAO CFE - Guinea Bissai e-regulations portal Fundei Guinea Bissau expansion GBGW UEMOA GBI - Guinea Bissau Investment