Company Formation in Bahrain
Bahrain is a growing powerhouse of international business. LegalBison can assist you with incorporating and operating a company in Bahrain.
- Strategic location in the Middle East
- A large and growing economy
- Low business cost
- World-class ICT infrastructure
Consulting team dedicated into advising the best suitable jurisdiction for your project.
Provides essential support to clients navigating the complexities of FinTech licensing and compliance.
Packages and Costs - Company Formation in Bahrain
Important: LegalBison now offers extra corporate services in Bahrain, in addition to those listed in our packaged offers below. Contact us directly for more information.
Consulting team dedicated into advising the best suitable jurisdiction for your project.
+44 20 4577 0974
Provides essential support to clients navigating the complexities of FinTech licensing and compliance.
+44 20 4577 0974
Request information on company formation in Bahrain: cost, process and requirements.
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Initial consultation
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Turnkey Company Formation
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Company contact person
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Registered legal company address for 1 year
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Remote incorporation
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Notary Services
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Company Secretary
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Local personnel
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Accounting for 1 year
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Long-term POA
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Apostilled set of documents
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Additional legal support
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Corporate Account
Turnkey company formation, Everything you need to get off the ground. Start now!
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Initial consultation
-
Turnkey Company Formation
-
Company contact person
-
Registered legal company address for 1 year
-
Remote incorporation
-
Notary Services
-
Company Secretary
-
Local personnel
-
Accounting for 1 year
-
Long-term POA
-
Apostilled set of documents
-
Additional legal support
-
Corporate Account
Full turnkey company formation and support in all necessary aspects. Customized pricing!
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Initial consultation
-
Turnkey Company Formation
-
Company contact person
-
Registered legal company address for 1 year
-
Remote incorporation
-
Notary Services
-
Company Secretary
-
Local personnel
-
Accounting for 1 year
-
Long-term POA
-
Apostilled set of documents
-
Additional legal support
-
Corporate Account
Meet our clients, hear what they say about LegalBison
We are happy to cooperate with LegalBison for more than 2 years and during this time they definitely secured a reputation of very professional and reliable partner. Great knowledge, competence and good attitude. Keep up the good work!
Best company for Crypto Licenses! Kudos to the team for making the incorporation of our company really smooth
The team of LegalBison was very helpful and fast in supporting my company’s structural set up. They are undoubtedly top-level experts when it comes to licensing and registrations in the crypto and web3 industry. Highly recommend!
Very proactive, responsive, and able to provide solutions and advice. The firm is familiar with the new industry of blockchain and cryptocurrency
Quick set-up and straightforward process. It was a smooth process, we are happy to have chosen LegalBison as our Partner for incorporations, globally.
I highly recommend Legal Bison to any entrepreneur or business seeking top-notch services for their company formation. Their commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction is truly commendable.
Incorporation Assistance in Bahrain - Free Consultation
Request a detailed offer (process, required documents and costs) to start your business project in Bahrain.
Our team responds within 24 business hours.
Getting started with company registration in Bahrain
Find out all the necessary information about Bahrain company formation. Discover why Bahrain is a popular jurisdiction and how it can help your business reach another level. Additional information on demand, including the Bahrain company formation cost. Contact our experts for a consultation today.
- Duration
- Timeline
- Remote incorporation
- Required Information
- VAT
- Documents
How long does it take to register a Company in Bahrain?
It would not be fair to set your expectations high and say that the company registration in Bahrain can be finished within a day. In some jurisdictions, it is extraordinarily fast (for example, in Estonia) in some, slower. It all boils down to one thing: 'When are the necessary (basic) documents ready?' The process is counted from the moment we get all the needed documents. Please consult with our consultants to understand what documents you need to kick-start the process.
- 1-3 working days if done locally provided all requirements are complete;
- 7-10 working days if done remotely and all requirements are made available.
Note: Processing time does not include license obtainment if required. The period for this will depend on the chosen business activity.
Procedure to prepare the registration of a company in Bahrain
The registration process for a Bahrain offshore company with LegalBison is very simple:
- Initial consultation and agreement
- Payment of the full invoice
- Deciding whether to travel to Bahrain or act through a representative through power of attorney
Can I form a company in Bahrain remotely?
Registration can be done remotely through a representative with power of attorney or a professional body.
We will manage the whole process on your behalf.
Necessary information to begin with company formation in Bahrain
- 3 options of your desired name for the company and a company's contact email address
- Names, addresses, and emails of all shareholders and board members
- Short description of your company’s activity
Without VAT number in Bahrain
You cannot register for VAT if you don't reach the minimum annual income threshold of 18.850 BHD. Your company won't be able to charge VAT, nor recover VAT on business expenses.
With VAT number in Bahrain
- VAT is at a base rate of 5%
- VAT registration is mandatory for businesses with an annual income threshold of BHD 37.000. Voluntary registration is permitted for those with annual income with a minimum threshold of BHD 18.850
- Filing of tax returns and payment is periodic or monthly
Required documents to provide to register a company in Bahrain
- Passport copies (scans) of all individuals mentioned above and a beneficiary owner if applicable
- A Power of Attorney (POA) from (all) partners/shareholders is needed (in case of a remote company registration)
- Certified company documents (in case at least one of the shareholders is going to be a foreign company)
Alternatives to company formation in Bahrain
Our team has curated the following jurisdictions as being worthy alternatives to a company registered in Bahrain:
Company Formation in British Virgin Islands
from 1.320 €-
Top offshore jurisdiction
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Tax-free, no reporting
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High secrecy
Company Formation in Costa Rica
from 2.350 €-
Tax-free
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Discretion of board members
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Not listed as a tax haven!
Company Formation in Marshall Islands
from 990 €-
0% Tax
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Bearer shares allowed
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Doesn't share information
Company Formation in Saint Vincent and Grenadines
from 1.625 €-
0% Tax
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High level of Secrecy
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Great for Forex business
Company Formation and Business Setup in UAE
from 3.000 €-
Competitive taxation
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Trusted and growing
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Easy to incorporate
Things to know before registering your company in Bahrain
How high are the corporate income tax in Bahrain?
Generally speaking, there is no corporate income tax in Bahrain. Only two cases apply:
- 0% corporate income tax on all activities except oil companies
- Oil companies are taxed at the rate of 46%
DTAA signed by Bahrain for companies
To avoid double taxation, Bahrain signed DTAs with the following countries:
Algeria, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Brunei, Bulgaria, China, Czech Republic, Egypt, France, Iran, Ireland, Jordan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Syria, Thailand, Turkey, Turkmenistan, United Kingdom, Uzbekistan, and Yemen.
Accounting and audit requirements for a company in Bahrain
Regardless of structure, the company must maintain its book/s (original journal, general ledger) and must be kept locally.
An audited financial statement is also required. It must be annually filed with the Ministry of Commerce Affairs. Furthermore, the auditor must be licensed to practice and be physically present in Bahrain.
Companies in Bahrain are required to deduct from their annual profit at least 10% and set it aside for the statutory (legal) reserve. The deduction may be suspended if the reserve already amounts to at least 50% of the paid-up capital.
Economic substance and residency requirements for companies in Bahrain
There is no restriction as to residency for either the shareholder/s or director/s. Bahrain even allows 100% foreign ownership of a company except for some specific industries.
Instead of the owners or officers, it is only required that the registered office be situated locally in Bahrain.
LegalBison offers help with all of the above requirements. Speak now for free with one of our consultants to get your business started.
- Taxes in Bahrain
- Double Tax Treaties in 2024
- Accounting and audit requirements
- Residency requirements for company holders
How high are the corporate income tax in Bahrain?
Generally speaking, there is no corporate income tax in Bahrain. Only two cases apply:
- 0% corporate income tax on all activities except oil companies
- Oil companies are taxed at the rate of 46%
DTAA signed by Bahrain for companies
To avoid double taxation, Bahrain signed DTAs with the following countries:
Algeria, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Brunei, Bulgaria, China, Czech Republic, Egypt, France, Iran, Ireland, Jordan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Syria, Thailand, Turkey, Turkmenistan, United Kingdom, Uzbekistan, and Yemen.
Accounting and audit requirements for a company in Bahrain
Regardless of structure, the company must maintain its book/s (original journal, general ledger) and must be kept locally.
An audited financial statement is also required. It must be annually filed with the Ministry of Commerce Affairs. Furthermore, the auditor must be licensed to practice and be physically present in Bahrain.
Companies in Bahrain are required to deduct from their annual profit at least 10% and set it aside for the statutory (legal) reserve. The deduction may be suspended if the reserve already amounts to at least 50% of the paid-up capital.
Economic substance and residency requirements for companies in Bahrain
There is no restriction as to residency for either the shareholder/s or director/s. Bahrain even allows 100% foreign ownership of a company except for some specific industries.
Instead of the owners or officers, it is only required that the registered office be situated locally in Bahrain.
LegalBison offers help with all of the above requirements. Speak now for free with one of our consultants to get your business started.
FAQ about company formation in Bahrain
Yes, it is possible, and you don’t even have to travel to Bahrain in order to start a company: instead, you can act remotely through a representative power of attorney.
Bahrain has a strategic geographical location in the Middle East, a steadily growing economy, and an overall low cost of starting and running a business.
Bahrain is known for its relatively cheap company formation process but the final price totally depends on the project and its complexity. We highly recommend you contact a lawyer who can estimate the cost while taking into account all the specifics of your startup.
In general, there is no CIT in Bahrain except for the 46% corporate tax rate imposed on oil companies.
Contact Us
Request more information about incorporation in Bahrain now and receive a call from our dedicated team of legal consultants within 24 business hours.
Together, we will assess your business project in Bahrain and design a solution that fits your needs and expectations. The first consultation is free.
Consulting team dedicated into advising the best suitable jurisdiction for your project.
Provides essential support to clients navigating the complexities of FinTech licensing and compliance.
