Legal Representation in Chile for Company Registration

By EasyCo Updated October 10, 2026

A Chilean company acts through its legal representative. Foreign founders also need someone in Chile who can act for them while the company is set up and afterwards before the tax authority. Here is how legal representation in Chile works in 2026.

The company’s legal representative

Appointed in the bylaws or by the board or shareholders, with the powers they grant.
Signs contracts, opens and operates bank accounts, and represents the company before the SII, banks and other authorities.
Needs a Chilean RUT. A foreign national can hold the role; in practice banks and the SII expect someone who lives in Chile and holds a residence permit or a Chilean ID card.
Does not need to be a lawyer. Membership of the Chilean Bar Association is not required.

Representatives for foreign shareholders

During incorporation: a founder abroad signs a power of attorney, apostilled and translated, so a person in Chile can sign the deed and file the paperwork.
Before the SII: a foreign shareholder who does not live in Chile gets its own RUT through a representative (mandatario) domiciled in Chile.
Branches: a branch of a foreign company needs an agent with broad powers domiciled in Chile.

Why it matters

Without a representative who can act in Chile, a company cannot sign before a notary, open a bank account or respond to the SII. Choose someone you trust, set the scope of the powers clearly and keep them up to date in the registry.

See also the types of companies in Chile.

How a company is set up in Chile

Choose the company type. Most foreign founders use the SpA.
If you are abroad, sign a power of attorney, apostilled and translated into Spanish, so a person in Chile can act for you.
Sign the incorporation deed before a notary, or form the company online in the Registro de Empresas y Sociedades.
Register the extract in the Commercial Registry and publish it in the Diario Oficial (both are automatic on the online registry).
Obtain the company’s RUT and file the start of activities (inicio de actividades) with the SII.
Bring in the capital and open a corporate bank account.
Set up electronic invoicing, monthly Form 29 filings and payroll.

Full guide: how to set up a company in Chile.

Get help from Easyco

Easyco coordinates the company setup in Chile up to the issue of the RUT, and supports companies afterwards with tax, accounting and payroll. Contact us to discuss your project.