Untapped and Under the Radar: Why Bolivia Is Opening to Foreign Investment (2026)

By easyco Updated September 29, 2026

Untapped and Under the Radar: How Bolivia Is Opening Up to Foreign Investment

Long overshadowed by its larger neighbors, Bolivia is quietly emerging as one of Latin America’s next frontiers for foreign investment. Full membership in MERCOSUR, an economy built on natural resources and agriculture, and competitive operating costs are turning Bolivia from overlooked to overdue for global attention.

If you’re looking to diversify your LATAM strategy, establish a low-cost regional presence, or gain first-mover advantages, now is the time to consider foreign investment in Bolivia.

Why Bolivia Is Attracting Global Interest in 2026

1. Rising Regional Trade Integration

Bolivia has been a full member (State Party) of MERCOSUR since July 2024 and is now phasing in the bloc’s rules, strengthening trade ties with Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay.
Its central location in South America connects it with five neighboring countries.

2. Competitive Operating Costs

Competitive labor and operating costs for companies building a regional presence
Real estate, logistics, and services that are affordable for SMEs and startups
An investment promotion law (Ley 516) that applies to Bolivian and foreign investment alike

3. Abundant Natural Resources

Lithium deposits in its salt flats
Rich in gas, minerals, and agriculture
Room for value-added industries built on these resources

Related: Company Formation Across LATAM

Who’s Investing in Bolivia, and Why?

Investor Profile	Why Bolivia Works
Commodity traders	Access to natural resources and regional reach
Green energy companies	Lithium and renewable energy potential
E-commerce startups	A base with access to MERCOSUR markets
Tech & SaaS firms	Hire lean remote teams, establish local offices
Regional operators	A local company to serve Bolivia and neighboring markets

How to Set Up a Foreign-Owned Business in Bolivia

Choose the Right Legal Structure

The structure we recommend for foreign businesses is the Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada (S.R.L.):

Minimum 2 partners, who can be foreign individuals or companies; foreigners can own 100% of the company
Most of our clients bring a second shareholder; if you don’t have one, Easyco offers a nominee shareholder service at an additional cost
Limited liability for the partners
No legal minimum capital; the amount is decided at incorporation, depending on the company’s activities

Other options include the Sociedad Anónima (S.A.) for larger companies or companies planning to bring in investors.

Every company needs a legal representative who is a Bolivian national or a foreign resident, and Easyco can assign one for you. The whole setup can be done remotely through a power of attorney.

How to set up a company in Bolivia (step by step)

Register with the Government

To operate legally in Bolivia, your company must:

Register with SEPREC (Servicio Plurinacional de Registro de Comercio), which took over Bolivia’s commercial registry from FUNDEMPRESA in 2022, to get its Matrícula de Comercio
Obtain a NIT (Número de Identificación Tributaria) from the SIN
Set up accounting ledgers and local tax filings
Register with a health fund such as the Caja Nacional de Salud and with the Gestora Pública (the public pension manager) if hiring employees

Bureaucracy can be slow and paper-heavy, which is why having a partner on the ground like Easyco makes all the difference. With Easyco, setup takes 2–3 months, including incorporation, government approvals and the NIT tax ID, counted from the moment all required documents are received and submitted to the Bolivian authorities.

Taxes & Compliance in Bolivia

Requirement	Detail
Corporate Income Tax (IUE)	25% on Bolivian-source profits
VAT (IVA)	13%
Transaction Tax (IT)	3% on gross income (often misunderstood, so plan for it)
Withholding taxes	Apply to certain payments abroad

Why Most Foreign Businesses Hesitate, and Why That’s Your Advantage

Common concerns:

“Bolivia is too bureaucratic.”
“The legal system is hard to navigate.”
“I don’t know how to hire or manage compliance there.”

That’s exactly why early movers can win. With the right partner to handle setup, filings, and payroll, you’ll be ahead of the curve before the crowd arrives.

About Easyco: The Experts in Bolivia Company Formation & Compliance

At Easyco, we help foreign investors and companies enter Bolivia with confidence by handling every step of incorporation and ongoing compliance.

Our services include:

Company formation (S.R.L., S.A.) with 100% foreign ownership
SEPREC registration, NIT and municipal license
Legal representative appointment, and a nominee shareholder service at an additional cost
Monthly tax declarations and accounting
Payroll setup or EOR hiring to build lean teams quickly

Bolivia may be under the radar, but that’s where the best opportunities often are. Contact us for a quote and start your company in Bolivia.