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10 to 15 days
Company Registration
No
Travel Requirement?
100%
Foreign Ownership
No
Local director
SPecial offer
Company registration in Lebanon as a limited liability company is a company structure that is mostly preferred by entrepreneurs. It is a company structure that protects the personal assets of the shareholders from the company's debts and liabilities. It requires a minimum of 3 shareholders and 1 director for a Limited Liability Company (LLC) incorporation in Lebanon. There is a minimum capital requirement of US$3,400, and is required to conduct annual audits for the company. If the company’s annual turnover is less than US$3,400 and its paid capital is less than US$20,000, the established limited liability company in Lebanon is not required to file annual audits. A limited liability company in Lebanon must also appoint a company lawyer and pay a yearly fee set by the Beirut Bar Association. You can start a business in Lebanon as a public limited company, locally known as Société Anonyme Libanaise or SAL. This company structure is mostly preferred by larger companies that wish to raise capital by listing on the Beirut Stock Exchange. The Lebanese public limited company must also pay a minimum capital of US$20,000. For incorporation, a minimum of three shareholders of any nationality is required, along with a three-member board of directors, where at least one member must be a Lebanese citizen and hold at least one nominal guarantee share. As a PLC in Lebanon, you will be required to pay a standard corporate tax of 17%, and you will also be required to file annual audits for your company through a registered Lebanese auditor and also hire a lawyer for legal business requirements. The Lebanese offshore company (Enterprise offshore) Company incorporation in Lebanon as an offshore company is a company established in Lebanon but operates business activities outside the country. It conducts business activities abroad or within the Lebanese Free Trade Zones. This company structure requires a minimum capital of US$20,000 for company incorporation. You can start an offshore company setup in Lebanon with a minimum of 3 shareholders who can be of any nationality. It is also mandatory for you to create a board of directors with 3 members who can be foreign nationals. As an offshore company, you will have many tax benefits, such as a standard annual corporate tax rate of $557, tax exemption on payroll and visa application made easier for employees. These features make it an attractive option for international entrepreneurs. Company registration in Lebanon as a holding company is a type of company structure that is only used for holding and transferring shares. This company structure will not allow you to conduct commercial and productive business activities, and the entire business operation will depend on the parent company of a holding company in Lebanon. As a Lebanon holding company, you are required to pay a minimum capital of US$20,000 during incorporation. You are also mandated to have at least 3 shareholders of any nationality and also conduct annual audit filings for your holding company. The holding companies are exempted from corporate income tax (CIT) and withholding tax (WHT) on dividends. As a holding company, you will not have any restrictions for foreign investors, thereby attracting many foreign direct investments (FDI). If you wish to establish a tax-efficient business setup in Lebanon, you can choose a free zone company structure. The government of Lebanon operates three free zone companies, which are the Port of Beirut’s Free Trade Zone, Selaataa’s Free Trade Zone and the Port of Tripoli’s Free Trade Zone. By choosing a free zone company structure, you will enjoy the benefits of subsidized warehousing space and import and export custom exemptions. If you wish to start your business in any one of the free zones, you will have to apply to the free zone port you wish to establish and give a security deposit for 1 year of rental for the warehouse. It will require a minimum of 3 shareholders and 1 director to start a free zone company in Lebanon and is best used for shipping and packing industries. Company registration in Lebanon as a branch office, locally known as Succursale, is for foreign entrepreneurs. The entire business activities will be determined by the parent company. As a foreign entrepreneur, you can open a branch office to expand your company operations to Lebanon and have 100% foreign ownership. You can set up a branch office and have an independent management team, and you will also be required to open a corporate bank account in the country for smooth business transactions. As a branch office owner, you will have to apply for a work permit in Lebanon and will also be required to pay a corporate income tax. The major advantage of opening a branch office for foreign entrepreneurs is that, it does not require a minimum capital for company incorporation. A representative office is a tax-efficient business setup in Lebanon for foreign entrepreneurs. It is an extension of the parent company for research, marketing and promotion of the parent company’s products and services. A representative office can also be 100% foreign-owned but is not allowed to conduct business activities for generating profits. Although a representative office does not have to pay any corporate income tax, it is required to conduct annual audits of the business account. As a foreign entrepreneur starting a representative office in Lebanon, you do not need to pay any minimum capital for company incorporation, making Lebanon an attractive option for international entrepreneurs and investors to expand their business operations in the country. The only drawback is that a representative office will have unlimited liabilities where the parent company will have to bear all the financial responsibilities. Lebanon, as a country, offers various opportunities to its entrepreneurs. From attractive tax benefits and 100% foreign ownership to access to capital funding and strong legal protection for all businesses, company registration in Lebanon is a top choice for entrepreneurs. The key reasons why entrepreneurs prefer business setup in Lebanon include: Lebanon offers 100% foreign ownership to all international entrepreneurs without requiring a local partner or a director. It provides foreign owners full control over their business operations, allowing them to make independent decisions, making Lebanon a great destination for foreign investors. Lebanon has a growing ecosystem that supports startups and small businesses. As a registered company in Lebanon, you can access capital from various local and international banks, as well as angel investors. Some organizations in Lebanon also provide government-backed loans to help entrepreneurs. Lebanon has a solid legal system with both civil and commercial law, offering strong protection for investors and business owners. The country also offers high confidentiality, which may be required by specific businesses. This feature gives the entrepreneurs confidence, knowing their business and assets are protected under the law. Company registration in Lebanon offers various opportunities for both domestic and international entrepreneurs. Lebanon’s business landscape is characterized by a well-developed banking sector, and the GDP is dominated by the service sectors due to its strategic location, tax benefits and attractive incentives for foreign entrepreneurs. With a growing economy, Lebanon offers various benefits for businesses, such as: +1k Customers Lebanon offers 100% foreign ownership to its international entrepreneurs and investors. This allows global entrepreneurs to take complete control of their business operations and company activities without any restrictions. Lebanon has one of the lowest corporate taxes for businesses at 17%. The government of Lebanon also provides tax incentives and exemptions on specific businesses and company structures, such as offshore company have a fixed tax rate. Lebanon has a well-developed banking sector, and it does not have any restrictions on the movement of capital, including capital gains, remittances, dividends, or the flow of funds in and out of the country. The government's involvement in foreign trade is limited. Lebanon is located as a strategic gateway between the Middle East and Europe. This location offers various opportunities for entrepreneurs looking to expand into larger regional markets. The country is also an important link for trade. Company registration in Lebanon gives you access to a strong legal framework. It has an open and liberal legal system for businesses, specifically for foreign investments. This creates an attractive option for global investors to invest in Lebanon. Lebanon offers access to a large, highly skilled workforce. The country’s educated and professional labour is available at a relatively low cost, making it affordable to hire qualified employees for your business. The legal system of Lebanon offers great confidentiality for businesses established in the country regarding your business activities. The government of Lebanon does not have any agreements for sharing information about Lebanon businesses. Lebanon offers access to funding for both domestic and international entrepreneurs. These fundings are from either banks or government-backed organisations that offer loans and funding to companies registered in the country.
Supporting the Dreams of Passionpreneurs
Business Entities in Lebanon
The Limited Liability Company (SARL)
The Public Limited Company (SAL)
The Lebanese offshore company (Enterprise offshore)
The Lebanon Holding Company (Holding SAL)
The Lebanon Free Zone Company
The Lebanon Branch Office (Succursale)
The Lebanon Representative Office (Bureau de liaison)
Set up your Dream Business in Lebanon
Why Entrepreneurs Prefer Business Setup in Lebanon?
100% Foreign Ownership
Access to Funding
Strong Legal protection
Benefits of Company Registration in Lebanon
100% Foreign Ownership
Tax Benefits
Well-Developed Banking Sector
Strategic Location
Strong Legal Framework
Skilled Workforce
Confidentiality for Businesses
Access to Funding
Documents Needed
Documents for Online Company Registration in Lebanon
The different types of structures available for company registration in Lebanon are:
Flourishing Sectors in Lebanon
Business Ideas for Company Formation in Lebanon
Banking
Travel and Tourism
Commercial Trading
Manufacturing
Food Processing
Cement and Bricks Industry
Textile Industry
Wood products
Tech Sector
Agriculture
Construction Industry
Information Technology
10 Reasons to Choose Enterworld
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, a foreigner can start a company in Lebanon. It also offers 100% foreign ownership for international entrepreneurs who wish to start a company in the country. The legal system of Lebanon is very friendly and offers various incentives for foreign investment, therefore attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
The cost of company registration and the cost of setting up a company in Lebanon is approximately $7,500, including lawyer’s fees. Although the cost can vary depending on your business activity and the company structure you choose. The branch office and a representative office company structure in the country can cost around $5000. You will also be required to pay an additional cost for the ongoing business operations.
The legal documents required for company registration in Lebanon are:
Yes, Enterworld provides Lebanon corporate formation services for all entrepreneurs. The multiple company formation services offered by Lebanon are:
The process of company registration in Lebanon includes the following steps:
The corporate tax rate in Lebanon for businesses is 17%. Foreign companies must pay a withholding tax of 3.4% on payments they receive for goods and 8.5% on payments for services. Branch offices in Lebanon are taxed the same way as local businesses.
In addition, branches of foreign companies must pay an extra 10% tax on profits, even if the profits are not sent abroad. While offshore companies must pay a fixed yearly tax of 50 million Lebanese pounds (LBP).
To verify your company registration in Lebanon, you will have to access the online portal of the Lebanese Commercial Register (LB-CR) through the Ministry of Justice's Commercial Register. You can search by typing your company name and verifying your company’s registration details.
The stamp tax in Lebanon is a government tax applied to official documents, contracts, and deeds, including those related to property ownership transfers. A stamp tax of 0.4% is generally imposed on most contracts and legal documents.
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