Setting up / creating a company

The question of local establishment arises when exporting is no longer enough — when you need to sign locally, hire, or respond directly to tenders on site.

The services factsheet states that European companies will, in many cases, be able to set up in Mercosur and operate on an equal footing with local players. Licensing and professional qualification procedures should also become clearer.

This general framework never replaces a country-by-country analysis. Company form, required capital, taxation or labour law change from one country to another — sometimes radically.

Before any decision, it’s better to consult a local lawyer and an accountant — the best way to secure a real project, rather than discovering the rules as you go.