Company registration in Bahrain

Registering a company in Bahrain supplies a broad scope of levy and corporate merits that are comparable in their characteristics to those offered by other territories in the region. It is territorially stationed on the archipelago of the same name (between Saudi Arabia to the west and Qatar to the east), is the smallest Arab state by territory. Manama, the money and largest city of the polity, was named the tourism money of the Gulf nations in 2024. The polity uses the Bahraini dinar as the official currency (1 BHD = 2.65 USD), and the official language is Arabic, although English is widely spoken in trade circles.

Historical heritage and geographical criteria have played a key role in the enhancement of the polity into a prime trade hub. With its location in the center of the Persian Gulf, it has strategic merits for ingressing the trading fields of Europe and Asia. Initiating a firm in the polity is open to residents and expatriates. Many of the trade areas are open to expat financiers, with some exceptions. The enrollment can be done via an online platform.

The polity has a prime influence of the oil and gas fields on the pecuniary field, but the government actively invests the revenues it receives in the enhancement of other spheres. This diversification tactics helps to create new trade fortuities and strengthen pecuniary stability. The tactics of pecuniary diversification is among the grounds why many financiers are intrigued in enlisting a firm in the polity.

Driven by pecuniary reforms, the polity's pecuniary field has expanded primely over the past 20 years, with nominal GDP increasing from US$11 billion to US$43 billion (2023 figures), at an average annual growth rate of 7%. Parallel to the enhancement, the form of the pecuniary field has diversified, with the pecuniary sphere overtaking the oil sphere as the main sponsor to GDP, reaching 17.8% in 2023. The boost in FDI inflows into the polity shows the overall dynamism of the polity as a trade destination.

This article supplies an overview of the merits for expat resident endeavours and the basic needs for establishing a firm in the polity.

Merits

The polity has become among the leading trade in the territories in the Middle East region. It is renowned for its cultural diversity and tolerance, making it a comfortable place to live and work for expats from different nations. Commencing a mercantile in the nation supplies pecuniary merits due to flexible levy ordinances and a highly enhanced trade sphere. The polity has a portfolio of active bilateral speculation treaties and trade undertaking, which facilitates transnational trade and interaction. Expat financiers can obtain Bahraini residency by owning a stake in a regional firm and fulfilling other criteria.

Enrolling a firm in the polity comes with the following merits:

• A unique location at the junction of trade routes, combined with enhanced facilities.
• There is a road connection with Saudi Arabia via a 16-mile bridge.
• Entrepreneurial scheme in a sphere with highly enhanced facilities and a firm pecuniary field characterized by constant GDP growth (44.38 billion USD).
• The prerogative of non-residents to establish companies with wholly foreign proprietorship in Bahrain.
• The pecuniary recovery tactics are aimed at creating jobs and alluring speculation. A number of reforms have been implemented, making it easier for expats to form a firm in the polity than in other Arab nations.
• The government's priority is to deepen industrial diversification, centering on high-tech fields, while the service sphere is known as the main target.
• Programs are being implemented for transnational businessmen and start-ups, where excise rates are minimal or absent, with no constraints on the export of profits in transnational currency.
• There are a variety of business forms in Bahrain with varying initial money needs, including options with no money requisite.
• Enrolling firms in Bahrain's free ports will allow you to qualify for excise rewards, which will primely reduce the excise burden, especially for startups and small endeavours.
• Compared to other popular places in the region, for example, the UAE, there is relatively inexpensive real estate and low labor bills.
• A fiscal account in the polity can be opened via remote identification of the proprietor, without the need to handle a base balance in the account or make an initial deposit.

Meanwhile, the polity is known as an important regional pecuniary center, with a particular focus on speculation and Islamic banking. It is home to the Bahrain World Trade Center and the Bahrain Financial Harbor.

Registering a company in Bahrain is quite beneficial for expats, since abiding to the principles of sustainability, fairness and competitiveness, the polity's government is introducing advanced E-techs, increasing productivity and opening up fortuities for highly skilled employment. In 2008, the Bahrain Economic Vision 2030 tactics was announced, aimed at diversifying the pecuniary field and lessening contingency on the hydrocarbon sphere.

It is also worth noting that the polity has shown growth in the Global Connectedness Index 2024, published by DHL, moving up seven places to 25th place globally and 2nd place in the MENA region. The ranking highlights the polity’s importance in the global trading scheme. The polity uses its preferential position and logistics capabilities to connect with transnational trading fields, handling duty-free ingress to 32% of global GDP via free trade with 25 nations.

Main forms of trade in the region

The polity has generated itself as a growing speculation hub in the MENA region. Also, it is important to strictly follow the ordinances set out in the Commercial Companies Law and the directives given by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MOIC). The Commercial Companies Law regulates private/public firms, holding firms, transformation and winding up/ liquidation of companies in Bahrain.

MOIC is committed to creating and implementing strategies to propel and aid the industrial sphere, overseeing trade schemes in the polity, including licensing and enrollment of commercial firms, and equally abiding with trade ordinances and directives. The Ministry enhances schemes to aid the export schemes of regional firms, including assistance in finding transnational trading fields, monitors abidance with product and service quality norms, and is partaken in product certification.

The choice of licit form must meet the needs of the trade, including money and the number of financiers, this choice affects pecuniary onuses. An expat can form a firm in the polity in licitly regulated forms:

1. With Limited Liability.
2. Bahrain Shareholding Company.
3. Single Person Company.
4. Partnership Company.

Firm with Limited Liability is among the widely used business forms in the polity. This form is generally suitable for SMEs, limiting the liability of the pioneers to the extent of their money sponsorship.

Key needs for starting a business in Bahrain in the form of WLL:

• To generate a WLL, at least one financier is mandated (the maximum number of financiers must not exceed 50).
• Transnational financiers are allowed to own up to 100% of a firm's stakes, but having a regional associate can simplify the licensing approach.
• Management is exercised by overseers with signatory authority (possibly several). There is no requisite to generate a board of overseers.
• Base money requisite for registering a WLL in Bahrain.
• The transfer of associates' stakes in it is undertaken considering their prerogative of return and special criteria included in the firm's memorandum of association, and equally the provisions of the statute.
• The name of the licit entity must include a firm with limited liability.
• Onus of the pioneers to confirm that the real office of the firm is stationed in the polity.
• To avoid taxation of revenue, the firm must perform its schemes outside that territory, excluding commercial areas that are licensed.
• In the polity, WLL type firms are not allowed to carry out insurance, banking or speculation schemes on behalf of third parties.

Another option for expats is to set up a company limited by guarantee in Bahrain. Therefore, the base number of financiers is four. The initial money requisite is BHD 20,000 (≈ USD 53,060). The money must be equally divided into stakes, each of which cannot be less than BHD 50.

It is also possible to generate a private limited company. This form of firm is generated by at least two persons who exchange stakes without selling them publicly. In this case, the initial money requisite is lower - only 250,000 BHD (663,260 USD). The entire value of the stakes or at least 50% of it must be deposited in authorised banks, provided that the remaining value of the stakes is repaid within a period not exceeding three years.

A board of overseers of at least 3 members is committed for oversight. The unique name of a firm registered under this organizational form must include the words "Bahrain shareholding company." This licit form is generally preferred by larger organizations. A BSC firm is mandated to form a reserve money, to which 10% of profits must be allocated annually, unless a higher percentage is mentioned in the Articles of Association. This deduction may be postponed if the reserve reaches 50% of the paid-up money, unless a higher percentage is mentioned in the Articles of Association.

A sole proprietorship makes the proprietor fully committed for all pecuniary onuses of the trade. This form of mercantile firm in the polity is used to provide professional aid or conduct small trades.

An affiliated firm is a form comprising at least two associates with unlimited liability for the firm's onuses. Absence of base money needs. All associates are involved in oversight unless otherwise supplied by agreement.

Set up a firm in the polity in the form of a limited partnership: general associates who are fully liable for their liabilities with their holdings, and limited associates who are obligated only to the extent of their stake. The moniker of the affiliation must consist of the names of its co-proprietors. Oversight is undertaken by general associates, while limited associates do not have the prerogative to oversee.

In addition, both regional and transnational financiers can register special purpose vehicles (SPVs) in Bahrain. The enrollment needs for such firms are identical to the needs for other licit entities. However, SPVs that will operate in the pecuniary aids sphere are mandated to obtain specialized warrants and register with the Central Bank of Bahrain in order to be authorized to operate.

Every Bahraini firm is mandated to appoint a overseer, the overseer does not necessarily have to be an occupant of the polity. The overseer must be appointed either by mentioning the overseer in the Memorandum of Association or by hiring the overseer under a separate oversight agreement. If you are inclined in registering a business in Bahrain, then our firm's experts can provide detailed records and full support at all stages of registering a company in Bahrain.

How to start a business in Bahrain in 2025?

As we have already said, enrollment can be an effective way to reduce bills by reducing excise liabilities. The polity's highly adaptive government policy has allowed the polity to take 8th place in the transnational ranking. It is prime to emphasize that the polity is able to effectively generate affiliations with the private sphere.

To enroll a firm in the polity, you need to follow these steps:

1. Decide on the form of licit entity based on the goals of the trade, its size, oversight powers and the preferred degree of responsibility.
2. Register a unique trade name (in English and Arabic) with the MOIC. The time mandated for name verification and approval usually spans from one to three days.
3. Arrange and fulfill the documentation. A detailed list of indentures is supplied below.
4. Convey an enrollment for enrollment with MOIC + make an enrollment remuneration.

Upon completion of the final verification of indentures and remuneration, MOIC will issue a Certificate of Incorporation, confirming the licit status of the firm. To commence a firm in the polity, you will need to arrange and convey to the enrollment authority:

• An enrollment to generate a novel trade that supplies basic records, including the name of the firm, its licit address, record about its pioneers and oversight.
• The charter, which describes the oversight scheme, the ordinances for the task of the firm, the prerogatives and onuses of its financiers.
• Passport copies of pioneers and overseers.
• An indenture certifying the licit address in the polity.
• A trade plan containing a detailed description of arranged tasks and trade development forecasts.
• Receipt for remuneration of state duty.

Since the polity has signed the Hague Apostille Convention, enrolling a firm in the polity eliminates the need to go via lengthy procedures for legalizing indentures. This simplifies affiliation with transnational associates and banking forms.

Sijili allows you to engage in 39 types of trades schemes in the following areas:

• Professional, scientific and technical schemes.
• Record and communication schemes.
• Educational schemes.
• Leisure, entertainment and artistic events.
• Schemes related to the provision of personal aids.
• Administrative and support schemes.
• Manufacturing industry.
• Trading schemes.

On average, the enrollment cost spans from BHD 800 to BHD 2,150. The enrollment approach can be fulfilled within 20 to 45 working days. The next phases are:

• getting warrants from the relevant supervisory overseers;
• opening an account in Bahrain.

Trade entities operate according to the International Standard Industrial Classification (ISIC), adapted to distinct forms of proprietorship and enrollment. The indentures mandated to get a trade warrant in the polity is contingent on the specific area of scheme.

Company enrollment in Bahrain Special Economic Zone

Economic zones play a key role in alluring transnational speculation, enhancing facilities plans, and aiding innovation. The polity has five SEZ.

Merits of setting up a company in Bahrain Free Zone:

• FZ firms do not require a national financier for trading and commercial schemes. Renting an office in the free port is mandatory.
• Absolute exemption from land rent in industrial zones for the first three years.
• Electricity with a 50% discount for the first five years of scheming.
• Duty-free import/export of goods within the zone.

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Levies in Bahrain

There are no levies on revenue, capital gains or wealth in the polity, except for those applicable to firms (regional and transnational) partaken in the oil and gas sphere or deriving revenue from the extraction and processing of hydrocarbons. From January 2022, the VAT rate in the polity is 10%. Sole proprietors and firms carrying out pecuniary schemes exceeding the annual supply volume of BHD 37,500 (USD 99,480) must register with the National Bureau for Revenue (NBR) for VAT.

Bahrain is introducing a new levy on multinational companies in early 2025. The introduction of the Domestic Minimum Tax (DMTT) reinforces the polity’s commitment to economic transparency and global pecuniary norms. From January 2025, the government will introduce a base rate of 15% for firms with global revenues of more than US$828.23 million. The change will affect multinational corporations.

Below are the comparative revenue excise rates for corporates in the GCC nations.

• Oman - 15% for all taxpayers except Omani sole proprietors and LLCs that meet the SME criteria.
• UAE - 9% for firms with an annual turnover of over AED 375,000 (the lowest revenue excise in the GCC nations).
• Kuwait - A flat 15% excise on the gross profits of endeavours. Applies to "foreign" (non-GCC) entities and non-GCC proprietors of GCC entities. The scope of the levy in Kuwait is therefore limited.
• Qatar - corporate levy rate is 10%.
• Saudi Arabia - 20% levy for occupant firms and non-occupant firms with a permanent establishment in the polity.

Strict directives and trade governance norms place an onus on firms to handle accurate records of all pecuniary deals. Accounting services in Bahrain not only ensure abidance with the necessary procedures and statutes, but also help firms optimize levies and oversee resources efficiently.

Bahrain firm enrollment as an expat: In which fields is Foreign Ownership Restricted?

The polity is a growing transnational trade hub that has harnessed key elements to create a strong and competitive pecuniary field. With a trade sphere that is aligned with global practices, the polity is committed to further enhancing its pecuniary field, with human capital at the forefront. If you are an aspiring financier looking to commence a trade in the polity, the first phase is to know whether the trade scheme is restricted to Bahraini nationals and/or GCC nationals or firms.

Certain schemes, such as construction and engineering aids, require a regional associate to hold between 1% and 50%. This requisite only applies to undertakings executed within the polity – outside the polity, a regional associate is not mandated. Below is a list of some of the endeavours that are restricted in whole or in part to Bahraini or GCC nationals or firms:

• Real estate services, including leasing and oversight of land and buildings (not including the trade of real estate or the oversight and enhancement of private property).
• Printing, publishing and allocation of daily, non-daily and specialized newspapers and magazines.
• Production and distribution of film, television, radio and theatre products.
• Oversight and scheming of cinemas and film distribution.
• Cargo, passenger, tourist ground transport.
• Domestic sea cruises.
• Supply of petroleum products.
• Distribution and bottling of gas.
• Accounting and reporting aids (excluding auditing).
• Import, export and sale of fuel for racing cars.
• Medical clinics and centers.

As for trading, a general trading license allows the sale of general consumer goods. However, for trading, for example, oil, gas or fertilizers, a specialized license should be received. Overall, the polity with its thriving pecuniary field offers many fortuities for those who want to start their own business. Below we will briefly consider some trade ideas for implementation in the polity.

The polity, which welcomes around four million tourists annually, is a dynamic platform for enhancing tourism endeavours. This small kingdom on the Persian Gulf combines rich history, unique culture and contemporary facilities solutions, making it an attractive destination for travelers. With the growing interest in the polity as a tourism hub, there are ample fortuities for speculation in various segments such as hotels, restaurants, excursion aids and entertainment schemes. An important aspect is the enhancement of facilities, including transport aids and leisure facilities, which creates additional fortuities for startups.

With the growing fame of online shopping, starting an e-commerce trade in the polity can be a lucrative venture. With a dynamic trading field and increasing number of E-shopping users, financiers can consider various options, such as starting an E-retail store or a specialized marketplace catering to specific niches such as organic products. With government aid for digital and e-mercantile enhancement, admittance to efficient logistics aids and remuneration schemes, financiers are well positioned to experience sustainable growth in this rapidly propelling industry.

The government is actively pursuing E-transformation by supplying fortuities in the tech and IT spheres. Starting an IT firm in Bahrain, whether it is software enhancement, IT consulting, cybersecurity aids or E-marketing aids, can be a lucrative venture. As one of the leading pecuniary and tech hubs in the region, the polity offers a highly skilled workforce, contemporary facilities and ingress to transnational trading fields. Firms can earn from ingress to various grants and aid schemes for startups.

The polity has demonstrated a commitment to sustainability and renewable energy, creating fortuities for financiers in this growing sphere. With the global need for sustainable solutions, the polity is focused on reducing its carbon footprint and promoting green technologies. It is possible to commence a solar installation trade in the polity, offering energy-efficient items and aids for trade and residential holdings. The firm could provide a broad scope of aid, from designing and installing solar panels to handling and monitoring the schemes. Additionally, consulting on sustainable practices for endeavours helps clients optimize their energy bills and implement eco-friendly practices.

Enrolling a fintech firm in the polity can have prolonged enhancement prospects. The government is keen to implement modern technologies such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, and big data, which asserts firms to offer innovative pecuniary products and aids. Government bureaus are collaborating with the private sphere to support startups and stimulate the enhancement of new fintech solutions that not only improve admittance to pecuniary aids but also promote pecuniary inclusion for the overall population.

Financiers looking to start a startup in the polity can leverage a variety of merits, including full transnational proprietorship, competitive bills, and a friendly regulatory sphere that is conducive to startup incubation and growth. Over the past three years, startups have seen an average annual growth rate of 46.2%. The Bahraini startup industry is progressing, with a focus on setting up companies in Bahrain in recent years, in the software, e-commerce, cybersecurity, healthcare, and fintech spheres.

Various organizations are ready to provide startup companies in Bahrain with comprehensive start-up assistance, including funding, oversight advice, revenue growth and scaling support. Notable accelerators and incubators include LEVEL Z, Flat6Labs, Brinc, Bahrain FinTechBay. Venture capital firms that can provide prime funding to early-stage startups include Bahrain Development Bank, Tamkeen, angel investor Tenmou, and 500 Global. These venture capital firms invest in ambitious pioneers building high-growth tech firms.

Bahrain Golden License program in 2023 to lure major players to the trading field. This initiative aims to lure influential firms from various fields to promote sustainable pecuniary growth in the polity. Firms that create more than 500 jobs or invest over US$50 million in strategic plans can apply for the Bahrain Golden License.

The licence supplies organisations with a number of merits, including the allocation of land for speculation aims, simplified ingress to government aids such as licensing and authorisation of building permits, support from the Tamkeen Fund and the Bahrain Development Bank. Supplemental merits include active collaboration with government bodies and the assignment of a client overseer from Bahrain EDB.

Opening an account in Bahrain

Although registering or buying a firm in Bahrain is considered a profitable speculation decision, many firms that register in the GCC nations face problems opening corporate accounts. Among the main problems that firms face is the extensive list of indentures mandated when opening an account. The approach of processing enrollments for opening a trade account in the GCC nations can take from a couple of weeks to several months. This is due to the internal procedures of banks that require careful verification of records. If the bank finds any discrepancies or lack of record, this can primely extend the processing time of the enrollment.

Banks in the GCC nations strictly enforce AML directive. This may result in even legitimate firms facing additional checks and requests for records about their schemes. In addition, not all banks in the GCC nations have enhanced aids for transnational firms. This may primely limit the choice.

A key feature that distinguishes Bahrain from other territories in the region is the ascertained chance to open a bank account when registering a company. This approach allows you to minimize pecuniary risks and propel the approach of trading, especially for startups and small endeavours. You can activate an account in the polity in the name of your firm both in regional and in branches of transnational banks.

When choosing a bank where an account can be opened for a firm in the polity, the following should be consider:

• Reputation: the bank must be characterized by a reliable status and high pecuniary stability to ascertain the safety of your deposits.
• Fees: Distinct banks charge distinct fees for distinct aids, such as ATM use, account oversight, and bank transfers.
• Convenience. It is advisable to consider the location and accessibility of bank branches and ATMs, and the availability of online and telephone banking aids.
• Account Needs: You should review the base balance needs, transaction limits, and other account needs to ensure they meet your needs.
• Transnational exchange aids: If you frequently conduct transnational deals, it is advisable to opt for a bank that offers competitive exchange rates.
• Interest rates: If you want to earn interest on your savings, compare interest rates offered by distinct banks to find the most competitive one.
• Additional aids. It is worth considering what additional aids the bank offers, for example, credit lines or speculation aids.

Meanwhile, some of the types of accounts in Bahrain for corporate clients are current and savings accounts, fixed deposit accounts, transnational currency accounts, Islamic accounts.

Some of the famous regional banks include:

• National Bank of Bahrain (NBB) - among the reputable banks in the polity, presenting a variety of trade banking products, including corporate current and deposit accounts, lines of credit and financing.
• Bahrain Islamic Bank (BisB) is the first Islamic bank in the polity to offer aids that comply with Islamic pecuniary principles. It supplies Islamic deposit accounts, financing and lending for endeavours.
• Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait (BBK) The bank offers a broad scope of aid, including current accounts, credit lines and speculation instruments.

Major transnational banks are present in the polity, including:

• Bank ABC (Arab Banking Corporation) is among the leading transnational banks in the polity. Its main aids include corporate and speculation accounts, trade finance aids, and asset oversight consulting.
• Ahli United Bank (AUB) This transnational pecuniary institution offers a broad scope of banking solutions for corporate clients. It supplies corporate accounts, credit products and financing, liquidity oversight aids.

In addition, there are many remuneration service providers in the polity that offer reliable online remuneration solutions. The sequence of activating a bank account in the polity is streamlined and can be fulfilled in just a few weeks. The approaches mandated by the bank account holder can be combined into a single visit to the bank, provided that they have all the compulsory records at the time of enrollment.

Residence permit in Bahrain

Transnational nationals planning to work and live in Bahrain need a residence visa and a work permit. An investor permit, given for two years to financiers of regional firms, is the fastest way to get a visa to the polity.

With a work permit, the investor can obtain a Bahraini residency permit via the NPRA (Directorate General of Citizenship and Residency). This permit also supplies the chance to sponsor residency visas for family members.

In 2022, the authorities launched a long-term Bahrain Golden Visa to lure highly educated professionals and financiers. This visa supplies the chance to:

• permanent residence in the polity;
• Golden Residence status for family members, including spouses, children and parents of the main applicant;
• find employment in Bahrain;
• multiple entries into Bahrain without constraints.

Bahraini Residence Permit Applicants under this scheme, applicants must convey indentures such as a passport (valid for more than 6 months), proof of previous address (if any), bank statement for the last 6 months, a valid health insurance certificate in Bahrain. Those applying for the Bahrain Golden Visa through real estate investment must also provide proof of proprietorship of a property worth at least BHD 200,000. In turn, highly qualified professionals must convey all aiding indentures about their qualifications.

Golden Visa holders can work in Bahrain and travel freely to and from the polity. The visa can be extended an unlimited number of times, supplied all criteria are met. Bahrain Golden Visa holders must stay in the polity for at least 90 days per year.

Conclusion

Bahrain has a liberal pecuniary policy and a government-friendly approach to the private sphere in enhancing statutes and directives. The government has streamlined trade approaches and accelerated the issuance of licenses. This openness allows the polity to remain among the attractive hubs for financiers seeking to enhance and enter the GCC and MENA trading fields.

The polity supplies special levy incentives for overseas financiers, making Bahrain an alternative option for those considering the UAE or Saudi Arabia. The government continues to work closely with endeavours and regulators to explore ways to improve the trade sphere and create optimal commercial criteria. This collaboration has led to prime steps being taken to implement initiatives that create an innovative scheme that allows endeavours to thrive, ranking among the top 10 most enhanced economies according to the World Bank.

We are ready to supply services for aid in mercantile enrollment in the polity and a number of related aids. Our firm's specialists can also provide detailed advice to financiers who intend to open an account for a company in Bahrain.