Forming an SAS in Uruguay: Your Lean Path to Business Success – Costs, Benefits, and Support

LivingInUruguay
May , 2025

As an entrepreneur or investor looking to expand into a new country, you seek a business structure that offers efficiency, flexibility, and predictability. In Uruguay, the Sociedad por Acciones Simplificadas (SAS) is precisely this modern and lean solution, perfectly adapted to your needs. We’ll show you how to successfully launch your business in Uruguay with an SAS, detailing the costs, benefits, and the support you can expect.

Problem: Starting a business in a new country can seem complex, costly, and time-consuming, especially when choosing the right legal form and navigating ongoing management.

Solution: The Sociedad por Acciones Simplificadas (SAS) offers a simplified, flexible, and cost-effective legal structure in Uruguay, specifically designed to address these challenges.

Advantage: It enables quick, compliant business setup with manageable overheads and significant operational freedom, accelerating your path to success.

I. The SAS: A Modern Legal Form for Maximum Flexibility

The SAS is a relatively new and extremely popular legal form in Uruguay, particularly attractive for sole entrepreneurs, startups, and flexible business models. It combines the advantages of a stock company with the simplicity of a partnership.

Your Advantages at a Glance:

Single Shareholder Possible: Unlike other company forms, an SAS can be founded by just one shareholder.
Limited Liability: The liability of shareholders is generally limited to the amount of their contributions.
Flexible Capital Structure: Capital is expressed in shares that can be issued as nominative or book-entry securities and are not publicly traded.
Broad Company Purpose: The company’s purpose can be very broadly defined (“any lawful activity”), offering maximum flexibility in business orientation.
Lean Administration: No obligatory administrative body (like a board of directors) is required; only a legal representative must be appointed.
Flexibility in Meetings: General meetings can be held locally or abroad, in person or via remote communication.
Simplified Formation: The formation process is significantly simpler and faster compared to an S.A.

Problem: Traditional company forms might be too rigid or require complex structures that don’t fit agile business models.

Solution: The SAS offers unparalleled flexibility and simplicity, especially for solo founders or those preferring a lean structure.

Advantage: You can launch your business quickly and with minimal bureaucratic overhead, adapting flexibly to business needs, which accelerates your success.

II. Transparent Costs: From Formation to Ongoing Management

A clear overview of costs is crucial for your planning. Forming and managing an SAS in Uruguay is highly predictable compared to other legal forms.

Formation Costs:

The one-time formation costs for an SAS are approximately $5,500 USD.
The minimum capital deposit required for formation is symbolic, at just $1,000 USD.

Ongoing Monthly Costs:

For ongoing administration and related services, you can expect monthly costs of approximately $600-700 USD.
These costs typically cover administration programs, necessary insurances (e.g., Multista for family members), and social security contributions.
A significant advantage is that a comprehensive tax advisor service is already included in these administration costs.

Problem: Unclear or high startup and ongoing costs can deter potential founders and strain budgets.

Solution: The SAS offers a transparent and manageable cost structure for both formation and ongoing operations.

Advantage: This ensures cost predictability and efficiency, allowing you to manage your budget effectively and focus resources on core business activities, rather than worrying about unexpected expenses.

III. Mutualista Insurance: Comprehensive Protection for Your Family

An important component of the monthly costs relates to “Mutualistas” insurance. In Uruguay a “Mutualistas” refer to private healthcare providers offering comprehensive medical care for individuals and families. These are a popular choice to complement the healthcare coverage offered by the state system (FONASA).

Problem: Ensuring comprehensive health and social security coverage for family members when relocating can be complex and expensive.

Solution: Uruguay’s social security system, combined with flexible private health insurance options (Multista), offers robust and adaptable coverage.

Advantage: This provides you with peace of mind through comprehensive health and social protection for your entire family, with costs integrated into manageable monthly administration fees.

IV. Our Support: Your Partner for Maximum Success

Founding and managing a business in a foreign country requires local expertise to navigate legal and tax pitfalls. This is precisely where we come in. Our comprehensive service includes not only the formation of your SAS but also ongoing management and integrated tax advisory services, as mentioned above.

Problem: Navigating company setup, tax compliance, and ongoing administration in a foreign country requires local expertise that is often hard to find.

Solution: Our end-to-end service includes SAS formation, ongoing management, and integrated tax advisory, all from a single source.

Advantage: We ensure compliance, streamline your operations, and free up your time to focus on core business growth, maximizing your chances of success in Uruguay.

Forming an SAS in Uruguay is your lean and effective way to realize your entrepreneurial ambitions in this stable and growing country. With transparent costs and our active support, you are ideally positioned for success.

Ready for your SAS in Uruguay?
Contact us and book a free consultation!