To start a business, investors must obtain a Commercial Registration along with the necessary business licenses and/or approvals. Businesses are considered legally established once registered with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce through obtaining a Commercial Registration certificate (without a license).
In order to start practicing the activity, investors are required to obtain certain approvals and/or business licenses from licensing entities, then they will get issued a Commercial Registration certificate with the license(s).

Bahrain continues to offer a competitive tax environment for businesses and individuals. There is no personal income tax, corporate income tax, capital gains tax, or inheritance tax. This makes Bahrain an attractive location for establishing a business or relocating as an expat. However, a 10% Value Added Tax (VAT) is applied to most goods and services.

There are no restrictions on where a Bahrain company can operate. Bahrain provides access to the Middle East and the GCC states, and has bilateral trade arrangements with 43 countries.

General Requirements for Company Formation in Bahrain:
Passports: Copies of passports for all company owners and directors.
Business Names: A few proposed business names for availability checks.
Registered Address: Proof of a local business address (virtual or physical).
Additional Considerations:
Company registration fees
Minimum capital deposit (amount varies depending on the company type)

– Be present at the public notary or
– Private notary where you can choose a representative that will be present on your behalf at your preferred location (certain fees will apply)

The cost of living in Bahrain is highly competitive when compared to other GCC countries and this will continue with the proposals of the 2030 strategy to build Bahrain as an attractive business center. Bahrain offers excellent value for money, coupled with a balanced lifestyle.