Peru (PE)
Peru combines world-class food, ancient Inca heritage, Pacific coastline, Amazon rainforest, Andean cities and one of Latin America's lower cost-of-living profiles.
Capital: Lima
Region: Americas
Language: Spanish
Currency: PEN (S/)
Cost of living: Very affordable (index 30)
Emergency: 105
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Business Setup
Start a business or go freelance in Peru.
🧑💻 Freelancer / Self-Employed Guide
Steps to register:
- 1 1. Confirm your immigration status authorises independent work or self-employment in Peru. Tourist or visitor status (up to 183 days) does not authorise commercial activity or local invoicing.
- 2 2. Register for a RUC (Registro Único de Contribuyentes) at SUNAT (sunat.gob.pe) or a SUNAT office — bring passport and proof of Peruvian address. Obtain Clave SOL (online tax portal access) at the same time.
- 3 3. Choose your tax regime with an accountant: Nuevo RUS (simplified, monthly purchases/sales ≤ S/8,000); Régimen Especial (RER, up to S/525,000 annual income); Mype Tributario (up to 1,700 UIT); or Régimen General.
- 4 4. Issue electronic invoices or recibos por honorarios electrónicos through the SUNAT portal. Clients may withhold 8% on recibos por honorarios above S/1,500/month — this counts as advance income tax.
- 5 5. Register a municipal operating licence (licencia de funcionamiento) if you operate from fixed premises or receive clients at a business address.
- 6 6. Keep contracts, bank transfer records, and source-of-funds documentation for both SUNAT and Migraciones residence renewal purposes.
- 7 7. File monthly income tax advance payments (pagos a cuenta) and annual income tax return (Declaración Jurada Anual) by March–April for the prior year.
Tax registration
Register with SUNAT for a RUC and Clave SOL. Independent professionals on recibos por honorarios pay 4th category income tax at progressive rates (8% on the first tranche above the 7 UIT annual exemption, then 14%, 17%, 20%, 30%). Employers or clients withhold 8% at source on payments above S/1,500/month. Employees on planilla pay 5th category income tax withheld monthly by employer.
VAT threshold
There is no single universal IGV (VAT) exemption threshold. Peru applies 18% IGV to most commercial activities. Independent professionals issuing recibos por honorarios do not charge IGV on those receipts. Businesses registered under Nuevo RUS (monthly sales/purchases ≤ S/8,000) pay a simplified flat fee instead of standard IGV returns. Those in Régimen Especial, Mype Tributario, or Régimen General must register for IGV and file monthly declarations. Confirm your regime and activity code with SUNAT.
Invoicing
Electronic recibos por honorarios for independent professionals are issued via the SUNAT portal with your RUC. Commercial facturas electrónicas are issued through SUNAT or an authorised emissions operator (OSE). All invoices must include: RUC, full name or company name, client RUC and details, sequential number, date, description, amount, IGV (if applicable), and total.
Social security
Employees enrolled on planilla must contribute to a pension system: ONP (public system, 13% of gross salary) or AFP (private, approximately 10–13% total including fund fees and insurance). EsSalud health insurance is paid by the employer at 9% on top of gross — employees do not directly contribute. Independent contractors (recibo por honorarios) are not on the employer planilla and must arrange health coverage via voluntary EsSalud affiliation or private health insurance.
💡 The biggest risk for freelancers is economic dependence on a single Peruvian client while classified as an independent contractor. SUNAFIL (labour inspectorate) can reclassify the relationship as employment, triggering back-payment of planilla benefits (gratificaciones, CTS, vacaciones, EsSalud). Migraciones may also request recent recibos or contracts when renewing residence permits. Maintain clear written contracts, invoice regularly, and work for multiple clients where possible.
🏢 Business Structures
Persona natural con negocio · Persona Natural con Negocio
Sole trader with business activity
No statutory minimum
Min. capital
1–7 days for RUC at SUNAT; municipal licence may take 1–4 additional weeks
Setup time
Liability: Unlimited personal liability — owner personally responsible for all business debts
Setup cost: Free RUC registration at SUNAT; municipal operating licence (licencia de funcionamiento) S/150–500+ depending on district and activity
Best for: Small local services, consultants testing the market, and sole operators with low personal liability risk. Simplest entry point for individuals. Not suitable for high-value contracts or regulated activities.
EIRL · Empresa Individual de Responsabilidad Limitada
Single-owner limited liability entity
No statutory minimum; capital must be declared in the notarial deed (typically S/1,000–10,000 in practice)
Min. capital
2–4 weeks
Setup time
Liability: Limited to company assets if properly maintained — personal assets protected
Setup cost: S/800–2,500+ (notary deed, SUNARP registration, municipal licence)
Best for: Solo founders who want separation between personal and business assets without shareholders. A uniquely Peruvian structure — less common since SAC became accessible and affordable.
SAC · Sociedad Anónima Cerrada
Closely held corporation
No statutory minimum; realistic capital recommended for banking and creditor requirements
Min. capital
2–6 weeks
Setup time
Liability: Shareholder liability limited to capital contributions
Setup cost: S/1,500–4,000+ (notary, SUNARP registration, municipal licence, and professional advice)
Best for: Most SMEs, startups, family businesses, and foreign-owned subsidiaries. The most common corporate structure for serious operations. Allows 2–20 shareholders. Shares are restricted from public offering.
SRL · Sociedad Comercial de Responsabilidad Limitada
Limited liability company
No statutory minimum; partner contributions stated in founding deed
Min. capital
2–6 weeks
Setup time
Liability: Limited to quota contributions — partners not personally liable for company debts
Setup cost: S/1,500–4,000+ (notary deed, SUNARP registration, municipal licence)
Best for: Small partnerships wanting limited liability and simpler governance than a SAC. Maximum 20 partners. Less flexible than SAC for future investment — SAC is generally preferred for growth-oriented businesses.
Sucursal · Sucursal de Sociedad Extranjera
Branch of a foreign company
Assigned working capital must be declared in founding documents (amount set by parent company, no fixed statutory minimum)
Min. capital
4–10 weeks (document legalisation and SUNARP registration)
Setup time
Liability: Foreign parent company remains fully liable for all branch obligations
Setup cost: S/3,000–8,000+ (notary, apostille and legalisation of parent company documents, SUNARP registration, SRE approval)
Best for: Foreign companies executing Peruvian contracts or establishing a local presence without forming a separate subsidiary. Parent company documents must be apostilled and translated to Spanish by a certified translator.
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