Bahrain: company formation
With Limited Liability · Middle East
Updated on 3 November 2026 · Published under the responsibility of Jason Pivron, director · Who we are
WLL in Bahrain — company, registered office, banking file and annual upkeep, run by us, with a local correspondent where we have one.
Who this jurisdiction suits
- The oldest and most established banking centre in the Gulf.
- No taxation outside the oil and gas sectors.
- Lower setup cost than the UAE for some activities.
What it does not solve
- Commercial address and often real premises required for the licence.
- Two to three month timelines.
Conditions to meet
Usual capital, no legal source cited: to be checked
Usual time, from our files; to be checked.
Adequate. The oldest and most established banking centre in the Gulf.
A commercial address and often real premises are required to obtain the licence.
Our assessment for Bahrain; to be checked.
Office in Manama, on quotation.
Our offer in Bahrain, internal catalogue.
Registration in Bahrain: Sijilat, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce commercial register. Source: sijilat.bh
Services and prices
Starting prices excluding tax, government fees included.
See the other 9 services in this jurisdiction
Firm price after the call: several shareholders, indirect ownership or a regulated activity change it.
Bahrain: what is specific to it
- Bahrain has applied 10% VAT since 1 January 2022 (5% before). Source: nbr.gov.bh (to be checked)
Reviewed on 30 September 2026.
Bahrain compared with Saudi Arabia and Mauritius
| Bahrain | Saudi Arabia | Mauritius | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Usual company form | WLL | LLC | GBC · AC |
| Corporate taxation | 0 % outside oil and gas | 20 % on the foreign share · zakat on the local share | Reduced rate subject to substance conditions · extensive treaty network |
| Share capital | BHD 20,000 | SAR 500,000 | Not established |
| Incorporation time | 2–3 months | 2–3 months | 1 week |
| Banking access | Demanding | Demanding | Demanding |
| Substance requirement | Real presence required | Real presence required | Real presence required |
| Our services | from 8,690 € | from 44,190 € | from 20,490 € |
To be checked against each profile. The page for Saudi Arabia → · The page for Mauritius →
Registered office and premises in Bahrain
From 2,816 €. Registered office service →
How it runs
- Scoping and choice of zone
- Name reservation and initial approval
- Licence issue
- Visa and identity
- Tax and bank account
For Bahrain, the register is kept by Sijilat, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce commercial register and the usual time is 2–3 months.
Steps as recorded on 21 September 2026.
Group: Gulf licence · Our fees → · What we do for you →
Company formation in Bahrain: frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to set up a company in Bahrain?
Company formation in Bahrain starts at 8,690 €, excluding tax. Firm quote before signature.
How long does it take to register a company in Bahrain?
About 2–3 months once the file is complete (usual time from our files; to be checked).
Where is a company registered in Bahrain?
With the Sijilat, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce commercial register (source: sijilat.bh).
What is the corporate tax rate in Bahrain?
0 % outside oil and gas (data as of 21 September 2026; source: mofne.gov.bh). Not tax advice.
What share capital is usual in Bahrain?
BHD 20,000: usual capital, not a legal minimum; to be checked.
Why set up a company in Bahrain?
The oldest and most established banking centre in the Gulf. No taxation outside the oil and gas sectors. Lower setup cost than the UAE for some activities.
What are the drawbacks of a company in Bahrain?
Commercial address and often real premises required for the licence. Two to three month timelines.
Bahrain or Saudi Arabia or Mauritius: where do our services start?
from 8,690 € in Bahrain; from 44,190 € in Saudi Arabia; from 20,490 € in Mauritius, excluding tax.
Bahrain or Saudi Arabia or Mauritius: how does corporate tax compare?
Bahrain, 0 % outside oil and gas; Saudi Arabia, 20 % on the foreign share · zakat on the local share; Mauritius, Reduced rate subject to substance conditions · extensive treaty network; to be checked.
Bahrain or Saudi Arabia or Mauritius: which is faster to register?
Bahrain in 2–3 months; Saudi Arabia in 2–3 months; Mauritius in 1 week, usual times.
Where these figures come from
Recorded on 21 September 2026; to be checked; banking and substance: our assessment. How we source these figures →