Company Formation in Qatar
Sovereign Qatar offers company formation and management services across the Qatar mainland and its Free Zones, including Limited Liability Companies (LLCs), 100% foreign-owned entities, Branches and Representative Offices.
We also provide the management and governance services to enable sustainable operations in Qatar, including tax registration, director services, local bank account opening, corporate sponsorship, office rental and government liaison (PRO) services. We can further assist with payroll, accounting, HR and compliance under both the mainland and the Free Zone legal frameworks.
About Qatar Market Entry
Qatar is one of the Gulf’s fastest growing economies. Strategically located with excellent access to the GCC states, Asia and Africa, it offers political and economic stability, advanced infrastructure, pro-business policies and tax-neutral Free Zones make it ideal for multinational companies and entrepreneurs looking to tap into the region’s dynamic markets.
Qatar’s ambitious National Vision 2030 sets a transformative blueprint for the nation’s future — one that aspires to shift the country from a hydrocarbon-dependent economy to a diversified, knowledge-based society. There are significant opportunities for foreign investment in infrastructure, healthcare, education, sport, tourism, energy, information and communications technology and services.
In recent years, the Qatari government has enacted reforms to incentivise and attract foreign direct investment (FDI), including Law No 1/2019 permitting full foreign ownership in most economic sectors, Law No 16/2018 regulating foreign real estate investment and ownership, and Law No 12/2020 regulating public-private partnerships.
The Ministry of Commerce & Industry set up the Investment Promotion Agency-Qatar to attract inward FDI in 2019. Other facilitating bodies include the Qatar Financial Centre, Qatar Science & Technology Park and the Qatar Free Zones Authority, all of which offer full foreign ownership and repatriation of profits, tax incentives and investment funds for small- and medium-sized enterprises.
In Qatar, corporate income tax is levied at a flat 10% on the taxable profits of foreign-owned mainland entities, while companies wholly owned by Qatari or GCC nationals are generally exempt. In addition, there is no personal income tax and no inheritance, gift or wealth taxes. There is currently no VAT.
The foreign investment law (Law 1/2019) offers a variety of other incentives to international investors, which may include the following:
The designated industrial zones under the Qatar Free Zones Authority offers further incentives to foreign investors, which may include the following:
Recent reforms have further streamlined the commercial registration process. Local and international investors may apply for a commercial licence through the Ministry of Commerce & Industry’s or Invest in Qatar Centre’s portal. Upon submitting a complete application, the Ministry will issue its decision within 15 days. Rejected applications can be resubmitted or appealed. Upon approval, registering a small-size limited liability company in Qatar is estimated to take 8 to 9 working ays.
Types of Companies in Qatar
In Qatar there are two corporate legal systems: the domestic corporate law, primarily governed by the Commercial Companies Law, and the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC), which applies a common law system to companies that are licensed by the QFC Authority.
The QFC is not a geographic free zone or offshore centre, and licensed entities can operate from premises anywhere in Qatar if approved by the QFC Authority. Depending on the nature of business, investors looking to establish a presence in Qatar should consider both systems.
Foreign investors looking to expand into Qatar may consider various business entity types and structures, including:
Each structure has its regulatory, ownership, capital and operational implications. While 100% foreign ownership is allowed across most business activities, some sectors – notably banking, insurance and commercial agency activities – still require a Qatari partner or local shareholding.
Sovereign PPG can act as your local partner / shareholding company in these circumstances. The choice of business entity should be aligned with your business model, local regulatory and legal requirements, international standards, future expansion plans and tax considerations.
Sovereign’s team will assist you on a case by case basis in selecting and implementing the optimal structure for your needs and the commercial activities, from initial planning through to full operational deployment.
Choosing the right Business Setup in Qatar
When deciding how to structure your business in Qatar, key considerations include:
By assessing these factors, Sovereign Qatar can assist foreign investors to ensure their business setup is efficient, compliant and scalable.
Company Formation in Qatar– FAQs
Please contact us if you have any questions or queries and your local representative will be in touch with you as soon as possible.
