Business
License
The establishment of your company on Bonaire
As per the 10th of October 2010 the new BES Business Establishment Act is applicable for Bonaire (and St. Eustatius and Saba). The two major changes, compared to the previous law are:
- the person starting the company needs to prove if there is sufficient financial means and sufficient general competences to run a business;
- the director’s license doesn’t exist anymore (SZW can be contacted regarding petitions for a work permit
Department of Economic and Labour Affairs is the department who advises the Executive Council regarding the granting of a business license. The decision is ultimately taken by the Executive Council.
The application form must be filled-in completely, and all necessary documents must be enclosed. Incomplete applications will not be processed!
A business license is necessary for everyone who wants to start a business, expand their business, or make changes to an existing business on Bonaire.
Application form Business License
The establishment of a company on Bonaire
Bonaire has two legal bodies that are most commonly used for incorporation of companies which are the Limited Liability Company (N.V.) and the Private Limited Liability Company (B.V.)
There are also other legal bodies on Bonaire, e.g. the Partnership Firm (V.O.F.), Limited Partnership (Commanditaire vennootschap) etc. for which one need to apply for a business license. A Foundation (stichting) is also a legal body that needs to be founded at the Notary. A Foundation, however, does not need a business license.
In principal, any business on Bonaire must have a business license. On this website information can be found about the business license and other permits and licenses one need to start and to operate a company.
The difference between Sole Proprietors and Limited Liability Companies:
- A Sole Proprietor is a business where there is no distinction between the business assets and the personal assets. As owner one will be personally liable for all obligations of the business.
- A limited liability company is a corporate body with shareholders, governed by corporate law and its articles of association.
The Business License Request Procedure:
As mentioned before, the application form must be filled in completely, and all necessary documents must be enclosed. Incomplete applications will not be processed!
Branches:
Partnerships or limited liability companies, which are already incorporated and want to open a branch, do not have to incorporate the branch. They only have to request a business license on Bonaire.
Granting Procedure for a Business License:
When granting the business license the Executive Council of the Island of Bonaire is authorized to connect conditions concerning the nature and the place of the business as also concerning the creditworthiness of the applicant and the financing of the business. A business license can be refused, according to the new law, if the person starting the business can not prove he/she has sufficient financial means and sufficient general competences to run the business.
The changing of Data of a Business license:
When changes occur in a business e.g. the name or location of a business changes etc. one must request the Executive Council of the Island of Bonaire to make changes in the license. Changes can be requested by filling in the Application Form, with all necessary documents enclosed.
Other Licenses and Permits:
Businesses that are going to sell drinks or food and/or rent accommodation also need to request for a beverage and horeca license. Those that do not have a Dutch Nationality must also have a residence and work permit. For more information about these licenses and permits, brochures are available at DEZA.
Office Consulting Hours:
Every Thursday between 08:30 and 11:00 am DEZA has office consulting hours. In the consulting hours all questions can be asked about the business and beverage and horeca licenses. The employees of DEZA can also help with the Application Form.
Contact addresses for further regulations for companies:
