Subject to certain restrictions on the types of activities that a foreign company may undertake, the commercial laws of Bahrain permit 100% foreign owned businesses.
The types of company structures available for foreigners are:
Bahrain Shareholding Company – B.S.C. (Public)
• 100% ownership permitted for Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) nationals;
• Non-GCC (foreign) investors may acquire up to 49% of the company;
• US investors have the same status as GCC nationals, i.e. 100% ownership is permitted.
Bahrain Shareholding Company – B.S.C. (Closed)
• 100% ownership permitted for Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) nationals;
• Non-GCC (foreign) investors may acquire up to 100% of the company;
• US investors have the same status as GCC nationals, i.e. 100% ownership is permitted.
A Limited Liability Company (W.L.L.)
• 100% foreign ownership is allowed.
Partnership Company
• 100% foreign ownership is allowed.
Single Person Company (S.P.C.)
• 100% foreign ownership is allowed.
Branch of a Foreign Company
A branch of a foreign company registered outside of Bahrain may be established in the Kingdom either as a regional office, representative office or an operational office.
Holding Company
A holding company may be in the form of either a Closed or Public Shareholding Company, a Limited Liability Company, or a Single Person Company.
Individual Establishment
An Individual Establishment is a non-incorporated entity owned by a single individual. This type of company is only open for Bahraini citizens and GCC citizens resident in Bahrain.
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