Request a business license

To establish a business in Aruba, a Business License is necessary. If you are born in Aruba and you have the Dutch nationality or you are nationalized as a Dutch citizen in Aruba and are 18 years or older you do not need to apply for a business license if you want to start a Sole Proprietorship (EZ) or General Partnership or to become the director of a Corporation (NV), a Limited Liability Company (VBA) or an Aruba Exempt Corporation (AVV). (For the difference in business structures, see Choose your business structure).

However a business license is required if you are born in Aruba but you do not have the Dutch nationality, or you are not born in Aruba but you have the Dutch nationality, but you are not naturalized as a Dutch citizen in Aruba.

Also a business license is required if you are not born in Aruba and you have another nationality and you want to start a Sole Proprietorship (EZ) or other legal entities such as a General Partnership (VOF), a Corporation (NV), a Limited Liability Company (VBA), an Aruba Exempt Corporation (AVV) or other legal entities. Application for a business license can be done at the Department of Economic Affairs & Industry, Commerce and Industry (DEACI).

In some cases, background screening process of the director(s) is/are required.

Important notes:

  • Granting of license pursuant to the Business License ordinance does not imply automatic approval of other required licenses.
  • Pursuant to the Regional development ordinance, all business types are required to have an adequate place of business.
  • The activities per location should be related to each other at all times.

The Business licensing ordinance is not applicable to:

  • Companies in the Free zone;
  • Credit institutions;
  • Insurance companies;
  • Trust companies;
  • Vendors;
  • Businesses pertaining to public law;
  • Agriculture, livestock and fishery businesses.

A petition must comply with the Business Licensing Guidelines (This booklet will help you among other things understand the licensing requirements for your business entity type) and must be submitted at the DEACI.

For additional information regarding business license, please contact the Helpdesk (582-1181 ext. 250) at the Department of Economic Affairs, Commerce and Industry.

Business License