What is “Empresa en el Día” (Company in a Day) in Uruguay and why does it matter in 2026?

When you decide to set up a company in Uruguay, one of the first practical questions is how long the whole process will take: from the deed to having an active RUT (tax ID), registration with BPS and a company ready to operate. Traditionally, this process could take several weeks, depending on the workload of government agencies, notaries’ timelines and appointment availability.

The “Company in a Day” (Empresa en el Día) regime radically changed that. It is a fast-track procedure that lets you incorporate certain types of companies and obtain registry registration and the RUT within hours. Although not every corporate structure qualifies and not every case is eligible, when it is available it is the most efficient way to start operating immediately.

This article explains in detail how the Company in a Day system works in Uruguay, the real timelines for each stage, which company types you can incorporate this way, the costs involved and what to bear in mind whether you are a local entrepreneur or a non-resident foreigner who has already decided to set up formally in Uruguay. By the end, you will know exactly whether this option applies to your case and what steps to take without unnecessary delays.

How the Company in a Day system works in Uruguay

The Company in a Day regime is mainly designed for simplified joint-stock companies (SAS) under Law 19,820 and subsequent amendments. The aim of these rules was to remove barriers to entry and drastically cut incorporation times, providing legal certainty from day one.

The simplified procedure uses a standard contract approved by the National Audit Office (AIN), which allows the articles of incorporation to be signed digitally before a notary public, filed electronically with the General Registry Office (DGR) immediately and, once registered, the RUT to be issued automatically by the tax authority (DGI). This integrated, automated flow is what allows a company to be registered, obtain legal personality and be authorised to operate on the same day it is incorporated.

It is important to note that not the whole process literally happens “in a day” in every case. Registration and the RUT can indeed be obtained within hours. However, complementary steps — such as employer registration with BPS, authorisation of corporate books and opening a business bank account — usually take additional time. So when we talk about a company in a day, we specifically mean the act of incorporation and registry registration, not necessarily full operational readiness.

Advantages of the fast-track regime over traditional incorporation

Compared with the standard process for other types of companies in Uruguay, the “in a day” option offers clear advantages: no waiting in queues, no unnecessary in-person procedures, lower notary and registry fees, and certainty that the RUT will be available immediately. This is particularly valuable for entrepreneurs who urgently need to sign contracts, issue invoices or present themselves to clients and suppliers.

Which company types can be incorporated in a day

Not all company types qualify for the Company in a Day regime. Here is the breakdown by legal structure:

• Simplified Joint-Stock Company (SAS): the company type best suited to the Company in a Day regime. It was designed specifically for this purpose, allows flexible payment of capital, permits one or more shareholders with no nationality or residence restrictions, and does not require an external supervisory body. The SAS does not pay the corporate control tax (ICOSA), which significantly reduces its annual maintenance cost.
• Limited Liability Company (SRL): it can be incorporated through a digital procedure and obtain a RUT quickly, but it does not always qualify as “in a day” in the strict sense. The SRL requires capital to be paid in at incorporation, and its deed may need additional review by the AIN when the bylaws include non-standard clauses. It is widely used for its flexibility and because it does not pay ICOSA, but registration usually takes a few days rather than hours.
• Corporation (sociedad anónima): incorporating a traditional SA is more complex. It requires a supervisory body (a statutory auditor or supervisory committee, depending on the capital), allows deferred payment of capital and is subject to annual ICOSA. Registration usually takes longer, and it does not qualify for the Company in a Day regime in the strict sense, although the process has become much faster in recent years. The SA remains the preferred structure when planning to list on a stock exchange, bring in several institutional investors or when the type of activity requires it.
• Sole proprietorship: a sole proprietorship does not create a separate legal entity, so the owner remains personally liable without limit for the business’s obligations. Setting one up is relatively quick, but it does not fall under the “in a day” regime because it is registered directly rather than through the AIN. In practice it takes about two to five business days.

To understand in depth which legal structure to choose based on your business profile, number of partners, need for foreign investment, projected turnover and expansion plans, an initial consultation with corporate law specialists is recommended.

Ready-made SAS: an even faster alternative

Another option that speeds the process up even further is a ready-made SAS for sale. In this case, the company has already been incorporated, is registered, has a RUT and is ready to operate. All that remains is to transfer the shares to the new owners, update the corporate purpose if necessary and start operating. This is particularly useful when the entrepreneur needs to sign contracts or issue invoices on the same day they decide to formalise the business.

How long it really takes to set up a company in a day: timelines by stage

To avoid confusion, it helps to break the whole process down into its real stages, with the time involved in each:

Stage 1: Preparation (1 to 2 business days)

Before filing the articles of incorporation, you need to choose the company name, check its availability with the National Commerce Registry, obtain background certificates (where applicable) and prepare the partners’ or shareholders’ documents. If you are a non-resident foreigner, you must apostille your identity documents and proof of address and, in some cases, appoint an attorney-in-fact domiciled in Uruguay. This preparation can take anywhere from a few hours to two business days, depending on the complexity of the case and how readily available the documents are. For more on operating as a foreigner, see our guide on opening a company in Uruguay as a foreigner.

Stage 2: Signing the deed and filing (same day)

Once the documents are ready, the signing before a notary public can be done digitally. Electronic filing with the AIN is immediate. If the procedure is done in the morning and everything is in order, registration can be confirmed the same day, usually within a few hours. At this point, the company acquires legal personality and is authorised to operate legally.

Stage 3: Obtaining the RUT (same day or 24 hours)

The RUT is generated automatically after registration. In practice, this happens within the first few hours or, in some cases, on the next business day. With the RUT, the company can issue electronic invoices, register with other agencies and carry out administrative procedures.

Stage 4: Complementary steps (2 to 10 business days)

After obtaining the RUT, other registrations are still needed to operate normally: employer registration with BPS (if you will hire staff), authorisation of corporate books with the AIN and opening a business bank account in Uruguay. These steps can take between two and ten business days, depending on the bank and the number of foreign partners or shareholders involved. In addition, if the company needs to file its beneficial owner declaration with the Central Bank of Uruguay (BCU), this may add a few more days to the schedule.

In summary: the core of the incorporation process (deed, registration, RUT) can effectively be completed in one business day, while full operational readiness is usually reached within 5 to 15 business days, depending on the company type, number of partners, the owners’ nationality and the bank chosen.

How much it costs to set up a company in a day in Uruguay

The cost of incorporating a company in Uruguay under the Company in a Day regime varies depending on the company type and the professional services included. Here is a breakdown of the main items:

• Notary fees: the public deed of incorporation of an SAS or SRL under a simplified standard contract has reduced notary fees, as the process is standardised and digital. It may range from USD 150 to USD 400, depending on the notary and the complexity of any additional clauses.
• Registry fees: registration with the AIN and the National Commerce Registry has set fees that depend on the declared share capital. For an SAS, these amounts are usually lower than for a traditional SA, at around USD 50 to USD 200 in most cases.
• Complementary steps: obtaining the RUT is free, but if you need additional services — such as employer registration with BPS, authorisation of books, appointing a legal representative before DGI or initial tax advice — these may add USD 100 to USD 500, depending on the package.
• Full professional service: many entrepreneurs and business owners choose a full service that includes drafting the bylaws, coordinating with the notary, filing the procedures, follow-up with all agencies and subsequent advice. This full service usually costs a total of USD 500 to USD 1,200, depending on the company type, number of partners and any additional procedures needed.

These amounts are approximate and may vary depending on the service provider, how many companies it incorporates and your commercial relationship with the firm. In addition, if the company requires capital paid in cash, you will need to open a bank account beforehand or present proof of payment, which may add bank opening and maintenance costs.

A common mistake is to compare only the initial incorporation cost without considering annual maintenance costs. For example, an SA pays ICOSA every year (a tax that varies with share capital), while an SAS does not. This can mean a difference of several hundred dollars a year. For a full analysis of recurring costs, see our article on how much it costs to maintain a company in Uruguay.

Cost comparison by company type

In general, from lowest to highest cost: SAS (lowest), SRL (medium), SA (highest initial and annual cost). If your priority is to minimise costs and your structure does not need the specific features of an SA, the SAS is usually the most efficient option.

Practical considerations and common mistakes when incorporating in a day

Although the Company in a Day regime is designed to be fast and simple, some points cause doubts or mistakes in practice, especially among entrepreneurs setting up their first company. One of the most common mistakes is not checking beforehand whether the chosen company name is available, which can cause delays if the National Commerce Registry finds a match with companies already registered. Another frequent mistake is assuming that, because you have the RUT the same day, the company can already operate fully: in reality, if you are going to hire staff, you need to complete employer registration with BPS before registering your first employee, and if you are going to handle significant funds, opening a bank account may take longer than expected if the documents are not complete from the start.

It is also common for non-resident foreign entrepreneurs to underestimate the time needed to apostille and legalise personal documents, which can delay the preparation stage far more than the incorporation itself. That is why it is advisable to start gathering personal documents (apostilled passport, proof of address, powers of attorney if needed) well in advance, even before finalising the details of the bylaws.

Finally, a frequent planning mistake is choosing the SAS solely for its incorporation speed without assessing whether the company type really fits the business model. If your project involves institutional investors, issuing different classes of shares with different rights, or meeting specific regulatory requirements that call for a corporation (such as certain financial activities), it may be better to start directly with an SA or plan a later conversion, rather than forcing a structure that does not fit your medium-term needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set up a company in a day as a non-resident foreigner?

Yes. The Company in a Day regime is available to both residents and non-resident foreigners, with no nationality restrictions. However, if you are a foreigner, you should allow for the extra time it may take to apostille or legalise your identity documents, and possibly to appoint an attorney-in-fact or representative domiciled in Uruguay for certain procedures. Once the preliminary documents are sorted, the incorporation itself can be completed on the same day.

Does Company in a Day include opening a bank account?

No. The Company in a Day regime refers exclusively to incorporation, registry registration and obtaining the RUT. Opening a business bank account is a separate procedure that usually takes from several days to a few weeks, depending on the bank and the documents provided. It is advisable to start it in parallel or immediately after incorporation, to avoid delaying the start of commercial operations.

Do all SASs automatically qualify for the in-a-day regime?

In most cases yes, provided the standard contract approved by the AIN is used and no special clauses requiring further review are included. If the bylaws include substantial changes to the standard model (for example, special restrictions on share transfers, unconventional governing bodies or particular dispute resolution clauses), the process may take more than a day, as the AIN must review and approve those specific clauses before registration.

Conclusion

The Company in a Day regime is one of Uruguay’s greatest competitive advantages over other jurisdictions in the region: the ability to incorporate a company and obtain legal personality and a RUT within hours. However, it is important to understand exactly what this process includes and which complementary steps — BPS, bank account, beneficial owner declaration to the BCU — require additional time to reach full operational readiness. Choosing the right company type from the start, preparing documents in advance and having professional advice are the keys to making the most of the speed this regime offers. At sociedadesanonimas.uy we support local and foreign entrepreneurs throughout the in-a-day incorporation process, from choosing the corporate structure to obtaining the RUT and completing the complementary steps needed to operate normally.