⚡ DIRECT ACCESS TO MINECO
Ministry of Economy — Guatemala
Which one to use?
- MINECO Portal — institutional, programs, economic news
- Mercantile Registry — register company, modifications, certifications
- RPI — register trademark, invention patent, copyright
- DIACO — consumer complaints, complaint book, adhesion contracts
📞 Phone: 2412-0200 · 📧 info@mineco.gob.gt · 📍 8a Avenida 10-43 Zona 1, Guatemala City · 🆔 Verified: May 2026
MINECO (Ministerio de Economía) is Guatemala’s economic regulator. It covers everything from registering your new business, trademarks and patents, to consumer protection (DIACO) and movable securities for credit.
Quick rule: Opening a business? → Mercantile Registry + SAT NIT + IGSS. Have a brand/logo/name to protect? → RPI. Got scammed by a business? → DIACO. Sell to end consumers? → Authorized complaint book and possibly registered adhesion contract.
7 MINECO Registries and Directorates
| Sub-entity | What it regulates |
|---|---|
| Mercantile Registry | Company registration (corporations, LLCs, sole proprietorships), modifications, certifications |
| Intellectual Property Registry (RPI) | Trademarks, commercial names, invention patents, utility models, industrial designs, copyright |
| DIACO — Consumer Protection Directorate | Complaints, complaint books, adhesion contracts, sanctions for false advertising |
| Movable Securities Registry | Securities on movable assets (vehicles, machinery) for credit |
| Securities Market Registry | Stock exchange, issuers, brokers |
| Certification Service Providers Registry | Certified electronic signature companies |
| Trade & Investment Services Directorate | Export promotion, investment attraction, trade treaties |
Most-searched MINECO services
Companies and businesses
| Service | For whom | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Register a Business in Guatemala | Company founders | Q300-2,500 |
| DIACO Complaint Book | Every business selling to consumers | Q50 |
| Adhesion Contract Approval | Telecom, banks, retailers with financing | Q50 |
Quality and metrology
| Service | For whom | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| OGA Lab Accreditation | Testing and calibration laboratories | $100 |
| LANAMET Equipment Calibration | Businesses with commercial/industrial equipment | Variable |
Education and opportunities
| Service | For whom | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| MINECO English Scholarships | Working-age Guatemalans | Free |
Before registering your business — checklist
| Have ready | Why |
|---|---|
| Active DPI | Yours + each partner’s |
| Notarial deed | Company constitution (notary public) |
| Tax domicile | Operations address (can be virtual office) |
| Initial capital | Minimum Q200 for SA, Q5,000 for SRL |
| Boleto Ornato | Paid |
| Trade patent (after) | Q150 — next step after registration |
| NIT at SAT (after) | Link to RTU to start invoicing |
| IGSS registration (if hiring) | Employer |
Diaspora — opening a business in Guatemala from the US
If you live abroad and want to open a business in Guatemala:
- Without traveling: you can constitute the company by power of attorney — an authorized family member signs in your place. The US notary attests the power + apostille at State Department.
- As foreign investor: Guatemala allows 100% foreign ownership in most sectors (not strategic mining). You don’t need a Guatemalan partner.
- Trademark your product before selling it: register the trademark at RPI before investing in marketing — protects your investment.
- To export to Guatemala from your US business: contact MINECO’s Trade and Investment Services Directorate for advice on tariffs, treaties (CAFTA-DR), permits.
Trademark, patent, copyright — what’s what
| Type | Protects | Validity | Approximate cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trademark | Commercial name, logo, slogan | 10 years renewable | Q800-1,500/class |
| Invention Patent | Novel technical invention | 20 years | Q3,000-5,000 |
| Utility Model | Minor technical improvement | 10 years | Q1,500-2,500 |
| Industrial Design | Aesthetic form of a product | 10 years | Q1,500-2,500 |
| Copyright | Literary, musical, software works | Life + 75 years | Q200-500 (voluntary registration; automatic protection) |
All managed through RPI (Intellectual Property Registry). For international protection: Guatemala is part of the Madrid System (trademarks) and PCT (patents).
MINECO Contact
| Channel | Detail |
|---|---|
| Phone | 2412-0200 |
| info@mineco.gob.gt | |
| Hours | Monday-Friday 8:00 - 16:00 |
| Address | 8a Avenida 10-43, Zona 1, Guatemala City |
| DIACO Complaints | Via mineco.gob.gt portal |
| Mercantile Registry | registromercantil.gob.gt |
| RPI | rpi.mineco.gob.gt |
More Guatemala government resources
- SAT Guatemala — for your NIT (next step after Mercantile Registry)
- MINGOB Guatemala — to register NGOs (NOT companies — those go to Mercantile Registry)
- MAGA Guatemala — if your business is agricultural
- MSPAS Guatemala — if your business is food, pharmacy, beauty salon (needs sanitary license)
- Guatemala Trámites — complete directory