This article provides a clear overview of the rules and requirements for individual business activities in Aruba in 2025, focusing specifically on the availability of sole proprietorship status or similar arrangements for local and international professionals.
Is Sole Proprietorship Status Available in Aruba?
Based on official publications from the Government of Aruba and the Aruba Chamber of Commerce, there is no special or simplified sole proprietorship status in Aruba that allows individuals to invoice clients as private persons without formal business registration. All forms of entrepreneurial activity, including freelancing and consulting, require registration as a formal business entity—commonly known as an eenmanszaak (sole proprietorship business).
Key Features of Business Registration in Aruba (2025)
| Feature | Availability/Requirement |
|---|---|
| Sole Proprietorship status for private individuals (non-entity) | No |
| Eenmanszaak (Sole Proprietorship business) | Yes – business entity, formal registration required |
| Simplified regimes/micro-entrepreneur status | No |
| Ability to invoice as an individual without a business entity | No |
| Business registration with the Chamber of Commerce | Required for all entrepreneurs and freelancers |
Understanding the Registration Requirement
If you intend to run any kind of business activity in Aruba—whether as a traditional entrepreneur or a remote consultant—you must formally register your business with the Aruba Chamber of Commerce. The most commonly used status for individual entrepreneurs is the eenmanszaak. It is important to understand that this is not a private tax status, but a business entity that comes with all relevant obligations, including tax and regulatory compliance.
What It Means for Freelancers and Consultants
Unlike some other jurisdictions offering flexible freelance or micro-business regimes, Aruba requires that every entrepreneur operate under a legally registered business. There is no mechanism for individuals to issue invoices to clients or accept business income as private persons without a registered legal business structure. This approach ensures that all economic activity remains within the regulatory and fiscal framework set by Aruba’s authorities.
Comparison Table: Entrepreneurial Options in Aruba (2025)
| Option | Requirements | Eligible to Invoice Clients |
|---|---|---|
| Sole Proprietorship status (as an individual) | Not available | – |
| Eenmanszaak (business entity) | Register with Chamber of Commerce | Yes |
| Other business entity (e.g., NV, VBA) | Formal registration, compliance with additional rules | Yes |
Official Sources and Further Reading
- Aruba Chamber of Commerce – Legal Entities Overview
- Aruba Chamber of Commerce – Starting a Business
- Directorate of Taxes Aruba – Entrepreneurs Section
Pro Tips for Business Setup in Aruba
- Start your business registration process with the Aruba Chamber of Commerce as early as possible, as all activity must be through a registered entity.
- There are no shortcuts or simplified freelance regimes—plan for the responsibilities and potential costs of formal incorporation and ongoing compliance.
- Double-check that your planned activity aligns with allowed business purposes under Aruban law before starting operations.
- Consult the official government sites directly for forms and the most current lists of required documents.
Final Notes
In summary, Aruba provides a clear, regulated environment for business activities, but does not offer informal or private individual business statuses in 2025. All entrepreneurial work must occur within the framework of a registered business entity, most commonly the eenmanszaak. Professionals and freelancers should plan ahead for the administrative steps and ongoing obligations associated with business registration in Aruba. The key takeaway is that compliance starts with choosing and registering the right legal form, ensuring you are operating on solid legal and fiscal ground from day one.