Starting a business in Singapore

Legal Forms of Companies

Private limited company

Number of partners: Minimum 1, maximum 50.
Capital (max/min): SGD 1
Shareholders and liability: Liability is limited to the amount of guarantees

Public limited company

Number of partners: Minimum 50 shareholder.
Capital (max/min): No minimum capital required.
Shareholders and liability: Liability is limited to the portion of the company’s share capital taken up.

Public limited company by guarantee

Number of partners: Minimum 3 shareholders.
Capital (max/min): Minimum SGD 1.
Shareholders and liability: Liability is limited to the amount contributed.

Limited Partnership

Number of partners: Minimum 2 partners with a maximum of 20. At least one general partner and one limited partner.
Capital (max/min): No minimum capital required.
Shareholders and liability: At least one person has an unlimited liability (active partner). Sleeping partners' liability is limited to the amount they contributed.

Sole Proprietorship

Number of partners: 1 person.
Capital (max/min): No minimum capital required.
Shareholders and liability: Liability is unlimited.

Business Setup Procedures

Source: Doing Business - Latest available data.