In short
Partnership registration in the Maldives sets up a business owned by two or more partners with the Registrar through the Business Portal. It is one of the two routes open to foreign individuals. DBS Maldives helps you set out the partners and their roles, prepares the application and follows it through.
What is partnership registration in the Maldives?
Partnership registration in the Maldives records a business owned and run by two or more partners. Like other business forms, partnerships are registered with the Registrar under the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, online through the government Business Portal.
A partnership suits people who want to build a business together without setting up a company. It is also one of the two structures, alongside a company, that foreign individuals can use to do business in the Maldives. Foreign investment has its own approval process, which we plan for from the start.
How DBS Maldives helps partners get started
Most partnership problems begin with assumptions nobody wrote down. We help you agree the basics before anything is filed.
- We help you set out the partners, their contributions and their roles in the application.
- We compare a partnership with a company for your situation, so you choose with the full picture.
- We reserve the partnership's name through business name registration.
- We prepare the application, coordinate each partner's details and handle the submission.
- Where a partner is a foreign national, we confirm the current foreign investment requirements first.
How to register a partnership
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Meet the partners
We meet everyone involved to understand who brings what, who will manage the business, and how decisions will be made.
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Check foreign involvement
If any partner is a foreign national, we map out the foreign investment approval alongside the registration.
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Reserve the name
We search the Business Portal and submit the proposed partnership name for approval.
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Prepare and submit
We collect each partner's details, prepare the application and submit it online through the Business Portal.
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Set up for trading
After approval, we look at GST and any activity permits the partnership needs before it begins operating.
What information do partners need to provide?
- Identity details for every partner
- eFaas access for the partner submitting online
- The proposed partnership name and alternatives
- What each partner is contributing to the business
- Each partner's role in running the business
- The activities the partnership will carry out
- The business address in the Maldives
- Details of any foreign investment involved
Common mistakes to avoid
- Skipping the conversation about roles. Agree who decides what, and how profits and responsibilities are shared, before you register.
- Not planning for a partner leaving. Discuss what happens if one partner wants out. It is far easier to agree while everyone is on good terms.
- Treating foreign investment as paperwork for later. A foreign partner's approval affects the whole timetable.
- Assuming a partnership is always simpler. For some groups, a company fits better. Compare both before choosing.
To discuss your plans, get in touch and include a line about each partner.
Frequently asked questions
How do I register a partnership in the Maldives?
Partnerships are registered online with the Registrar under the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, through the government Business Portal. You reserve a name, prepare the partners' details and the business activities, and submit the application with an eFaas login.
Can a foreigner be a partner in a Maldives partnership?
Foreign individuals who want to do business in the Maldives must register a company or a partnership, so a partnership is one of the available routes. Foreign investment has its own approval process. We confirm the current requirements before preparing anything.
Is a partnership or a company better in the Maldives?
Neither is better in every case. A partnership can suit a small group working closely together, while a company suits owners who want the business held in its own name or expect outside investment. We compare both against your plans before you decide.
What happens if a partner wants to leave the partnership?
Plan for it early. When a partner leaves, we review the partnership's registered details and explain the options, from updating the registration to closing the partnership and setting up a new business. The right approach depends on your circumstances, and nothing is filed until you agree.
Last reviewed 6 October 2026. Requirements change; we confirm the current rules with you before any application.