LABOR 

1. What are the Labor rights inherent to every Honduran employee?

Vacations, Minimum Salary, 1 Day off a week or 4 in a month, holidays, extra hours, Thirteen Month and Fourteen Month. 

The vacations, days off, and holidays can be worked by the employee but such days must be paid double. 

2. What is the probation period for employees? 

First two months of the labor relationship.

3. Is it imperative to celebrate a written contract with an employee? 

Our labor law states that every employer has the obligation to celebrate a contract with its employees. Its non-existence permits the presumption that everything an employee says will be considered the truth unless proven otherwise in court. 

4. Can I terminate my employeés contract without any responsibility? 

To terminate an employeés contract without any legal responsibility you need a legal cause for such termination and proceed through the legal process prior to unilaterally terminate a contract. 

5. How does BIG & BODDEN LAW FIRMS provides legal representation?

It all depends on our clients' needs. We can provide a permanent representation of your business and all of our Attorneys will always be at your disposal or we can assist or represent you when needed for a specific service or representation. 

REAL ESTATE

1. As a foreigner can I purchase real estate without the need for a Honduran Residence?

Yes, you can. Foreigners can purchase under their personal name up to 1 property of a maximum of 3,000 square meters with or without a Honduras Residence. 

2. What are the requirements to purchase a property in Honduras? 

First of all, it’s imperative to hire an Attorney at Law before any downpayment is made to the seller in order to do an exhaustive investigation on the property's deed to make sure it doesn’t have any hidden legal disputes, restrictions, leases, and mortgages. 

The only document needed by a national or foreigner to purchase a property in Honduras is a copy of the buyer’s passport and his/her general information (civil status, nationality, domicile, and profession).

3. Can I purchase a property without personally being in Honduras? 

Yes, you can.  An Attorney At Law will email you a Power of Attorney (POA) which has to be signed at a Honduran embassy, where authentication will be issued. If you are not near a Honduran Embassy, the POA has to be signed in front of a Public Notary, who will authenticate your signature. Next, such POA has to be sent to the Secretary of State to obtain its Apostille. 

4. What legal taxes are real estate buyers responsible to pay in the Bay Islands? 

1% Municipal + $ 100.00 inspection

1.5% Central Government 

0.15% Property Institute

IMMIGRATION

1. How long can I be in Honduras without a Residency or Special Permit? 

As a Tourist, you can be a maximum of 3 months, which can be extended for 1 month if there is a legal justification of the extension request. 

2. Can illegally overstay in Honduras affect any future Residency request? 

Yes, it can. One of the aspects immigration investigates before approving a Residence or Special Permit request is your respect to Honduran laws. 

3. As a foreigner can I work in Honduras?

Yes, you can. A special permanence permit has to be requested at Immigration in order to legally work as an employee or employer in Honduras. 

4. Approximately how long a Residence or Special Permit Process takes? 

The time frame depends if the client provides all the accurate documentation needed at once and if Immigration considers those documents are enough to prove the request. The process can take from 5 months to years. 

INVESTMENTS

1. Can I registered my Company in Honduras?

Yes, you can.

2. Can my foreign company purchase property in Honduras?

Yes, it can. Once the company is registered in Honduras and it wants to purchase more than 3,000 square meters an authorization from the Secretary of Tourism will be needed and it has to be under the regulations stipulated in our Constitution.

3. How can I purchase more than 3,000 square meters if I’m a foreigner?

You cannot own under your personal name more than 3,000 square meters unless it’s because of an inheritance, therefore you will either have to go through the process described in the previous question or have a partnership with two Honduran by birth citizens and create a Corporation. 

4. Can I obtain a Honduran Residency if I intend to invest? 

Yes, you can request an Investment Residency if your project investment is of minimum $ 50,000.00.