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Company formation in Morocco in 2026 is a structured legal process governed by the Moroccan Commercial Code and supervised by several public authorities, including OMPIC, the Regional Investment Centres (CRI), the tax administration, and the CNSS.
In practice, incorporation timelines generally range between 5 and 10 working days, depending on the completeness of the file and the responsiveness of the authorities involved.
Based on our professional experience assisting foreign investors and international companies in Morocco, this guide outlines the legal structures available, the incorporation process, the required documentation, and the post-incorporation tax and social obligations under Moroccan law.
Morocco has implemented several legal and administrative reforms aimed at facilitating business creation and improving the investment climate, particularly through the strengthening of Regional Investment Centres and digitalisation of incorporation procedures.
This enables investors, whether local or foreign, to get up and running quickly and start focusing on business opportunities in Morocco.
That said, incorporating a company will require thorough preparation in advance and tailored support to avoid any potential complications during the incorporation process.
In this light, we will review the various steps involved in incorporating a company and starting a business in Morocco.
Foreign businesses have several legal forms to choose in order to carry out their activities in Morocco. The different types of company in Morocco fall into three main categories:
In Morocco, the legal forms of companies most commonly used are the limited liability company (SARL) and the public limited company (SA).
The SARL remains the most commonly used legal form by investors in Morocco due to its flexibility and suitability for small and medium-sized enterprises.
For these reasons, we will only explain the features of the SARL, the SA and the branch:
This legal form is generally suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises and has the following main characteristics
If the SARL’s turnover (excluding tax) exceeds MAD 50,000,000, an auditor must be appointed, as provided by applicable regulations.
This is the second most popular legal form in Morocco. The shareholders hold a negotiable security (share) and their liability for losses is limited to the amount of their contribution.
The main characteristics of the SA are :
The Simplified Joint Stock Company (SAS) is a corporate form mainly used for specific investment structures. Its governance rules are largely determined by the articles of association, subject to Moroccan company law.
A branch office is an extension of a foreign parent company and does not have separate legal personality from its head office. The parent company remains fully liable for the branch’s obligations in Morocco.
The Negative Certificate is an administrative document issued by the Moroccan Office of Industrial and Commercial Property (OMPIC). This administration acts as a business search in Morocco or a business directory in Morocco and periodically updates the list of businesses in Morocco. It certifies that the business name applied for by the investor is available and can be registered in the trade register.
The application for a Negative Certificate is made online on the OMPIC website, and its validity period has been recently reduced to 90 days.
To be duly registered, any company in Morocco must have a registered office address.
In this respect, two options are possible:
The domiciliation is generally the most popular option for companies because of its low cost and simplicity. Indeed, 72% of newly created companies in Casablanca have used domiciliation in their start-up phase, according to estimates by the Moroccan Association of Business Centres (AMCA).
This process is mandatory for SAs and, for SARLs, depending on the level of paid-up capital and banking requirements.
This consists of opening a temporary bank account in a local bank where the company’s share capital is transferred.
Once the capital has been transferred, the bank issues a capital blocking certificate.
The drafting of the company’s articles of association is the most critical stage in the formation of a company in Morocco.
In fact, the articles of association are the company’s founding documents and cover all the rules governing relations between shareholders and towards third parties. It is an essential document which will define the rules which will guide your company and which will represent the “constitution” of your company.
This document can be drafted in two different ways:
It is recommended that you call on a professional to draw up the articles of association in order to avoid any inconvenience or unpleasant surprises at the commercial court.
In principle, it is not a good idea to use standard templates (which can easily be found on the Internet). These templates will never correspond to the specificities of your company and its operating model.
Having completed the drafting of the Articles of Association, the founding partners can sign the final Articles of Association without being physically present in Morocco.
Negative certificate, Final Articles of Association of the company, CRI single form, Copies of the identity cards or passports of the directors and shareholder representatives. Articles of Association and extract from the commercial register of the parent company, if applicable. All the incorporation documents are then filed with the Regional Investment Centre in the city where the company’s registered office is located.
The CRI acts as a one-stop-shop for the incorporation of companies in Morocco and brings together the services of the commercial court, the tax authorities, the Moroccan Office for Business Research (OMPIC), and the Social Security (CNSS).
The incorporation file is generally made available once the registration formalities have been completed by the CRI.
The documents issued by the CRI include
The Trade Register issues the extract from the Trade Register called Model J within one week of the company’s constitution.
For the full legal steps, documents, costs, and timeline, read our complete guide on starting a business in Morocco.
As soon as the company is incorporated, the formalities of legal publication in a newspaper and in the official bulletin must be completed.
Upon completion of these steps, the entire incorporation file is sent to the bank for the final opening of a business bank account.
Under the foreign exchange regulations foreign investors are allowed to freely transfer abroad all the proceeds of their investments in Morocco(dividendes,sale price of shares and liquidation proceeds) provided that the initial investment is made in one of the foreign currencies listed by the Moroccan central bank.
In order to benefit from the right to freely repatriate dividends, capital gains, and liquidation proceeds, foreign investments must be duly declared to the Office des Changes, in accordance with Moroccan foreign exchange regulations.
As accountants and tax advisors assisting foreign-owned companies in Morocco, we regularly support investors throughout the incorporation process, tax registration, CNSS compliance, and ongoing reporting obligations. Proper structuring at the incorporation stage is essential to avoid legal and tax risks later.
Lastly, the final tasks to be completed are ordering a seal for your company and choosing an accounting firm for bookkeeping and tax compliance.
Setting up a company in Morocco is not only about the legal paperwork; founders who prepare operations early move faster and avoid most administrative surprises. Use the following checklist alongside the standard steps (OMPIC, CRI, bank, tax, CNSS) to secure a smoother launch.
Clarify your business model before choosing the structure: Estimate turnover, margins, and staffing plans, then confirm whether an SARL, SA, or branch best supports your tax and governance needs.
Prepare a complete KYC file for Moroccan banks: Expect to provide passports, proof of address, negative certificate, draft articles, and sometimes an organization chart when there are foreign corporate shareholders.
Organize accounting and payroll from day one: Moroccan companies must keep compliant books and, where relevant, declare employees to CNSS, even when activity is still small.
Secure your brand and digital presence early: Reserve your main domain names (including .ma) and consider registering a local trademark once the company name is fixed.
Anticipate sector‑specific licenses: Some activities (financial services, education, healthcare, certain industrial projects) require prior approvals, which can extend the 7–10 day incorporation timeline.
For foreign founders, a Moroccan company is often one piece of a larger international structure, so capital flows and profit repatriation must be planned from the start. Morocco offers a relatively clear regime for foreign investment, but it only works smoothly if transactions are properly documented.
Inject capital in foreign currency through the banking system: Contributions made in freely convertible currency and declared to the bank and Exchange Office benefit from the right to transfer dividends and liquidation proceeds abroad.
Keep a full audit trail of funds and taxes: Bank SWIFT messages, investment certificates, tax assessments, and dividend resolutions are essential when requesting future transfers to non‑resident accounts.
Choose between branch and subsidiary with the exit in mind: A subsidiary (typically an SARL) is a separate legal entity, while a branch is fiscally and legally tied to the foreign parent, which can affect local risk, withholding taxes, and repatriation strategy.
When starting a business in Morocco, it is recommended that a professional carry out a preliminary study of the legal, social, and tax implications of your project in Morocco.
The foreign investors must transfer the initial paid-up capital in foreign currencies to benefit from the free transfer of the profits generated by these investments.
It is important not to use a standard model of statutes that do not correspond to the specificities of your company and its operating model.
It is recommended to draft a partnership agreement when the company has several shareholders.
It is also advised that you use an English-speaking advisor (accountant or business lawyer)to avoid any potential problems during the incorporation process.
Lastly, intellectual property aspects should not be overlooked. It is therefore strongly recommended to protect your business with a local trademark to avoid any potential litigation.
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, Morocco developed a strategy to attract foreigners and entrepreneurs willing to start a business in Morocco, with operating basic freedom for investors and entrepreneurs willing to start a business in Morocco the right to transfer profits, the right to transfer products, and the facilities to open bank accounts in Morocco.
Morocco has carried out several economic, social, and legal reforms to ensure and facilitate the residence of foreign investors in Morocco by encouraging tax measures, simplification, and standardization of procedures through the creation of regional centers for investment.
Morocco offers a stable legal framework, an improving investment climate, and strong protection of intellectual property rights, making it an attractive destination for foreign investors.
Morocco attracts many investors to start businesses in Morocco, so why not become one of these investors?
A ” business startup ” is a company that is unclear 1. What is its market? 2. Who are its target customers. 3. How to profit income.
Hanane Belaskri is an Accountant and Tax Advisor, She is the Managing Partner of BH Adviser,the accounting firm that supports foreign companies in their accounting, payroll and tax compliance, so that they can grow with confidence in Morocco and Africa.
Do not hesitate to contact us for more information regarding the incorporation of your company in Morocco.
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Contact usThe cost of company formation in Morocco depends on several factors, including the legal form of the company, professional fees, domiciliation or lease costs, and administrative charges. There is no fixed standard cost, as expenses vary according to the structure and complexity of the project.
Morocco, a prime North African business hub, ranks 53rd in ease of doing business, attracting investors interested in the region.
In practice, company formation in Morocco generally takes between 5 and 10 working days, provided that the incorporation file is complete and all legal and administrative requirements are properly met. Timelines may vary depending on the nature of the project and the responsiveness of the authorities involved.
Residents are taxed on global income, while nonresidents are taxed only on income from Morocco.
Yes. Foreign investors are allowed to create and fully own companies in Morocco. There is no legal requirement to have a Moroccan partner, except in specific regulated sectors. Foreign shareholders may also repatriate profits and capital gains in accordance with Moroccan foreign exchange regulations.
To start an LLC in Morocco, you need to:
In Morocco, SARL stands for “Société à Responsabilité Limitée,” which is the equivalent of a Limited Liability Company (LLC). It’s a business entity where the liability of the shareholders is limited to their contributions.
The Limited Liability Company (SARL) is the most commonly used legal form in Morocco. It is particularly suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises due to its flexibility, limited liability, and relatively simple governance structure.
After incorporation, a Moroccan company is generally subject to:
Value Added Tax (VAT), if applicable
Professional taxSocial security contributions (CNSS) for employees
Tax obligations depend on the company’s activity, turnover, and applicable tax regime.
Accountant , Legal and Tax Advisor , Judicial Expert
She is a Legal & Tax Advisor, Partner at BH Adviser, helping international companies enter, operate, and grow in Morocco and Africa through compliant business setup, due diligence, payroll, and tax advisory.
