[Morocco Company Registration] No Travel Required!

A predominant choice for business structure is the Société à Responsabilité Limitée (SARL), recognized globally as a Limited Liability Company, celebrated for its simplicity and versatility 🌐. For those venturing into Morocco, navigating the business registration process is essential ✍️.

This includes not only understanding the pivotal step of registering with the Trade Court, but also exploring options like granting a power of attorney to a Certified Public Accountant for remote business establishment 🖊️🗂️.

Recent tax reforms, as highlighted in the 2023 financial law, signal a progressive decrease in corporate tax, projected to average around 20%, down from the previous 30% 💰📉.

Beyond tax measures, potential investors should be aware of the encompassing social system, championed by the CNSS, which safeguards employees’ welfare 🛡️.

Delving deeper, this guide explores various facets of Moroccan business, from leasing and banking options to operational costs such as average office rents across major cities and the recently updated minimum wage of 16.29 Dirhams/hour 💼🏢.

Embark on this comprehensive journey to grasp the nuances of doing business in Morocco 🚀.

• 🌍 Unique geographical position
• 🕊 Political stability and security
• 🏗 Robust infrastructure
• 🗣🧑‍🎓 Multilingual and skilled workforce
• 🌐 Expanding sectors
• 🏆 Hosting of the African Cup of Nations in 2025 and the FIFA World Cup in 2030
• 💼 Increased investments from Asian and American companies seeking these benefits

Discover the diversity in business structures under Moroccan law 🇲🇦! Explore options like limited liability companies, private limited companies, and various partnerships, all tailored to align with familiar Western business models.

The most prevalent choices among entrepreneurs are the SA (Public Limited Company) and SARL (Limited Liability Company) due to their adaptability and robust features, as detailed below. 🌐🔍

Legal Structure in Morocco	Description
Individual Enterprise	Ideal for small entrepreneurs. This structure is straightforward with minimal legal formalities.
Partnership (SNC)	A business entity with two or more partners who are jointly and severally liable for the company’s debts.
Limited Partnership (SCS)	it consists of active partners, who manage the company and are liable for its debts, and silent partners, who only contribute capital.
Public Limited Company (SA)	Suitable for large businesses with a minimum share capital requirement of MAD 300,000. It can go public and list its shares on the stock exchange.
Société en Commandite par Actions (SCA)	A hybrid form, combining features of the SCS and SA.
Branch of a Foreign Company	Foreign companies can establish a branch in Morocco. This branch doesn’t have legal autonomy and is bound by the parent company’s decisions.
Limited Liability Company (SARL)	The most popular choice, known as the SARL, allows for flexible management. Both locals and foreigners can establish it with limited liability to shareholders. It requires a minimum of one and up to 50 partners.

Embarking on the journey of company registration in Morocco encompasses the following procedural steps:

1. 📜 Obtain a Name Availability Certificate (Cértificat Négatif) for the company name.
2. ✍️ Draft the company’s statutes.
3. 💵 Deposit the initial capital in a bank if the share capital exceeds 100,000 dirhams (equivalent to 10,000 USD).
4. 🏢 Register the company with the Regional Tax Office.
5. ⚖️ Register with the “Tribunal de Commerce” in Morocco (Trade Court).

The Moroccan banking sector is robust and modern . Some of the renowned banks include Banque Populaire, Attijariwafa Bank, and the aforementioned Société Générale .

These banks offer a range of services from corporate accounts, loans to digital banking solutions 💼📲.

• 🌐 Individual Foreign Shareholder: Present the company documents and the manager’s identification. For foreign managers, a passport suffices. 🛂
• 🏢 Foreign Company as a Shareholder: A certified conformity certificate from the foreign company is required. Société Générale, a bank branch of Société Générale in France, offers an efficient alternative by respecting the regulations incumbent on Moroccan banks. Their approach simplifies this process, requiring the Moroccan company’s documents and the foreign company’s commercial register. 🌐📜

Foreigners can manage Moroccan companies without the need for a residence card.

• Corporate Tax (IS): The standard rate is 35% for companies with a turnover exceeding 100 million dirhams.
  • For those earning less than this, a reduced rate of 17% is applied. Specific zones also have preferential tax rates to promote investment.
• Value Added Tax (VAT): The main rate stands at 20%. However, certain goods and services benefit from reduced rates:
  • 7% for essential consumer goods and 10% for chosen services and products. For a comprehensive list and further details, refer to the Ministry of Finance’s website.
• Income Tax (IR): This operates on a tiered system based on income levels.
  • Rates range from 0% for yearly incomes below 30,000 dirhams to 38% for those exceeding 180,000 dirhams.
• Withholding Tax on Profits from Shares and Social Parts: This tax, previously at 15%, is being gradually reduced as follows:
  • 13.75% in 2023
  • 12.50% in 2024
  • 11.25% in 2025
  • 10% in 2026 For profits earned in exercises before 2023, the rate remains 15%.

• CNSS (National Social Security Fund): Diverse coverage ranging from family allowances to retirement benefits.
  • Comprehensive details are available on the CNSS website. 🌐
• Compulsory Health Insurance (AMO): Focused on broadening access to necessary healthcare services, with contributions from both employers and employees. 🏥
• Professional Training Fund: Supports continuous learning and professional development initiatives.

🏦 Moroccan banks and financial institutions operate under the stringent oversight of Bank Al Maghrib, the nation’s central bank. These establishments provide a diverse array of financing options to cater to the multifaceted needs of businesses, from traditional bank loans and credit facilities to more modern approaches like venture capital. 🚀

Foreign investors, in particular, will find several tailored financing programs that encourage and facilitate foreign investment in the Moroccan market. 💼🌍 For comprehensive insights and regulations pertaining to banking and financing, one can refer to Bank Al Maghrib.

🌐 Foreign investors should also be cognizant of the pivotal role of the Office des Changes, which supervises currency exchanges and offers guarantees for the transfer of revenues and profits generated by foreign investments in Morocco.

This not only promulgates smoother financial operations but also assures that foreign investors can confidently repatriate their earnings. 💱 For a profound understanding of regulations and provisions concerning foreign currency and capital movements, consulting the Office des Changes is advisable.

Vehicle Leasing in Morocco

With the expanding road networks and the need for mobility in business, vehicle leasing has gained popularity. It offers companies a hassle-free way to have a fleet without the depreciation costs. Major global and local banks provide leasing options with competitive rates.

A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Morocco, known as an “Expert-comptable,” possesses profound knowledge in legal, fiscal, and accounting matters.

Their expertise often surpasses other professionals, making them ideal for efficient company setup 🏢. They will:

• Guide you through the entire process 🗺
• Offer expert advice for optimal legal and fiscal setup 📊
• Assist in procuration procedures for administrative formalities without the need for your physical presence.
  • It’s best if the procuration is granted to a local Certified Public Accountants firm and is specific to the creation process 📝.

How long does it take to register a company in Morocco?On average, it takes about three weeks after the documentation process for the company registration to complete ⏳.

City	Description	Rental Rates (MAD/sq.m)
Casablanca	Casablanca is Morocco’s economic hub, known for its thriving business environment. Rental rates here can range from 100 to 180 MAD/sq.m.	100 – 180
Rabat	Rabat is a city with growing infrastructure, offering competitive rental rates for businesses. Rates typically range from 70 to 130 MAD/sq.m.	70 – 130
Marrakech	Marrakech, known for its cultural appeal, also offers affordable rental rates, making it an attractive option for businesses. Rates typically range from 70 to 130 MAD/sq.m.	70 – 130
Tangier	Tangier is emerging as a business-friendly city in Morocco, with rental rates ranging from 70 to 130 MAD/sq.m.	70 – 130