Setting Up a Company in Morocco: 3 Essential Tips | Upsilon Consulting

In brief: Setting up a company in Morocco involves choosing a legal form, reserving a name via OMPIC, drafting articles of association, registering with the DGI and CNSS, and obtaining necessary permits. The process typically takes about 3 weeks.

Setting up a company in Morocco represents an attractive opportunity for many entrepreneurs.

Morocco offers investors wishing to establish businesses a certain degree of political and economic stability. Among other things, the country provides:

• A business-friendly environment,
• Clear regulations,
• And easy access to African and European markets.

Whether you are considering launching a subsidiary or a branch of a foreign company, understanding the business creation process in Morocco is crucial.

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What Are the Steps to Create a Business in Morocco?

Setting up a business in Morocco is a structured process, designed to be as smooth as possible.

The first step is to choose and reserve your company name. This is a crucial step in establishing your business identity. Next, it is necessary to prepare and file the statutory documents. These documents define the legal structure and operating rules of your business.

These documents include:

• First, the articles of association,
• Second, the shareholder register,
• And other essential administrative formalities.

The amount of share capital varies depending on the type of company being formed. The minimum capital can start at 1 MAD for an LLC (SARL).

The next step involves registering the company with the Moroccan Industrial and Commercial Property Office (OMPIC) to ensure the protection of your brand.

Once these steps are completed, your company must be registered for the Professional Tax and obtain a tax identification number. This step is crucial to ensure your company’s tax compliance. Finally, obtaining the necessary licenses and permits, depending on your business sector, marks the last step before you can operate legally in Morocco.

Checklist of Steps for Setting Up a Company in Morocco

Here is a structured list of the steps for setting up a company in Morocco:

1. Choosing and reserving the company name: This first step is fundamental. It involves choosing a unique name for your business and reserving it to avoid duplication. This reservation is done through a negative certificate from OMPIC.

2. Preparing and filing statutory documents: The statutory documents include the articles of association, the shareholder register, and the minutes of the incorporation meetings. These documents must be registered with the tax authority (registration formality).

3. Opening a bank account and depositing the share capital: You must open an account in the company’s name and deposit the share capital. The required amount varies depending on the type of company you are forming. For an LLC (SARL), the account can be opened after incorporation if the capital does not exceed 100,000 dirhams.

4. Tax registration and obtaining a tax identification number: Your company must:

   First, register for the Professional Tax;

5. Second, obtain a tax identification number;

6. Third, register with the commercial register;

7. Fourth, publish legal announcements in the Legal Gazette and Official Bulletin.

8. Finally, register with social security. This step ensures your company’s compliance with Moroccan tax regulations.

9. Obtaining necessary licenses and permits: Depending on your business sector, certain licenses or permits may be required to operate legally. It is important to understand and comply with these requirements to avoid any legal issues.

By following these steps, you will successfully navigate the process of setting up a company in Morocco, ensuring that all legal and administrative aspects are properly handled.

Upsilon Consulting Supports You in Setting Up a Company in Morocco

Setting up a company in Morocco is a complex process that requires in-depth knowledge of the legislation and local administrative practices. At Upsilon Consulting, member of the OEC, led by Salaheddine Yatim, Chartered Accountant, we offer comprehensive and personalized support to help you create your business under the best conditions. Thanks to our expertise and experience, we guarantee a smooth and stress-free business creation. We will help you start your business on solid foundations so you can focus on your core business. Our services include:

• Legal advice and assistance
• Administrative assistance
• Drafting of statutory documents
• Opening a bank account
• Depositing share capital
• Registration with OMPIC
• Tax registration
• Obtaining necessary licenses and permits

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Benefits of Setting Up a Company in Morocco for Foreign Entrepreneurs

Service Offshoring in Morocco: A Growing Opportunity

Morocco has established itself as a key player in service offshoring, offering substantial advantages for international companies.

This sector encompasses various activities such as:

• First, Business Process Outsourcing (BPO),
• Second, Information Technology Outsourcing (ITO),
• Third, Engineering Service Outsourcing (ESO),
• And Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO).

Morocco benefits from a strategic position at the crossroads of Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. This makes Morocco ideal for companies seeking to expand their reach into these markets.

The country is also renowned for its qualified, educated, and multilingual workforce.

On the tax front, Morocco offers significant incentives to offshoring companies, including:

• First, a Corporate Tax (IS) exemption for five years;
• Second, a reduced rate of 20% after the exemption period.

With these strengths, Morocco positions itself as a preferred destination for offshoring.

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Types of Companies That Can Be Created in Morocco and Their Specific Characteristics

Morocco offers a variety of options for business creation. Each option corresponds to different needs and/or business objectives. Here is an overview of the most common types of companies and their characteristics:

1. Limited Liability Company (LLC / SARL): Ideal for small and medium-sized enterprises. The LLC (SARL) offers a flexible structure with liability limited to the amount of contributions. No minimum capital is required, making this type of company accessible to many entrepreneurs when setting up a business.
2. Public Limited Company (PLC / SA): Suited to large companies, the PLC (SA) requires higher share capital and is governed by stricter rules. It allows capital to be raised by issuing shares and opens up to a larger number of shareholders.
3. General Partnership (SNC): This type of company is formed by two or more partners, with unlimited liability. It is suitable for family businesses or close partnerships where partners have a high level of mutual trust.
4. Branch or Subsidiary of a Foreign Company: Foreign companies can extend their operations to Morocco by establishing a branch or a subsidiary. This option allows maintaining a direct presence in the Moroccan market while benefiting from the support of the parent company.

Each type of company has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the choice will depend on the specific objectives of the business, its size, its capital structure, and its growth strategy. A thorough understanding of these options will help entrepreneurs make the most suitable choice for their needs.

A New Legal Form: The Simplified Joint-Stock Company (SAS)

1. Simplified Joint-Stock Company (SAS): The SAS is a type of company that offers great flexibility in terms of management and organization. It is particularly suited to projects requiring a specific governance structure or for joint ventures. In a SAS, shareholders’ liability is limited to their contributions. There is no minimum capital requirement. This form of company also allows great freedom in drafting the articles of association, thereby giving shareholders the ability to define rules tailored to their specific needs.

In summary, Morocco offers a range of business structures, from the LLC (SARL), ideal for SMEs, to the PLC (SA), suited to large companies, through to the SNC for close partnerships, branches or subsidiaries for foreign companies, and the SAS for those seeking flexibility and innovation in their business structure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the easiest legal form to create a company in Morocco?

The LLC (SARL - Société à Responsabilité Limitée) is the most popular and easiest legal form for company creation in Morocco. It requires a minimum capital of just 1 MAD, can be formed by a single partner, and offers limited liability protection. The formation process is straightforward and typically takes 2 to 3 weeks.

What are the main steps to create a company in Morocco?

The key steps include obtaining a negative certificate (name reservation), drafting the articles of association, depositing share capital at a bank, registering with the tax authorities and CNSS, filing with the Commercial Register, and publishing in a legal announcements journal. A chartered accountant can handle the entire process on your behalf.

How long does it take to set up a company in Morocco?

The standard company formation process takes approximately 3 weeks for most legal forms. This includes obtaining the negative certificate (a few days), completing administrative formalities (about 2 weeks), and opening a bank account (a few days). Sector-specific licenses may require additional time.

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Time Required to Complete the Company Formation Process in Morocco

**Step**	**Description**	**Estimated Duration**
**Choosing and reserving the company name**	Name reservation with OMPIC. The company already obtains its common identifier and can begin certain activities (mentioning "company in formation").	Approximately **48 hours**
**Preparing and legalizing the articles of association**	Drafting and legalizing the articles and other documents. Depends on the details to be included but can be quick under standard conditions.	Up to **1 week**
**Registration with the Commercial Register & incorporation**	Formality depending on appointment availability and processing by the relevant authorities (court, CRI...).	On average **2 weeks**
**Opening a bank account & depositing share capital**	Depositing capital in a blocked bank account followed by issuance of the deposit certificate.	A few **days**
**Obtaining specific permits and licenses**	Varies significantly depending on the sector (industry, commerce, services, etc.).	**Variable duration** (sometimes several weeks)

**Average total duration**: approximately **3 weeks** to complete standard formalities, excluding specific timelines related to sector-specific licenses. Once the company is established, you can benefit from our [bookkeeping services](https://upsilonmaroc.com/tenue-de-comptabilite-et-de-la-paie-au-maroc).

Plan your taxes from day one — Find out which corporate tax rate will apply to your new company with our free calculator. Instant results including minimum contribution and CSS.

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