Requirements to Register a Company in Morocco

Plenty of reasons to consider it. Morocco is growing, well located, and actively attracting investment. For both locals and international investors, the country offers real business potential. But getting started means going through a few legal and administrative steps. Missing one can delay your plans or cause confusion later.

This guide breaks it all down. You will see exactly what it takes to register a company in Morocco, from legal structure and documents to tax numbers and timelines. Whether you are a Moroccan resident or setting up from abroad, the entire process is laid out here.

At Wecount.ma, we work with investors from all over the world. Our team handles the formalities so you can focus on launching or scaling your business.

Let us begin by looking at who can register a company and what they need.

 

Legal Requirements for Company Formation

 

In practice, there are a few essentials every founder must meet, whether Moroccan or not. The legal setup matters, and doing it right from the beginning makes everything else easier. These first steps define your company’s legal base.

 

Choose a Legal Structure (SARL, SA, etc.)

 

Start here. The legal structure shapes your responsibilities, tax model, and how much capital you need. Morocco offers a few common types:

• SARL (Société à Responsabilité Limitée): The go-to for most small and medium-sized businesses.
• SA (Société Anonyme): More common with larger ventures, where higher capital and shareholders are involved.
• Branch or Representative Office: A way for foreign companies to operate locally without creating a new Moroccan entity.

Each option has its own framework, from how shareholders interact to who manages what. What works best for you depends on the activity, company size, and future plans. Getting advice before choosing helps avoid backtracking later.

 

Minimum Share Capital (if applicable)

 

Some legal forms have capital requirements, others barely have any. See this quick comparison:

Company Type	Minimum Capital Required	Notes
SARL	1 MAD	No high requirement
SA (listed)	3,000,000 MAD	Must be listed on the stock exchange
SA (not listed)	300,000 MAD	For non-listed companies

That capital has to be placed in a Moroccan bank before you register. You will also need a certificate from the bank proving the deposit was made.

 

Registered Business Address in Morocco

 

Every Moroccan company needs an official address. This could be a:

• Physical office,
• Coworking space,
• Or simply a domiciliation service.

That address is where authorities send formal letters, register your taxes, and link your business officially. Expect to show proof — usually a lease or domiciliation agreement.

 

Company Name Reservation

 

Before you file any paperwork, you will need to reserve a company name. That name must be available and comply with Moroccan naming rules.

The reservation process goes through OMPIC (the Moroccan Office for Industrial and Commercial Property). Once it is accepted, you will receive a certificate, and you will need that to register officially.

Make sure the name fits your activity and is clear to clients. It also helps protect your brand long-term.

Now that the structure and name are ready, the next step is gathering your documents.

 

Administrative and Document Requirements

 

Once the basics are decided, it is time to prepare your company file. This is the part where documents come into play — everything has to be clear, correct, and submitted to the right institutions.

 

Identification Documents

 

All managers and shareholders must show valid identification.

• Foreigners: Passport.
• Moroccan citizens: National ID card.
• Residents: May need to provide a residency card, depending on their status.

Everything must be clear and up to date. If documents are in another language, certified translations into French or Arabic may be required.

 

Articles of Association (Statuts)

 

This document defines how your company will function. In Morocco, it is called the Statuts.

It includes:

• The company’s name,
• Legal structure,
• Business activity,
• Share capital,
• Manager roles,
• And decision-making rules.

Every shareholder must sign the Statuts. Often, this document also needs to be legalized or notarized before filing.

 

Lease Contract or Proof of Business Address

 

To confirm your business location, you will need to submit one of the following:

• A lease contract if you are renting space,
• A domiciliation contract if you are using a coworking setup.

Make sure it includes the address, the company name, and proof that the space is available for professional use.

 

Bank Certificate for Capital Deposit (if required)

 

If your chosen structure requires capital, you will need to open a temporary bank account in the company’s name. Deposit the amount, then request a certificate from the bank showing the transaction.

That certificate goes in your registration file. Later, once your company is fully registered, you can convert the temporary account into a regular business account.

This requirement always applies to SA companies, and sometimes to SARLs with multiple shareholders.

Once these are ready, you can move forward and get your official company numbers.

 

Tax and Registration Numbers

 

Getting your registration numbers is what officially launches your company. It gives you legal identity in Morocco and lets you operate properly. Here are the numbers you will need.

 

Tax ID Number (ICE)

 

The ICE is the Identifiant Commun de l’Entreprise — your tax ID in Morocco.

It is essential for:

• Issuing invoices,
• Filing taxes,
• Opening business bank accounts,
• Signing commercial contracts.

The tax authority (Direction Générale des Impôts) issues it once your application is reviewed. After that, you must include the ICE on all business documents.

 

Registration with the Commercial Registry (CRI)

 

Once you have your ICE, the next step is registration with the CRI (Centre Régional d’Investissement). This step makes your company official in the national database.

You will receive:

• A company registration number (RC),
• A tax patent number (TP),
• And a certificate of registration.

Without CRI registration, you cannot begin commercial activity. It also protects your business name and legal status.

 

CNSS Registration (if hiring employees)

 

Planning to hire? You will need to register with the CNSS, Morocco’s national social security system.

Registration allows you to:

• Declare your employees,
• Pay contributions,
• Enable health and pension benefits for staff.

You will need your ICE, CRI registration, and payroll information. If you are not hiring right away, you can postpone this step until your first employee signs on.

Now let us go over the extra rules that apply in some industries.

 

Sector-Specific or Special Requirements

 

Some sectors in Morocco need more than just basic registration. Depending on what you do, you might need additional permits, licenses, or partnerships. These are designed to protect public safety, economic interests, and regulatory compliance.

 

Additional Licenses or Authorizations

 

Certain activities require specific government approval before you can begin operations. These usually include areas that affect health, safety, or finance.

Examples:

• Restaurants and food businesses,
• Medical or pharmaceutical activities,
• Transport and delivery services,
• Financial and banking services,
• Education and training institutions.

The license could come from a local body, a national ministry, or a professional association. Often, these must be renewed or maintained through regular checks.

 

Restrictions in Regulated Industries

 

Some sectors are tightly controlled or have limits for foreign ownership.

These include:

• Telecommunications,
• Energy and mining,
• Publishing and media,
• Security and surveillance companies.

You might need a Moroccan partner, or government clearance to proceed. The rules vary depending on your exact activity and the structure of your business.

In any regulated space, local legal guidance is highly recommended.

Up next,  how long it all takes, and what it typically costs.

 

Timeline and Costs Overview

 

Knowing what to expect helps you plan. While the total cost and timing depend on your activity and setup, here is a general outline based on experience.

 

Expected Timeline for Each Step

 

On average, the full process takes 1 to 3 weeks. If everything is in order, it can be done faster. Here is a breakdown:

Step	Duration
Name reservation	1 to 2 days
Drafting and signing Statuts	1 to 3 days
Bank account setup and capital deposit	2 to 4 days
Gathering and filing documents	1 to 3 days
Receiving ICE, RC, and Patente	3 to 5 days
CNSS or license registration	Depends on sector

Mistakes, missing papers, or translation delays can slow things down. Having help can save time.

 

Estimated Costs (Varies by Company Type and Activity)

 

There is no fixed number, but here is what usually affects your budget:

• Government and publication fees,
• Notary or legal charges,
• Translation and legalization costs,
• Business address rental or domiciliation,
• Banking fees for capital deposits,
• Industry-specific licenses or conditions.

Each business is different. The best way to get clarity is to request a custom quote based on your case.

Now, a few mistakes you definitely want to avoid.

 

Common Mistakes to Avoid

 

Even with a clear process, many entrepreneurs trip up over the details. Knowing the most common errors ahead of time can save you weeks or worse, legal trouble.

 

Missing or Incorrect Documents

 

A few small oversights can block the whole process. Examples:

• Unclear ID photos,
• Expired identification,
• Statuts with formatting or content errors,
• No address proof,
• Foreign documents not translated.

It is worth double-checking every document before submission. Even typos matter.

 

Not Choosing the Right Legal Form

 

Sometimes, the structure picked early on does not fit the actual business plan.

A few examples:

• A growing company limited by SARL rules,
• A small team forced to meet SA reporting obligations.

The best legal form depends on size, funding, activity, and long-term goals. Talking to an expert can save you from future complications.

 

Not Complying with Local Regulations

 

Skipping registration steps or ignoring industry rules is risky. You might face:

• Fines or penalties,
• Delays in operation,
• Audits or investigations.

Everything from tax reporting to employee declarations must be done right and on time.

Avoiding these errors helps you start cleanly, with no legal weight holding your company back.

To wrap up, here is how we help make this easier for you.

 

Need Help with the Paperwork?

 

Let us face it, handling legal forms in a new country is rarely simple. When you are dealing with rules, registrations, and translations, it is easy to miss a step or get stuck on the fine print.

That is where we come in.

 

How Wecount.ma Can Assist You

 

We provide full support for setting up your company in Morocco. Here is how we help:

1. We guide you in choosing the most suitable legal structure.
2. We prepare and review all required documents.
3. We reserve your company name with OMPIC.
4. We coordinate capital deposit with local banks.
5. We handle your ICE, CNSS, and CRI registrations.
6. We help you secure any licenses or approvals needed.
7. We offer post-setup support in accounting and compliance.

Our clients include international investors, startups, and expanding brands. We keep your company compliant, while you focus on strategy and growth.

Want to get started? Contact us at Wecount.ma today and we will walk you through every step of the setup.