WeCount Team
18 September 2025
A solid opportunity, especially for international investors looking to expand. Morocco offers more than just a strategic location. It connects Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, and benefits from favorable trade agreements. But setting up a company here? It takes a few careful steps, all legal and administrative, and the order matters.
This guide breaks it all down, clearly and simply. From choosing the right legal structure to dealing with tax registration, each part is explained in detail. Whether you are launching a local entity or a foreign-owned company, understanding the full process helps you avoid delays and stay compliant with Moroccan law.
At Wecount.ma, we walk with you through every phase. You can focus on your project, your growth, your strategy, while we handle the red tape.
Setting up a company in Morocco is open to everyone, citizens and foreigners alike. The rules are clear, and the process follows a fixed sequence controlled by public institutions. In practice, with proper planning and support, you can launch smoothly and stay efficient.
Any person, Moroccan or foreign, can open a company in Morocco. Residency is not required. Even a company based outside Morocco can establish a business here, with full ownership in most sectors.
Foreign investors are allowed to:
Some business activities may need special licenses or authorizations, so checking that early is key.
Typically, seven to ten working days. That is if all documents are ready and correct. Depending on the location, the sector, or whether any approvals are required, timing may shift.
Here is how the process usually breaks down:
|
Step |
Time Estimate |
|
Name reservation and legal documents |
2 to 3 days |
|
Company registration and tax number |
3 to 5 days |
|
Legal publications and bank setup |
2 to 3 days |
With Wecount.ma involved from the start, we help keep things moving, no delays, no surprises.
This decision sets the tone for everything else. The structure you choose will affect your tax setup, your liability, and how your business operates.
SARL (Société à Responsabilité Limitée)
Flexible, common, and ideal for small or medium businesses. Formed by one or more partners. Liability is limited to capital contributions.
SA (Société Anonyme)
Used mostly by larger companies. Requires more capital, a minimum of five shareholders, and is ideal for fundraising or going public.
Branch
Acts as an extension of a foreign company. It does not have its own legal identity. Setup is simpler, but protections are fewer.
Subsidiary
A separate legal entity owned by a foreign company. Offers independence, flexibility, and full legal status in Morocco.
Morocco allows one hundred percent foreign ownership in most areas. You are not required to have a Moroccan partner unless your business falls under a restricted sector.
Foreign ownership applies widely:
Wecount.ma helps match your business goals with the right structure, so your setup supports your long-term vision.
Before you can register, you need a name. It has to be unique, follow the rules, and match your activity. Once chosen, you will reserve it through OMPIC.
OMPIC, Morocco’s official platform, lets you search for name availability.
To check the name:
Have backup names ready. Two or three alternatives will save time.
Once your name is available, reserve it through the OMPIC portal or in person.
You will:
This certificate is required for your registration file. Wecount.ma takes care of this process for you, ensuring every detail is right the first time.
This is your company’s foundation. The Articles of Association define how your business will operate, structure, rules, roles.
Here is what goes into the Articles:
Precision matters here. Mistakes can delay registration or create issues later.
Wecount.ma ensures your documents are solid, professional, and compliant.
All partners must sign, and the documents must be legalized at a notary’s office. Other required papers, identity documents, proof of address, are notarized too.
Usually completed in one day, as long as everything is ready. We partner with trusted notaries to make this fast and secure.
For SARL and SA, you will need to deposit share capital before official registration. The amount and requirement depend on the company type.
Capital must be placed in a blocked bank account, opened in the name of the new company.
Required documents:
Wecount.ma assists in choosing the right bank and preparing your file.
After the deposit, the bank issues a certificate. This proves your capital is secured, a mandatory part of your registration dossier.
Once the company is formed, you can transfer the funds to your business account. We handle this transition for you, step by step.
This is the moment your company becomes official. The CRI manages all business registrations in Morocco.
Centre Régional d’Investissement. Each region has its own CRI office. Your registration must match the region of your company headquarters.
You will need:
Foreign investors may also need legalized and translated passport or company documents.
Wecount.ma verifies everything before submission to avoid delays.
Once submitted, registration usually takes two to five business days.
You receive:
|
Document |
Purpose |
|
Certificate of Incorporation |
Confirms legal formation |
|
Commercial Register number (RC) |
Official business ID |
|
Fiscal Identification number (ICE) |
Required for tax activities |
|
Company patent certificate (if applicable) |
Additional legal proof |
Fees are modest, but extras may apply for translations or urgent filings. We manage your application from start to finish.
Once you are registered, two more steps: tax registration and social security.
The ICE is your company’s official tax ID. Used for invoices, contracts, and tax returns.
Usually issued automatically during CRI registration. If corrections are needed, you may need to request it manually at the tax office.
In some cases, you may also need:
Wecount.ma handles these based on your business specifics.
Required if you plan to hire staff. You will need:
After registration, you receive a CNSS number. This allows you to pay contributions and manage employee benefits.
We make this process simple and ensure you understand your responsibilities as an employer.
To make your company fully official, you must publish the creation notice in two legal outlets.
Publish in:
Include:
The format must follow legal standards. Wecount.ma handles this for you, formatting, submission, follow-up.
This step:
Skipping publication can cause delays or fines. We make sure this is done accurately and on time.
Now that your company is registered and public, it is time to open your permanent business account.
Every bank may vary, but generally, you need:
Wecount.ma prepares everything so your account opens without issues.
Morocco offers many options. Your choice depends on:
We guide you toward banks with the right mix of services for your business.
Not always mandatory, but often necessary depending on your revenue or business sector.
VAT registration is required if:
You may also be subject to:
Wecount.ma helps you decide and manage the entire registration with the tax authorities.
Opening a company in Morocco involves careful planning. But with the right approach, it works, efficiently and legally.
Here is the full process:
Wecount.ma is with you the entire way.
Setup takes one to two weeks. Delays may occur if documents are incomplete or require special approvals.
Costs depend on:
We provide a tailored quote based on your specific case.
After formation, stay on track by:
Wecount.ma supports you beyond setup, with accounting, tax, and growth advice.
Doing this alone can feel overwhelming. Let us take the pressure off.
At Wecount.ma, we know every step. Our local experts handle documents, deadlines, and legalities with care and precision.
We assist with:
We work in English, French, and Spanish, always tailoring our services to international professionals.
With Wecount.ma, you stay focused on growth, while we take care of the details.
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