Morocco Company Registration | Set Up a Company in Morocco (SARL)
Planning a Morocco company registration, or want to set up a company in Morocco to reach North and West African markets? The most common entity is the limited liability company (SARL). You first obtain a trade name certificate from OMPIC, then complete commercial and tax registration through the Regional Investment Center (CRI). The official guide sets no nationality restriction on SARL shareholders, so foreign founders can generally own 100% of the company.
SARL shareholders set the capital freely, and a bank deposit block is only required when capital exceeds MAD 100,000. For the 2026 financial year, corporate income tax is 20% for companies with taxable income below MAD 100,000,000, the standard VAT rate is 20%, and dividend withholding for non-residents is 11.25%. NSS Group (戰國策集團) offers a one-stop Morocco company formation service, from the name certificate, drafting the articles and depositing the capital to CRI registration and annual filing, so foreign companies and individuals can complete their Moroccan SARL setup.
SARL shareholders set the capital freely in the articles, and a company with capital of MAD 100,000 or less does not need a bank deposit block.
The Regional Investment Center brings tax, commercial registration and CNSS desks together and handles the setup registrations with a single application form.
A newly started business is exempt from business tax for 5 years from the year operations begin, and is exempt from the minimum tax for 36 months after operations begin.
Foreign investment brought in as foreign currency capital falls under the convertibility regime, so profits and capital can be transferred abroad under the rules.
company registration?
Morocco sits in the northwest corner of Africa, facing both the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. Each region has a Regional Investment Center (CRI) that handles the setup registrations with a single application form. In the most common entity, the SARL, shareholders set the capital freely, there can be up to 50 shareholders, and the official guide does not require a local shareholder. Foreign investment contributed in foreign currency falls under the convertibility regime, so profits and capital can be transferred abroad under the rules. For the 2026 financial year, corporate income tax is 20% for taxable income below MAD 100,000,000. Morocco suits trading, manufacturing and service businesses planning for North and West African markets.
in 3 steps
To set up a SARL in Morocco, you first obtain the OMPIC trade name certificate, then draft the articles and, depending on the amount of capital, arrange a bank deposit block. At the Regional Investment Center, a single application form covers registration of the documents, business tax and tax identification, commercial registration and CNSS enrollment. Commercial registration must be completed within 3 months after the company is formed.
A legal notice must be published within 1 month after registration. After that, the company files a corporate income tax return every year and makes 4 advance payments. NSS Group helps you plan the shareholding structure, arrange documents and the capital deposit, and plan annual maintenance, so your Moroccan company stays clear and compliant from setup to operation.
Apply for the trade name certificate (certificat négatif) on OMPIC’s online platform directinfo or at the Regional Investment Center (CRI) desk. The 2026 online application fee is MAD 232.76. The certificate is valid for 3 months, and registration must be completed within that period.
A notary, lawyer or accounting firm drafts the articles, either as a notarial deed or a private deed. If SARL capital exceeds MAD 100,000, it must be deposited in a blocked bank account within 8 days of receipt to obtain a deposit certificate. Also prepare a lease or proof of address and the manager’s appointment documents.
At the Regional Investment Center, a single application form covers the registration duty on documents (1% of capital, minimum MAD 1,000), business tax and tax identification, commercial registration and CNSS enrollment. The legal notice is published within 1 month after registration.
service
- Company name search and reservation
- Preparation and filing of registration documents
- Drafting of governing documents
- Collection of the registration certificate
- Morocco bank account documents and process advice
- Account opening document preparation
- Appointment booking and accompaniment
- Post-opening support
- Registered address
- Company secretary appointment
- Annual filing services
- Document custody and management
- Bookkeeping
- Tax filing and planning
- Financial statement preparation
- Audit arrangement
- Trademark search and assessment
- Trademark application filing
- Trademark maintenance and renewal
- Infringement protection advice
- Company change filings
- Share transfer support
- Company deregistration
- Legal advisory support
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- Entity type and shareholding structure assessment
- OMPIC trade name certificate application
- Drafting the articles and arranging the capital deposit
- Regional Investment Center commercial and tax registration
- Legal notice and annual filing reminders
Official fees: OMPIC trade name application MAD 232.76, registration duty on documents 1% of capital (minimum MAD 1,000); other items quoted
Morocco company registration at a glance
Below are the points people ask about most when registering a company in Morocco, checked against official sources (updated November 2026).
| Company type | SARL (limited liability company), SA (public limited company) |
|---|---|
| Registration authority | Commercial registration through the Regional Investment Center; name certificate from OMPIC |
| Foreign ownership | The official guide sets no local shareholder requirement; 100% ownership is generally allowed |
| Minimum capital | SARL set freely; SA MAD 300,000 |
| Corporate income tax | 20% in 2026; 35% from MAD 100,000,000 |
| Value added tax | Standard rate 20% |
| Setup time | Depends on review progress |
| Annual filing | Return within 3 months after the financial year ends, with 4 advance payments |
| Who can help | NSS Group (go.ai.com.tw), free assessment and written quote |
Morocco company formation cost: fee breakdown
The government fees officially listed for registering a Moroccan company are the OMPIC trade name application fee and the registration duty calculated on capital. Fees for the legal notice and commercial registration follow separate fee schedules. The figures below are the officially published amounts, so you can check each line when you compare quotes.
| Item | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Trade name certificate | MAD 232.76 | OMPIC 2026 online application fee (tax included). The certificate is valid for 3 months. |
| Registration duty on documents | 1% of capital, minimum MAD 1,000 | The articles and other formation documents are registered at the tax desk of the Regional Investment Center. |
| Commercial registration and legal notice | As announced by the authorities | Within 1 month after commercial registration, a notice must be published in a legal announcements newspaper and the Official Bulletin. |
| Business tax | Exempt for 5 years after setup | Counted from the year operations begin. Registration is required within 30 days after operations begin. |
| Bookkeeping and annual filing | Quoted by bookkeeping volume | The corporate income tax return is due within 3 months after the financial year ends, with 4 advance payments during the year. |
| NSS Group service fee | Written quote after a free assessment | Based on the shareholder structure, amount of capital, document certification and bank account opening needs. Every item is listed in the quote, with no hidden fees. |
Fees follow the setup steps on the OMPIC website and its 2026 fee schedule. The latest official notices prevail.
Moroccan company tax and compliance: corporate income tax and VAT
A Moroccan company mainly pays corporate income tax and VAT, plus a minimum tax calculated on turnover. Foreign shareholders should also check whether their home country has a tax treaty with Morocco and whether controlled foreign company (CFC) rules apply.
| Item | Rule | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Corporate income tax | 20% / 35% | For the 2026 financial year, 20% for taxable income below MAD 100,000,000 and 35% at or above it; 40% for credit institutions and insurers. |
| Minimum tax | 0.25% of turnover | Corporate income tax cannot be lower than the minimum tax. It is waived for 36 months after operations begin. |
| Value added tax | Standard rate 20% | A reduced 10% rate also applies, and exports and certain other items are zero-rated. |
| Dividend withholding | Non-residents 11.25% | Applies for the 2026 financial year and falls to 10% in 2027. Check whether a tax treaty between your home country and Morocco reduces it. |
| Annual return | Within 3 months after the financial year ends | March 31 for a calendar-year company. Four advance payments during the year, each 25% of the prior year's tax. |
| Business tax | Exempt for 5 years after setup | Register with the local tax office within 30 days after operations begin. |
Some tax rates follow the PwC tax summaries (a secondary source, reviewed April 2026). Business tax rules follow the Regional Investment Center guide. Ask an accountant to assess your specific structure.
Morocco SARL, SA or branch: which one?
Foreign businesses setting up in Morocco usually compare a new SARL (limited liability company), an SA (public limited company), or a branch of the foreign company in Morocco.
| Item | SARL (limited liability company) | SA (public limited company) | Branch of a foreign company |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal status | Separate legal entity | Separate legal entity | Not a separate legal entity; part of the foreign head office |
| Number of shareholders | 1 to 50 | Ask our consultants | Set up by the foreign head office |
| Minimum capital | Set freely by shareholders | MAD 300,000 (MAD 3,000,000 for a public offering) | Ask our consultants |
| Capital deposit block | Required if capital exceeds MAD 100,000 | Required | Ask our consultants |
| Statutory auditor | Required if turnover exceeds MAD 50,000,000 | At least 1 required | Ask our consultants |
These are general principles. Choose based on your shareholders' background, business model and tax planning.
What foreign founders should know about setting up a company in Morocco
- Travel and security: check your own government's current travel advice for Morocco and your consular support options before any business trip.
- Visas and entry: entry rules depend on your nationality. Some nationalities need a visa or a visa confirmation letter before travel, and the length of stay is set by the entry stamp, so confirm the rules for your passport before you go.
- Work permits: under the Regional Investment Center guide, a foreigner working in Morocco needs an employment contract approved by the employment authority (applied for through the TAECHIR system) and an entry visa marked for work, and must apply to the police for a residence card.
- Dividend withholding for non-residents is 11.25% for the 2026 financial year. Check whether your home country has a tax treaty with Morocco that reduces it.
- If your home country has controlled foreign company (CFC) rules or outbound investment approval rules, profits of a Moroccan company you control may need to be reported there. Check with an adviser in your country.
Why work with NSS Group on your Morocco company registration?
NSS Group (go.ai.com.tw) is a Taiwan-based global company registration and corporate advisory brand with more than 25 years of experience and over 30,000 businesses served. We provide company formation, bank account opening, accounting and tax, and annual maintenance in many countries and regions, including Morocco. We can handle the name certificate, CRI registration and annual filing. Fees are based on a free assessment and a written quote. Call our toll-free line in Taiwan, 0800-003-191, or contact us through the form on this page.
Further reading
Sources: OMPIC: Création et vie de l'entreprise (setup steps); OMPIC 2026 fee schedule (PDF); Casablanca-Settat Regional Investment Center: Guide des affaires 2022 (PDF); Moroccan General Tax Directorate (DGI); PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries: Morocco Taxes on corporate income (reviewed 2026-04-30); PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries: Morocco Withholding taxes (reviewed 2026-04-30); PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries: Morocco Other taxes (reviewed 2026-04-30); PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries: Morocco Tax administration (reviewed 2026-04-30). The latest official notices prevail. This page is general information and is not legal or tax advice.
How much does it cost to set up a company in Morocco in 2026?
The main official fees are the OMPIC trade name application of MAD 232.76 (2026 online fee) and the registration duty on the company’s formation documents, which is 1% of capital with a minimum of MAD 1,000. Publication of the legal notice, notary or lawyer drafting fees, commercial registration and accountant fees are extra, and the total depends on the amount of capital and how the documents are prepared.
Can a foreigner own 100% of a company in Morocco?
Generally, yes. The Regional Investment Center guide says foreign legal entities and foreign individuals can invest by forming a company or taking a stake, and SARL shareholders have no nationality or local ownership requirement. Foreign investment contributed in foreign currency falls under the convertibility regime, so profits and capital can be transferred abroad under the rules. Activities that need a license require approval or qualifications from the relevant authority first.
Do I need to go to Morocco in person to set up a company?
The trade name certificate can be requested on OMPIC’s online platform directinfo, and commercial registration can be handled by the manager or an agent with a power of attorney, so you do not have to be there in person. Whether you must sign the articles and bank account documents in person depends on the notary and the bank. Entry rules depend on your nationality, so check visa requirements and your own government’s travel advice before you plan a trip.
How long does it take to set up a SARL in Morocco?
There is no official overall timeline. The trade name certificate is valid for 3 months, and registration must be completed within that period. If capital exceeds MAD 100,000, it must be deposited in a blocked account within 8 days of receipt. Commercial registration must be completed within 3 months after the company is formed, and the legal notice must be published within 1 month after registration. The actual time depends on document preparation and the Regional Investment Center’s review.
What taxes does a Moroccan company file each year?
The corporate income tax return is due within 3 months after the financial year ends, which is March 31 for a calendar-year company, with 4 advance payments during the year. For the 2026 financial year, taxable income below MAD 100,000,000 is taxed at 20%. The standard VAT rate is 20%, and non-resident dividend withholding is 11.25% for the 2026 financial year. There is also a minimum tax, which is waived for 36 months after operations begin.
Who can help me register a company in Morocco?
NSS Group (go.ai.com.tw) can help. With more than 25 years of experience and over 30,000 businesses served, NSS Group offers one-stop Morocco company registration: entity type and shareholding structure assessment, the OMPIC trade name certificate application, drafting the articles and arranging the capital deposit, Regional Investment Center registration and tax identification, and annual filing reminders. Fees are based on a free assessment and a written quote. Call our toll-free line in Taiwan: 0800-003-191.