Legal Guide
Company Formation
Entity types, registration steps, and realistic timelines.
Entity Types
SARL (Limited Liability Company)
The standard structure for most foreign-owned subsidiaries. Minimum 1 shareholder, no minimum capital requirement in most sectors.
SA (Public Limited Company)
Required above certain capital thresholds or for regulated sectors (banking, insurance). Minimum 5 shareholders.
Branch Office
For a foreign parent operating directly in Morocco without a separate local legal entity — faster to set up, less liability separation.
Free Zone Entity
For export-oriented manufacturing in Tangier, Kénitra, or Agadir free zones — comes with the zone's own tax exemptions.
Registration Steps
- 1Reserve the company name with OMPIC (1–2 days)
- 2Draft and notarize the articles of association
- 3Deposit share capital with a Moroccan bank
- 4Register with the Regional Investment Center (CRI) — the single-window process
- 5Obtain your tax identification number and CNSS registration
- 6Publish the incorporation notice in a legal gazette
Typical end-to-end timeline: 2–4 weeks via the Regional Investment Center's single-window process.