Planning a business launch means knowing how to create a company in Morocco. The process runs through CRI centers for speed and clarity. How to create a company in Morocco follows fixed steps like negative certificate checks and statutes drafting. This 2026 guide covers all details for success.
Table of Contents
Why Morocco Attracts Businesses
Growth hits key areas like exports and services. Full ownership rules favor SARL setups. How to create a company in Morocco draws entrepreneurs with low hurdles. Neo Expertise supports setups with local insight.
Key benefits include:
- Fast timelines under 1 week
- SARL capital starts at 100,000 Dirham.
- CRI handles multiple registrations.
- No sector limits for most activities.
Common Company Forms
SARL leads for small teams. SA works for expansions. Sole traders skip partners.
Popular options:
- SARL: Limited risk, flexible shares.
- SA: Public trading capable.
- Sole proprietorship: Simple solo control.
SARL fits 80 percent of cases when learning how to create a company in Morocco.
Pre-Setup Checklist
Prepare these before CRI:
- Valid IDs or passports.
- Lease agreement copy.
- Activity description.
- Partner agreements if needed.
Negative certificate tops the list. Capital deposit follows close.
Step 1: Secure Negative Certificate
Visit OMPIC site or office. Submit CN1 form for negative certificate. Approval confirms unique name in 48 hours. Negative certificate blocks duplicates early in how to create a company in Morocco.
Step 2: Draft Statutes Document
List partners, capital deposit plans, and rules in statutes. Keep under 50 pages for SARL. Notary stamps larger ones. Statutes set legal foundation.
Step 3: Complete Capital Deposit
Provisional bank holds capital deposit. Bank issues proof letter. SARL pays 25 percent upfront if over limits. Capital deposit shows commitment.
Step 4: Build CRI File
Gather items for submission:
- Negative certificate original.
- Signed statutes.
- ID copies (apostilled abroad).
- Lease or ownership proof.
- Capital deposit certificate.
CRI reviews for Trade Register.
Step 5: Lodge at CRI Center
Upload or deliver dossier. Fees tie to capital size. CRI delivers Trade Register, tax ID, and ICE in days. Central hub for how to create a company in Morocco.
Step 6: Tax and CNSS Enrollment
VAT applies over 1 million MAD turnover. CNSS covers staff benefits. Trade Register triggers these.
Required forms:
- Tax ID application.
- VAT declaration.
- CNSS employer sheet.
Step 7: Legal Publication
Post notice in Bulletin Officiel. Add Wanspress journal entry. Completes public record.
Step 8: Final Operations
Shift to full bank. Apply sector licenses. Update records yearly. Neo Expertise tracks changes.
Full Cost List
Expect 7,000-30,000 MAD. Itemized:
| Cost Item | Details |
|---|---|
| OMPIC negative certificate | Name check |
| Statutes preparation | Drafting/notary |
| Capital deposit bank fee | Provisional |
| CRI Trade Register fee | 1% capital base |
| Bulletin publication | Legal notice |
| CNSS initial | Enrollment |
Based on current rates.
Realistic Timelines
Track progress:
- Day 1-2: Negative certificate.
- Day 3-4: Statutes and deposit.
- Day 3-6: CRI processing.
- Day 4-7: Tax setup.
- Day 4-7: Publication.
Delays hit incomplete files.
Pitfalls to Dodge
Avoid these issues:
- Name mismatches without negative certificate.
- Unapostilled foreign docs.
- Wrong capital deposit bank.
- Missing statutes clauses.
Neo Expertise fixes fast.
Sector Rules Summary
Quick checks:
- Trade: CRI only.
- Health: Ministry add-on.
- Construction: Permits extra.
- Tech: Standard SARL.
Verify post-Trade Register.
Ongoing Duties
File annual returns. Renew Trade Register. Report CNSS monthly.
People Also Search Questions
Negative certificate purpose?
Proves name availability.
Statutes key contents?
Partners, capital deposit.
SARL lowest capital?
100,000 Dirham required.
CRI main output?
Trade Register issued.
OMPIC first step?
Negative certificate.
Conclusion
Steps show how to create a company in Morocco clearly. Negative certificate to Trade Register builds solid ground. Neo Expertise ensures no gaps.
Brahim Rami | Member of institute of chartered accountants in Morocco
He is a CPA and tax advisor, founder of NeoExpertise.net, a Legal and Tax firm helping foreign companies with business setup, due diligence, payroll, and tax compliance in Morocco and Africa.
