Can I create a company in Morocco as a non-resident in 2026
Are you a foreign entrepreneur or a Moroccan living abroad? Yes, you can create a company in Morocco even if you are a non-resident. This article explains the legal, administrative and practical arrangements for launching your business in Morocco without being based in the country.
In summary:
- Moroccan law imposes no residence restriction for creating a company
- Non-residents can create a SARL, SAS, SA, or even become an auto-entrepreneur
- A Moroccan bank account and an address for the registered office are required
- The administrative formalities are identical to those for residents
Legal framework: what the law says
Contrary to certain preconceived ideas, Moroccan law fully allows non-residents to create a company. Law No. 5-96 (for SARLs), Law No. 19-20 (for SASs) and Law No. 17-95 (for SAs) contain no clause restricting the nationality or the residence of the partners and directors.
Under the Moroccan Commercial Code, creating a company in Morocco is done through:
- Registration in the trade register
- Registration with the tax administration
- Affiliation with the social security bodies
None of these formalities requires residence in Morocco.
💡 Key point: If you are a non-resident, you must provide proof of a Moroccan address for your company's registered office. This address can be that of a domiciliation centre, a coworking space, or a commercial agency.
The various legal forms available to non-residents
SARL (Limited Liability Company)
Governed by Law No. 5-96, the SARL is available to non-residents:
- ✅ Minimum share capital: 1 MAD
- ✅ Partners: 2 to 50 (100% foreign allowed)
- ✅ Manager: Can be a non-resident
- ✅ Liability: Limited to contributions
How it works for a non-resident: You can be a partner and manager of a Moroccan SARL. A local legal representative can be appointed for routine administrative formalities if you are unable to travel.
SARL AU (single-member SARL)
The SARL AU is perfect if you are on your own:
- ✅ A single partner (100% foreign allowed)
- ✅ Minimum capital: 1 MAD
- ✅ Operates identically to the SARL
You can create a SARL AU entirely from abroad.
SAS (Simplified Joint-Stock Company)
Governed by Law No. 19-20, the SAS is highly flexible:
- ✅ One or more partners
- ✅ Minimum share capital: 1 MAD
- ✅ Total freedom of operation
- ✅ Ideal for startups and innovative projects
The SAS is particularly well suited to non-residents because it imposes few formalities.
SA (Public Limited Company)
Governed by Law No. 17-95, the SA requires:
- ⚠️ Minimum capital: 300,000 MAD. If the company makes a public offering, 3,000,000 DH
- ⚠️ A minimum of 5 shareholders
- ⚠️ The share capital must be fully subscribed and paid up to at least a quarter, with the balance to be paid within a maximum of three years
- ⚠️ A board of directors, or a management board and a supervisory board
The SA suits large-scale projects with several investors.
The practical challenges and how to solve them
Challenge 1: The registered office address
Problem: You need a Moroccan address to register your company.
Solutions:
- 📌 Coworking space: Use a coworking address in Casablanca, Rabat or Marrakech (1,500-3,000 MAD/month)
- 📌 Commercial agency: Rent a small commercial premises
- 📌 Charikaty: We can provide you with an address and handle the formalities online (1,200-3,000 MAD/year)
Challenge 2: Legal representation
Problem: You are abroad and cannot appear before the courts.
Solutions:
- 📌 A lawyer or chartered accountant: Instruct a professional to handle the formalities (cost: 5,000-25,000 MAD)
- 📌 Charikaty: We handle all the procedures on your behalf with legal powers of attorney
Challenge 3: The bank account
Problem: Moroccan banks generally require a physical presence to open an account.
Solutions:
- ✅ From Morocco: Visit a bank with your passport and proof of domiciliation
- ✅ With a power of attorney: Give a power of attorney to someone in Morocco who will be able to open the account
- ✅ Digital banking services: Some Moroccan banks offer online account opening (Maroc Poste, BMCE, etc.)
Practical steps to create your company as a non-resident
The formation of a company by a non-resident follows the canonical 8-step sequence applicable to any Moroccan company, with a few practical adaptations (domiciliation, powers of attorney, electronic signature).
Step 1: Obtain the negative certificate (OMPIC)
Reserve the company name with OMPIC (Law 13-99). The negative certificate can be requested online via charikaty.com, in accordance with Law 88-17, with no travel required.
Step 2: Draft the company's articles of association
Draft the articles of association in accordance with Law 5-96 (SARL / SARL AU) or Law 17-95 as amended by Law 19-20 (SA / SAS). The drafting can be entrusted to a platform such as Charikaty, to a lawyer, a chartered accountant or a notary.
Step 3: Sign the articles of association by electronic signature (Law 43-20)
Non-residents sign the articles of association by advanced electronic signature (recommended) under Law 43-20 on trust services for electronic transactions, from anywhere in the world. A qualified signature is not required for company formation; it mainly concerns public procurement and access to certain public platforms. The advanced electronic signature (recommended) has the same legal value as a handwritten signature.
✅ No physical legalization of signatures is necessary — the advanced electronic signature (recommended) is legally valid, which removes any need for non-residents to travel to the Moroccan embassy or consulate.
Approved providers in Morocco: DamaneSign, providers accredited by the DGSSI. Fees included in our charikaty.com packages.
Step 4: Deposit the share capital (if applicable)
For a SARL, blocking the funds at a bank is mandatory if the capital exceeds 100,000 MAD. The blocked account can be opened with a notarized power of attorney entrusted to a local representative (law firm, accounting firm, or Charikaty). Several Moroccan banks (Attijariwafa Bank, BMCE Bank of Africa, Banque Populaire) accept remote openings for non-residents.
Step 5: Register the articles of association with the DRI
Registration with the Regional Tax Directorate (DRI) must take place within 30 days of the signing of the articles of association. The local representative handles this with a power of attorney.
Step 6: Register the company in the Trade Register
Registration in the Trade Register with the Commercial Court can be carried out entirely online via charikaty.com, in accordance with Law 88-17, with no travel required. The company receives its RC, ICE, IF and TP in a single file.
Step 7: Publish in the Official Bulletin and in a legal announcements journal
Publish the notice of incorporation in a legal announcements journal (JAL) and in the Official Bulletin (BO) within 30 days of registration. This formality can also be delegated to the local representative.
Step 8: Register with the CNSS (if hiring)
Affiliation with the CNSS is mandatory as soon as the first employee is hired. Procedure carried out online at www.cnss.ma.
💡 Adaptation for non-residents: the advanced electronic signature (recommended) (Law 43-20) makes it possible to finalize all signed deeds from abroad, with no physical legalization and no visit to the Moroccan embassy or consulate. For any residual in-person procedures if there are any (DRI filing, certain formalities), it is recommended to appoint a local legal representative (lawyer, chartered accountant, or Charikaty) holding a power of attorney. Total timeframe: 5 to 10 days via the 100% online route.
Estimated costs for a non-resident
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Commercial domiciliation (annual) | 1,200-3,500 MAD |
| Legal services | 2,500-5,000 MAD |
| Trade register registration | 500-1,000 MAD |
| Legal announcement | 700-1,500 MAD |
| Bank account opening | 0-500 MAD |
| Tax registration | Free |
| TOTAL | 4,900-11,500 MAD |
💡 Charikaty tip: We offer packages tailored to non-residents, often cheaper than handling the formalities on your own.
Reporting obligations for non-residents
Once your company is created, you have obligations:
✅ Annual tax return with the Moroccan tax administration ✅ Balance sheet and income statement every year ✅ Tax residence declaration if you are not a Moroccan resident ✅ Social security contributions for the employees and the manager ✅ VAT if your turnover exceeds the legal thresholds
⚠️ Important: As a non-resident, you could be subject to double taxation rules. Consult a chartered accountant to optimize your tax situation.
FAQ
Can a non-resident be the manager of a Moroccan SARL?
Yes, under Law No. 5-96, the manager can be a non-resident. They can manage the company from abroad, but must be in a position to sign the administrative documents.
Do I need to obtain a visa or a residence card to create a company in Morocco?
No, there is no legal requirement for a visa or residence in order to create a company. You can create a Moroccan company with a simple valid passport. However, for extended stays, consulting the Moroccan consulate is recommended.
Can I create a Moroccan company without ever going to Morocco?
In theory yes, through a representative holding notarized powers of attorney. However, to open a bank account and handle certain formalities, a visit to Morocco (or a representative's visit) is generally necessary.
Which tax regime applies to my Moroccan company if I am a non-resident?
Your Moroccan company pays corporate income tax in Morocco on the profits it makes in Morocco, regardless of your residence. However, you must check the tax treaties between Morocco and your country of residence in order to avoid double taxation.
Can I be the sole partner of a SARL if I am a foreigner?
No, a classic SARL requires a minimum of 2 partners. However, you can create a SARL AU (single-member) or an SAS (Simplified Joint-Stock Company), both of which accept a single foreign partner.
Which documents must I provide as a non-resident?
A valid passport or Moroccan identity document, proof of a Moroccan address (domiciliation agreement), signed articles of association, and notarized powers of attorney if a representative acts on your behalf.
How long does it take to create a company as a non-resident?
Between 5 and 10 working days depending on the formalities and how quickly you complete your procedures. With Charikaty, this timeframe can be reduced thanks to our partnerships and our experience.
Create Your Company in Morocco Without Leaving Your Country
Charikaty specializes in company formation for non-residents and foreigners. We handle all the formalities: domiciliation, registration, bank account opening, and tax registration.
Take advantage of our expertise to launch your business in Morocco with the certainty of complying with every law.
📞 +212 6 10 03 37 32 | WhatsApp 24/7 👉 Create My Company in Morocco Now
Legal Sources
- Law No. 5-96 on the form of limited liability companies
- Law No. 19-20 on the Simplified Joint-Stock Company
- Law No. 17-95 on public limited companies
- Moroccan Commercial Code
- Moroccan General Tax Code
- Morocco's bilateral tax treaties
Read enough? Take action.
You now know what matters. Create your company 100% online, without travelling.
