The reference chartered accountant for foreign companies setting up in Morocco

Are you running a foreign company and considering setting up in Morocco? Whether you want to create a subsidiary, open a branch, establish a shared services centre or develop an offshoring activity, cabinet DECIMAL is your reference partner to secure and optimise your setup in the Kingdom. Registered with the Ordre des Experts-Comptables du Maroc and member of the Morison Global network, DECIMAL combines international standards with the responsiveness of a boutique firm.

With 13 years of practice in France including at PwC and 12 years in Morocco, Adil Charradi brings 25 years of combined expertise, Adil Charradi and his team master both the logic of international groups and local operational realities. Moreover, DECIMAL actively manages a portfolio of subsidiaries and branches of foreign groups — concrete, proven, hands-on expertise.

25 years of experience 13 years in France — ex-PwC Morison Global member Registered OEC Morocco
setting up a foreign company in Morocco - DECIMAL chartered accountant Casablanca

Why set up your foreign company in Morocco?

First and foremost, Morocco is the leading foreign investment destination in North Africa, combining macroeconomic stability, a qualified and multilingual workforce, and a regulatory framework fully open to foreign capital. Furthermore, Casablanca is just 2 hours from Paris, in the same time zone as Western Europe (GMT+1), enabling real-time collaboration with European headquarters.

100% Foreign capital allowed
with no mandatory local partner
60+ Bilateral tax treaties
signed by Morocco
5 yrs Corporate tax exemption
for export services companies
10% Withholding tax
on dividends since 2026

In addition, Casablanca Finance City (CFC) positions Morocco as Africa’s reference financial hub. Industrial Acceleration Zones (ZAI) offer significant tax advantages for industrial activities. And since 2025, the DirectEntrepreneur platform has digitalised registration procedures at the CRI.

A legal framework favourable to foreign investors

Important: Moroccan law makes no distinction between Moroccan and foreign investors. A foreign group can hold 100% of the capital of a Moroccan company, appoint a non-resident manager, and freely repatriate dividends subject to declaration to the Office des Changes.

→ See our complete guide: setting up a company in Morocco in 2026

Why choose DECIMAL as your chartered accountant for your foreign company in Morocco?

In reality, setting up in Morocco cannot be improvised. You need a firm that understands both the logic of international groups and Moroccan operational realities. That is exactly what DECIMAL offers.

25+

Years of expertise in Morocco

In-depth knowledge of administrations, banks and local practices — essential to anticipate obstacles and accelerate procedures.

13

Years of practice in France

Adil Charradi trained at PwC France for 13 years. He knows the standards of international groups, speaks your language and understands your reporting and governance requirements.

8th

Morison Global worldwide network

Present in 120+ countries. Local correspondents available for cross-border formalities (apostilles, certifications, multi-country due diligence).

Active portfolio of foreign subsidiaries

DECIMAL manages day-to-day subsidiaries and branches of foreign groups in Morocco — concrete, real-world expertise.

100%

Fully digital service

Client platform connect.decimal.ma, video calls, online reports. Organisation designed for headquarters based abroad.

OEC

Registered with OEC Morocco

Certified qualification, professional ethics and professional liability insurance. Verify on oecmaroc.com →

« Expertise only has real value when it is grounded in a culture of empathy and listening to clients. » — Adil Charradi, Chartered Accountant, founder of DECIMAL

Our services for foreign companies setting up in Morocco

Services for your foreign company in Morocco — Setup and ongoing support

  • Legal structuring: advice on the choice of structure (LLC/SA/SAS subsidiary, branch, liaison office) based on your objectives, sector and tax strategy
  • Company formation: trade name reservation, bespoke articles of association, shareholders’ agreement, legalisations/apostilles, registration at the CRI Casablanca
  • Tax and social registrations: DGI, CNSS, AMO, business tax, legal publications in the Official Gazette and JAL
  • Bookkeeping and group reporting: Moroccan GAAP, IFRS, French GAAP, US GAAP — liaison with group auditors during annual reviews
  • Tax filings: corporate tax, VAT, income tax, business tax, minimum contribution — DGI e-filings
  • International taxation: application of bilateral tax treaties, tax structure optimisation, transfer pricing management
  • Office des Changes: declaration of foreign investment to secure future dividend repatriation rights
  • Audit and statutory audit: legal or contractual, due diligence prior to acquisition
  • Payroll and HR: payslips, CNSS/AMO, Moroccan labour law, expatriate management

In particular, you may also find useful: → Our services dedicated to offshoring in Morocco — 2026 tax benefits

→ Everything you need to know about VAT in Morocco in 2026

Foreign company in Morocco: subsidiary, branch or liaison office?

Indeed, the choice of setup structure is the first strategic decision. It determines the taxation, liability and governance of your presence in Morocco.

Comparison of setup structures for foreign companies in Morocco
Structure Legal personality Liability Taxation Best for
Subsidiary (LLC / SA / SAS) ✅ Independent entity Limited to capital contributions Moroccan corporate tax on local profits Long-term presence, strong commercial footprint
Branch ❌ Extension of parent company Unlimited (parent company) Corporate tax on profits attributable to Morocco Market testing, temporary contracts
Liaison office ❌ Extension of parent company Unlimited (parent company) No corporate tax (non-commercial activity) Prospecting, representation, market research
DECIMAL’s advice: in the vast majority of cases, the LLC or SAS subsidiary is recommended for a long-term presence. It isolates risk from the parent company, benefits from all local tax advantages, and reassures Moroccan banks and business partners.

→ Complete guide: the LLC in Morocco in 2026

International taxation for foreign companies in Morocco

Thus, Morocco has signed over 60 bilateral tax treaties with its main economic partners — France, Belgium, Spain, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, the Netherlands, USA, Canada, UAE, Saudi Arabia, China… These treaties reduce double taxation and optimise financial flows between the Moroccan subsidiary and the parent company.

  • Dividends: withholding tax at 10% since 1 January 2026 — further reduced under the applicable bilateral tax treaty between Morocco and your country
  • Office des Changes: mandatory declaration of the foreign investment to secure future repatriation of profits — a formality that DECIMAL systematically handles from day one
  • Offshoring: full corporate tax exemption for 5 years for export services companies + capped income tax for staff in P2I zones
  • Casablanca Finance City (CFC): preferential corporate tax rate for regional holdings and financial services companies
  • Industrial Acceleration Zones: 5-year corporate tax exemption for industrial and technology activities
  • Transfer pricing: documentation required to justify intra-group transactions with the Moroccan tax authorities

Our step-by-step onboarding process

1

Strategic scoping (1–2 days)

Analysis of your project, sector and objectives. Recommendation on the legal structure, location and optimal tax regime. Delivery of a clear and actionable summary memo.

2

Incorporation and registration (2–4 weeks)

Trade name reservation, bespoke articles of association, legalisations and apostilles, filing at the CRI Casablanca, tax and social registrations, legal publications. Entirely manageable remotely via notarised power of attorney.

3

Bank account opening

KYC file preparation, coordination with your chosen bank, management of physical presence requirements or proxy as needed.

4

Office des Changes declaration

Declaration of the foreign investment to secure future rights to repatriate dividends and disposal proceeds. A formality often overlooked — DECIMAL handles it systematically from the outset.

5

Accounting setup and group reporting

Chart of accounts configuration, data transmission workflow setup, group reporting implementation according to your standards (IFRS, French GAAP, US GAAP).

Ongoing support

Bookkeeping, monthly/quarterly/annual tax filings, payroll, permanent tax advisory, audit if required. A dedicated, responsive senior contact who knows your file and your group teams.

What our clients say

★★★★★

« The team is very professional. We were able to set up our LLC with their support at every step. Thank you. »

★★★★★

« I highly recommend this very professional firm. »

★★★★★

« I recommend this firm — a very professional team. »

FAQ — Foreign company in Morocco: your questions answered

Can a foreign group own 100% of a Moroccan company?

Yes. Moroccan law imposes no obligation of local partnership. A foreign group can hold the entire capital of a Moroccan LLC, SA or SAS, regardless of nationality, in the vast majority of business sectors. Moroccan law makes no distinction between domestic and foreign investors.

Do I need to travel to Morocco to set up a subsidiary or branch?

No. DECIMAL handles all formalities remotely through a notarised power of attorney legalised or apostilled in your country. The only usual constraint is the bank account opening — which we can manage via a qualified proxy depending on the bank chosen.

What is the difference between a subsidiary and a branch in Morocco?

A subsidiary is an independent legal entity — it isolates risk from the parent company and benefits from all local tax advantages. A branch is an extension of the foreign company without separate legal personality — the parent is liable for its obligations. In most cases, we recommend the subsidiary for a long-term presence.

How do I repatriate dividends from my Moroccan subsidiary?

Consequently, repatriation is free and guaranteed provided the initial investment was declared to the Office des Changes in convertible foreign currency. The withholding tax is 10% since 2026 — reduced under applicable bilateral tax treaties. DECIMAL handles the Office des Changes declaration from the outset to secure your future rights.

Can DECIMAL manage the group reporting of our Moroccan subsidiary?

Yes, indeed. DECIMAL produces reporting adapted to group standards (IFRS, French GAAP, US GAAP) and liaises with group auditors during annual reviews. We are accustomed to working with finance teams based in Paris, Brussels, Dubai or Montreal.

What is the practical advantage of Morison Global membership?

Morison Global is the 8th largest worldwide network of chartered accountancy and audit firms, present in 120+ countries. Through this network, DECIMAL can mobilise local correspondents in your home country for cross-border formalities (apostilles, certifications, due diligence) and coordinate multi-country engagements.

Why choose DECIMAL over a large international firm?

In conclusion, DECIMAL offers the best of both worlds: the standards of an international network (Morison Global, 8th largest worldwide) with the responsiveness of a boutique firm. A dedicated senior contact — not a junior who changes every 6 months. And concrete, proven experience setting up foreign groups in Morocco.

Our experts will be happy to help you

Discuss your Morocco setup project with Adil Charradi — first meeting free and without commitment. Response within 24 hours.

DECIMAL — Chartered Accountancy Firm 10 Rue Abou Zaid Eddaboussi, Casablanca, 20200 +212522987776