Domiciliation in Casablanca

Office Space Jean Jaurès is a business centre located on the 6th floor of 49, rue Jean Jaurès, in the Gauthier district, in central Casablanca. It has been providing domiciliation services since 2012 for companies being set up, and for branches and subsidiaries of foreign groups.

Legal framework

Domiciliation is governed by Title VIII of Book IV of the Moroccan Commercial Code (articles 544-1 to 544-11). These articles were introduced by Law No. 89-17, which also added domiciliation to the list of commercial activities (article 6). This law amends and supplements Law No. 15-95 establishing the Commercial Code. It was enacted by Dahir No. 1-18-110 of 2 Joumada I 1440 (9 January 2019). It was published in Official Bulletin (Bulletin officiel) No. 6745 of 21 January 2019 (general edition, in Arabic) and, in French translation, in Official Bulletin No. 6788 of 20 June 2019.

Decree No. 2-20-950, implementing articles 544-2 and 544-7 of the Commercial Code, sets the model domiciliation contract.

These texts provide in particular that:

• the domiciliation contract is concluded for a fixed, renewable term, using a model set by regulation (article 544-2);
• the domiciliation of companies that have a registered office in Morocco is prohibited. In addition, no person may establish its seat in more than one domiciliation location (article 544-5);
• the domiciliation provider makes available premises equipped with means of communication, a meeting room and premises for keeping and consulting registers. It verifies the identity of domiciled clients and keeps a file for each of them. Each year, before 31 January, it sends their list to the tax authorities, the General Treasury of the Kingdom and, where applicable, the customs administration. It also ensures the confidentiality of information relating to domiciled clients (article 544-4);
• the domiciled client informs the provider of any change concerning it (legal form, name, corporate purpose, directors, etc.). It gives the provider a mandate to receive all notifications on its behalf. It states its status as a domiciled client on its invoices, letters, purchase orders and other commercial documents (article 544-6).

Included services

The domiciliation contract includes:

• a legal and tax address for the registered office;
• receipt and filing of mail, with a daily e-mail notice stating the sender;
• scanning of mail, available in a client area protected by username and password;
• receipt of telephone calls and faxes, with messages sent daily by e-mail;
• use of a meeting room, up to 4 hours per week, booked at least 48 hours in advance and subject to availability.

Original mail is kept and can be collected on site during opening hours.

Documents to provide

In accordance with article 544-4 of the Commercial Code, each domiciled client's file includes:

• the negative certificate (certificat négatif);
• a copy of the identity document of the manager(s);
• the telephone number, e-mail address and home address of the manager(s);
• the place where accounting documents are kept;
• the place where the business is carried out.

Procedure

The contract is signed electronically. The entire procedure can therefore be completed remotely, with no need to travel.

1. Sending the request and documents by e-mail.
2. Review of the file and preparation of the contract using the regulatory model.
3. Electronic signature of the contract and payment of the first instalment.
4. Delivery of the signed contract, which is required for registration in the Commercial Register. Registration must take place within three months of signing the contract.
5. Opening of the client area for viewing mail.

Prices

Domiciliation is invoiced quarterly, half-yearly or yearly. Details are shown on the Prices page.

Office Space Jean Jaurès also offers office rental and support with company formation.

Frequently asked questions

How much does domiciliation cost at Office Space Jean Jaurès?

Domiciliation costs 2,400 MAD excl. VAT per year. It can also be paid quarterly (900 MAD excl. VAT) or half-yearly (1,500 MAD excl. VAT).

Can a company that already has a registered office be domiciled?

No. Article 544-5 of the Commercial Code prohibits the domiciliation of companies that have a registered office in Morocco. Transferring an existing registered office to a domiciliation address is therefore possible only in very specific cases.

Can a company be domiciled at several addresses?

No. The same article prohibits any natural or legal person from establishing its seat in more than one domiciliation location.

How long does the contract last?

The contract is concluded for a quarter, a half-year or a year. It is then renewed by tacit renewal at each due date.

How is mail handled?

Each item of mail received is recorded and notified by e-mail the same day, then scanned and placed in the client area. The original can be collected on site.

Can domiciled companies use the meeting room?

Yes, up to 4 hours per week, booked at least 48 hours in advance. Beyond that, or for non-domiciled clients, the room is charged at 200 MAD excl. VAT per hour.

What must appear on the company's documents?

The domiciled company states its status as domiciled at Office Space Jean Jaurès on all its commercial documents: invoices, letters, purchase orders, price lists and brochures (article 544-6).

Do I need to travel to sign the contract?

No. The contract is signed electronically and the documents are sent by e-mail.

Is domiciliation suitable for a company being set up?

Yes. The domiciliation contract is one of the documents required for registration in the Commercial Register. Registration must take place within three months of signing the contract.