The comparison in one table
| Criterion | SARL | SPA |
|---|---|---|
| Members | 2 to 50 (one in an EURL) | At least 7 shareholders, except publicly owned companies |
| Minimum capital | None, any amount | 1,000,000 DA, or 5,000,000 DA with a public offering |
| Securities | Company shares (parts sociales) | Shares (actions) |
| Management | One or more managers, natural persons | Board of 3 to 12 members, chaired by one of them |
| Audit | Under the rules that apply to your company | Statutory auditors, the first ones named in the articles |
| New members | Subject to the approval rules of the Commercial Code and the articles | By share transfer, under the articles' clauses |
| Running the company | Light: manager and members' meeting | Heavier: board, shareholders' meetings, statutory audit |
| Formation cost | About 102,700 DA in observed fees with one manager | Higher: larger capital, longer articles, auditor |
| Best for | SMEs, projects with a few partners | Large projects, many investors, activities that require this form |
Why most founders choose a SARL
- No minimum capital, against at least 1,000,000 DA for an SPA.
- Two members are enough, against seven shareholders for an SPA.
- Simple management, with no board of directors.
- Lighter articles and running, so lower costs every year.
When an SPA makes sense
- You have at least seven shareholders, or plan to bring in many.
- You want to raise large amounts, possibly from the public, with a 5,000,000 DA minimum capital in that case.
- You want a clear split between ownership (shareholders) and management (the board).
- Your activity requires the SPA form: some regulated activities do. Check the rules for your sector.
- You go beyond fifty members: a SARL is no longer possible.
The start-up case: the SPAS
Law No. 22-09 of 5 May 2022 added the simplified joint-stock company (SPAS) to the Commercial Code. It is reserved for businesses holding the start-up label. It combines shares, which make it easier to bring in investors, with a more flexible organisation than the SPA, largely set by the articles.
What to choose for your profile
| Your situation | Our recommendation | Why |
|---|---|---|
| SME with 2 to 10 partners | SARL | Free capital, simple management, controlled costs |
| Founder on your own | EURL | A single-member SARL |
| Industrial project with many investors | SPA | Shares, board of directors, room for many shareholders |
| Certified start-up preparing a funding round | SPAS | Shares and a flexible organisation, reserved for certified start-ups |
| Activity whose rules require an SPA | SPA | No choice: check your sector's text |
| More than fifty members | SPA | A SARL is capped at fifty members |
Which legal form fits your project?
Three questions. You get a recommendation and your starting budget.
Question 1 of 3
Are you starting alone or with others?
What stays the same
- The main steps: name at the CNRC, articles before a notary, BOAL notice, trade register, beneficial owners, tax office, ONS.
- The need for a documented registered office: lease, title deed or domiciliation.
- The beneficial owner declaration to the CNRC within one month of formation.
- The declaration of existence (G n°8) within 30 days of starting the activity.
Do it yourself or get help
For a SARL, our step-by-step guide is enough to proceed on your own. We can also fill in the setup forms (5,000 DA for a company's 4 forms), which you file yourself, or follow the whole file for 60,000 DA, or 50,000 DA if the company is domiciled at Neuron (official fees excluded). For an SPA, legal and accounting advice is recommended from the drafting of the articles.
Three ways to get it done
Do it yourself with this guide, have your setup forms filled in, or hand us the whole file.
1I do it myself
The free guide
Everything you need is on this page: documents, deadlines, a filled-in example.
Free
Follow the guide2We fill them in for you
Setup form filling
We fill in your business setup forms, for one price. You submit them yourself.
- Beneficial owner declaration
- Trade register, legal person
- G n°8
- NIS application
5,000 DAthe 4 setup forms of a company
Get it filled in3We handle everything
Full support
We follow every setup step: 50,000 DA for a sole trader, 60,000 DA for a company, 10,000 DA less if your address is with Neuron.
From 40,000 DA
Start my setup
Company setup support
Name reservation, articles, trade register, NIF, NIS, CASNOS: we follow the file with you.
- Sole trader: 50,000 DA, company: 60,000 DA
- 10,000 DA less if your registered address is with Neuron, even from abroad
- From abroad: 70,000 or 80,000 DA
From 40,000 DA
Registered address in Dely Brahim
Your head office in Algiers. Notarised contract ready within 3 days at most.
- 1-year or 2-year contract
- ID document and birth certificate
- Your mail received for you
6,000 DA/ month