Domiciling a liberal profession or consulting business in Algiers

Liberal, consulting: what are we talking about?

In everyday language, “liberal profession” covers two different things with different rules. On one side, knowledge-based services that you register like any other business. On the other, regulated professions, organised in an order or chamber, with their own law.

Consulting and services: domiciliation works

A consultant, a trainer who works at clients' sites, a developer or a communication agency works at the client's, online or on the move. None of them needs premises open to the public. A registered office address is enough to register the business, keep it separate from your home and receive mail.

Depending on your situation, three forms are possible:

• Auto-entrepreneur (self-employed status): for an individual activity that appears on the list of activities open to this status, registered with ANAE (National Agency for Auto-Entrepreneurs).
• Individual registered with the commercial register: you trade alone, in your own name.
• Company: an EURL (single-member company) if you are alone, an SARL (limited liability company) with partners. Domiciliation then provides the registered office address.

Professions governed by an order: check first

Lawyers, doctors, chartered accountants, statutory auditors, architects, notaries, bailiffs: these professions are governed by a specific law and by an order or chamber. Registration with the order is what gives the right to practise. The conditions for setting up the practice depend on those texts and on the rules set by the order.

A useful point: commercial regulations name several of these professionals as possible hosts for the domicile of companies that are starting out.

Meeting clients without renting a practice

Domiciliation does not come with an office. If you see clients now and then, the meeting room is 5,000 DA a day, at the same address in Dely Brahim. If you see clients every week, a private office becomes a better fit.

In the offices, internet, electricity, cleaning, a coffee machine and a printer are included.

Domiciling a consulting business: the steps

1. 1

   Place your activity

   A profession governed by an order or a service activity? Free or subject to approval? The answer decides everything else.

2. 2

   Choose your form

   Auto-entrepreneur, individual trader or company (EURL, SARL). The choice depends on the activity, the number of partners and your expected turnover.

3. 3

   Sign the domiciliation contract

   The manager's ID and birth certificate are enough. The notarised contract is ready within 3 days at most, for 1 year or 2 years.

4. 4

   Register the business

   With the CNRC for an individual trader or a company, with ANAE for an auto-entrepreneur. The Dely Brahim address becomes your business address.

5. 5

   Complete the tax and social security steps

   Declaration with the tax office covering your address, then registration with CASNOS (social security fund for the self-employed) for the non-salaried manager.