Starting a business in Algeria

Legal Forms of Companies

Limited liability company (SARL)

Number of partners: From 2 to 20 partners (1 shareholder and 1 director). The maximum holding by foreigners is now 100% except for trading companies (import for resale as is) and companies in the military, pharmaceutical, energy and mining, and transport industries, which remain subject to the 51/49% rule (51 Algerians and 49 foreigners).
Capital (max/min): DZD 100,000 divided in shares (1,000 DZD per share) minimum fully subscribed and paid up.
Shareholders and liability: Liability is limited to the amount of capital contributed.

Public limited company (SPA)

Number of partners: Minimum of 7 shareholders. The maximum holding by foreigners is now 100% except for trading companies (import for resale as is) and companies in the military, pharmaceutical, energy and mining, and transport industries, which remain subject to the 51/49% rule (51 Algerians and 49 foreigners).
Capital (max/min): DZD 1 million fully paid / DZD 5 million in the event of a public offering.
Shareholders and liability: Their liability is limited to the amount of capital contributed.

General partnership (SNC)

Number of partners: Minimum 2 partners.
Capital (max/min): No minimum capital.
Shareholders and liability: Their liability is joint and indefinite.

Limited Partnership

Number of partners: There are two sorts of partners, the active partners and the silent partners. There must be a minimum of one of each partner.
Capital (max/min): No minimum capital.
Shareholders and liability: The liability of the active partners is joint and indefinite. The liability of the limited partners is limited to the amount of capital contributed.

Limited partnership with shares

Number of partners: There are two types of partners. Those with the same obligations and rights as in a joint partnership and limited partners (at least 3) with the same status as shareholders of a Joint Stock Company.
Capital (max/min): DZD 1 million fully paid.
Shareholders and liability: The general partners have joint and indefinite liability. The liability of the limited partners is limited to the amount of capital contributed.

Business Setup Procedures

Source: Doing Business - Latest available data.