Key takeaways

  1. Incorporating a company in Lebanon requires choosing the legal structure, drafting the articles of association, and depositing the capital into a local bank. The two most common types for investors are the Limited Liability Company (LLC) and the Joint Stock Company (JSC).
  2. The process involves signing contracts before a Notary Public, followed by official registration in the Commercial Registry and the Ministry of Finance.
  3. To complete the procedures successfully, it is highly recommended to seek the assistance of a Lebanese qualified lawyer.

What type of company should I register in Lebanon?

The two most common types for investors are:

Limited Liability Company (LLC): Requires at least one partner, and the partners' liability is limited to the extent of their shares.

Joint Stock Company (JSC): Requires at least three shareholders and is suitable for large enterprises or companies that offer shares for public subscription.

The other types are:

  • General Partnership (شركة التضامن)
  • Limited Partnership (شركة التوصية البسيطة)

What documents and papers do I need to register a company in Lebanon?

  • Copies of identity cards or passports for the founders and directors.
  • A lease agreement, a title deed, or an accommodation letter from the landlord for the company’s headquarters.
  • A clean criminal record certificate for the founders.
  • A draft of the company’s articles of association (preferably drafted in cooperation with a lawyer) signed by the founders.
  • Minutes of the Constitutive General Assembly (it should include the appointment of the company’s legal counsel in JSC and LLC).
  • Depositing the minimum capital into a “company under incorporation account” at a bank operating in Lebanon, and obtaining a certificate of deposit.
  • Filling out the official Registration Request with the Commercial Registry.
  • Filling out the Commercial Circular (Iza’a Tijariyyah).
  • Submitting a Declaration of the Ultimate Beneficial Owner.

What are the steps to register a company in Lebanon?

  1. The Notary Public: Officially signing the articles of association and the incorporation contract before a Notary Public.
  2. Registration in the Commercial Registry: Submitting the signed documents and the capital certificate of deposit to the Commercial Registry department at the court to complete the rest of the Commercial Circular and to obtain the registration certificate.
  3. The Ministry of Finance (Tax Authorities): After extracting the company register, you must head to the Ministry of Finance within a specified deadline to declare the commencement of business, obtain a tax identification number, and register the company.