Legal Documents Required for Company Registration in Lebanon

Company registration in Lebanon involves several legal and administrative procedures, particularly for common structures such as the SARL (Société à Responsabilité Limitée) and SAL (Société Anonyme Libanaise). The specific documents required may vary slightly depending on the type of business entity, but the following list outlines the core legal documents and steps typically neede to register a company in Lebanon.

General Legal Documents Required for Company Registration in Lebanon

1. Application for Registration

• A completed application form submitted to the Commercial Register (Registre du Commerce).

• Includes basic company details such as name, purpose, address, capital, and shareholders.

2. Articles of Association / By-Laws

• Must be drafted, signed by all founding members, and notarized.

• Should outline the company’s name, objectives, headquarters, share capital, management structure, and internal rules.

3. Incorporation Deed (Minutes of Incorporation)

• This document records the intention of the shareholders to establish the company and must be notarized by a Lebanese notary public.

4. Proof of Identity

• Copies of identification documents (national ID or passport) for all shareholders, directors, and the general manager.

• For foreign shareholders, documents must be certified and legalized, and often translated into Arabic.

5. Criminal Record Extract

• A clean criminal record certificate is required for each shareholder and the general manager, issued by the Lebanese authorities.

6. Bank Certificate of Capital Deposit

• Issued by a Lebanese bank confirming that the required capital has been deposited:

  • SARL: Minimum of LBP 5 million

  • SAL: Minimum of LBP 30 million

• At least 25% of the capital must be deposited before completing company registration in Lebanon.

7. Proof of Company Premises

• A registered lease agreement or a title deed as proof of the business address in Lebanon.

• The lease must be registered with the municipality and should be valid at the time of registration.

8. Tax Identification Number (TIN) Application

• This is filed with the Ministry of Finance after registration with the Commercial Register.

9. National Social Security Fund (NSSF) Registration

• If the company will hire employees, registration with the NSSF is mandatory.

10. Payment of Fees and Commercial Register Number

• Applicable fees must be paid, and a Commercial Register number is issued by the competent court or registrar.

Also Read: Documents Required for Company Registration in Oman

Additional Requirements Depending on Company Type

SARL (Limited Liability Company)

• Requires 1 to 20 shareholders.

• Liability is limited to the amount of each shareholder’s contribution.

• No board of directors is required; management can be assigned to one or more general managers.

SAL (Joint Stock Company)

• Requires at least 3 shareholders.

• Must have a board of directors (at least 3 members, half of whom must be Lebanese).

• An external auditor must be appointed.

• Suitable for larger businesses or companies seeking investment or public listing.

Considerations for Foreign Investors

• Foreign shareholders must provide certified and legalized documentation of their identity and any corporate entity they represent.

• Documents in a foreign language must be translated into Arabic by a sworn translator.

• Some sectors (e.g., banking, insurance, media) require additional approvals from Lebanese regulatory bodies.

• Foreign investors may benefit from investment incentives offered through the Investment Development Authority of Lebanon (IDAL).