Buying a Business in Marrakech: café, restaurant, guesthouse
Capital Parc · 20 juin 2026 · 3 min read
Commercial lease, turnover, licences, deed of sale: the guide to taking over a café, restaurant or guesthouse in Marrakech safely.
In 30 seconds: taking over a business (fonds de commerce) in Marrakech means buying an activity (customer base, commercial lease, equipment, licence, trade name) — distinct from the walls (premises). Before any offer, verify the accounts and turnover, the commercial lease, the licences (drinks licence, tourist classification) and the absence of debts. The transfer is formalised by deed, with the price held in escrow.
Going concern ≠ the walls
The fonds de commerce brings together the elements needed to run the activity: customer base and goodwill, commercial lease, equipment and fittings, licence, trade name and sign. The walls (the premises) are a separate real-estate asset: you can take over a business while remaining a tenant of the walls, or buy both.
1. Accounts and turnover
This is the heart of the value. Request the recent accounts (ideally 3 years), tax filings and a statement of real turnover. Beware of a price justified by unverifiable turnover. A good seller plays transparency ("transparent accounts").
2. The commercial lease: decisive
The commercial lease determines the activity's durability. Check: remaining term, rent, renewal and assignment conditions, authorised use (is your planned activity allowed?), and any landlord consent. A profitable business with a fragile lease loses much of its value.
3. Licences and authorisations
Depending on the activity, licences are essential and condition the takeover:
- Drinks licence for a café/bar/restaurant serving alcohol.
- Classification / tourist operating authorisation for a guesthouse or hotel.
- Hygiene and safety authorisations.
Confirm they are in order and transferable.
4. Liabilities: debts, staff, contracts
Verify the absence of debts (suppliers, tax, social charges), the situation of staff (contracts, seniority), and ongoing contracts (suppliers, maintenance). A poorly framed takeover can transfer debts or obligations.
5. The deed of sale and escrow
The transfer is formalised by a deed (often before a notary) stating the price broken down (goodwill, equipment, leasehold right). The price is usually held in escrow during the legal publicity period, which lets creditors raise objections. Registration duties apply on the transfer of the business.
Can a foreigner take over a business?
Yes. The takeover is carried out by deed, with assignment of the commercial lease and verification of operating authorisations. As with property, secure your financing and, if investing in foreign currency, the registration with the Office des Changes.
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Disclaimer: general information current as of 2026. Every takeover is specific — get support from a notary and ideally an accountant.
FAQ
What is the difference between the business and the walls? The business (fonds de commerce) is the activity (customer base, lease, equipment, licence). The walls are the premises. You can take over the business while remaining a tenant, or buy both.
What should I check before taking over a café or restaurant in Marrakech? The accounts and turnover, the commercial lease, the licences (notably the drinks licence), the absence of debts and the transferability of authorisations.
Can a foreigner take over a business in Marrakech? Yes. The takeover is formalised by deed, with assignment of the lease and verification of authorisations. We support the whole process.
