NIS: getting your statistical identification notice from ONS

The NIS identifies your business in public statistics records. ONS issues it to businesses carrying on an economic activity and gives you an identification notice showing the number.

CNAS asks for a copy of the NIS to register an employer, and other bodies or partners may ask for it too. Get it before your first hire.

Every business starting an economic activity:

• a company (SARL, EURL, SPA, SNC...);
• a trader, craftsperson or liberal professional working as an individual.

1. 1

   Wait for the tax documents

   The stamped NIF document and the certificate of existence are part of the file. Without them, ONS cannot process the application.

2. 2

   Gather the company documents

   Trade register extract, articles and BOAL notice for a company, proof of premises, manager's identity card.

3. 3

   Fill in the form (companies)

   Company name, legal form, date of incorporation, registered office, main activity, trade register and NIF numbers, capital, manager, planned headcount.

4. 4

   Prepare a power of attorney if needed

   If someone else files for you, attach the power of attorney and their identity card.

5. 5

   File with ONS

   Bring the complete file to the office covering your business address.

6. 6

   Check the identification notice

   Check the company name, address and activity on the notice, and report any error at once.

7. 7

   Use the NIS for the next steps

   Attach a copy of the notice to the CNAS file from the first hire, and keep one with your official documents.

At ONS

The file is filed with the ONS office covering your business address. For a company using a domiciliation address, the registered office address counts. Check the ONS website or call before going, to find the right office and its opening hours.

What you receive

ONS gives you the identification notice showing your NIS. Check it on the spot, then make several copies: it goes into the next files.

Having the form filled in

Neuron fills in your company's NIS form with its three other setup forms (beneficial owners, trade register, G no. 8): 5,000 DA for all four, and you file the papers yourself. To hand over the whole company setup, full support costs 60,000 DA, or 50,000 DA if the company is domiciled at Neuron (official fees excluded).

We have not found a published legal deadline for the NIS application. In practice, it comes right after the NIF, because the ONS file includes the documents issued by the tax office.

The steps that come next set the timing. From your first hire, you have 10 days to file the activity declaration with CNAS, and that file includes a copy of the NIS. If you plan to hire soon, apply for the NIS straight away.

• Applying for the NIS before having the NIF: the ONS file includes the documents issued by the tax office.
• Turning up without the certificate of existence or the stamped NIF document.
• Copying the NIF or the trade register number with a mistake.
• Stating a main activity different from the one in the trade register.
• Forgetting the power of attorney when someone else files the papers.
• Not checking the notice: a wrong company name or address will carry over into later files.
• Waiting for the first hire to apply for the NIS, when CNAS only gives 10 days to declare the employer.