Registering as a sole trader: the checklist, desk by desk

Print this page or send it on WhatsApp with the share button, then tick each document once it is in your file. You can also tick the boxes on screen; nothing is saved. Keep every receipt and certificate, as an original and a copy: the next desk almost always asks for them.

Before the first desk

• Find your activity in the trade register nomenclature and write down its code.
• If it is regulated, get the licence or approval before you register.
• Liberal professions (doctor, lawyer, architect...) do not go on the trade register: they come under their professional body.
• If your activity is on the ANAE list, self-entrepreneur status may be simpler and taxed less.

1. Premises: owner or landlord

The CNRC (National Trade Register Centre) asks for proof of the premises where you trade, in the name of the person registering. For a shop open to the public, the premises must match the declared activity: check this before you sign a long lease.

2. CNRC: entering the trade register

You file at the CNRC office of the wilaya (province) where your premises are. Some steps can also be done online on Sidjilcom, the CNRC portal.

You leave with: the trade register extract. It shows your register number, which goes on your invoices, and the registered activity.

3. Tax office: NIF, G n°8 and your tax regime

The NIF (tax identification number) request starts online on nifenligne.mf.gov.dz (individual form), and the site issues an acknowledgement. You complete it at the tax office for your place of business, together with form G n°8. For a trader, the 30 days for the G n°8 run from the date of the trade register. Filing late brings a 30,000 DA tax fine.

Your tax regime is set on the G n°8. As long as your yearly turnover stays at or below 8,000,000 DA, you come under the IFU (single flat-rate tax): 5% for selling goods, 12% for other activities, with a minimum of 30,000 DA a year in 2026.

You leave with: the document showing your NIF, a tax reference number and the certificate of existence. Make copies: CASNOS, the ONS, the bank and CNAS ask for them.

4. CASNOS: your enrolment

A trader working in their own name enrols with CASNOS, the social security fund for non-salaried workers, within 10 days of starting the activity: the date on the trade register extract starts that period. Go after the G n°8, without waiting for the NIS. You apply online on Damancom or at the office for your place of business.

You leave with: your enrolment. The yearly contribution is 15% of the contribution base, with a minimum of 43,200 DA a year in 2026.

5. ONS: the NIS

With the trade register extract and the NIF, ask the ONS (National Office of Statistics) for your NIS (statistical identification number).

You leave with: the identification notice showing the NIS.

6. Bank: the business account

You open the business account after entering the trade register, usually once you have the NIF and the NIS. Each bank sets its own list: ask for it before your appointment. The basic documents:

You leave with: your RIB (bank account details). Run the money you receive and pay for the business through this account.

7. CNAS: only if you hire

From your first employee, declare your activity as an employer to the CNAS (social insurance fund for employees) office within 10 days of hiring. Each employee is then enrolled within 10 days of being hired.

You leave with: your employer number and your declared employees.

Then, every year under the IFU

Deadlines to note

Do it yourself or get help

This list is enough to handle the steps yourself. We can also fill in the 2 setup forms (trade register, G no. 8) for 2,000 DA while you do the filing. Or we follow the whole file: 50,000 DA for a sole trader, 40,000 DA if your address is with Neuron, excluding official fees.