How do I start a business in Egypt?

To start a business in Egypt, follow 7 steps: Obtain Investment Map Approval (GAFI), Reserve Company Name, Draft Articles of Association, Register at the Commercial Registry, Register with Egyptian Tax Authority, Register for Social Insurance, Open Corporate Bank Account. The process takes approximately 39 days and costs around $615 USD.

What types of business entities can I register in Egypt?

Egypt offers 4 entity types: Limited Liability Company (LLC) (min capital: $0, foreign ownership: 100%); Joint Stock Company (SAE) (min capital: $250000, foreign ownership: 100%); Branch Office (min capital: $0, foreign ownership: 100%); Representative Office (min capital: $0, foreign ownership: 100%).

Can foreigners own a business in Egypt?

Yes, foreigners can own businesses in Egypt. Limited Liability Company (LLC) allows up to 100% foreign ownership. Joint Stock Company (SAE) allows up to 100% foreign ownership. Branch Office allows up to 100% foreign ownership. Representative Office allows up to 100% foreign ownership.

What visa do I need to start a business in Egypt?

The primary business visa for Egypt is the Business Visit Visa. Single or multiple entry for business meetings. Available as e-visa or on arrival for many nationalities. Valid up to 30 days. For investors: Investor Residency. Residency permit for investors establishing businesses through GAFI. 1-5 year renewable permits available based on investment value. Processing takes approximately 4 weeks and costs ~$400.

What is the minimum wage in Egypt?

The minimum wage in Egypt is $120/month (USD). Average monthly wage is approximately $350. Standard work week is 48 hours with 21 paid leave days per year.

How much does it cost to run a business in Egypt?

Estimated monthly overhead for a small business (5-10 employees) in Egypt is approximately $5000. Office rent averages $8/sqm/month. Skilled workers average $600/month. Typical break-even: Tech 14 months, Services 7 months, Retail 10 months.

Countries EgyptBusiness Guide

🇪🇬

Start a Business in Egypt

Complete guide: entity types, registration, costs, taxes, labor laws, and break-even analysis

~39 days

Setup Time

~$615

Setup Cost

22.5%

Corporate Tax

100%

Foreign Ownership

#114

Ease of Business

Entity Types

Entity	Min Capital	Foreign %	Liability	Min Shareholders	Best For
Limited Liability Company (LLC) Sharika That Mas'ouliya Mahdouda	None	100%	Limited	1	Most popular for SMEs and foreign investors - no minimum capital, 100% foreign ownership
Joint Stock Company (SAE) Sharika Musahama	250,000 EGP	100%	Limited	3	Large enterprises and companies planning to list on the Egyptian Exchange (EGX)
Branch Office	None	100%	Unlimited	0	Foreign companies executing specific contracts or government tenders in Egypt
Representative Office	None	100%	Unlimited	0	Market research and promotion only - cannot conduct commercial activities or generate revenue

Registration Steps

Obtain Investment Map Approval (GAFI)

2-5 days

~$100

General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI)

Reserve Company Name

Submit name reservation application through the Commercial Registry office

1-3 days

~$15

Commercial Registry

Draft Articles of Association

Prepare articles of association and have them authenticated by a lawyer and notary public

2-5 days

~$300

Notary Public / Lawyers Syndicate

File all incorporation documents and obtain the Commercial Registration certificate and tax card

3-7 days

~$200

Commercial Registry

Obtain a tax registration number and register for VAT if annual turnover exceeds the threshold

3-7 days

Free

Egyptian Tax Authority

3-7 days

Free

National Organization for Social Insurance (NOSI)

Open Corporate Bank Account

Open a business bank account at an Egyptian bank with incorporation documents

2-5 days

Free

Commercial Bank

Total Estimated

39 days max$615

Tax Framework

Corporate Income Tax22.5%

Standard 22.5% CIT. Investment Law No. 72/2017 offers 50% tax discount in Zone A (Upper Egypt, border areas) and 30% in Zone B for up to 7 years.

VAT14%

Personal Income Tax0-27.5%

Capital Gains Tax10%

Dividend Withholding10%

Tax Treaties59 countries

Tax Incentive Zones

Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone), free zones under GAFI, special industrial zones in Upper Egypt - tax holidays and customs exemptions

Labor Laws & Costs

$120/mo

Minimum Wage

$350/mo

Average Wage

48 hrs/week

Work Hours

21 days/year

Paid Leave

2 weeks/year

Severance

18.75% of salary

Employer Social Security

11% of salary

Employee Social Security

Required

Foreign Worker Permit

Foreign Worker Quota: Foreign employees cannot exceed 10% of total workforce. Exceptions available for specialized skills not available locally.

Visa & Immigration

Business Visit Visa

Single or multiple entry for business meetings. Available as e-visa or on arrival for many nationalities. Valid up to 30 days.

4 weeks

Processing time

$400

Estimated cost

Investor Residency

Investor

Residency permit for investors establishing businesses through GAFI. 1-5 year renewable permits available based on investment value.

Work Permit Process: Employer applies through the Ministry of Manpower. Work permit valid for 1 year, renewable. Requires proof that the role cannot be filled locally.

Business Environment

#114/190

Ease of Business Rank

12 days

Starting a Business

76 days

Registering Property

1010 days

Enforcing Contracts

30/100

Corruption Perception

72%

Internet Penetration

EGP

Currency

UTC+2

Time Zone

GoodCould be betterHover a dot for the threshold and source. Sources: World Bank, Transparency International, ITU.

Arabic

Investment Zones & Provinces

Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone)

SEZ

Ain Sokhna, Port Said, Ismailia, East Port Said

Incentives

Tax incentives for up to 50 yearsCustoms duty exemptionsSingle-window service0% sales tax on goods produced for export

Key Sectors

LogisticsPetrochemicalsAutomotiveTextilesGreen Hydrogen

50-70% lower costs with government-subsidized infrastructure and utilities

Smart Village

Tech Hub

6th of October City, Greater Cairo

Incentives

Tech-focused business ecosystemTax incentives for IT companiesProximity to major universities

Key Sectors

ICTSoftware DevelopmentBPOFintechAI

20-30% lower costs than central Cairo with modern infrastructure

Upper Egypt Free Zones

Free Zone

Minya, Assiut, Qena governorates

Incentives

50% tax discount for 7 years under Investment LawCustoms exemptionsSubsidized industrial landLabor cost advantages

Key Sectors

AgribusinessSugar ProcessingTextilesBuilding Materials

60-70% lower operating costs compared to Cairo

Break-Even Analysis

Retail (months)

F&B (months)

Tech (months)

Manufacturing (months)

Services (months)

Typical Operating Costs in Egypt

Per-person or per-unit costs. Multiply by your team size for total estimates.

Office Rent	$8	per sqm/month
Skilled Worker Salary	$600	per 1 worker/month
Unskilled Worker Salary	$150	per 1 worker/month
Electricity	$0.05	per kWh
Business Internet	$15	per 1 connection/month
Est. Monthly Overhead (5-10 staff)	$5,000	total/month

Sources: World Bank Open Data, ILO, Numbeo Cost of Living Index, local government publications. Salaries reflect market averages and may vary by city, industry, and experience level. Last updated 2025.

Break-Even Calculator

Total Investment (USD)

Monthly Revenue (USD)

Monthly Costs (USD)

Tax rate applied: 22.5% (corporate rate)

months to break even

$7,750

monthly net profit

186%

annual ROI

$85,000

total cost to break even

Break-even progressFast recovery

Next Steps

Your Action Checklist

0/12 completed

Need help setting up in Egypt?

Find verified lawyers, accountants, formation agents, and recruitment agencies in our Service Providers directory.

Key Considerations for Foreign Investors

Largest consumer market in the Arab world with 105+ million people - massive domestic demand across all sectors

Investment Law No. 72/2017 offers 50% tax discounts in Upper Egypt and border areas for up to 7 years

Suez Canal Economic Zone provides world-class logistics infrastructure with preferential tax treatment up to 50 years

Currency devaluation in 2022-2024 has made operating costs significantly cheaper in USD terms - strong cost advantage

Foreign employee cap of 10% requires careful workforce planning - invest in local talent development

Arabic is required for all legal documents and contracts - engage bilingual legal counsel

Growing tech ecosystem with government support through Digital Egypt initiative and IT/BPO export incentives

Last updated: 2025-Q4

Loading Macroeconomic Data

Fetching live data from World Bank...

Start a Business in Egypt

Entity Types

Registration Steps

Tax Framework

Labor Laws & Costs

Visa & Immigration

Business Environment

Investment Zones & Provinces

Break-Even Analysis

Next Steps

Legal & Registration

Financial & Tax

Operational

Immigration & Visas

Key Considerations for Foreign Investors

Start a Business in Egypt

Entity Types

Registration Steps

Tax Framework

Labor Laws & Costs

Visa & Immigration

Business Environment

Investment Zones & Provinces

Break-Even Analysis

Next Steps

Legal & Registration

Financial & Tax

Operational

Immigration & Visas

Key Considerations for Foreign Investors