Egypt Employment Guide

Egypt Employment Guide

Egypt spans northeastern Africa and southwestern Asia, located at the strategic hub of the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea with important geopolitical status. It has ~110 million people, the most populous country in the Arab world. Its economic pillars include oil and gas, tourism, agriculture, textiles and construction, while IT and financial services have developed in recent years. Cairo, the capital, is the political, economic and cultural center. Egypt’s labor laws require written contracts for employment relations, with a general 48-hour workweek. Employers must guarantee minimum wages and basic working conditions. Dismissals need reasonable grounds and compliance with legal procedures, and the social insurance system provides certain protection for employees.

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Currency

Egyptian Pound (EGP)

Capital

Cairo

Official language

Arabic

Salary Cycle

Monthly

Our Employment Guide in Egypt

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Annual Leave Entitlements in Egypt

Both full-time and part-time employees in Egypt are entitled to 21 working days of paid time off (PTO) per year. This leave accrues at a rate of 1.75 days per month. However, employees must complete one full year of continuous service before becoming eligible to take annual leave. During the first year of employment, staff can only utilize the PTO they have accumulated to date.

Public Holidays in Egypt

Egypt observes 12 official public holidays throughout the year, totaling 15 days off. The Egyptian government frequently adjusts public holiday dates to create extended weekends, often by moving observances to Sundays or Thursdays.

Key Public Holidays Include:

  • Coptic Christmas
  • January 25 Revolution Day
  • National Police Day
  • Sinai Liberation Day
  • Labour Day
  • Sham El-Nessim (Spring Festival)
  • Eid al-Fitr
  • June 30 Revolution
  • Eid al-Adha (3 days)
  • Revolution Day
  • Islamic New Year
  • Armed Forces Day
  • Prophet's Birthday

Practical Considerations for International Employers

Companies like SailGlobal must account for Egypt's flexible holiday scheduling when planning international projects. The government's practice of adjusting dates requires HR departments to maintain updated holiday calendars and communicate changes promptly to global teams.

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