Doing Business in Egypt (2025): Government Websites, Key Policies, and Practical Steps for Foreign Companies

This guide summarizes the key government and departmental resources for foreign companies operating in Egypt in 2025, outlines the main policy points and interpretations affecting market entry, and provides step-by-step operational procedures and practical precautions. It is designed for in-house counsels, company founders, compliance officers, and advisors. Verify all URLs and regulatory details with local counsel prior to action.

Official government and department websites (quick reference)

Policy highlights and interpretations impacting foreign investors (2025 outlook)

Egypt has continued to prioritize foreign investment, export promotion and formalization of business activity. Key policy themes to watch in 2025 include:

• Investment facilitation — GAFI remains the single window for business registration, investor fast-tracks and free-zone approvals. Recent practice emphasizes digitized submissions and faster licensing for strategic sectors (manufacturing, logistics, renewable energy, ICT).
• Tax compliance and transparency — Authorities are strengthening electronic tax filing, e-invoicing and transfer pricing documentation. The Egyptian Tax Authority is increasing scrutiny on cross-border transactions and related-party pricing; maintaining contemporaneous transfer pricing files is good practice.
• Labor market controls — The Ministry of Manpower enforces work permits, nationalization targets and prioritizes local recruitment. Sectors that rely on expatriate skills must demonstrate local-skill development plans.
• Visa and residency streamlining — Ministries coordinate to speed business visas and residency procedures, but work permits for foreign employees still require employer sponsorship and proof of necessity.
• Foreign exchange and repatriation — The CBE maintains rules for FX conversions and dividend repatriation; expect documentary checks for inward/outward remittances and customs-related foreign-currency reporting.

Note: While some policy goals were signaled through 2024, administrative guidance, e-platform roll-outs and sector-specific decrees continued into 2025. Always check the issuing agency’s website above for the formal text.

Company registration: typical entity types and step-by-step process

Common legal forms for foreign firms: Limited Liability Company (LLC/S.A.E.), Joint Stock Company, Branch of a foreign company, and Representative Office. Choice depends on liability preferences, ownership rules, and permitted activities.

High-level registration steps

1. Decide entity type and Arabic company name (reserve name online via GAFI).
2. Prepare founding documents: memorandum & articles of association (Arabic and English where relevant). Engage a local notary for Arabic execution and notarization.
3. Obtain investor approvals if activity is regulated (e.g., telecom, financial services).
4. Open a bank account and deposit required capital (if applicable).
5. File registration with GAFI / Commercial Registry: submit signed articles, ID/passports, lease agreement for registered address, bank statements, and proof of capital.
6. Obtain Commercial Registration (CR) certificate, tax card and tax ID from the Egyptian Tax Authority.
7. Register for VAT if turnover threshold met and for any specialized licenses (environmental, health, customs approvals).
8. Register employees with the Social Insurance Authority and enroll for payroll withholding.

Typical timeline: 2–6 weeks for a straightforward LLC if documents are complete and approvals are not sector-limited. Complex sectors can take longer.

Tax registration, filing and key compliance steps

Essentials for tax compliance:

• Register the company with the Egyptian Tax Authority immediately after incorporation and obtain a tax identification number.
• Understand corporate income tax, VAT, payroll withholding and stamp duties that may apply; maintain proper accounting in EGP and prepare audited financial statements where required.
• Implement e-invoicing and e-filing processes where mandated; retain supporting documentation for cross-border transactions.
• Prepare transfer pricing documentation for related-party transactions; familiarise with local safe-harbor rules and OECD-aligned standards where adopted.

Suggested tax-filing workflow:

1. Set up accounting systems aligned to Egyptian Chart of Accounts and VAT rules.
2. Obtain a tax card and register for VAT electronically when required.
3. File periodic VAT returns and corporate income tax provisional returns per deadlines; reconcile annual tax return with audited financial statements.
4. Maintain tax withholding records for salaries, payments to non-residents, and contractors; remit withheld amounts on time.

Labor regulations and workforce compliance

Key labor law obligations for employers:

• Written employment contracts (Arabic or bilingual) specifying job, salary, probation, termination conditions.
• Social insurance registration for all eligible employees with employer and employee contribution reporting.
• Compliance with working hours, overtime compensation, leave entitlements, and occupational health and safety obligations.
• Work permits and labor cards for expatriate employees — employers must obtain approval from the Ministry of Manpower and demonstrate that the role cannot be filled by a local hire.

Recruitment and termination: follow statutory notice and severance rules; document performance management and termination reasons to mitigate disputes.

Visa, work permit and residency process (typical sequence)

1. Obtain preliminary entry visa (business visa) from Egyptian consulate if required.
2. Employer files a work permit application with the Ministry of Manpower, presenting employment contract, educational credentials, medical reports and justification for hiring a foreign national.
3. After labor approval, apply for a work visa at the consulate or request change of status inside Egypt per rules.
4. Complete medical checks, biometrics and obtain residency permit and ID from the Ministry of Interior.

Processing times vary; plan for several weeks. Some skilled roles benefit from expedited processing if allocated under strategic investment approvals.

Customs, imports and foreign-exchange considerations

For companies importing goods: advance classification and valuation checks with Egyptian Customs reduce clearance delays. Ensure harmonized system (HS) codes, customs valuation documentation and certificates of origin are in order. Coordinate with the CBE on foreign-currency registration of foreign direct investment and repatriation procedures.

Practical operational checklist and precautions

• Use Arabic where required — official filings, company name and certain contracts must be in Arabic; ensure certified translations.
• Engage a local law firm or corporate service provider for notarizations, power-of-attorney matters and liaison with GAFI and the Commercial Registry.
• Keep contemporaneous transfer pricing files and intercompany agreements; Egyptian tax audits increasingly focus on cross-border arrangements.
• Plan payroll and benefits to meet social insurance rules and employer contribution schedules; noncompliance can trigger fines and back payments.
• Monitor sector-specific licensing (telecom, finance, pharma) — approvals can involve multiple ministries and specialist regulators.
• Anticipate document legalization and apostille needs for foreign corporate documents and plan extra time for consular legalization where required.
• Keep records in local currency (EGP) for tax and statutory filings; adopt double-entry bookkeeping and retain records per statutory retention periods.
• Build local banking relationships early — some administrative processes require a local bank letter or proof of deposit.
• Prepare for labor inspections and health-and-safety checks; document policies and provide staff training.
• Confirm tax incentives, free-zone benefits or customs exemptions in writing from the relevant authority before relying on them.

Examples and practical cases

Case 1 — Technology startup (EU-based) opening an Egyptian LLC)

Steps taken: reserve name at GAFI, prepare bilingual AoA, execute notarized Arabic translations, open local bank account, deposit nominal capital, obtain commercial registry and tax ID, register employees for social insurance, and secure a VAT registration. Outcome: operational within 4–6 weeks with local payroll and a local bank account for customer receipts.

Case 2 — Regional branch of a logistics firm

Considerations: customs licensing, bonded warehouse approvals, and CBE registration for foreign investment. The firm obtained a free-zone permit for a logistics hub, negotiated a customs-processing timeline, and implemented electronic customs messaging to accelerate clearance.

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Next steps and recommended resources

1. Confirm the applicable rules and rates (tax, social contributions, work-permit fees) with local counsel.
2. Use the website table above as starting points; monitor official gazettes for decrees or ministerial orders.
3. Engage a local registered agent to manage filings and translate and notarize mandatory documents.
4. Establish internal compliance checklists (tax calendar, payroll remit dates, permit renewal reminders).

Final note: Egyptian law and administrative practices evolve. This guide consolidates common 2025 operational patterns and cautions, but it does not substitute for tailored legal or tax advice. Always obtain current, jurisdiction-specific advice before making binding decisions.