Company formation in Egypt in 2026
A company through the investment authority's one-stop shop, 100% foreign ownership in most sectors, 22.5% corporate tax. We handle documents and registration turnkey.
Egypt is a market of 110 million people between Africa, the Middle East and Europe, with Suez Canal ports, tourism, construction and manufacturing. Foreigners set up companies here for trade, services, IT and outsourcing, tourism and as the basis for investor residence.
Companies are registered by the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI) through a one-stop shop: the articles are notarised, the company is entered in the commercial register and a tax card is issued in one place. Dollar amounts below use the Central Bank of Egypt rate of 5 October 2026, about EGP 52.36 per dollar, rounded up.
Which company to set up in Egypt
- Limited liability company (LLC) - the most common form for small and medium businesses. Capital from EGP 1,000, about $20, with 2 to 50 partners.
- Single person company - for a sole owner, with a higher minimum capital.
- Joint stock company - capital from EGP 250,000, about $4,800, with at least three shareholders. Needed for larger projects, raising investors and some licensed activities.
- Branch of a foreign company - for an existing company working on a specific contract or project in Egypt.
Foreigners can fully own a company in most sectors. Certain activities require Egyptian participation: for example, import for resale historically required an Egyptian majority, and the rules were eased in 2023. We check the conditions for your activity before registration.
How to register a company in Egypt: steps
| Step | What happens | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Name reservation | online with GAFI | 1-2 days |
| 2. Founders' documents | passports; for foreign companies, a registry extract and board resolution, legalised or apostilled and translated into Arabic | 1-3 weeks |
| 3. Office | a lease for the registered address | 1-2 weeks |
| 4. Capital | for a joint stock company, a bank certificate of capital deposit | a few days |
| 5. One-stop shop | notarising the articles, commercial register, tax card, chamber of commerce membership | from 1 day after a complete file |
| 6. Founder clearance | security clearance for foreigners from some countries | several weeks or more |
| 7. Post-registration | VAT if needed, employee social insurance, bank account | 2-4 weeks |
How much it costs to open a company in Egypt in 2026
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| LLC capital | from EGP 1,000, ~$20 |
| Joint stock company capital | from EGP 250,000, ~$4,800 |
| One-stop shop, register and chamber fees | depend on capital and form; we quote before work starts |
| Legalisation and translation of foreigners' documents | depend on the number of documents and country |
| Office rent | depends on area and size |
Capital is the company's money, not a cost. The main spending is document translation and legalisation, the office and the accountant. Our turnkey packages are in the price table below.
Capital from $20, but the time goes on legalising documents
The law does not stop you registering a company on your own. But mistakes cost more than the fees: founder documents without consular legalisation and Arabic translation, a company form whose capital does not support staff visas, an activity on the list that needs separate approval for foreigners and an office lease the single window will not accept. We choose the form and capital, legalise and translate the documents, handle registration through the investment authority's single window and set up tax registration.
Turnkey package prices are in the table on this page; a manager will calculate the total for your structure in the chat.
What taxes a company pays in Egypt
- Corporate income tax - 22.5%.
- VAT - 14%, exports zero-rated.
- Dividends - 10% withholding, sometimes less under a tax treaty.
- Social insurance - employer and employee contributions on Egyptian staff salaries.
The company keeps books under Egyptian standards, files monthly VAT and withholding returns and an annual income tax return with an audit report. An accountant is needed from the first month.
Foreign staff and residence
A foreign investor and company manager can obtain Egyptian residence based on the company. Foreign employees need work permits, and their share of the workforce is limited: Egyptian rules require most employees to be Egyptian nationals. We plan staffing and permits together with registration.
Why registration gets delayed
- A foreign founder's documents lack legalisation or Arabic translation.
- The activity requires Egyptian participation or a separate licence.
- Security clearance for founders from certain countries.
- The office lease is not in the company's name or does not suit the activity.
- The bank asks for proof of foreign partners' source of capital.
What we do
We choose the company form and check restrictions for your activity, reserve the name, arrange legalisation and translation, help with the office, register through the one-stop shop, obtain the tax card and VAT registration, and help with the bank account and investor residence. After that we keep the books and handle reporting. Prices for each service are in the table below.
Fees
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Company registration - Base package | $11 000 |
| Company registration - Package with nominee service | $11 000 |
| Company registration - Package with bank pre-approval | $12 300 |
We will calculate online the cost of registering and running your company for the first year.
See also
Business account · Personal account · Investment property · Country taxes · All country programs
FAQ
How much does company formation in Egypt cost?
Can a foreigner own 100% of a company in Egypt?
How long does registration take?
What taxes does a company pay in Egypt?
Does an Egyptian company give residency?
Is an office in Egypt required?
Want to register a company in Egypt?
We choose the Egyptian company form, check foreign ownership limits in your sector, register it and help with the bank account. The catalogue covers every country.
The Murblz consultant replies straight away in the chat on this page. Describe your situation and we will work it out together.
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