Company Registration in Egypt

Legal Requirements for Egypt Company Registration

The legal requirements for Egypt company registration are mentioned below-

Global Incorporation for Foreign Investors in Egypt Checklist

• Choose a unique company name approved by GAFI
• Determine the corporate structure depending on the business needs
• Must appoint a local representative or attorney
• Must have a minimum share capital of 1000 Egyptian pounds (E£)
• Must have at least 2 shareholders, who can be either individuals or entities
• Must be governed by the Egyptian Companies Law No. 159

Procedure for Company Registration in Egypt

Have a look at the step-by-step overview of the procedure needed for securing a company registration in Egypt:

• Obtain Business Name Clearance: The applicants are initially required to obtain a business name clearance certificate from the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI). At Corpbiz, we help you get this certificate. However, the proposed name of the business must be unique and not in conflict with any other already existing name.
• Prepare Documentation: We help you prepare and submit the necessary documentation, including copies of shareholders’ passports, proof of address, and a proposed company name, to the Companies Establishment Department under GAFI.
• Draft and Sign Legal Agreement: At this stage, we help you appoint a legal representative to draft and sign legal agreements/contracts representing your business before government authorities. The legal representative appointed for the purpose must be an Egyptian resident formally authorized to act on behalf of the company.
• Create an Account and Submit an Application: The next step requires the applicant to create an account and submit an online application on the e-portal of the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI), accompanied by the payment of incorporation fees.
• Obtain a Certificate of Incorporation: Once the application for company registration is filed and ratified by the competent authority, the applicants must obtain a certificate of company incorporation, which ensures starting business operations within the nation.

Compliance Checklist After You Register Company in Egypt

Once you register company in Egypt, you must secure compliance with the following post-incorporation requirements, as given below-

• Obtain TIN Registration: Every business registered in Egypt must obtain a Tax Identification Number (TIN) from the Egyptian Tax Authority, similar to an individual.
• Apply for VAT Registration: The registered companies meeting the VAT threshold must apply for VAT registration with the Egyptian Tax Authority. However, this step is not mandatory for all but is crucial for entities involved in trade, manufacturing, or service industries.
• Obtain a Commercial License: Upon registration of the Egyptian company, the entities must obtain a commercial license from the relevant local authority, ensuring that they can carry out legal business operations in Egypt.
• Obtain a Work Permit: Foreign investors or non-Egyptian employees involved in Egyptian company registration are required to obtain a work permit from the Ministry of Manpower.
• Open a Corporate Bank Account: Post-incorporation for foreign investors in Egypt, the entities must open a corporate bank account to manage their finances and payroll processing across multiple currencies.
• Social Insurance Registration: The entities must apply for social insurance registration to provide disability compensation, retirement (pension), unemployment, and work-related injuries to employees with the National Authority of Social Insurance.
• Obtain Industry-Specific Business Licenses: The applicants must obtain necessary industry-specific business licenses and permits, varying based on the company’s legal structure, nature of business activity, and the type of sector involved.
• Issuance of Share Certificates: After company incorporation for foreign investors in Egypt, the entities must issue share certificates to all shareholders, acting as proof of ownership.
• Maintain Statutory Records: The Egyptian registered entities must maintain statutory records comprising of shareholders register, minutes of board meetings, and register of directors and officers in a company.