Business Setup in Egypt
Register an Egyptian LLC or joint-stock company with 100% foreign ownership through GAFI's one-stop shop. We handle name reservation, incorporation, security clearances and tax registration.
Foreign ownership
100% foreign ownership (LLCs, most activities)
Main entity
Limited Liability Company (LLC)
Typical timeline
LLC can be fast; plan ~4 weeks for clearances
Corporate tax
22.5%
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Talk to us about Egypt
Egypt is built for foreign founders
The gateway to North Africa and the Arab world — a 110-million-plus consumer market with 100% foreign ownership and a one-stop GAFI process.
Gateway to North Africa
The largest Arab consumer market and a strategic bridge into Africa, the Middle East and the Mediterranean.
100% foreign ownership
Full foreign ownership is permitted for LLCs and most activities; some regulated sectors are restricted.
GAFI one-stop shop
The General Authority for Investment and Free Zones consolidates registration and licensing into a single process.
Free-zone incentives
Free zones offer customs and tax incentives for export-oriented and manufacturing businesses.
Ways to set up in Egypt
Limited Liability Company (LLC)
The most common vehicle — no pre-incorporation capital deposit and suitable for most activities.
Joint Stock Company (JSC)
For larger or regulated projects; requires depositing 10% of capital with a bank certificate filed at GAFI.
Sole-person company
A single-owner limited-liability vehicle for solo founders.
Branch / Representative office
Extends a foreign parent to operate or coordinate in Egypt.
Egypt at a glance
- Foreign ownership
- 100% foreign ownership (LLCs, most activities)
- Main entity
- Limited Liability Company (LLC)
- Typical timeline
- LLC can be fast; plan ~4 weeks for clearances
- Corporate tax
- 22.5%
- Personal income tax
- Progressive up to 27.5%
How we set up your Egypt company
One team coordinates every step — so you deal with us, not a chain of local agents.
Name reservation and structure
Reserve the name with GAFI and confirm LLC vs JSC for your activity and capital needs.
Security clearance
Obtain security and background clearance for foreign partners — the step that most affects timing.
Incorporation
File the memorandum and articles, registered office and (for a JSC) the capital deposit and bank certificate.
Tax and VAT registration
Register for a tax identification number and VAT, and complete commercial registration.
Everything your Egypt entity needs to trade
One partner for the whole structure — including alongside your Saudi setup.
- Entity structuring advice — the right vehicle for your activity, tax position and ownership
- Name reservation and incorporation with the local registry
- Registered office / agent and local-address requirements
- Trade or activity licensing and any sector regulator approvals
- Corporate bank account introductions
- Tax, VAT and beneficial-ownership registrations
- Director, shareholder and UBO documentation, attested where required
- Ongoing compliance — renewals, filings and annual returns
Documents you'll typically need
A guide — we confirm the exact checklist for your activity on the first call.
- Passport copies of shareholders and directors
- GAFI name reservation
- Memorandum & Articles of Association
- Registered-office proof
- Security / background clearance for foreign partners
- Bank certificate for capital deposit (JSC only)
Egypt setup — common questions
- Can a foreigner own 100% of an Egyptian company?
- Yes, for LLCs and most activities. A small number of regulated sectors are restricted, so we confirm your specific activity first.
- LLC or joint-stock company?
- An LLC suits most businesses and needs no capital deposit; a JSC is used for larger or regulated projects and requires depositing 10% of capital.
- How long does it take?
- An LLC can be quick on paper, but security clearances for foreign partners can add weeks — plan around four weeks ahead.
Can you own 100% of your Saudi company?
Six questions. Get an instant eligibility verdict, the exact documents you'll need, and a week-by-week licensing timeline. No sales call to unlock it.
3 minutes · Free · No account needed
Setting up in more than one market?
We anchor you in Saudi Arabia and build the rest of your footprint around it — one partner, one process.