Company Registration in Egypt
Capital: Cairo.
Official language: Arabic.
Currency: Egyptian pound.
Company Registration in Egypt
- Fast company incorporation process.
- Favorable tax conditions for foreign investors.
- Possibility of 100% foreign ownership of a company.
- Government support for business development.
Egypt is a country located in the northeastern part of Africa and partly on the Sinai Peninsula in Asia, serving as one of the largest economic and transportation hubs in the region.
Taxation and Reporting Features in Egypt
Corporate Income Tax:
- Standard rate: 22.5%
- Special rates for specific sectors may apply
- Incentives for investments in certain areas
VAT:
- Standard rate: 14%
- Reduced rates for specific goods and services
- Exemptions on essential goods
- 0% on export services
Dividends:
- 10% withholding tax for residents
- 15% withholding tax for non-residents
Company registration in Egypt is managed by the General Authority for Investment (GAFI). The proposed company name must be approved and registered through GAFI's system.
To register a company, an application signed by the director must be submitted, including essential company information. This is accompanied by necessary documents such as the articles of association, shareholder agreements, copies of identification, and Tax Identification Numbers (TIN) of shareholders and directors.
Upon incorporation, the company registration details will be published in the Egyptian Official Gazette. Completing the registration also requires registration with the tax authorities and social insurance.
Requirements for company registration include:
- A valid Tax Identification Number obtained from the tax office — necessary for taxation and banking purposes.
- Articles of Association notarized by a public notary.
- A bank certificate confirming the deposit of the initial capital. This must include details of the company name, its shareholders, and their respective capital contributions.
- Proof of payment of the registration fee to the General Authority for Investment.
Public Limited Company (PLC) in Egypt
- Limited liability for shareholders
- At least 1 director / 1 shareholder required
- Streamlined business structure
Company Registration in Egypt
Additional information
- Financial reporting: Mandatory annually as per Egyptian standards
- Audit: Required for all companies
- Annual Return: Due within 60 days after fiscal year-end
- Tax return: Corporate tax filing required
- Employer's Return: Mandatory if employees are present
- Registers: Compulsory for shareholders and directors
- Directors' details Available in public registry
- Shareholders' details Publicly accessible
- Financial reporting Confidential, not disclosed
Timeline and Stages
- 01
Preparation of required documents and company name selection
1-2 days - 02
Verification of the company name with the Egyptian Commercial Registry
1 day - 03
Submission of incorporation documents
1 day - 04
Issuance of Company Identification (CI) and Business Registration certificates
about a month - 05
Setting up a corporate bank account in Egypt
2-4 weeks
Help from IT-OFFSHORE specialists
Registering a company in Egypt requires a careful approach to documents, their legalization and correct submission to government agencies. IT-OFFSHORE offers a full range of services: preparation of powers of attorney, legalization of documents, translation and support at every stage. Thanks to professional support, you will be able to register a company in Egypt in the optimal time frame and without unnecessary complications, receiving a ready-made business for entering a new market.
Cost calculation
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FAQ
Can you register a company remotely?
Yes, in most cases — you can.
Remote company registration is available in the vast majority of popular jurisdictions today. Modern corporate services, electronic document management and professional registered agents make it possible to complete the entire registration process without being physically present in the country.
The process typically works as follows: you provide the required documents electronically, sign them remotely — via a notary, apostille or electronic signature — and a local registered agent handles all communication with government authorities and document submission on your behalf.
This has been made possible by several factors: most countries allow foreign founders and directors, corporate service providers operate remotely across the globe, and the digitisation of government registries has significantly streamlined and accelerated the procedures.
The one step that may still require in-person presence is opening a corporate bank account — however, even here many banks and fintech platforms now offer remote identity verification.
What documents are needed for registration?
Registering a company in most jurisdictions requires a standard set of documents. For individuals — founders and directors — the typical requirements include: a certified copy of a passport, proof of residential address (utility bill or bank statement no older than 3 months), and in some cases a bank reference letter or CV.
For corporate shareholders, the required documents include: certificate of incorporation, articles of association, register of directors and shareholders, and confirmation of the ownership structure.
Do I need to keep accounting records and submit reports?
Accounting and reporting requirements vary significantly depending on the jurisdiction. In most countries, companies are required to maintain proper bookkeeping, file annual financial statements and submit tax returns.
At the same time, there are a number of jurisdictions where reporting requirements are minimal or effectively non-existent for non-resident companies. These include, for example, the Marshall Islands, the Cook Islands, Panama, Belize, Seychelles and Vanuatu — in these countries, companies that do not conduct business within the territory of the registration state are generally exempt from mandatory financial reporting and audit requirements.
We provide full company administration services, including preparation and submission of annual reports, liaison with local authorities and ensuring full compliance with all corporate requirements of the jurisdiction.
Is it possible to open a bank account for a company?
Yes, opening a corporate bank account is possible for virtually any jurisdiction, however this process deserves careful attention. Today businesses have two main options: traditional banks and fintech platforms.
Traditional banks offer a full range of financial services, but account opening requirements have become increasingly stringent — KYC procedures, source of funds confirmation, business plans and in some cases in-person presence may be required. Fintech platforms — such as Wise, Airwallex, Revolut Business and others — open accounts significantly faster and remotely, making them a popular solution for international companies at an early stage.
Is it possible to use nominee directors?
Yes, the use of nominee directors and shareholders is a common and legitimate practice in international corporate structuring. A nominee director is formally listed in the company registry but acts exclusively in accordance with the instructions of the beneficial owner, providing an additional layer of privacy.
This service is particularly in demand in jurisdictions where information about directors and shareholders is entered into a public register — for example, in Cyprus, the United Kingdom, Malta and a number of other EU countries. In offshore jurisdictions, nominee services are also widely used to simplify corporate governance and protect ownership structures.
We provide nominee director and shareholder services for any jurisdiction we work with.
