The updated Info on how to Register a Company in Egypt?

How to Register a Company in Egypt?

Many foreigners are interested in startup their business in Egypt but they don’t know how to register a company in Egypt.

First of all, we should know that there are two main laws governing registering a company in Egypt as follows:

1. Egyptian companies Law no. 159 of 1981 and its amendments.
2. Egyptian investment Law no. 72 of 2017 and its amendments.

(Feel free to contact us to receive the English version of the above-mentioned laws for free)

Secondly, we should know what are the types of companies as per Egyptian law which is as follows:

1. One-person company (OPC)
2. Limited Liability Company (LLC)
3. A company limited by shares
4. Joint-stock Company
5. Partnership Company
6. Limited Partnership Company
7. Sole proprietorship

To differentiate between those types of companies and the governing laws, you can read our article regarding how to start a company in Egypt:

How to start a company in Egypt.

Third, we should know the liabilities of partners in Each type of company to choose the best type of companies to limit the responsibilities of the investors in Egypt.

The liabilities of the partners are differ based on the type of the company as follows:

1- Joint-stock company: the liability of shareholders is limited to the value of their shares.

2- Limited Liability company: the liability of the partners is limited to the value of their shares.

3- The company limited by shares: there are two types of partners 

A- shareholder: the liability of the shareholder shall be limited to the value of his share

B-  Acting or Active partner: The liability of this partner shall not be limited to his shares in the company but it shall extend to include his own money and it shall be owned by one shareholder and one active partner at least.

4- One-person company: the liability of the owner of the company shall be limited to the capital of the company.

5- Sole proprietorship: it is an establishment and the liability of the owner of this establishment shall not be limited to the capital of the establishment but it shall extend to include his private money.

6- Partnership Company:  The liability of the partner shall not be limited to his share in the company but it shall extend to include his own money

7- Limited partnership company: There are two types of partners

A- Active partner: The liability of this partner shall not be limited to his share in the company but it shall extend to include his private money.

B- Dormant partner: The liability of this partner shall be limited to his share in the company and it shall not extend to include his private money.

Based on the above mentioned, we strongly recommend choosing between companies with limited liabilities which are as follows:

1. One-person company.
2. Limited Liability company.
3. Joint stock company.

After choosing the type of company, now the question is how to register a company in Egypt?

The authority in charge of investing in Egypt named The General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI), Hereinafter, we will illustrate the required documents to register each type of company with limited liability:

Documents required to register a company in Egypt

The required documentation for registering Joint stock and limited by shares companies

1- A certificate of non-confusion of company name approved by the Commercial Register;

2- A bank certificate of depositing at least 10% of the issued capital;

3- Copies of relevant powers of attorney from all founders (minimum three founders). It shall be noted that Original Powers of Attorney must be submitted for matching against the copies;

4- Copies of valid ID of founders

5- An official original certificate obtained from the register of Accountants and Auditors to the effect that the company’s auditor is entitled to review and approve the budgets of the company. 

6- A copy of the Bar Association Card of the lawyer who signs the articles of association;

7- A security check on foreign founders;

8- The name and address of the company’s legal consultant (who must be a lawyer at least admitted before the Court of Appeal);

In the event of sharing in-kind shares upon incorporation, the original report of GAFI’s committee, which evaluated such in-kind shares, must be submitted; and

In the event of incorporating a company to operate under the Free Zones System, the aforementioned required documents must be submitted together with the following:

A- In respect of the public free zone, GAFI’s approval prior to incorporation must be obtained.

B- In respect of the private free zone, the approval of the Cabinet must be obtained prior to incorporation.

What documents are needed to register a company?

The required documents for registering a Limited Liability Company (LLC)

1- Notarized powers of attorney from all partners (minimum two partners) to be legalized form the Egyptian consulate. 

2- Copies of valid ID or passports of founders;

3- An official original certificate obtained from the register of Accountants and Auditors in order to review and approve the balance sheet of the company. 

4- A certificate of non-confusion of company name approved by the Commercial Register;

5- A copy of the Bar Association Card of the lawyer who signs the articles of association;

6- A security check on foreign founders and managers;

7- The name and address of the company’s legal consultant (who must be a lawyer at least admitted before the Court of Appeal);

 The required documents for registering a one-person company (OPC)

1- A notarized power of attorney to be legalized from the Egyptian consulate.

2- Choosing the name of the company

3- Transferring the capital of the company which shall be EGP 50000 to obtain a bank certificate.

4- A copy of the founder’s passport.

5- The Certificate of the Auditor of the company; and

6- A security check on foreign founders and managers;

For more information about how to register a company in Egypt, we strongly recommend checking this page of FAQ, including the most common inquiries about doing business in Egypt.