The General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI) is in charge of company registration in Egypt. One-person company (OPC), joint-stock company, limited liability company (LLC), partnership company, limited partnership company, company limited by shares, and sole proprietorship are the numerous types of companies that can be established in Egypt. Whatever form of business you want to start in Egypt, you must first complete the following steps to officially register your company:
Certificate of Trade Name Clearance
The applicant should begin by verifying the Commercial Registry for the availability of a company name, as no two organizations can register with the same name. Every company must have its name. It takes a day to check for the availability of a business name, and it is free. The applicant is then issued a trade name clearance certificate by the Commercial Registry.
Obtaining a certificate
Depending on the bank, the bank certificate costs between EGP 200 and EGP 500. The procedure takes 1-2 days.
Submitting the documents
The applicant leaves the company documents at the front desk, where they are immediately inspected by an attorney. Trade Name Clearance Certificate, Original Bank Certificate, Power of Attorney from all founders, Founders IDs, Certified copy of auditor’s listing on Registry of Accountants and Auditors Association, and Application to GAFI are among the documents to be reviewed. The GAFI lawyer examines the documents before issuing the Articles of Association. This is the company’s official contract. The fees linked with the company’s formation are calculated by a GAFI employee. Fees for forming a business:
- Public notary charge of 0.25 percent of capital (minimum of EGP 10 and a maximum of EGP 1,000).
- Establishment fees: 0.1 percent of capital (minimum EGP 100, maximum EGP 1,000)
- Commercial Syndicate Fee: EGP 125 (for the capital of less than or equal to EGP 500,000) or EGP 250 (for the capital of more than EGP 500,000).
- Publication fee: EGP 150 (for an Arabic limited liability business) or EGP 300 (for an Arabic and English limited liability company).
- Chamber of Commerce fees: 0.2 percent of capital (minimum EGP 24 and maximum EGP 2,000) plus EGP 29 for operating certificate issuing.
- EGP 51 for commercial registration.
- EGP 29 for the operation certificate.
- The sum on the receipt is paid to the bank cashier. The Articles of Association are stamped by GAFI.
Notarize the business contract
The documents are reviewed again by the Public Notary, particularly the Power of Attorney before the Articles of Association are notarized. 0.25 percent of capital is required (a minimum of EGP 10 and a maximum of EGP 1,000).
Obtaining a certificate from the Chamber of Commerce
GAFI is the organization that issues the certificate. It will cost you 0.2 percent of your capital (minimum of EGP 24 and maximum of EGP 2,000).
Issuing the incorporation notification
The GAFI will ratify the articles of association and issue a decree approving the company’s formation once they are submitted. Within 24 hours, this decree is issued.
Certification of the Commercial Registry
The lawyer, on behalf of the applicant, presents the application to Commercial Registry along with the Chamber of Commerce certificate, the GAFI notification, and the original Articles of Association at the Commercial Registry office. The original Commercial Registry certificate is provided by the Commercial Registry. The company assumes legal responsibility and judicial personality after 15 days. If the relevant authority has no objections within 15 days, the Department of Companies is responsible for publishing the notice of incorporation in the Investment Gazette at the expense of the company.
Making a tax filing
The company can complete tax registration and acquire the tax card at the one-stop shop’s tax counter after formation. If the company has begun manufacturing, they may choose to register for the sales tax after receiving the card. Only companies with sales of at least EGP 54,000 in industrial activities and EGP 150,000 in commercial activities are required to register for sales tax. The procedure takes one to five days. The powers of attorney, bank signature validation, tax card, commercial registry certificate, and original copy of the company’s lease agreement for its premises are all essential documents for this process.
Registering employees with the National Authority of Social Insurance (NASI)
Disability, retirement (pension), unemployment, and work-related injuries are all covered by social insurance. Employers are obligated by law to participate in the social insurance system. Otherwise, they may face repercussions. The following documents must be submitted by the employer: the company’s lease agreement and tax card, copies of the employee’s identification card and birth certificate, both the employee’s and the employer’s graduation certificates, and a copy of the commercial registry certificate. The NASI issues a one-of-a-kind social insurance ID number.
