Most common for foreign investors
LLC for Foreigners in Egypt
The LLC is the vehicle most foreign investors should default to when entering Egypt. It allows 100% foreign ownership across the majority of activities, has a low capital floor (EGP 1,000), and is the easiest structure to operate after formation. Below: when it is the right call, and when one of the other four entities is better.
Pending advisor validation
This page is sourced from public Egyptian regulatory references and our internal advisory notes. Our advisors are reviewing the specifics for final sign-off. Book a 30-minute call for advice tailored to your case.
Last sourced:
When this entity is right
Best for
General trading (subject to Law 121/1982 partner rules for import-for-trade)
Services, consulting, and professional offices
Holding structures
Two or more shareholders — individual, corporate, or mixed
Founders who want a fast, predictable 7–14 day timeline
When something else fits better
Not for
Naming the cases this entity is wrong for is the whole point of an advisory call. The cross-links below go to the entity we would suggest instead.
Single founder
If you are the sole shareholder, the One-Person Company gives you the same liability protection without inventing a partner.
Consider the One-Person Company →Large capital with future fundraising
If issued capital is EGP 250,000 or more, or you plan to raise from institutional investors, the Joint-Stock Company is the right vehicle from day one.
Compare with the Joint-Stock Company →Manufacturing primarily for export
If most of your output leaves Egypt, the Free Zone regime usually wins on customs and corporate tax. The trade-off is a longer 30–60 day setup and a GAFI approval step.
Compare with Free Zone (Law 72) →Representation only, no revenue
If you are scoping the Egyptian market on behalf of a foreign parent and will not generate revenue locally, the Foreign Office Branch is the legally correct vehicle.
Consider the Foreign Office Branch →Quick facts
- Statutory minimum capital
- EGP 1,000
- Foreign ownership
- 100% in most sectors
- Typical timeline
- 7–14 working days
What you need to prepare
Document checklist
Items tagged Foreigner-specific need apostille, consular authentication, or sworn translation from your home jurisdiction. We send you a precise per-document brief before any Egyptian-side work begins.
Personal — for each foreign shareholder
Valid passport
Foreigner-specificColour scan of all pages. Validity ≥ 6 months.
Valid Egyptian residence permit or entry visa
Foreigner-specificIf you are not yet in Egypt, the POA route below replaces in-person presence.
Investor identification forms (نماذج التعريف بالمستثمر)
Foreigner-specificProvided as signed document plus CD. We prepare them for you.
Background check / good-standing certificate
Only for sectors that require it (financial services, regulated activities).
Corporate — if the shareholder is a company
Recent commercial register extract from the home jurisdiction
Foreigner-specificApostilled or consular-legalised.
Certificate of incorporation
Foreigner-specificApostilled and translated to Arabic by a sworn translator.
Board resolution authorising the Egyptian subsidiary
Foreigner-specificApostilled, translated to Arabic.
Power of attorney to the local representative
Foreigner-specificApostilled and legalised at the Egyptian consulate in the home country. Must authorise company formation, signing before the Real Estate Registry, and (if applicable) contracting with self and others.
Business — for the new Egyptian entity
Egyptian business address
Lease contract with verified date or ownership deed for the registered office.
Recent electricity bill for the business address
Bank certificate confirming capital deposit
Capital sits in an Egyptian bank account opened under the company-in-formation name.
Auditor appointment
From the official Accountants & Auditors Register. We introduce one if you do not already have a relationship.
Legal counsel appointment
Appeals-level lawyer minimum.
Pre-approval from the regulator
Only if the activity requires it (banking, insurance, pharma, telecom, education, etc.).
How the engagement runs
01
Discovery call
Free 30-minute call to confirm the LLC is the right vehicle for your case and to scope the timeline, capital, and activity.
02
Advisory memo
Written memo with the structure, the tax position for foreign-owned LLCs, and a fully-itemised cost picture before any execution starts.
03
Document preparation
We send you a precise checklist for your home jurisdiction (apostille, consular legalisation, sworn translation). In parallel, the Egyptian-side preparations begin.
04
Name reservation and capital deposit
Trade-name clearance via the Egyptian Digital Platform. Capital deposited in the company-in-formation account at an Egyptian bank.
05
Incorporation and registration
Articles of association signed before the Real Estate Registry (in person or via POA). Commercial register, tax card, and social-insurance file issued.
06
Handover
One-hour session covering the monthly tax calendar, e-Invoice obligations, and the go-forward compliance plan. Optional ongoing retainer with the same advisor.
Engagement scope
What this engagement covers
We prepare a tailored proposal after reviewing your specifics — activity, shareholder structure, sector pre-approvals. The lists below describe what we typically own end-to-end versus what stays outside the engagement.
What we own end-to-end
- Entity-selection memo and tax position summary
- Name reservation and trade-name clearance
- Articles of association drafting and registration
- Capital deposit coordination with the bank
- Commercial register and tax card issuance
- Social-insurance file opening
Outside this engagement
- Government fees, notarisation, and translation costs (paid at cost)
- Apostille and consular legalisation of foreign documents (handled in your home jurisdiction)
- Auditor and legal counsel retainers (introduced if needed)
- Office lease and the registered address fees
- Any sector-specific pre-approvals (banking, insurance, pharma, etc.)
Common questions
What foreign investors ask us
The questions below come up on almost every discovery call for this entity. If yours isn't here, bring it to the call.
Decide whether the LLC is your right vehicle — then we manage the rest.
30 minutes. English. No obligation. We will not push the LLC if a different entity fits your case better.