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Licences & registrations
Commercial Register, Tax Card
and Business Licences in Egypt
A business licence in Egypt usually comes last. First the business needs its Commercial Register entry and a tax card, then VAT where it applies, e-invoicing and finally the licence for its activity. We prepare and follow each file from Office 314 in Sharm El Sheikh, and we keep the renewal dates for you.
- Chartered Accountant (محاسب قانوني)
- Office 314, Al Azizia Mall, Sharm El Sheikh
- Arabic, English, Italian, Russian
- Same-day replies in office hours, 09:00–23:00
01What's included
Commercial register in Egypt, tax card and licences: what the service covers
The registrations that follow a business through its life, handled by one office. Rules as of October 2026.
01Commercial RegisterThe first entry at incorporation, fresh extracts, amendments after changes and the renewal every five years.Company formation02Tax card and ETA registrationThe card carries your tax registration number for every later filing. We apply for the normal five-year card, or the 8-month temporary card introduced in July 2026.Egypt tax overview03VAT, e-invoice and e-receiptVAT registration once turnover reaches EGP 500,000, or from the start for activities that must register regardless, plus set-up for e-invoices and e-receipts.E-invoice and e-receipt setup04Employer registrationsSocial insurance and, in South Sinai, Universal Health Insurance (4% employer, 1% employee), so the first payroll is right.Payroll service05Chamber membership and activity licencesLaw 8/2022 licences for tourism outlets, tourism chamber membership, CDWS cards for dive professionals and MOHP licensing for clinics.Licences by sector06GAFI reports and amendmentsFor companies with any foreign ownership: reports within 30 days of incorporation or a change, quarterly within 45 days and annually within 4 months. A missed report risks an EGP 50,000 penalty.Foreign-owned companies
02Process
How we handle your registrations
Typical ranges once the documents are complete. They are not promises.
- 01
Check the activity and the location
We confirm which regime applies (Decree 128/2022 in Sharm El Sheikh and Dahab, Law 14/2012 elsewhere in Sinai) and which licences the activity needs.
- 02
Commercial Register entry
For a new company the entry is part of incorporation. GAFI states 1 working day for a one-person company or JSC filed in person at its service centres; practitioners report 1–2 weeks once the documents are ready.
- 03
Tax card
The normal five-year card for standard activities. Since July 2026 the ETA can also issue an 8-month temporary card, but a business holding it cannot issue e-invoices. The card carries the tax registration number used for every later filing.
- 04
VAT, e-invoice and e-receipt
VAT registration where due, set-up for e-invoices, and e-receipts for consumer sales in the Sharm El Sheikh area.
- 05
Employer registrations
Social insurance and Universal Health Insurance for the first payroll, plus work permits and Ministry of Tourism approvals for foreign staff where needed.
- 06
Chamber and activity licence
Chamber membership where the law requires it, then the activity licence. For tourism outlets under Law 8/2022 the decision is due within 30 working days, or the application is deemed initially approved; other agencies have 45 days, and the licence follows within 30 days.
Security forms for foreign founders and managers, Sinai approvals and documents issued abroad can add time. We tell you where your file stands at each step.
03Why us
Why clients in Sharm choose us
Commercial Register, Tax Card and Business Licences in Egypt, handled by one chartered accountant from your first question to the final registration. We get your tax card in Egypt and the commercial registration certificate in Egypt, and handle your Sharm El Sheikh business license renewal on time. See your first 90 days after company registration.
+100 businesses servedHotels, restaurants, dive centres, shops and investors in Sharm El Sheikh trust us with their files.
A chartered accountant on your fileYour file is prepared and followed by a Chartered Accountant (محاسب قانوني) and tax expert.
On the ground in SharmOffice 314, Al Azizia Mall, close to the authorities your file goes through. Open every day, 09:00–23:00.
Four languagesArabic, English, Italian and Russian, with the same facts in each.
FAQ
Questions about registers, tax cards and licences
How often must the Commercial Register be renewed in Egypt?
Every five years, under Law 34/1976. If you miss the date, a late application is still accepted within 90 days, but at double the fee. We record the expiry date when we take on a company and remind you ahead of time, so the renewal is filed before a bank or landlord asks for a current extract.
What is the 8-month temporary tax card?
A tax card introduced by the second facilitation package, Laws 148–153/2026, in force since 29 July 2026. It is valid for eight months, and a business holding it cannot issue e-invoices. Standard activities still receive the normal five-year card, so a business that needs to invoice from the first day should plan on the normal card.
Business licence in Egypt: requirements for foreigners?
Yes. Foreigners can own 100% of most investment projects, with exceptions for commercial agency, importing for trade and Sinai. Every foreign founder and manager files security-inquiry forms with GAFI. In Sharm El Sheikh and Dahab, a non-Egyptian project must be an Egyptian joint-stock company. The sector licence for your activity comes on top, as of October 2026.
Do I need to register for VAT as soon as I have a tax card?
Not always. VAT registration becomes compulsory once turnover reaches EGP 500,000, but importers for trade, exporters, distribution agents and suppliers of table-tax goods must register whatever their turnover. The standard rate is 14%. Returns are monthly, or quarterly for businesses under the simplified regime of Law 6/2025. Figures as of October 2026.
Which licence does a restaurant, hotel or dive centre in Sharm need?
Hotels, tourist restaurants and cafés, and diving, safari and marine centres share one licensing regime under Law 8/2022. The decision is due within 30 working days, or the application is deemed initially approved, and one licence fee covers all agencies. Dive centres also follow CDWS rules. Operating unlicensed risks fines of EGP 50,000 to 500,000.
Related
Related services and sectors
Company formationLLC, one-person company, JSC, branch or representative office, with the register entry built in.Learn moreCompanies in Sharm and South SinaiDecree 128/2022 and Law 14/2012, and what they mean for your ownership.Learn moreEgypt tax rates and servicesCorporate tax 22.5%, VAT 14% and the simplified regime, with dates and sources.Learn moreE-invoice and e-receipt setupE-invoice set-up, and the e-receipts required in the Sharm El Sheikh area since 1 November 2022.Learn moreAccounting and bookkeepingRegular books become compulsory for every business from tax period 2028.Learn moreIndustries we serveLicence maps for hotels, restaurants, dive centres, tourism companies, developers and clinics.Learn more
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Tell us about your case. The first consultation is free
Send us a few lines on WhatsApp or call. During office hours (09:00–23:00, every day) we reply the same day, in Arabic, English, Italian or Russian.