Tourism businessesBuying a Licensed Tourism Company in Egypt (2026): the Licence Suspension and What to CheckThe Ministry of Tourism site shows new tourism company licences as suspended, so buyers turn to companies that already hold one. What…
Tourism companies · Law 38/1977 · Status checked 10 October 2026
Tourism Company License in Egypt:
Status, Structures and Tax
On 10 October 2026, the Ministry of Tourism's website showed the issue of a new tourism company licence in Egypt as temporarily suspended. For anyone planning excursions, desert safaris or a travel agency from Sharm El Sheikh, that changes the order of decisions: the licensing route comes first, the company structure second. We set your company up and keep it compliant, from Sharm El Sheikh.
- Chartered Accountant (محاسب قانوني)
- Office 314, Al Azizia Mall, Sharm El Sheikh
- Ministry status checked 10 October 2026
- Arabic, English, Italian, Russian
01What we do for you
What we do for a tourism company
The licence is the Ministry's decision. Everything around it is our work, from Office 314 in Al Azizia Mall:
- Route check, with the Ministry's current position re-checked for your case.
- Financial and tax due diligence on a licensed company before you buy shares or sign with an operator.
- Company formation or restructuring in Sharm El Sheikh and Dahab, including the Sinai approvals for share changes.
- Tax card, VAT registration, e-invoices, and e-receipts for desk sales.
- Books, payroll, social insurance, monthly and quarterly returns, the annual return and audit-ready statements.
- Work permits and the Ministry of Tourism's foreign-staff approval.
- One calendar for the chamber certificate, the register renewal and, where relevant, GAFI reports.
02Licence map
Tour operator licence in Egypt: requirements, from company to compliant operator
The order we follow for a tourism business in South Sinai, with the authority at each step. Where we give a time, it is an official or reported range, not a promise.
- 01
Choose the licensing route
With new Law 38/1977 licences shown as suspended, we start here: an existing licensed company, a licensed operator, or a Law 8/2022 establishment where the activity fits. The structure follows from that choice.
- 02
Company and Commercial Register
In Sharm El Sheikh and Dahab a non-Egyptian project must be an Egyptian joint-stock company: at least 3 founders and issued capital of at least EGP 250,000, 10% paid at incorporation. Foreign founders and managers file security-inquiry forms.
- 03
Tax card
The 8-month temporary card introduced on 29 July 2026 cannot issue e-invoices, so an operator that invoices hotels or agents needs the normal five-year card.
- 04
VAT registration
Compulsory at EGP 500,000 turnover; standard rate 14%. Returns are monthly, or quarterly under the simplified regime of Law 6/2025.
- 05
Sector licence
A Law 38/1977 licence where one is already held or can be obtained. For a Law 8/2022 safari or marine centre: decision within 30 working days, other agencies 45 days, licence within 30 days.
- 06
Chamber membership
Membership of the relevant chamber under Law 27/2023; tourism companies then show a valid certificate every year.
Security approvals for share changes in Sharm and Dahab have no timeline we can quote; they vary by case. We tell you where your file stands at each step.
03Why us
Why clients in Sharm choose us
Tourism Companies in Egypt, handled by one chartered accountant from your first question to the final registration. Travel agency license in Egypt: we explain whether you can open a travel agency in Egypt for foreigners and which route fits. Related guides: Buying a Licensed Tourism Company in Egypt (2026).
+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 tourism companies in Egypt
Is the tourism company licence suspended in Egypt?
On 10 October 2026, the Ministry of Tourism's website showed the service "issuing a tourism company licence" as temporarily suspended under Ministerial Decision 329/2021, and licences for new branches as suspended under Decision 247/2022. A service page can lag behind policy, so we re-check the position with the Ministry for each case before a client commits money.
Which law governs tourism companies in Egypt?
Law 38/1977 governs tourism companies, which the Ministry of Tourism licenses. Hotels, tourist restaurants and cafés, and diving, safari and marine centres follow a separate regime, Law 8/2022 with PM Decree 705/2023. Every tourism company must also belong to its chamber under Law 27/2023 and show a valid membership certificate every year.
Can a foreigner open a travel agency in Egypt? Rules for foreigners in Sharm El Sheikh
A foreigner can invest, but two layers apply. In Sharm El Sheikh and Dahab, Decree 128/2022 requires a non-Egyptian project to be an Egyptian joint-stock company, with security approvals for changes of shareholders. Then comes the licence, and new tourism company licences were shown as suspended on 10 October 2026. The right route depends on your case.
Can I buy an existing licensed tourism company?
Buying shares in a licensed company is one route we review with clients. As of October 2026, GAFI charges an approval fee for a share transfer in a Sinai company, and in Sharm El Sheikh and Dahab the Decree 128/2022 security approvals come on top. The company's tax, staff and chamber history comes with it, so due diligence comes first.
What do I need to run desert safari trips?
The Ministry of Tourism deals only with licensed tourism companies for desert safaris. Each trip is filed at least 21 days ahead, with the routes and the lists the Ministry asks for, and it needs GPS trackers and Thuraya satellite phones. A business without that licence cannot file the trip itself, so your licensing route decides who files.
Related
Related services and sectors
Hospitality and tourismHotels, restaurants, dive centres and tourism companies: licences and taxes side by side.Learn moreDue diligenceFinancial and tax checks on a company before you buy shares or sign a contract.Learn moreCompanies in Sharm and South SinaiDecree 128/2022 and Law 14/2012, and what they mean for your ownership.Learn moreDive centresLaw 8/2022 licensing, CDWS cards and ratios, and staffing.Learn moreWork permitsLabour Law 14/2025 permits and the Ministry of Tourism's foreign-staff approval.Learn moreE-invoice and e-receipt setupE-signature, item coding and point-of-sale for the Sharm El Sheikh e-receipt mandate.Learn more
Related guides
Tourism businessesBuying a Licensed Tourism Company in Egypt (2026): the Licence Suspension and What to CheckThe Ministry of Tourism site shows new tourism company licences as suspended, so buyers turn to companies that already hold one. What…Free consultation
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.