العربية• Company Formation
Foreign ownership is possible; the details are what need review
Foreign nationals may form and hold interests in companies in Egypt, and foreign ownership can reach the full capital in many activities. Some activities, however, are reserved for Egyptians, require an Egyptian participation share, or need specific approvals. Documents of a foreign partner must also be notarised, legalised and translated before use.
• When do you need this page?
- A foreign investor forming a company in Egypt alone or with partners.
- A foreign company setting up a subsidiary in Egypt.
- Egyptian partners bringing a foreign partner into a new company.
- A foreign founder outside Egypt who wants to complete formation by power of attorney.
• What our support covers
How we handle the file
- Reviewing the activity and whether, and to what extent, foreign ownership is permitted.
- Identifying the foreign documents required and how they must be notarised and legalised.
- Preparing the power of attorney needed when the founder is outside Egypt.
- Following up incorporation and the approvals linked to foreign partners.
- Coordinating investor residency for partners who will live in Egypt.
• Documents
What incorporation usually requires
- Passports of the foreign partners.
- Corporate documents of a foreign legal entity partner, notarised, legalised and translated.
- A power of attorney to complete the procedures, where needed.
- The remaining formation documents for the chosen legal form.
Documents and approvals vary with the partner’s nationality, the activity and the competent authority; we confirm the final list after reviewing your case.
• Common pitfalls
What can delay the file?
Choosing an activity where foreign ownership is restricted without prior review.
Using foreign documents that are not legalised, so the file stops until they are completed.
A power of attorney worded too narrowly to cover all the required steps.
Confusing company formation with residency; each has its own requirements.
• FAQ
Questions we often hear before incorporation
Can a foreign national own the whole company?
In many activities, yes. Some activities are reserved for Egyptians or require Egyptian participation, which is why we start by reviewing the activity.
Can a foreign-owned company import?
Law No. 173 of 2023, amending the Importers Register Law, allows companies with foreign shareholding to be registered under specific conditions, and we review whether they apply to your case.
Do I need to be in Egypt to form the company?
Not in most cases; the procedures can be completed through a notarised power of attorney.
• Related routes
Your file may also involve
If your project will be in a free zone or an investment zone, or under a special incentives regime, those details are covered by Investment in Egypt.
• Your next step
Forming a company in Egypt with foreign partners?
Send us your project details; our team will review them and contact you about the next step.
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