Egypt

Employment taxes

Income Tax: Progressive system:

• 0% on income up to EGP 15,000 (€300 / $315)
• 2.5% on EGP 15,001–30,000 (€300–€600 / $315–$630)
• 10% on EGP 30,001–45,000 (€600–€900 / $630–$945)
• 15% on EGP 45,001–60,000 (€900–€1,200 / $945–$1,260)
• 20% on EGP 60,001–200,000 (€1,200–€4,000 / $1,260–$4,200)
• 22.5% above EGP 200,000 (>€4,000 / $4,200)

Social Insurance: Around 11% of salary for employees.

Leave policy

• Vacation:
• 21 paid days per year after 1 year of service
• 30 days after 10 years or if you’re 50+
• Public holidays: 12 national holidays over 15 days
• Sick leave: Paid at 75% of salary for the first 90 days, then 85% for the next 90 days.
• Maternity leave: 3 months paid (up to 3 times during employment).
• Paternity leave: Not mandatory.
• Parental leave: Not standard, but some companies offer extra days.

Employment termination

• Notice Period:
• 2 months if employed less than 10 years
• 3 months if more than 10 years
• Severance pay: Generally 1 month per year of service.
• Termination grounds: Performance issues, redundancy, or misconduct (with proper documentation).

Hiring and contracts

• Written contracts are required in Arabic (with an English copy for expats).
• Include details like salary, working hours, benefits, and notice period.
• Probation period: Up to 3 months.

Payroll and salary payments

• Salaries are usually paid monthly in EGP (Egyptian Pound).
• Minimum wage: EGP 3,500/month (approx. $113).
• Extra pay for overtime and night shifts is common.

Benefits

• Mandatory:
• Social insurance
• Health coverage
• Optional (common perks):
• Private health insurance
• Transport allowance
• Housing support for expats

Monthly living cost (Cairo Edition)

• Rent (1-bedroom, city center): EGP 8,000–12,000 (€160–€240 / $168–$252)
• Utilities: EGP 1,000–1,500 (€20–€30 / $21–$31.5)
• Groceries: EGP 3,000–4,000 (€60–€80 / $63–$84)
• Transport: EGP 500–800 (€10–€16 / $10.5–$16.8)
• Coffee: EGP 30–50 (€0.6–€1 / $0.63–$1.05)
• Dining out: EGP 150–250 (€3–€5 / $3.15–$5.25)
• Average monthly budget: EGP 18,000–22,000 (€360–€440 / $378–$462)

How to get a local ID number

• Required for residents and employees (not for short-term remote workers).
• Apply through the Civil Status Department with your work contract and residency permit.

Social Security Registration

• Mandatory for employees.
• Employers handle registration with the Social Insurance Organization.

Banking

Popular banks include:

• National Bank of Egypt
• Commercial International Bank (CIB)
• Banque Misr

Opening an account usually requires a residence permit, passport, and work contract.

Housing and rental

• Lease agreements should be in writing.
• Tenants have rights to a secure contract and protection from sudden eviction.
• Deposits usually equal 1–2 months’ rent.

Healthcare system

• Public healthcare is low-cost but basic.
• Most expats choose private clinics or international health insurance for better care.

Driving and public transport

• Driving requires an Egyptian license
• Public transport: Metro in Cairo, buses, microbuses, Uber & Careem are popular ride-hailing options.

Emergency and important contacts

• Police: 122
• Ambulance: 123
• Fire: 180

Work permit & visa requirements

• All foreign citizens need a work permit and residency visa.
• Process includes: job offer, employer sponsorship, medical tests, and security clearance.
• Work permits usually last 1 year and are renewable.

Business culture and work norms

• Workweek: Sunday–Thursday, 8 hours/day.
• Hierarchical structure, respect for seniority matters.
• Building relationships is key. Expect small talk before business.