Payroll & Employment Guide Egypt flag

Payroll & Employment Guide Egypt

Egypt is emerging as a dynamic talent hub in North Africa, offering a large, educated, and multilingual workforce at competitive labour costs. With a strong focus on digital transformation and a growing tech ecosystem, Egypt presents valuable opportunities for businesses looking to expand and hire remotely. Its strategic location and youthful population make it an ideal base for accessing talent across the Middle East and Africa.

Payroll & Employment Guide Egypt
CurrencyEgyptian Pound (EGP)
LanguagesArabic
Minimum wageEGP 7,000 per month
Employment cost18.75%
Working hours48 hours per week
VAT14%
Probation periodUp to 3 months
Paid leave days21 days per year
Categories

Hiring guide

Located at the crossroads of Africa, the Middle East, and Europe, Egypt is home to a highly skilled and cost-effective workforce. With a strong educational foundation and a growing number of graduates in STEM fields, Egypt is becoming an attractive destination for global hiring. However, the country has its own labour regulations, including rules on minimum wages, employment contracts, and social insurance contributions that employers must comply with.

Discover more about salaries, employment costs, and legal requirements for hiring in Egypt. Get the full hiring guide now!

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Employment contracts

In Egypt, employment contracts must be written in Arabic and prepared in triplicate, with one copy for each party and one for the social insurance office. Contracts can be fixed-term or indefinite, specifying job roles, responsibilities, and remuneration. They must comply with the Labour Code, ensuring fair treatment and protection of employee rights.

Contracts should detail working hours, leave entitlements, and termination procedures. Employers must adhere to health and safety standards and ensure non-discrimination. Any amendments to the contract require mutual consent and must be documented in writing.

Notice periods: Depending on the type of contract and length of service.

Termination of employment: Termination can occur through normal processes, immediate dismissal for cause, or mutual agreement, depending on the scenario.

Want to learn more about employment contracts in Egypt? Get our full template now!

Employee benefits

In Egypt, employee benefits include mandatory provisions such as social insurance, which covers pensions, disability, and workplace injuries. Alongside the mandatory benefits, employers may offer additional benefits like health insurance, transportation, and meal allowances, but these are not legally required. Benefits aim to ensure employee well-being and compliance with labour laws.

  • Mandatory benefits: Social insurance, pension.
  • Common perks: Healthcare, meal allowances, transport reimbursements.
  • Leave policies: Paid annual leave, national holidays, sick leave, parental leave.

Want a full breakdown of all the employee benefits available in Egypt?

Taxes

Egypt has a structured tax system that applies to both individuals and businesses. Employers are responsible for withholding income taxes and social security contributions, while additional tax rules apply to royalty income and VAT.

Personal income tax rate: 13% or 23%, depending on the amount of income.

VAT: 14%

Tax allowances: Personal income allowance, Children’s education expenses.

Payroll

Employers must ensure timely payment of wages, which can be monthly, weekly, or bi-weekly, depending on the employment contract. The minimum wage is set at EGP 7,000 per month as of 2025. Employers must deduct income tax and social insurance contributions from employees' wages.

Salary payment deadline: 5th of the following month.

Taxes and contributions payment deadline: 31 March following the end of the fiscal year to which the return relates.

Payroll declarations deadline: By the 15th of the following month.

Payroll currency: EGP

Work permits & visas

In Egypt, foreign nationals seeking employment must obtain a work permit, typically by first securing a temporary or tourist visa. The process involves applying through the Ministry of Manpower and Immigration, providing proof of employment, and a clean bill of health. Employers must prioritize hiring Egyptian nationals, with a quota limiting foreign employees to 10% of total staff and 20% of payroll.

Types of permits: EU, US, and Kosovo nationals can get a five-year Unique permit; other foreign nationals may receive permits of varying lengths.

Process length: Up to 3 months

Process cost: 1800€

Want to learn more about obtaining visas and work permits in Egypt? Get our full country handbook now, or click here to find out more!

EOR services

Utilising EOR services in Egypt enables you to employ individuals legally in the country without establishing a local legal entity. The EOR takes over all the legal responsibilities as an employer, including:

  • Legal employment and contracts
  • Payroll processing
  • Tax withholding
  • Benefits administration
  • Onboarding/offboarding employees

PEO services

PEO services for Egypt offer HR and administrative support, allowing you to remain the legal employer. PEO services are ideal for employers who already have legal entities in Egypt but need support to manage their workforce operations, including:

  • HR support and workforce administration
  • Payroll and benefits management
  • Compliance and local labour law guidance
  • Employment contracts assistance

Payroll calculator

Native Teams offers a payroll calculator tailored to Egypt’s labour regulations. With this tool, you can quickly calculate gross and net salaries, mandatory deductions, and both employer and employee social insurance contributions in Egypt.

Note: The information provided above is for general guidance only and should not be considered a substitute for legal advice. We strongly recommend consulting with qualified professionals who specialise in local labour laws before making any hiring decisions. While the data was accurate at the time of writing, labour regulations are subject to change, and it is your responsibility to stay informed about the latest developments.

Last update: July 30, 2025

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Frequently asked questions

Freelancers and gig workers in Egypt generally operate as independent contractors and are expected to register as self-employed if they work regularly. They are responsible for managing their own income tax and social insurance contributions. As a client, you're not liable for their tax obligations, but it’s important to avoid misclassification by ensuring the work arrangement doesn’t resemble a full-time employment relationship.

To protect both parties, always have a clear written agreement that outlines the scope of work, deliverables, payment terms, and termination conditions.