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NGO Registration in Egypt

NGO Registration in Egypt helps international and local non-profits operate lawfully under Egypt’s NGO Law 149/2019. Through a structured registration and notification process with the Ministry of Social Solidarity, organizations clarify their legal form, governance and permitted activities. Proper registration is also essential to open bank accounts, receive local and foreign funding, sign agreements with partners, and demonstrate compliance during audits or reviews by Egyptian authorities.

Why Register an NGO in Egypt?

Registering an NGO in Egypt is not just a formality, it is a legal requirement under NGO Law 149/2019 for any organized “civil work” carried out on a continuous basis. Proper registration with the Ministry of Social Solidarity gives your organization a recognised legal personality, allowing it to open bank accounts, sign contracts, hire staff, receive grants and donations, and cooperate with public bodies and international partners under a clear framework.

Without registration, ongoing non-profit activities may be treated as unlawful, exposing founders and managers to the risk of dissolution of the entity, frozen funds, rejected bank transfers and potential administrative or legal consequences. Formal NGO status also helps donors, partners and beneficiaries perform due diligence more easily, as it demonstrates that your governance, accounting and reporting are aligned with Egyptian regulatory expectations.

Legal Framework for NGO Registration in Egypt

Primary Law

Law 149 of 2019

Civic associations and foundations are governed by NGO Law 149/2019 and its executive regulations, which define permitted purposes, activities, and governance rules. This is the core legal framework for ngo registration in egypt.

Supervision

NGOs are registered with and supervised by the Ministry of Social Solidarity (MoSS), through central and local directorates that review files and monitor compliance.

Mandatory

Registration is Obligatory

Any entity carrying out civil work or non-profit activities for societal development must register as an NGO under the procedures for ngo registration in egypt. Informal or unregistered NGOs are not recognised under the law.

Founders

Minimum Founders Required

An association requires at least 10 founders (individuals or legal entities), who may be Egyptian or foreign. Foreign founders must have legal residency in Egypt.

Timeframe

Registration by Notification

NGOs are created through a notification system. MoSS may object within a statutory period (typically around 60 days); if no objection is made, the NGO is treated as approved in principle.

Non-Compliance

Risks of Non-Registration

Failure to register or regularize activities can lead to dissolution of the entity, freezing of assets, and potential administrative or criminal sanctions against those responsible.

Main Steps to Register an Egyptian NGO

I
- Define objectives, target beneficiaries, geographic scope and planned activities.
- Check that activities are compatible with Law 149 (no political party or trade-union work, no for-profit commercial activity as a main purpose).
II
- Confirm at least 10 eligible founders for an association (no minimum number for a foundation).
- Agree the first board of directors / board of trustees and term lengths.
- Set rules on membership, voting, conflicts of interest and rotation.
III
- Draft Arabic (and often bilingual) Articles compliant with the law and executive regulations.
- Define purposes, activities, headquarters, governance rules, financial year and dissolution clauses.
IV
- Provide a valid lease or ownership document for a suitable office; shared premises are allowed under certain conditions but must have a clearly separate entrance for the NGO.
- Prepare bank letters or capital deposit confirmations where required.
V
- Upload documents to the MoSS electronic platform.
- Submit the notification package at the competent directorate.
VI
- MoSS and other authorities may request clarifications, changes to the Articles, or additional information on founders, funding, activities and foreign partners.
VII
- Once approved, the NGO receives its registration certificate and number.
- Open bank accounts, register staff, adopt financial and internal control policies.
- Notify MoSS of any foreign funding or cooperation agreements.

Andersen Egypt typically manages these steps end-to-end on your behalf, coordinating with MoSS and all relevant authorities until your NGO is fully registered and operational.

Documents for NGO Registration in Egypt

Local NGOs

Documents for Local Associations and Foundations

National ID or passport copies for all founders and board members.
Evidence of legal residence in Egypt for foreign founders or board members.
Draft Articles of Association and bylaws (Arabic mandatory, bilingual common).
Proof of headquarters (lease contract, ownership deed, or usufruct agreement).
Bank letter or receipt showing minimum capital / resources, where applicable.
Criminal-record certificates and clearance documents for designated board members.
Brief activity plan and budget for the first year (or longer, if available).

All key documents are ticked off. You’re ready to move to registration.

You’re ready to register

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ – NGO Registration in Egypt

Who regulates NGO registration in Egypt?

For ngo registration in egypt, the Ministry of Social Solidarity (MoSS) is the main authority responsible for registering, supervising and, where necessary, dissolving NGOs under Law 149 of 2019. All civic associations and foundations must register with MoSS before carrying out “civil work” in Egypt.

How long does it take to register an NGO in Egypt?

In law, NGO formation is based on a notification system, and the authorities have a limited period to object if the file is incomplete or non-compliant. In practice, ngo registration in egypt usually takes a few months from start to finish because of document preparation, follow-up questions and security clearances, especially for complex or foreign-linked projects.

Can foreigners found or sit on the board of an Egyptian NGO?

Yes, foreigners can be founders or board members, provided they have legal residence in Egypt. However, foreign participation in general assemblies and boards is typically capped at 25%, unless specific approval is obtained.

What happens if we operate an NGO without registration?

Entities carrying out “civil work” without registration risk being treated as illegal organizations. Sanctions can include dissolution, asset freezes and other legal consequences, and authorities may block receipt of funds.

Which types of organisations are covered by the NGO law?

The NGO framework mainly covers associations and foundations, but any entity whose principal activity is civic work or sustainable development can be required to register under the NGO law, even if it is already incorporated as a company or consultancy for other purposes.

Do registration documents have to be in Arabic?

Yes. Core documents such as the Articles of Association and bylaws must be prepared in Arabic for filing with MoSS. Many NGOs also prepare bilingual versions (Arabic–English) for internal use or work with international partners, but the Arabic text is what the authorities rely on.

What is the minimum number of founders for an Egyptian association?

Law 149 requires at least 10 founders for a local association, whether individuals or legal entities. Foundations have different rules and may be established by one or more founders through a founding deed, will or Articles of Association.

Do we need a physical office before applying?

Yes. The NGO must have a physical headquarters in Egypt, supported by a lease or ownership document. The premises must meet certain specifications; shared offices may be allowed if the NGO has a clearly separate entrance and identity. Having a compliant office is a practical prerequisite before ngo registration in egypt will be accepted.

Can companies or other legal entities be founders?

Yes. In addition to individuals, Egyptian or foreign legal entities can usually act as founders, provided they are duly registered and authorised to participate. Their representatives must present proof of authority (such as board resolutions or powers of attorney) when signing the founding documents.

Do we need bylaws or internal regulations at the start?

In most cases, you will need at least basic bylaws or internal regulations alongside the Articles of Association. These documents set out governance rules, decision-making procedures, conflict-of-interest policies, and how meetings are convened, and they form part of the file reviewed by MoSS.

How can a foreign NGO operate legally in Egypt?

Foreign NGOs must apply to MoSS (and, in some cases, other authorities) for a license to operate and submit detailed information on the parent organization, planned activities, funding, and staff. Once licensed, they are subject to the same – and in some respects stricter – rules on funding, reporting and supervision as Egyptian NGOs.

Can foreign donors fund Egyptian NGOs directly?

Yes, but receiving funds from abroad generally requires prior approval or notification to MoSS, which can approve or refuse the disbursement. Banks may be instructed to return funds if approval is denied, so NGOs should plan foreign funding flows carefully and keep full documentation.

What documents are usually required from a foreign NGO?

A foreign NGO is typically asked for evidence of its legal registration in the home country, recent financial statements and activity reports, details of planned projects in Egypt, information on key staff and board members, and draft cooperation agreements with Egyptian partners, together with certified Arabic translations.

Is it necessary to open a full branch, or can we just partner locally?

Many foreign organisations choose to work through cooperation agreements with licensed Egyptian NGOs instead of opening their own branch. However, if the foreign organisation wishes to maintain a permanent presence, employ staff or implement projects directly, a formal license to operate in Egypt is normally required.

Are NGOs in Egypt exempt from taxes?

NGOs can benefit from certain tax and customs exemptions, but these are not automatic. Exemptions depend on the NGO’s activities, approvals obtained and how revenues are generated; commercial activities outside the permitted scope may be taxed. Each case requires a separate tax analysis.

What are the main ongoing obligations after registration?

Key obligations include: maintaining proper accounting records; filing periodic reports to MoSS; notifying or seeking approval for foreign funding; keeping an updated register of employees, volunteers and beneficiaries; and respecting restrictions on activities and governance. Non-compliance can lead to warnings, suspension of activities, or dissolution.

Do we always need prior approval for foreign funding?

As a rule, foreign funding must be notified to or approved by the authorities before it can be used. The NGO normally submits details of the donor, amount, purpose and project; if the authorities do not object within the timeframe set by law and the regulations, the funding may be treated as approved, but practice can vary and close follow-up with the bank is essential.

What records should we keep for donations and grants?

The law requires NGOs to channel funds through their official bank accounts and to maintain detailed accounting records. In practice, this means keeping bank statements, grant agreements, receipts, contracts, payroll records and project reports, so that the NGO can demonstrate that all funds were used for approved purposes if audited.

NGO Registration in Egypt

Why Register an NGO in Egypt?