Who can work as a broker in Egypt

Before you plan a career in Egypt, check one thing: are you allowed to register? The answer depends mainly on your nationality. This lesson is honest about what is possible and what is not.

The basic rule: registration is for Egyptians

Law 120 of 1982 on commercial agency and brokerage was extended to real estate brokers by Law 21 of 2022. Article 3, applied to real estate brokers by Article 3 bis, requires an individual applicant to hold Egyptian nationality. If you became Egyptian by naturalisation, you must have held the nationality for at least 10 years.

A residence permit or a work permit does not replace this condition. So a foreign national cannot register in his or her own name as a real estate broker in Egypt.

Other people the law excludes

Even some Egyptians cannot register. The law bars:

• employees of the government, local units, public authorities and public sector companies, with a two-year wait after they leave service;
• members of parliament and the Senate, according to GOEIC.

If you are a civil servant thinking of switching to brokerage, plan for that two-year gap.

Routes for foreigners: through a company

There is still a way in for foreign investors and staff.

• Companies with foreign founders. The amended law lets the minister waive the nationality rule for companies whose founders include foreigners. GOEIC’s registry has separate tracks for Egyptian companies with foreign founders and for Egyptian branches of foreign companies. Expect extra approvals and a longer file.
• Standard Egyptian broker companies must otherwise be owned by Egyptians.

The company, not the foreign person, holds the registration in these cases.

Routes for foreigners: as an employee

A foreigner can be hired by a registered firm, but needs the right permit.

1. A work permit. Any foreigner working in Egypt needs a Ministry of Labour work permit under the new Labour Law 14 of 2025, in force since 1 September 2025.
2. The 10% cap. Ministerial Decision 279 of 2025 limits foreign employees to 10% of an establishment’s Egyptian workforce. Some Investment Law projects may go up to 20% when qualified Egyptians cannot be found.
3. Short permits. Most work permits last a year or less, so plan renewals.

What is not clear: no official text we found says whether a foreign employee may personally sign brokerage contracts while the firm holds the registration. Ask your employer, in writing, who holds the registration and the training certificate, and who signs client contracts.

What is NOT allowed

• Working as a freelance broker without registration, Egyptian or not. The penalty can reach two years in prison and a fine of EGP 50,000 to 1,000,000 (more in lesson 3).
• Working as a foreigner without a Ministry of Labour work permit.
• Registering in your own name as a foreigner, whatever your residence status.

Your situation	Realistic route
Egyptian adult, not a civil servant	Register yourself or join a registered firm
Naturalised Egyptian under 10 years	Join a registered firm; you cannot register alone yet
Foreigner wanting to work	Job in a registered firm, with a work permit, within the 10% cap
Foreign investor	Company route with foreign founders, with extra approvals

Owning property is a separate question

Do not confuse working as a broker with buying a home. Foreigners can buy residential units in Egypt under their own rules. The UK government also warns that owning property does not by itself guarantee a residence visa. We cover what to tell foreign buyers in lesson 5 and in buying property in Egypt as a foreigner.

Before you move on

Write down your route: register yourself, join a firm, or set up a company. Then check the details with GOEIC (hotline 19591) and, for permits, with the Ministry of Labour. These rules move fast, so check the official source before you act.

Next lesson: the licensing steps, one by one. See also how to become a broker in Egypt.