How to start freelancing in Egypt (step by step)

Egyptians are choosing the freelance route every year, drawn by flexibility, global opportunities, and the freedom to work on their own terms.

Freelancing globally from Egypt is absolutely doable, but it pays (literally) to set things up correctly from day one. Here’s a clear, step-by-step roadmap to get started, covering everything from taxes and e-invoicing to getting paid and finding clients.

Step 1: Pick your service and niche

Start by deciding what you’ll sell and who you’ll sell it to. Will you offer content writing, design, development, marketing ops, or translation services? And are your clients local SMEs, MENA startups, or international agencies?

Do a quick round of market validation:

• Browse 5–10 recent projects on platforms like Upwork or Fiverr. Note patterns like the scope, skills required, and pricing.
• Shortlist two niches that feel aligned with your skills (for instance, B2B SaaS landing pages or Arabic–English fintech localisation).
• Draft a simple one-page service offer with your packages, deliverables, timeline, and payment terms.

Your goal: one clear page that explains what you do, how you do it, and what it costs.

Also read: Freelance platforms with high payout rates in Egypt

Step 2: Find your first clients

Here’s a local-friendly strategy that works:

• Start on marketplaces: Build your portfolio and collect reviews on Upwork or Fiverr.
• Network locally: Use LinkedIn and Facebook groups for Egyptian freelancers and entrepreneurs (or even other northern Africa and Middle East countries).
• Do direct outreach: Message 20 startup founders or operations managers weekly and offer a short audit or idea pitch based on your niche or area of expertise.
• Show your work: Publish three case studies (problem → process → result) and post two or three articles in your niche.

Consistency is what fills your pipeline.

Step 3: Register legally and get your Tax Card

In Egypt, freelancers can operate as natural persons (self-employed) or set up a sole proprietorship or one-person company.

Whichever route you pick, you’ll need to register with the Egyptian Tax Authority (ETA) and get a Tax Card — your official tax registration number.

In short:

1. Register your activity with the ETA and apply for a Tax Card.
2. If you open a small entity, complete the commercial registration and keep basic records.

Tip: If you plan to invoice companies regularly, registering a sole proprietorship early helps with e-invoicing and banking.

You may also like: Paypal and Payoneer alternatives for freelancers in Egypt

Step 4: Activate e-Invoicing and e-Receipts

Egypt now requires electronic invoicing and receipts for most businesses. If you’re VAT-registered or work with companies, you’ll need to join the ETA’s e-invoicing system.

• Start here: Sign up on the ETA portal and request your credentials (and digital signature if required).
• Why it matters: Clients can’t claim VAT deductions without e-invoices, and non-compliance can delay your payments.
• Keep an eye out: B2C sellers are being added gradually. Check the latest updates for your category.

Step 5: Understand Value Added Tax (VAT) and when it applies

Egypt’s standard VAT rate is 14%, with a registration threshold of EGP 500,000 in taxable turnover over 12 months.

However, some professional and consultancy services must register immediately, even before hitting the threshold.

Non-resident suppliers of digital services also face specific VAT rules.

What to do:

Ask your accountant if your service type requires VAT registration from day one. If not, keep track of your turnover to know when you cross the threshold.

Step 6: Know your income tax rates and deadlines

Egypt uses a progressive income-tax system. Individuals must file by 31 March each year for the previous calendar year.

Current brackets (2024–2025):

• 0% up to EGP 40,000
• 10% up to 55,000
• 15% up to 70,000
• 20% up to 200,000
• 22.5% up to 400,000
• 25% up to 1.2m
• 27.5% above EGP 1.2m

An annual exemption of EGP 20,000 applies.

If your income is substantial, plan quarterly tax set-asides so you’re not caught off guard in March.

Also read: How to receive money from UK clients in Egypt

Step 7: Social insurance for freelancers

Under Egypt’s Unified Social Insurance Law (No. 148 of 2019), even self-employed professionals can make contributions toward pensions and benefits. Implementation has been gradual, so check with your accountant about your current eligibility and contribution base.

If you later hire staff, registering with NOSI becomes mandatory.

Step 8: Set up payment methods that actually work

Egyptian freelancers usually mix a few methods to get paid smoothly:

• Local bank transfers (EGP)
• Grey multi-currency account – receive payments in USD, EUR, or GBP from international clients and convert to EGP when it suits your rate and cash-flow.
• PayPal – available for sending and receiving
• Payoneer – widely used for international platforms
• Platform escrow (e.g., Upwork, Fiverr)

Notes:

• Stripe isn’t supported locally. Some freelancers use foreign setups to access it, but that adds legal complexity.
• Always compare total costs — including FX and withdrawal fees — before choosing.

Step 9: Build invoices that get you paid on time

Create a bilingual Arabic–English invoice including:

• Legal name and address
• Tax Card number
• Invoice number and date
• Service description and currency
• VAT line (if registered)
• Payment terms

If you’re in scope, issue through the ETA’s e-invoice/e-receipt system.

To simplify the entire process, you can use Grey Invoicing to create clean, professional invoices in minutes. It lets you generate client-ready invoices, attach your payment details, and keep everything organised. It’s perfect for tracking projects and getting paid faster across borders.

Keep everything neatly stored in a shared cloud folder and reconcile monthly against your Grey transactions and local bank records.

Step 10: Set your rates with room to negotiate

When quoting:

• Use USD, EUR, or GBP for international clients, EGP locally.
• Add a 10–15% buffer for platform fees and exchange rates.
• Offer tiered packages — one fixed scope, plus hourly or add-on options for flexibility.

This keeps your income steady and protects you from currency swings.

Step 11: Use contracts that protect your work

Keep it simple. Your contracts should clearly outline:

1. Scope and deliverables
2. Timeline and milestones
3. Fees and payment schedule (e.g., 50/50 or 30/40/30)
4. Revision limits
5. IP rights (transferred only after full payment)
6. Confidentiality terms
7. Cancellation or late-payment rules

Send a short Master Service Agreement (MSA) and Statement of Work (SOW) for each project. Use bilingual versions for local clients.

Step 12: Keep everything compliant

Every month:

• Issue invoices and reconcile payments.
• Submit your VAT return if registered.

Every quarter:

• Review revenue, VAT thresholds, and tax savings. Keep around 20–30% of your income set aside for taxes.

Every year:

• File your individual income tax return by 31 March.
• Keep contracts, invoices, and payment records organised.

FAQs on starting freelancing in Egypt

Do I need to register before invoicing?

Yes. Get your Tax Card and, if applicable, register for e-invoicing/e-receipts before issuing invoices.

When should I register for VAT?

When you hit EGP 500,000 in taxable turnover, or immediately, if you provide professional services that require early registration.

What’s my tax deadline?

31 March for individuals each year.

Can I receive USD or EUR payments?

Yes. You can receive them via PayPal, Payoneer, or similar platforms and withdraw to local accounts after conversion.

Get paid globally, live locally

Once your freelance business is up and running, the next big step is making sure you actually get paid quickly, securely, and without losing money to unnecessary fees.

With Grey, you can receive payments from clients abroad in USD, EUR, or GBP, convert at competitive rates, and withdraw directly to your Egyptian bank account. No waiting, no hidden costs, no complicated setup. Just seamless access to your money.

Open a free Grey account today and make getting paid the easiest part of your work.