To get a coffee shop license in Egypt, secure a municipal trade license and food-safety approval, then register tax compliance before opening. Form your entity (sole proprietor via Commercial Registry or LLC via GAFI), reserve the trade name, obtain Commercial Registry extract and Tax ID, and enroll for e-Invoicing/e-Receipt with the Egyptian Tax Authority; set up a compliant POS. Lease agreement (registered or notarized), layout, ventilation plan, and fire-safety drawings are required for the district license and Civil Defense certificate. Apply to the National Food Safety Authority (NFSA) for listing/licensing: submit a floor plan showing food flow, equipment specs, water source tests, pest-control contract, staff medical certificates, cleaning SOPs, and a basic HACCP/GHP plan; pass on-site inspection. Governorates require signage and outdoor seating permits, grease-trap installation, and a waste-disposal contract. If serving shisha or seeking “touristic café” classification, obtain a Tourism Establishment license and shisha permit with separate ventilation, age restrictions, and area segregation. Sequence and timing: company setup 3–10 days; NFSA/Civil Defense and municipal inspections 2–4 weeks depending on readiness. Budget for fees, fit-out to code (non-porous surfaces, handwash sinks, pest-proofing), and staff social insurance registration. Keep the license active with periodic NFSA audits, tax filings, and timely renewals.
