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Corporate Restructuring

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Corporate Restructuring

Overview

Youssry Saleh & Partners has handled corporate restructuring work in Egypt since 1985. The firm acts for international companies, foreign investors, and corporate groups that need to reorganize their Egyptian operations — whether that means merging entities, converting a legal form, restructuring debt, or winding a company down in an orderly way. Our lawyers are Egyptian-qualified, several with international training, and we work in both Arabic and English. Day to day, that means preparing restructuring documents in the language the board reads and filing them in the language the authorities require. The team appears regularly before GAFI, the Commercial Registry, the Egyptian Tax Authority, and the labor offices, which is where most restructuring steps actually get done. From Cairo, and through AHYSP Law Firm in Saudi Arabia, we also support groups restructuring across more than one Middle East jurisdiction.

Every restructuring project has different commercial objectives. Some businesses want to improve operational efficiency, while others need to prepare for an acquisition, attract investors, separate business units, or reorganize after rapid growth. We work closely with management, shareholders, accountants, and tax advisers to ensure that the legal structure supports those objectives.

Our services in this area include:

Mergers, demergers, and group reorganisations
Changes to a company’s legal form
Share and asset transfers
Capital increases and reductions
Debt restructuring and creditor negotiations
Restructuring procedures under Law No. 11 of 2018
Solvent liquidations and company closures
Branch and subsidiary closures
Employee transfers, redundancies, and severance planning
GAFI and Commercial Registry filings
Tax and regulatory support for reorganisations
FRA and sector-specific approvals
Cross-border restructuring coordination

Whether you are simplifying your corporate group, preparing for investment, restructuring ownership, or reorganizing business operations, our corporate lawyers in Egypt can help you navigate the legal process with confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a company merger take in Egypt?

There is no fixed period. In practice, a straightforward merger often takes several months, depending on GAFI review, creditor objection periods, and how quickly tax and registry clearances come through.

Can a foreign-owned company be restructured in Egypt?

Yes. Foreign-owned entities restructure under the same Companies Law framework, though some steps may need additional approvals depending on the sector and shareholding.

Does Egypt have a formal debt restructuring procedure?

Yes. Law No. 11 of 2018 provides restructuring and preventive composition procedures as alternatives to bankruptcy. Many companies still prefer negotiated workouts with creditors, but the formal route is available.

Can I convert my Egyptian LLC into a joint stock company?

Yes. Conversion of legal form is common and goes through GAFI and the Commercial Registry. It’s often done ahead of bringing in new investors or preparing for a listing.

Is liquidation the only way to close a company in Egypt?

For a full closure, yes — a solvent liquidation is the standard route. It involves appointing a liquidator, settling debts and tax, then deregistering. Branches follow a separate closure process.

Are there tax consequences to restructuring a company in Egypt?

Often, yes. Asset transfers, mergers, and capital changes can each trigger tax questions. Some reorganizations qualify for relief, depending on the structure, so tax review should come early.