Take a wage of EGP 8,320 a month on a 48 hour week. 48 hours x 52 weeks / 12 months is 208 hours a month, so your hour is worth EGP 40. Ten day overtime hours pay 10 x 40 x 1.35, which is EGP 540. Ten night hours pay EGP 680. Working your rest day for 8 hours adds EGP 320 on top of your normal monthly pay, and you get another day off the following week. Working 8 hours on an official holiday adds EGP 640 on top of your normal monthly pay.
What does the law actually say?
Labour Law 14 of 2025 has been in force since 1 September 2025 and replaced the 2003 law. Its overtime rules are short.
- Normal hours are at most 8 a day and 48 a week, not counting meal and rest breaks (Article 117). Industrial firms also have their own hours law, Law 133 of 1961.
- Overtime is for unusual needs or exceptional conditions, and your employer must tell the labour authority within 7 days (Article 121).
- Overtime pay is what your contract says, and never less than your hourly wage plus 35% by day or 70% by night (Article 121).
- Night means sunset to sunrise (Article 1).
- Work on your weekly rest day earns one extra day's pay, and another day off in the following week (Article 121).
- Work on an official holiday earns twice that day's pay on top of the day's normal pay, or another day off if you ask in writing (Article 129).
- You can't be kept at the workplace more than 12 hours in a day (Article 121).
Why do other pages say 200% or 300%?
They count the day's normal pay too. If your monthly salary already pays for that day, the extra you see for a holiday is two days' pay, not three. That's why our holiday line says 2 x normal rate, and our rest day line says 1 x: they're the extra on top of your normal monthly pay. Don't add them to your salary twice.
How is the hourly wage worked out?
The law says overtime is based on your hourly wage, but it doesn't give a monthly number of hours to divide by. We use your weekly hours x 52 / 12. If your contract says 40 hours a week, change the box: EGP 8,320 then gives 173.33 hours and EGP 48 an hour, so your overtime pays more. If your employer uses another divisor, ask to see how they get there.
Which pay counts? Article 121 says the wage for your normal hour. It doesn't say basic pay only, and the law's definition of wage also covers commission, allowances and grants (Article 1). So ask which parts your employer counts, and type that figure in the box.
Is overtime taxed and insured?
Yes. The tax authority's payroll form lists overtime with bonuses and incentives as taxable pay. Law 148 of 2019 counts overtime in the insurable wage too, up to the EGP 16,700 ceiling. So this tool shows the gross amount, before tax. Add it to your salary in the take-home calculator to see what reaches your account for that month.
Questions people ask
Can my employer make me work overtime?
The law allows it for unusual needs, and the employer must notify the labour authority within 7 days. It also sets the 12 hour limit at the workplace. Your contract and the firm's work rules may say more, so read them.
Who is left out of these rules?
Law 14 of 2025 doesn't cover state bodies or domestic workers. Article 123 takes delegated agents out of the hours rules, along with workers on preparatory and closing tasks, guards and cleaners. A minister's decision sets maximum hours for the last two groups, and they do get overtime under Article 121.
Can I take a day off in place of holiday pay?
Yes, if you ask in writing (Article 129).
Does my contract's rate beat the law's?
If it's higher, yes. The 35% and 70% are minimums. A contract can't go below them.
Sources
Checked 2 November 2026.
- Labour Law 14 of 2025, Official Gazette no. 18 (continued), 3 May 2025 (copy on the Egyptian Tax Authority site)
- Labour Law 14 of 2025 on the Ministry of Labour site
- Private sector monthly payroll form 2026 (Egyptian Tax Authority)
- Social Insurance and Pensions Law 148 of 2019 (National Organization for Social Insurance)