The Egyptian government has enacted a series of economic and administrative measures, including the ratification of the 2026/2027 state budget and the adjustment of salary and subsidy policies. Key changes include a new minimum income threshold and a deadline extension for food ration card renewals until December 2026. These directives reflect a broader state effort to organize service and economic files as the new fiscal year begins.
Budget Ratification and Salary Adjustments
President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has officially ratified the law linking the state’s general budget for the 2026/2027 fiscal year, following approval by the House of Representatives. The law, which has been published in the Official Gazette, sets total state expenditures and revenues, providing the framework for public spending throughout the upcoming fiscal year.
Parallel to the budget, the Ministry of Finance has initiated a new salary structure for July 2026. According to official reports, these updates include a minimum income floor per month. The package also introduces a 12% periodic bonus for employees covered by the Civil Service Law and a 15% increase for those not covered by the law, along with a monthly 750-pound additional incentive for all administrative staff. Payments for these adjusted salaries began on July 20, 2026. The ministry has also established schedules for the payment of arrears and for the salaries of August and September to ensure the regularity of payment processes and to reduce congestion at government offices, banks, and post offices.
Food Subsidy and Ration Card Updates
The government has moved to address concerns regarding the stability of the national bread subsidy program. Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly dismissed rumors of a potential cancellation of in-kind subsidies or changes to the mechanisms for distributing bread to ration card beneficiaries. He clarified that the state is studying only the expansion of non-subsidized bread availability as an additional option for citizens, without affecting the rights of ration card holders or the volume of support allocated to them.
For those managing subsidized goods, the Ministry of Supply and Internal Trade has extended the deadline for technical license renewals for municipal bakeries, “Gamaity” outlets, ration retailers, mobile outlets, and flour warehouses until December 21, 2026. This decision follows recommendations from the High Committee for Petitions and Grievances. Additionally, the government is currently processing grievances filed through the Digital Egypt platform for citizens previously excluded from the ration card system. A ministry source indicated to Almasryalyoum that results for these appeals are expected to be communicated starting in early August. Officials emphasized that eligibility assessments are based on a multifaceted evaluation of family income, tuition expenses, and high-value asset ownership, rather than a single disqualifying factor like enrolling children in private schools.
Public Holidays and Tourism Regulations
Labor regulations and tourism oversight also saw updates this week. Minister of Labor Hassan Redad announced that Thursday, July 23, 2026, will be a paid official holiday for workers subject to the Labor Law in celebration of the July 23 Revolution. Employers retain the right to require staff to work during this holiday if operations necessitate it, though they must provide either double pay for the day in addition to the original wage, or a compensatory day off, in accordance with the Labor Law.
In the tourism sector, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy has approved new regulations for the 1448 AH Umrah season. The updated framework mandates the use of the “Rafiq” mobile application for the digital tracking of pilgrims’ journeys. Companies are now required to submit contract data and payment receipts electronically to ensure oversight and simplify the complaint process. The regulations also require firms to issue identification cards for each pilgrim and provide awareness programs prior to travel. Furthermore, the ministry has raised the minimum model year for buses used in land-based Umrah trips to 2022, mandated the use of GPS tracking systems, and prohibited companies from organizing new trips until 70% of their current pilgrims have returned.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Social Solidarity has begun distributing aid for the Takaful and Karama
program for July to beneficiaries across various governorates to continue the state’s efforts in supporting the most vulnerable families.
