Egypt: all programs

Egypt at a glance

Egypt is the most populous Arab country, with more than 107 million people, almost all of them living in the narrow Nile Valley and Delta, which cover only a few percent of the territory. The capital is Cairo, one of the largest cities in Africa and the Middle East. East of it a New Administrative Capital is being built, and the government and ministries have already moved there. The currency is the Egyptian pound, about 52 pounds to the dollar.

The economy relies on tourism, the Suez Canal, remittances from Egyptians abroad, gas and agriculture. In March 2024 Egypt floated the pound, which fell sharply, and inflation, which hit record highs in 2023, has gradually eased. For foreigners with dollar income, life here is inexpensive.

History and government

Egypt is one of the world's oldest civilisations: the pyramids of Giza, the temples of Luxor and Abu Simbel draw visitors from everywhere. The monarchy was overthrown in 1952, and the country became a republic in 1953. After the protests of 2011 and 2013 power changed hands twice, and since 2014 the president has been Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.

Egypt is a presidential republic with a bicameral parliament. The state religion is Islam, and Coptic Christians make up a significant part of the population. The official language is Arabic; English is widely used in business and tourism, and many people in the Red Sea resorts speak Russian.

How to move in 2026

Russian citizens can visit with a $25 visa on arrival valid for 30 days or an e-visa, and the South Sinai resorts allow stays of up to 15 days with a free entry stamp. Living in Egypt long term requires a residence permit:

• Through property: under a 2023 Interior Ministry decree, a 1-year permit for property worth $50,000 or more, 3 years from $100,000 and 5 years from $200,000.
• Through work: the Egyptian employer applies for the permit, and the share of foreigners on staff is limited by a quota.
• Through marriage to an Egyptian citizen, study or investment in a local company.

Citizenship by investment costs from a $250,000 non-refundable contribution to the treasury plus about $10,000 in fees, and the property option starts at $300,000 with a holding period of at least five years. An Egyptian passport gives visa-free access to about 49 countries, so the programme is chosen for the right to live and do business in the country rather than for travel. Details are on the Egyptian citizenship page.

Taxes

You become an Egyptian tax resident if you have a permanent home here or spend more than 183 days in the country within 12 months. Income tax ranges from 0 to 27.5%: the first EGP 40,000 a year, about $770, is tax-free, and the top rate applies above EGP 1.2 million, about $22,900. A resident's foreign income is taxed only if their centre of activity is in Egypt.

Corporate tax is 22.5%, with an additional 10% withheld on dividends. The standard VAT rate is 14%, with registration required from an annual turnover of EGP 500,000, and small businesses with turnover up to EGP 20 million can pay 0.4 to 1.5% of turnover. There are no inheritance or gift taxes, and a property sale is taxed at 2.5% of the price. Details are on the Egypt taxes page.

Property

A foreigner may own two residential properties in Egypt for personal and family use, each up to 4,000 square metres, but not in heritage areas. As a general rule, a home cannot be sold within five years of purchase. Special restrictions apply in Sinai, where foreigners usually receive a right of use rather than ownership.

The main difficulty is registration. According to the justice minister, more than 90% of property in the country is not entered in the state register, and many deals are documented only by a developer contract and a court ruling confirming the signature. Citizenship through property requires a title document, so the property and seller are checked before payment. Our investment property team does this.

Cost of living

For a foreigner earning in dollars Egypt is inexpensive, although prices in pounds rise quickly. In Cairo's best districts a one-bedroom apartment costs from about EGP 40,000 a month, about $763, in Zamalek from EGP 50,000, about $954, while rents in ordinary districts are several times lower. In Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh seaside apartments cost less than in the capital's prime areas.

Market food, taxis and household services are cheap, while imported goods, cars and international schools are expensive. Cairo's private clinics offer good care; the resorts have less choice, so families with children more often live in the capital or take insurance with transport to Cairo.

Where to live

In Cairo foreigners choose Zamalek on an island in the Nile, leafy Maadi with its international schools, or the gated compounds of New Cairo and Sheikh Zayed. Alexandria on the Mediterranean has a milder climate and is cheaper than the capital. On the Red Sea people live in Hurghada, El Gouna and Sharm el-Sheikh, where there are many Russian speakers, while wealthy Egyptians spend summers on the North Coast around New Alamein.

Practicalities

A bank account in Egypt is easier to open after receiving a residence permit; before that people pay with foreign bank cards or cash. Cash still matters: taxis, markets and small shops do not always accept cards. Summers are very hot, often above 35°C in Cairo and over 40°C in Luxor and Aswan, so air conditioning at home is essential.

Cairo traffic is dense and chaotic, so many people use ride-hailing apps or a driver. Government offices close on Friday and Saturday, and working hours are shorter during Ramadan. Documents for residence permits and property deals must be translated into Arabic and certified, which should be factored into timelines.

Who Egypt suits

Egypt suits those who want to live by a warm sea on a modest budget, buyers of resort property who need a residence permit, and entrepreneurs targeting a large domestic market. It suits less well those who need a passport for visa-free travel, a stable currency and transparent property registration. We will check the property, arrange residence or citizenship and support the transaction; our consultant in the chat will calculate the cost of support.