Living in Egypt
Information about moving to, living or retiring in Egypt – including visas, working, healthcare and driving.
Getting help with living in Egypt
Help from the Egyptian government
For any questions about moving to or living in Egypt, you may be able to get help from the Egyptian Consulate General in London.
The UK government and the British Embassy in Cairo cannot give personalised advice on moving to, living or retiring in Egypt.
Professional help in Egypt
You can also get help from English-speaking professionals in Egypt, including:
- lawyers
- translators
- notaries
- funeral directors
Help from the UK government
Read the travel advice for Egypt to understand the risks you may face if you live in or visit Egypt. This includes the latest information on:
- visas and entry requirements
- laws and cultural differences
- safety and security
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad.
Get help from the UK government abroad, including in an emergency.
Visas, residency and citizenship
Make sure you meet the entry requirements for Egypt before you travel.
Police sometimes check ID and they may detain you if you cannot show your visa or residency permit and passport.
Visas and residence permits
You must apply for a visa from the Egyptian Consulate General in London before you leave the UK.
It’s best to apply for a multiple-entry business visa. This is valid for 6 months from the date of issue and for a maximum stay in Egypt of 90 days. You can, alternatively, buy a tourist visa in advance or on arrival but this is only valid for a 30-day stay.
Once in Egypt you should apply for one of the following:
- temporary residence permit
- work permit
- study permit
You cannot apply for any of these until you are in Egypt. The application process is likely to take many weeks.
For more information, read guidance from the:
- Passports, Emigration and Nationality Administration (PENA)
- Ministry of Labour on foreigners’ work permits (in Arabic)
- Egyptian Consulate General in London
In Egypt, visit:
- one of the passport offices (units) listed on the PENA website
- the Passport and Immigration Office in Cairo at:
12 Al Seka Al Bayda
Sarayat
Waily
Abbassia
Registering as a resident
Once in Egypt, you need to apply for a residence permit. Read about the different types of residence permits issued by PENA.
If you have any problems or questions about which permit you should apply for, contact:
- Passports, Emigration and Nationality Administration (PENA)
- Ministry of Labour
- an English-speaking lawyer in Egypt
Long-term residency
You may be able to apply for long-term residency in Egypt if you meet one of the varied sets of qualifying criteria.
To find out if you’re eligible and how to apply, read about the different types of residence permits issued by PENA.
There is no permanent residency for foreigners in Egypt.
Citizenship
Egypt recognises dual citizenship. This means that you do not have to give up (renounce) your British citizenship to become an Egyptian citizen.
To find out if you’re eligible for Egyptian citizenship:
- read guidance on Egyptain nationality from PENA
- contact PENA or one of its regional offices (units)
- contact the Egyptian Consulate General in London
Help with visa, residency and citizenship applications
The British Embassy in Cairo cannot help with Egyptian visa, residency or citizenship applications.
For any questions or issues, contact:
- Passports, Emigration and Nationality Administration (PENA)
- the Egyptian Consulate General in London
- an English-speaking lawyer in Egypt
Passports and travel
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- apply for a British passport from abroad
- travel urgently without your British passport
Dual citizens travelling to the UK
When travelling to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. Read guidance on dual citizenship.
Resident children travelling without a parent or legal guardian
Children aged 17 and under must carry a letter of authority if they’re travelling out of Egypt without their parent or legal guardian.
Contact the Egyptian Consulate General in London or the Passports, Emigration and Nationality Administration (PENA).
Healthcare in Egypt
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- plan your healthcare
- take medicine abroad
Egypt does not have a reciprocal health agreement with the UK.
Make sure you have appropriate health insurance to cover any healthcare costs. You can get insurance from local and international providers operating in Egypt.
There is a wide range of public and private health providers and hospitals in Egypt.
Public hospitals attached to university medical schools are generally better equipped and have better trained staff than most other public hospitals.
Most emergency treatment in public hospitals is free. There may be a charge for follow-up treatment and this can be expensive.
To find out more, including how to get medical treatment:
- contact your insurance provider
- read guidance on health in Egypt in our travel advice
- read our information for British nationals hospitalised or in need of medical help in Egypt
- find English-speaking medical facilities and doctors for British nationals in Egypt
Working in Egypt
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers working abroad, including documents you may need from the UK government.
To work in Egypt, you need a work permit. To get a work permit you will first need to get:
- security clearance
- proof of a clean bill of health which includes an HIV test
- proof of academic qualifications (where applicable)
The Ministry of Manpower and Migration explains the application process and all the documents you will need. Your employer may be able to help you with the process.
Recognition of qualifications
If you want to work in Egypt, you may need to get your foreign qualifications recognised. Contact the British Council in Cairo for guidance.
Driving in Egypt
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- drive abroad legally
- take your UK vehicle abroad
- get driving licence letters
You can drive in Egypt for up to 6 months using your UK driving licence or an international driving permit. After 6 months, you must use an Egyptian driving licence.
To get an Egyptian driving license you do not need to take a driving test if you already have a UK licence. To apply for a license, you should:
- read guidance on the Ministry of the Interior’s General Directorate of Traffic FAQ page
- visit the local Traffic Department office in person
- download and show the Traffic Department the relevant driving licence letter if you are asked to get a letter of identity from the British Embassy or Consulate
Find out more about driving, road travel and driving licence rules in Egypt by reading the:
- ‘Safety and security’ section of our travel advice for Egypt
- Ministry of the Interior’s General Directorate of Traffic pages
Insurance and vehicle registration
You must get third party liability insurance with your annual vehicle registration. Its limited cover means you should consider additional insurance through local or foreign insurance companies.
You must carry your driver’s licence, car registration and insurance papers with you in your vehicle at all times.
Disabled drivers
If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in Egypt, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.
Tax
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers tax, including paying UK tax and National Insurance.
The UK has a double taxation agreement with Egypt so that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries.
Contact the Egyptian Tax Authority for more guidance on paying tax in Egypt.
Consider getting professional advice on paying tax in Egypt. To do this, find an English-speaking lawyer in Egypt.
Pensions
Claiming your UK pension
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:
- how to claim your UK State Pension
- where the UK government pays an annual increase in the State Pension
Claiming an Egyptian pension
Contact the Ministry of Social Solidarity (in Arabic) or read the ministry’s FAQs (in Arabic) to find out more about the Egyptian pension system.
Benefits
Claiming UK benefits
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to claim UK benefits abroad, including Child Benefit.
Claiming Egyptian benefits
Contact the Ministry of Social Solidarity (in Arabic) or read the ministry’s FAQs (in Arabic) to find out whether you can claim benefits in Egypt.
Buying and renting property in Egypt
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers buying and renting property abroad.
Generally, foreign nationals cannot own land in Egypt unless they are officially resident there. Contact an English-speaking lawyer in Egypt if you’re considering buying property or land.
Read our guide to buying property in Egypt for detailed information.
Voting in Egypt
UK elections
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- vote in UK elections from abroad
- register as an overseas voter
Egyptian elections
You cannot vote in Egyptian elections unless you hold Egyptian citizenship.
Studying in Egypt
If you plan to study in Egypt, you must meet all visa requirements before you travel.
For more information:
- read guidance on travel grants for students studying abroad or on placements (England)
- read about the Ministry of Higher Education’s ‘Study in Egypt’ programme (in Arabic)
- contact your higher education provider in the UK or Egypt
- contact the British Council in Egypt
You may need to show a letter of no objection (PDF, 31.1 KB, 1 page) as part of the school or university admission process.
Children
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers moving abroad with children, including:
- getting permission to take your child abroad
- claiming UK Child Benefit abroad
- child maintenance payments if a parent lives abroad
Schools and education
The Egyptian Ministry of Education provides information about the school system in Egypt.
All children aged 4 to 14 must attend school in Egypt.
There are international schools, offering the British and the American curriculum, throughout the country. As part of the rigorous admissions process you should expect:
- requests for records of academic performance from previous schools
- to attend an in-person interview with the school superintendent
For more information on the Egyptian education system, read guidance from the British Council in Egypt.
Childcare
The National Council for Childhood and Motherhood is responsible for state-funded childcare services in Egypt.
Most British people living in Egypt use private nurseries and childcare services.
Births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships
Read our guidance on family law in Egypt for advice on:
- marriage laws in Egypt
- registering a child’s birth
- types and consequences of divorce
Births
If your child is born in Egypt, register the birth at the local health office or civil registry within 15 days of the birth. You need a residency permit to register a birth as a foreigner in Egypt.
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- register the birth with the UK authorities to get a UK birth certificate
- apply for your child’s first British passport
Deaths
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:
- what to do after someone dies abroad
- how to register the death with the UK authorities
If someone dies in Egypt, read guidance on:
Marriages and civil partnerships
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get married or get a civil partnership abroad.
You can also read our guidance on family law in Egypt.
Divorce and separation
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get a divorce or end a civil partnership.
To get a divorce in Egypt contact the Egyptian Family Court. You should seek legal advice from an English-speaking lawyer in Egypt.
Read our guidance on family law in Egypt for more information.
Documents for British people in Egypt
Read our guidance on documents for British people abroad. This covers:
- legalising and certifying UK documents
- marriage and civil partnership documents
- affirmations and affidavits
- witnessing signatures
Lawyers, translators and notaries
To find an English-speaking lawyer, translator or notary in Egypt, read guidance on professional services if you’re abroad.
Pets
If you want to bring your pet with you to Egypt, read guidance on:
- the documents you need to take pets to Egypt in the Egyptian Consulate General in London’s FAQs
- taking your pet dog, cat or ferret to a non-EU country
Returning to the UK
Read returning to the UK permanently. This includes information on bringing family members back to the UK, tax and access to services.
Disclaimer
We provide this information as a guide only. For definitive information, contact the Egyptian authorities.
Read our consular information disclaimer.
Updates to this page
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Rewrote guide to make it easier to read and understand. Includes new information about dual citizens travelling to the UK ('Passports and travel' section).
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Added letter of no objection for schools and university admissions ('Studying in Egypt' section). Added link to consular letter for use when applying for an Egyptian driving license ('Driving in Egypt' section).
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In the 'Studying in Egypt' section, a downloadable letter has been removed. The letter explained that the British Embassy in Cairo has no objection to British nationals enrolling in Egyptian schools and universities. This letter is no longer required.
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Added a downloadable school and university letter.
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Updated guide in full.
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Updated information on where in Cairo to apply for extension and residency visas
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Education section updated with a new link to the Ministry of Education.
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Coronavirus section added with a link to guidance on vaccines
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First published.