RU
DE
FR
ES
PT
AR
From March 2020, foreigners have been able to obtain citizenship for investment in Egypt. The programme offers several options:
- purchasing real estate;
- opening a deposit in a local bank;
- making a non-refundable contribution or investing in a local business.
The minimum investment amount is USD 250,000, making it one of the most affordable options worldwide.
One of the key advantages of the Egyptian programme is the relatively short processing time of six months, allowing you to quickly get an Egyptian passport. This passport grants visa-free access to over 80 countries and an E-2 USA visa. Egypt recognises dual citizenship, allowing you to retain your home country’s passport. In most cases, the investor will be able to recover their investment within three to five years.
Content
Conditions for obtaining citizenship in Egypt for investment
Option 1: Irrevocable contribution of USD 250,000
The most affordable option is a non-refundable donation of USD 250,000 to the budget. A special unit within the Cabinet of Ministers will process the application.
Option 2: Deposit in a state bank from USD 500,000
The deposit must be held for a minimum of three years. The money must be deposited in US dollars, but it will be returned in Egyptian pounds.
Option 3: Investment in an existing or new business from USD 350,000 plus a non-refundable donation of USD 100,000
The business must have been operational for at least five years; otherwise, citizenship will be revoked. An additional contribution of USD 250,000 can secure its retention.
Option 4: Buying a property for at least USD 300,000
To obtain citizenship for investment in real estate in Egypt, you can select one or more properties from a list provided by the Cabinet of Ministers. Payment in instalments is possible, but the property cannot be sold for five years.
What Egyptian citizenship can give you
Here are some reasons to get citizenship in Egypt:
- Second Home: Individuals who get Egyptian citizenship can enter the country at any time and stay indefinitely, enjoying the same rights as locals. Additionally, citizenship is hereditary, granting the same privileges to children and grandchildren.
- Free travel: Egyptian passport holders can visit over 80 countries without a visa or with a visa on arrival or an online visa. For example, тo visa is required to enter Hong Kong, while an e-permit is sufficient for entry into Côte d'Ivoire or Sri Lanka.
- Tax incentives for businesspeople: Egypt is keen to attract foreign investors, offering nine free economic zones where businesses can be established under simplified procedures, without paying customs duties and income tax.
- Relatively low costs: The cost of citizenship in Egypt starts at USD 250,000, which is comparable to rates in Caribbean countries like St. Kitts and Nevis. However, it’s significantly more affordable than similar programmes in Europe, where costs and requirements can be two to three times higher.
- Return on investment: Investors can generally recover their investment within three to five years after obtaining a passport, either by closing a deposit in an Egyptian bank or selling property or a business. The only exception is the option involving a non-refundable contribution to a government fund.
- E-2 visa option for the United States: This visa allows you to move to the US and establish a business, with no fixed minimum investment requirement. The investment can start from as low as USD 100,000.
Who is eligible for an Egyptian passport for investment?
The Egyptian passport programme is open to citizens of most countries worldwide. Any adult investor who meets the following requirements may participate:
- has a legal source of income,
- is in good health,
- has no criminal record.
The investor has the right to include a spouse and children under 21 years of age who are not married in the application. However, it should be noted that spouses will receive their passports only two years after the main applicant.
Dual citizenship in Egypt
In Egypt, dual citizenship is permitted, allowing foreigners to obtain an Egyptian passport without renouncing their original one. This is particularly appealing to investors, as they can enjoy the benefits of both citizenships. However, authorities must be notified of the second passport. Dual citizens may face certain restrictions, such as being prohibited from working in specific government positions.
Citizenship in Egypt for real estate investments
A foreigner can obtain citizenship by purchasing property in Egypt for USD 300,000 or more. Knowledge of the Arabic language or mandatory residence in the country is not required. Real estate investors are permitted to purchase various categories of property:
- Residential property:
- Apartments in Egypt are ideal for individual buyers and small families, ranging from studios to luxury apartments and 7-bedroom penthouses;
- Houses and villas in Egypt offer larger and more private options, suitable for larger families. These properties often feature private pools, gardens, car parks and outdoor terraces;
- Townhouses are cottages that share a common wall with a neighbouring property, typically located in urban areas and often having a small private courtyard.
- Commercial properties: Offices, shops, hotels and warehouses can generate income and are ideal for entrepreneurs planning to do business in the country.
- Properties under construction: Opting for projects under construction can be advantageous due to lower prices.
- Land plots: Vacant land suitable for the construction of residential or commercial buildings. This presents an excellent opportunity to realise individual projects or make profitable investments.
Property prices in popular regions (in USD)
| Location | 1-bedroom apartment | 3-bedroom villa | Price per m² |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Cairo | from 68,000 | from 259,000 | 1,377 |
| Sheikh Zayed | from 78,000 | from 217,000 | 1,600 |
| 6 October | from 34,000 | from 206,000 | 1,200 |
| Hurghada | from 10,000 | from 65,000 | 350 |
| Alexandria | from 13,000 | from 90,000 | 810 |
However, it’s important to note that these are starting prices and the actual cost of properties, especially in new developments on the coast, can be significantly higher. Based on data for Q4 2024, the average transaction prices are as follows:
| Region | Purchase price (USD) |
|---|---|
| New Cairo | |
| Studio | 107,000 |
| 1-bedroom | 129,000 |
| 2-bedroom | 194,000 |
| 3-bedroom | 210,000 |
| with 4+ bedrooms | 282,000 |
| 6 October | |
| 1-bedroom | 165,000 |
| 2-bedroom | 150,000 |
| 3-bedroom | 227,000 |
| Mohandessin | |
| 1-bedroom | 65,000 |
| 2-bedroom | 107,000 |
| 3-bedroom | 146,000 |
| 4+ bedrooms | 227,000 |
| Sheikh Zayed | |
| Studio | 146,000 |
| 1-bedroom | 144,000 |
| 2-bedroom | 195,000 |
| 3-bedroom | 232,000 |
| 4+ bedrooms | 290,000 |
| Heliopolis – Masr El Gedida | |
| 2-bedroom | 113,000 |
| 3-bedroom | 146,000 |
| 4+ bedrooms | 194,000 |
| Alexandria | |
| 2-bedroom | 61,000 |
| 3-bedroom | 117,000 |
| 4+ bedrooms | 152,000 |
Properties for sale in Egypt
Investgo LlcThe other ways to obtain Egyptian citizenship
In addition to investment, there are other ways to obtain citizenship in the country:
- By naturalisation: Expats who have lived legally in the country for at least 10 years can apply for citizenship in Egypt through naturalisation. Knowledge of Arabic and proof of financial stability are mandatory requirements.
- Through marriage: Foreigners married to a citizen of the country can apply for citizenship after two years of cohabitation in Egypt. It’s necessary to provide evidence of a strong family relationship and confirm the absence of a criminal record.
- By birthright: Children with at least one parent who is an Egyptian citizen are entitled to citizenship, regardless of the place of birth.
- By right of land (in limited cases): Children with unknown parents or those found in the country are eligible for a local passport.
- By exceptional merit: This pathway is rare and requires special consideration. The president of the country makes the decision directly. Legislation does not provide a clear list of criteria for this category but it can include significant achievements in science, culture, sports or other areas.
List of documents for obtaining citizenship in Egypt
To apply for Egyptian citizenship, the following documents are required.
- copies of the applicant's, spouse’s and children's passports
- birth certificates for the applicant and all family members
- photographs of the investor (3×4 cm)
- proof of payment of the state fee of USD 10,000
- certificate of no criminal record from the applicant’s country of residence
- certificate of no criminal record from the Egyptian Ministry of Interior, if the applicant has previously visited the country
- certificate of good health issued by an Egyptian hospital
- proof of the legal origin of funds and evidence of fulfilling investment obligations
The main stages of Egyptian citizenship registration
The principal stages are as follows:
- Document preparation: The investor gathers all necessary certificates, completes the forms and submits the application.
- Payment of the state fee: The applicant must pay a non-refundable fee of USD 10,000. This transfer must be made from abroad.
- Submission of the application: The applicant submits the documents at the headquarters of the Programme Department at the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI) or through immigration brokers.
- Due diligence: Within three months, the department reviews the documents using security agency databases. If the result is favourable, the applicant receives provisional approval.
- Issuance of a temporary residence permit: After completing the first stage of verification, investors are granted a temporary residence permit for six months. This visa allows them to enter the country and fulfil their investment obligations.
- Approval of the application: After the investor has fulfilled their obligations, the department continues the verification of their documents, which lasts for approximately three more months. If all conditions are met, the Prime Minister of the country signs the naturalisation documents.
- Obtaining the passport: The investor receives the naturalisation certificate and passport in person. In some cases, citizenship can be granted after the initial verification if the investment has been fully transferred before the verification.
- Renewal: The status itself is valid for life, but the document will need to be renewed after seven years by applying to the Department of Passports, Immigration and Nationality.
Why citizenship can be refused
A request for citizenship may be rejected for the following reasons:
- non-compliance with the programme requirements;
- submission of an incomplete set of documents or inaccurate or misleading information;
- criminal record or a well-founded concern that the applicant may pose a threat to society or national security;
- inability to prove a legal and stable source of income or the legality of the origin of funds.
In the event of a refusal, it’s crucial to understand the reasons for the rejection and if possible, address them to prepare a second request. It’s advisable to seek professional support to minimise the risks of rejection.
The cost and terms of obtaining citizenship in Egypt
The processing time for investor citizenship in Egypt ranges from six to twelve months. The duration may vary depending on the workload of migration services, the completeness of the submitted documents and other factors.
The minimum costs for obtaining citizenship for real estate investment in Egypt are presented in the following table:
| Cost item | Amount in USD |
|---|---|
| Minimum value of real estate | from 300,000 |
| State fee | 10,000 |
| Services of a broker and/or notary | from USD 6,000 (2–3% of the property price) |
| Registration of the transaction in court (not mandatory but recommended for legal protection) | from USD 9,000 (3% of the property price) |
| Additional expenses (interpreter services, visa expenses, etc.) | from USD 1,000 |
| Total | from USD 326,000 |
FAQ
Trending
Comments