Middle East and North Africa

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• Natural disasters
• General
 

Travel Summary

• There have been confirmed human cases of the H1N1 virus (Swine Flu) in Egypt, including some reported deaths. Please see the Swine Flu section of this Travel Advice.
  
  
• There is a high threat from terrorism in Egypt.  Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers, such as hotels and restaurants.   See the Terrorism section of this Travel Advice.
  
  
• The Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza remains closed for an indefinite period.  Tensions remain high in the Rafah area following violent demonstrations in early January. For travel advice on Gaza see the travel advice for Israel and the Occupied Territories.
  
  
• You should avoid political gatherings and demonstrations, and respect any advice or instruction from the local security authorities.
  
  
• 1,201,859 British nationals visited Egypt in 2008 (source: Egyptian Ministry of Tourism).  Most visits are trouble-free.  432 British nationals required consular assistance in Egypt in the period 01 April 2008 – 31 March 2009 for the following types of incident; deaths (108 cases); hospitalisations (97 cases); and arrests, for a variety of offences (45 cases) and rape/sexual assault (30 cases). During this period assistance was also requested with regard to lost or stolen passports (153 cases).  The majority of consular cases occur in Cairo and Sharm el-Sheikh.
  
  
• Egyptian society is conservative and women should dress modestly.  See the Local Laws and Customs section of this Travel Advice.
  
  
• The crime rate in Egypt is low but you should safeguard valuables including your passport and money. You should carry some form of photographic ID at all times.  A copy of your passport is sufficient.
  
  
• We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. See the General (Insurance) section of this Travel Advice and our Travel Insurance page.
  

Safety and security

Terrorism

There is a high threat from terrorism in Egypt.  Security is tight throughout Egypt, especially in resort areas. There remains a risk of indiscriminate attacks including places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers, such as hotels and restaurants.  Security authorities may insist on escorting you in some areas.  We recommend that you carry photo identification and co-operate fully with officials.

On 6 January 2010, around seven people were killed in a drive-by shooting outside a church in Naj Hammadi in southern Egypt.  This was followed by reported clashes between protestors and police on 7 January.  In May 2009 an explosion occurred outside St Mary’s Church in Zeitoun, Cairo. No one was injured.  In February 2009 there was an explosion in Cairo’s Khan al Khalili market which killed one foreign tourist. 

Since 2004 there have been three separate bomb attacks in the Sinai Peninsula.  British nationals were killed or injured in each of these attacks.  The most recent incident involving British nationals occurred on 24 April 2006 in the resort town of Dahab.

As some of these attacks have taken place over local holiday weekends, Egyptian security forces tend to step up their presence at these times. You are advised to take extra cautioin at these times and respect any advice or instructioin from the local security authorities. A list of Egyptian holidays can be found on the website of the British Embassy in Cairo. For more general information see our Terrorism Abroad page.

Crime

The crime rate in Egypt is low but you should take precautions.  Take care of your passport and valuables, use hotel safes and be aware of pickpockets and bag snatchers.  If you are the victim of any crime you must report it to the Tourist Police immediately.  Failure to report crimes before you leave Egypt will make it impossible to seek a prosecution at a later date.

On 11 January 2010, an individual posing as an armed police officer stole a car from a European national near a British School in Cairo having convinced the driver to leave the vehicle. This currently appears to be an isolated incident.

We continue to receive a significant number of reports of cases  of sexual assault cases against  British Nationals. In 2008, we handled 24 cases of serious sexual assault and six cases of rape. Some assaults were against minors. Many occurred in what were considered to be safe environments e.g. hotel premises. For more guidance about this see our Rape and Sexual Assault page.

Be aware that alcohol and drugs can lead to you being less alert, less in control and less aware of your environment.  If you are going to drink, know your limit. Remember that drinks served in bars overseas are often stronger than those in the UK.
 
For more general information see our Victims of Crime page.
 

Political Situation

Egypt Country Profile

Opposition in Egypt to western and British policy in the Middle East is widespread.  You should follow news reports and be alert to events which might trigger public disturbance.  You should avoid political gatherings and demonstrations, and respect any advice or instruction from the local security authorities.

Border Areas

All border areas should be treated with extreme caution. If you intend to travel to the south west corner of the country near the Egypt/Sudan/Libya border, you must apply for a permit from the Travel Permits Department of the Egyptian Ministry of the Interior.  We advise extreme caution in travelling to this area, and you should carefully  consider whether your security arrangements are adequate. In 2008 19 people were kidnapped whilst on safari in the Karkur Talh area, near the border. The borders in this area are porous and bandits and armed groups operate.

The area of the border between Egypt and Gaza and surrounding North Sinai area is often tense with occasional outbreaks of violence.  There have been recent reports of cross-border shootings into Egypt, including on 6 January 2010 when an Egyptian border guard was shot and killed.  Demonstrators on the Gaza side of the border near the Rafah crossing were injured during clashes on 6 January and the security situation in the area remains tense.  For the latest requirements on crossing from Egypt to Gaza, delivering aid or entering for humanitarian purposes, you should contact the Egyptian Embassy in London.

However, the Egyptian authorities have stated that all aid going into Gaza from Egypt must be channelled through the Egyptian Red Crescent (Tel + 20 226 703 979, + 20 226 703 983, Fax + 20 226 703 967) and that they will not accept any aid convoys. Short notice requests for humanitarian access and those made in Egypt are unlikely to be considered. You should also read the FCO Travel Advice for Israel and the Occupied Territories.

LOCAL TRAVEL

Road Travel

Road accidents are very common in Egypt, mainly due to poor roads, dangerous driving and non-enforcement of traffic laws. Police estimate that road accidents kill over 6,000 people in Egypt each year.  This is double the UK figure.  Avoid driving outside main cities and resorts at night and observe the local speed limit. Make sure you obtain adequate third party insurance. In the event of an accident emergency medical facilities are limited.

You can drive in Egypt on an International driving licence for up to six months. If you intend to remain in Egypt for a longer period you must apply for an Egyptian driving licence.

By law, seatbelts must be worn when travelling in the front of a vehicle. Where available, seatbelts should be worn at all times. Child car seats are available locally.

Only certain categories of foreign residents may import vehicles. Vehicles of visitors should be temporarily imported with a valid “carnet de passage” available from the Automobile Association.

There have been eight serious bus crashes since January 2006, in which over 100 people have been killed. If you are a passenger in a vehicle that is travelling at an unsafe speed you should firmly instruct the driver to slow down.

If travelling off road, a qualified guide should be employed and appropriate permits obtained from the Ministry of Interior

For more general information see our Driving Abroad page.

Rail Travel

Egypt's rail network has experienced a number of fatal accidents in recent years.  The most recent crash with a large number of fatalities occurred in October 2009 south of Cairo.

River/Sea Travel

There have been four significant fires on Nile cruisers since September 2006. An Egyptian ferry sank in the Red Sea between Duba, Saudi Arabia and Safaga, Egypt in February 2006.

Egypt does not see the scale of piracy experienced in the Horn of Africa. Travellers in small or slow boats are however advised to move in convoy and obtain detailed advice from the coastguard before carefully considering the risks in travelling through the Red Sea. Some cruise ships departing from Egyptian ports travel through the Gulf of Aden. You should consult the Department for Transport's latest advice on piracy in the Gulf of Aden if you are considering travelling through this region.

For more general information see our River and Sea Safety page.

Adventure activities

Before undertaking any adventure activity ensure that your travel insurance covers you for the activity.

The hiring of quad bikes can be dangerous. There have been several serious quad bike accidents involving British nationals in resort areas. You should take the same precautions as you would in the UK and note that safety standards can vary considerably. You should always wear a crash helmet and you should ensure that your travel insurance policy covers you fully before you hire a quad bike.

If you are considering diving or snorkelling in any of the Red Sea resorts you should be aware that safety standards of diving operators can vary considerably.  A basic rule is never to dive or snorkel unaccompanied.  Where possible you should make any bookings through your tour representative. Unusually cheap operators may not provide adequate safety and insurance standards.   Ensure that your travel insurance covers you fully before you dive.  Diving beyond the depth limit of your insurance policy will invalidate your cover.

You should ensure that your travel insurance, or that of the tour or dive company, provides adequate cover for the costs involved in any air/sea rescue if you are lost at sea.  The current fee can exceed US$4000 per hour.  The Egyptian authorities will only undertake air/sea rescue operations on receipt of a guarantee of payment.  The British Embassy is unable to provide this initial guarantee, but does facilitate communication between insurance companies and the Egyptian authorities.

There have been three serious hot air balloon accidents in Luxor so far in 2009. You should consider the operator's safety arrangements carefully.

Other activities which could invalidate your insurance cover are camel and horse riding.

Landmines

There remains a small risk from unexploded landmines in certain desert areas in the north west of Egypt near to Alamein, and on some limited stretches of the Mediterranean coast near Marsa Matrouh and on the Red Sea coast south of Suez. Danger areas are usually well marked with signs and barbed wire fencing. You should exercise caution and follow local advice, especially if planning trips off marked roads.

Local laws and customs

Local laws reflect the fact that Egypt is predominantly an Islamic country. You should respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions at all times and be aware of your actions to ensure that they do not offend other cultures or religious beliefs.  This is especially important during the holy month of Ramadan or if you intend to visit religious areas.  For more general information see our Travelling During Ramadan page.

The government does not interfere with the practice of Christianity but encouraging conversion to the Christian faith is illegal. Egypt is also a conservative society.  You should dress modestly, especially in rural areas, mosques and souqs (markets).  Women's clothes should cover their legs and upper arms. Men should cover their chests.  Public displays of affection are frowned upon. What may be acceptable in the tourist resort areas may be frowned upon in other areas.

Visitors and residents should carry photographic ID at all times. Your passport must contain a valid visa.

Drinking in the street and anywhere other than a licenced restaurant or bar is not allowed and can lead to arrest.

Possession, use or trafficking in illegal drugs is a serious offence and can, even for possession of small amounts, lead to lengthy prison sentences (25 years), life imprisonment or the death penalty. Those convicted to life imprisonment on drugs charges will normally spend the rest of their life in prison with no possibility of parole or pardon.

Photography of or near military official installations is strictly prohibited.  Don’t photograph officials without their consent.  Plane spotting is not advised in any circumstances.  You may be detained or arrested if you use binoculars near an airport.

Although homosexuality is not in itself illegal under Egyptian law, homosexual acts in public are illegal and homosexuals have been convicted for breaching laws on public decency.

Women are advised to take extra caution when travelling alone as there have been cases of harassment and sexual assault, including rape. Egyptian family law is very different from UK law and particular caution is needed when, for example, child custody becomes an issue.  Please see o0ur parental child abduction page.

For more general information for different types of travellers see our Your trip page.

Entry requirements

Visas

British passport holders travelling to Egypt normally require a visa. However, the Egyptian authorities state that "British nationals travelling to Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba and Taba resorts only, for up to 14 days, do not require a visa, they shall receive a free entry permission stamp upon arrival. If you intend to travel out of the mentioned areas or overstay, you must obtain a visa." Visas can be obtained from an Egyptian Consulate outside Egypt or on arrival by payment in Sterling or USD, for stays of up to a month. If you have travelled to the Sinai peninsular, entering without a visa, and your plans change you can normally purchase a visa at Sharm El Sheikh airport to allow you to travel.  Applications for visa extensions should be made at Egyptian Passport and Immigration Offices. Further information is available from the Egyptian Consulate and any enquiries should be directed to the Egyptian authorities. A visa does not guarantee entry into Egypt.  The decision to allow or decline entry rests solely with the Egyptian immigration authorities and we cannot interfere in another country's immigration policy or procedures.  We will, however, do all we properly can to make contact within 24 hours of hearing of the detention of a British national to offer advice and contact relatives in the UK if requested. You may have difficulties leaving Egypt with an out of date visa.  You will not normally be allowed to leave if the visa is out of date by more than 14 days. For visas and further information on entry requirements, check with the Egyptian Embassy in your country of residence: the Egyptian Embassy in London.
 

Passport validity

Your passport should be valid for at least six months.

 

Work permits

Evidence of an AIDS test is required if you are applying for a work permit.
 

Customs regulations

5,000 Egyptian pounds is the maximum amount of local currency you are allowed to bring in or take out of Egypt.  There is no limit to the amount of hard currency that you may bring in, but sums that exceed USD 10,000 should be declared on arrival.  Egyptian currency should not be sent through the post. Certain valuables such as electrical equipment, video camera etc must be declared on arrival.  Electrical items noted in passports must be produced on exit from the country.  Failure to do so will result in payment of high rates of customs duty.  It is advisable to contact the Egyptian embassy in your country of residence for specific information regarding customs requirements.

Health

Medical facilities outside Cairo can be basic and in case of emergency you are advised to seek treatment in Cairo. You should ensure that your medical insurance covers the cost of local hospitalisation and medical repatriation to your country of residence. 

Come prepared for the heat. Use a high factor sun block and drink plenty of water to guard against exposure and dehydration, which can result in serious health problems. 

In general tap water is not safe to drink. Bottled water is cheap and readily available. 

In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 9,000 adults aged 15 or over in Egypt were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at less than 0.1% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%.  You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see our HIV and AIDS page. 

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Egypt and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date.  For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection for Egypt you should check the websites of the National Travel Health Network and Centre NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47. 

For more general health information see our Travel Health page. 

Swine Flu - A (H1N1)

There are confirmed human cases of the H1N1 virus (Swine Flu) in Egypt, including several deaths. The World Health Organisation (WHO) Pandemic Threat Alert has been raised to Level 6. The World Health Organisation website has further details. You should monitor local media reports for any developments and advice. There is a dedicated Swine Flu page. Guidance on Pandemic Flu can be found on the UK Department of Health website.

The Egyptian authorities no longer screen for the Swine Flu virus at their airports nor place in quarantine those who show flu-like symptoms.  However, several British nationals have been taken to hospital after showing high temperatures and/or flu-like symptoms. If you have a high temperature and/or flu like symptoms, you should seek medical advice prior to travel to prevent hospitalisation on arrival in Egypt.

Medical facilities can be basic and vary throughout the country. Consular staff are unable to secure better hospital facilities or food and because of isolation requirements are unable to visit those affected. British nationals who are hospitalised with swine flu should contact their insurance company and travel representative as soon as possible.

If you are quarantined in a private hospital you may be charged for accommodation, food and medical treatment even if you are found to be H1N1 negative. The British Embassy is unable to advance payment or settle bills on your behalf.

Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) (H5N1)

The first cases of bird flu in Egypt were confirmed on 17 February 2006.  Since then, bird flu has been confirmed in 20 Governorates.  This has led to a number of cases of human infection, including a number of  fatalities, believed to have arisen from close contact with infected poultry.

The risk to humans from Avian Influenza is believed to be very low. However, as a precaution you should avoid visiting live animal markets, poultry farms and other places where you may come into close contact with domestic, caged or wild birds; and ensure poultry and egg dishes are thoroughly cooked.

You should read this advice in conjunction with the Avian and Pandemic Influenza page, which gives more detailed advice and information.

Natural disasters

Egypt is susceptible to occasional earthquakes; the last major one was in 1992.

General

Insurance

You are recommended to obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  Make sure it covers the cost of local hospitalisation and medical repatriation to your country of residence.  You should check any exclusions, e.g. pandemic flu and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. You should contact your insurer if you have had a previous health condition, including mental illness, as this may not be covered if it recurs.  For more general information see Travel Insurance.

If things go wrong when overseas, see When Things Go Wrong.

Registering with the British Embassy

Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency.
  

Money

Cash machines are quite common in Egypt, especially in the main tourist areas.  Scottish and Northern Irish bank notes are not exchangeable in Egypt. Major hotels and medical facilities will usually accept payment by credit card, however smaller hotels and medical establishments may expect payment in hard currency.
 

Purchase of Property

British nationals have purchased land in many parts of Egypt. Some have encountered problems. If you intend to purchase a property in Egypt we advise you to engage a local lawyer in whom you have confidence. A list of English speaking lawyers is available on the British Embassy Cairo website. You should deal only with established and reputable lawyers and estate agents or with other contacts whom they know to be reliable and genuine, and you should make all payments within bank premises and/or through banking channels and not in cash.  In parts of Egypt (including, increasingly, in the area of the West Bank in Luxor) your land tenure rights can be severely curtailed by local legislation.  It is important that your lawyer obtains an extract from the local land registry to satisfy you that the property or land in question is formally registered.  You should again seek legal advice before entering into any contract.  Don't sign anything that you do not understand.  A list of translators is available on the British Embassy, Cairo website (see above).  You should ensure that your personal details and the full purchase price of the property are reflected on the deeds.

The British Embassy is unable to interfere with court or legal proceedings. Neither can it lobby or provide updates to British national involved in land or property disputes.