Renting in Egypt
Finding a home is a key step in settling in Egypt — and a lease is often needed as proof of address when renewing residence. Here it is in three stages.
Before signing: avoid scams
The Chinese Embassy warns of people **posing as landlords** on social media to collect deposits. Use reputable platforms or licensed agents, verify the landlord's identity and ownership, and never transfer money before viewing.
When signing: key clauses
- If the lease is in Arabic alone, get it translated before you sign.
- Both parties' names, ID numbers and the property address;
- Term, rent, payment method and dates;
- **Deposit**: amount, conditions and timing for its return;
- Who handles repairs and pays electricity, water, gas and service charges;
- Early termination and penalties;
- An inventory of furniture and appliances, with photos or video at move-in.
After signing: two registrations
- **① Police notification of a foreign tenant**
- **② Date certification of the lease**
- Egypt's Ministry of Justice says leases under Law No. 4 of 1996 can have their date certified (إثبات تاريخ) at automated notary branches nationwide, regardless of where the property is. This gives the contract a fixed legal date and helps with residence renewals.
- Article 12 of Law No. 89 of 1960 on the entry and residence of foreigners requires anyone who houses a foreigner or rents them accommodation to report the foreigner's name and address to the registration office or local police station within the set deadline after arrival, and again when they leave;
- The Ministry of Interior portal offers an e-service for notifying rented apartments and shops;
- The duty falls mainly on the landlord, but tenants can check it has been done.
Reminder
Deadlines and procedures can change; check with the Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Justice. In a dispute, keep the lease, payment receipts and messages, and resolve it through negotiation or legal channels.
Sources
- Ministry of Interior – e-services for notifying rented apartments/shops (awareness campaigns page): https://www.moi.gov.eg/Home/awarenesscompains
- Ministry of Justice – date certification of leases at automated notary branches: https://moj.gov.eg/ar/PressReleases/Pages/the Official Gazette law entry cited in Sources.aspx
- Law 89/1960, Article 12 (legal database copy, not a government site): https://fahmqanon.com/laws/89-1960/12 (non-government / press)
- 中国驻埃及使馆 1 Oct 2025 电信网络诈骗提醒（假扮房东骗押金）: https://eg.china-embassy.gov.cn/lsfw/2018/0517/202510/t20251001_11722542.htm
- 中国驻亚历山大总领馆 2 Feb 2026 提醒（纠纷保存证据、依法维权）: https://alexandria.china-consulate.gov.cn/chn/lsyw/lsyw1/202602/t20260202_11849482.htm
- El Balad – steps for registering rented flats on the MOI site (press): https://www.elbalad.news/5294904 (non-government / press)
Your first week in Egypt
- Get a local SIM card and save key addresses in Arabic.
- Keep some Egyptian pounds in cash and use official exchange channels.
- Check your health insurance and the nearest hospital.
- Save emergency numbers and your embassy contact from its official website.
- Install a ride-hailing app and find the supermarket and pharmacy near your home.
How we work
- Send your request from the booking page or our contact channels: the task, the city and the date.
- The Wang Fu team checks the details and asks about your field and terminology if needed.
- You receive a written quote and plan before anything starts.
- We assign the right person, coordinate on site or remotely, and stay in touch until the job is done.