Retire in Egypt
Featured city: Alexandria
US State Dept · Level 3 — Reconsider TravelMid-range benchmark for a couple. Use the Matcher for FX- and inflation-adjusted comparisons.
Egypt offers millennia of history, a warm Mediterranean coast, and one of the lowest costs of living globally. Alexandria provides sea breezes, European-influenced cafés, and affordable healthcare — all at a fraction of Western costs.
Rich history, Mediterranean coast, very low cost
- Low Cost
- Warm Climate
- Beach/Coastal
- Easy Visa
- US State Department recommends reconsidering travel — regional risks apply, review the current advisory carefully.
- English is not widely spoken outside major cities — plan for a language learning curve.
- Healthcare quality can be uneven outside major urban centers — private international insurance is strongly recommended.
- Infrastructure (roads, internet, utilities) may vary by region — visit before committing to a long lease.
Retirement visa
A 5-year residency permit is available through property investment of at least $50,000 or bank deposits.
Cost of living
In Hurghada, a modern apartment can be rented for $400, and food costs are exceptionally low for those earning foreign currency.
Numbeo cost indexHealthcare
Private hospitals in Cairo and seaside resorts offer good standards; medical insurance is essential for expats.
Healthcare indexSafety
Police presence is heavy in tourist areas; risks include petty crime and occasional political demonstrations.
travel.state.govMonthly cost of living in Egypt
These figures reflect life in Alexandria, Egypt's Mediterranean second city and a popular choice for retirees who want sea air without Cairo's traffic and pollution. Cairo has more amenities and a bigger expat network but is noisier, more polluted and roughly 10–20% pricier on rent; smaller towns like Hurghada or Luxor are cheaper still but far more tourism-seasonal. The Egyptian pound has depreciated sharply and repeatedly in recent years, so dollar-linked figures here are more reliable than a fixed pound number.
| Expense | USD / mo | EGP / mo |
|---|---|---|
| Rent — 1-bedroom, city centreSea-view apartments cost a real premium over inland units | $300 | £E 14,700 |
| Rent — 1-bedroom, outside centre | $190 | £E 9,300 |
| Electricity, water, internetSubsidy cuts have pushed utility bills up sharply in recent years | $55 | £E 2,700 |
| Groceries (one person)Local produce and staples are very cheap; imported goods cost far more | $150 | £E 7,350 |
| Eating out (10–15 meals)Local koshari and grills run $2–4; Western-style restaurants $12–20 | $70 | £E 3,430 |
| TransportTaxis, Uber/Careem and microbuses are all inexpensive | $35 | £E 1,720 |
| Mobile phone plan | $10 | £E 490 |
| Private health insurance (age 65)Private hospitals are good value; insurance smooths out large one-off bills | $180 | £E 8,820 |
| Residence permit admin (amortised) | $15 | £E 735 |
| Leisure and travel fund | $95 | £E 4,660 |
About $1,050/month for one person in Alexandria with private insurance.
About $1,600/month for a couple sharing rent and utilities.
Figures last reviewed September 2026. Cross-checked against Numbeo cost of living in Egypt . Currency conversions move — re-check before budgeting.
How much do you need to retire in Egypt?
Egypt remains one of the cheapest countries on this list, but repeated pound devaluations mean retirees should plan in dollar terms and keep a buffer, since local prices for imported goods can jump suddenly even when the dollar cost looks stable.
A simple life in an older Alexandria neighbourhood on a local diet.
- Older apartment away from the seafront
- Local produce, bread and staples rather than imported groceries
- Public transport and occasional taxis
- Minimal insurance, paying cash for routine care
A sea-view or well-located apartment, regular dining out, and proper private insurance.
- 1-bedroom apartment near the Corniche
- Frequent local and some Western restaurant meals
- Private health insurance covering major hospitals
- Trips to Cairo, Luxor and the Red Sea coast
A larger apartment or house with a car and comprehensive care access.
- Two- or three-bedroom apartment with sea views
- Car ownership and a driver if desired
- Comprehensive private insurance at Cairo's top hospitals
- Frequent regional and international travel
What Egypt's residence permit route actually requires
- Visa route
- Most retirees enter on a tourist visa and convert to a renewable residence permit inside Egypt, rather than applying for a dedicated named 'retirement visa' abroad.
- Financial requirement
- Residence permits for financially independent foreigners generally require evidence of a foreign bank transfer or deposit into an Egyptian bank — commonly cited figures are in the range of tens of thousands of US dollars for longer-term (multi-year) permits, with smaller amounts for shorter renewable stays.
- Property-linked residency
- Buying real estate above a set value (historically around US$50,000, subject to change) can support an eligible residence permit application, administered jointly with the Ministry of Interior.
- Renewal
- Permits are typically issued for 1, 3 or 5 years depending on the category and are renewable, with periodic proof of continued financial means.
- Issuing authority
- Residence permits are issued by Egypt's Ministry of Interior through its Passport, Immigration and Nationality Administration.
Egyptian residence permit categories, fees and required deposit amounts change periodically and are applied somewhat differently by different immigration offices. Confirm current requirements with Egyptian Immigration or a licensed local agent before transferring any money.
Compare retirement visas across countries →Taxes for retirees in Egypt
- Tax system
- Territorial-leaning
- When you become tax resident
- Tax resident after 183 days in a calendar year, or if your main home / centre of life is there.
- Income tax rates
- Progressive 0–27.5% on Egypt-source income.
- Capital gains, wealth & inheritance
- Capital gains 10% on listed shares; no wealth tax; no inheritance tax; low real estate tax with a high exemption.
- How your foreign pension is treated
- Foreign pensions are generally not taxed; Egypt taxes income earned in Egypt, and Egyptian pensions have their own exemptions.
- US tax treaty
- US income tax treaty in force — it usually decides which country taxes your pension.
Tax incentives for retirees
- Foreign pensions largely outside the Egyptian tax net.
- No inheritance or wealth tax.
- Real estate tax has a generous exemption threshold.
General information only, not tax advice. Rates, thresholds and special regimes change frequently and your outcome depends on your citizenship, residency history and treaty position — confirm with a cross-border tax adviser before you move money or change residence.
Retiring in Egypt: common questions
How much money do you need to retire in Egypt?
A lean life in an older Alexandria neighbourhood runs about $750/month, a comfortable sea-view apartment lifestyle with private insurance about $1,300/month, and an upscale setup with a car around $2,200/month. Residence permits themselves generally require a bank deposit or transfer, with the exact amount depending on which permit category and duration you apply for.
How do foreigners get long-term residency in Egypt?
Most retirees enter on a tourist visa and then apply for a renewable residence permit inside the country, rather than a separate 'retirement visa' issued abroad. Permits for financially independent foreigners require proof of funds transferred into an Egyptian bank, and are typically issued for 1, 3 or 5 years depending on the amount and category. Buying property above a set value can also support a residence application.
Can foreigners own property in Egypt?
Yes, foreigners can generally own apartments and property in most areas, though ownership of agricultural land and property in Sinai and some border/military-sensitive zones is restricted or requires special permission. Foreign ownership rules and required approvals can vary by governorate, so use a local real estate lawyer to confirm the property you're considering is in an unrestricted zone before signing.
What is healthcare like in Egypt?
Private hospitals in Alexandria and Cairo — such as the As-Salam or Dar Al Fouad networks — offer good-quality care at a fraction of Western prices, and many doctors trained or worked abroad and speak English. Public hospitals are far cheaper but generally lower-standard and not where expats go for anything beyond emergencies. For the most complex procedures, some retirees still choose to fly to Europe, so insurance that includes evacuation options is worth considering.
Do retirees pay tax on foreign pension income in Egypt?
Egypt's tax system leans territorial in practice, and foreign pension income is generally not taxed by Egypt, since the system targets income earned in Egypt and Egyptian pensions have their own separate exemptions. There's no inheritance or wealth tax, and real estate tax carries a generous exemption threshold. As always, check your home country's treatment of the pension too, since Egypt not taxing it doesn't mean your home country won't.
Which Egyptian city is best for retirees?
Alexandria offers Mediterranean sea air, a cooler climate than Cairo, a slower pace, and lower costs, with the trade-off of fewer international flights and a smaller expat network. Cairo has the best hospitals, international schools and amenities but heavy traffic and pollution. Red Sea towns like Hurghada or coastal Sinai suit those who want beach and diving access, with a more transient, tourism-driven expat community.
Is Egypt safe for retirees?
Cairo, Alexandria and the main tourist areas are generally safe for foreigners, with violent crime against tourists and expats uncommon and a heavy security presence around tourist sites. The main practical risks are road traffic, which is chaotic and has a high accident rate, and specific security advisories for North Sinai and some remote border areas, which most retirees never visit anyway. Political stability has held for over a decade, though it's worth checking the current US State Department advisory before travelling.
What is day-to-day life like for a foreign retiree in Egypt?
Life moves at a different pace than the West — bureaucracy can be slow, business hours are irregular around prayer times and Ramadan, and haggling is normal for most purchases outside fixed-price supermarkets. English is spoken reasonably well in Alexandria and Cairo's expat-facing businesses and hospitals but far less so in government offices, so a fixer or Arabic-speaking assistant makes life considerably easier, especially for the residence permit renewal process.
Still deciding? Ask retirees in the forum or read the retirement visa guide.
Ready to compare with your budget?
Run the calculator or open the Destination Matcher to see how Egypt fits.
Other destinations in Middle East
Educational content only — not immigration, tax, legal, or financial advice. Visa, golden-visa, and citizenship-by-investment rules change frequently. Verify with the official government source above and a licensed professional before making any relocation, investment, or citizenship decision.