Real Estate and Property in Egypt

Real Estate and Property in Egypt

Foreign buyers in Egypt work within three overlapping laws: Law No. 230 of 1996 for built property and vacant land, Law No. 15 of 1963 for agricultural land and Law No. 143 of 1981 for desert land. We review the title, the seller's authority and the registration route from our Cairo branch before money moves.

Who may own, and how much

Under Law No. 230 of 1996 a non-Egyptian may own up to two properties in Egypt for private residence, each up to 4,000 square meters and not classed as a historic site; property needed for a licensed activity is treated separately, and exemptions need the Prime Minister's approval. Foreigners cannot acquire agricultural land. Vacant land must be built on within five years of registration, and a foreign owner may sell only five years after registration unless the Prime Minister consents. Acquisition by inheritance falls outside these limits.

Title, registration and checks before signing

In Egypt the buyer's position rests on registration. Property is registered at the Real Estate Registry offices under the Real Estate Registration Law No. 114 of 1946 or the title system of Law No. 142 of 1964, and an unregistered preliminary sale contract leaves a weaker position. We check the chain of title, encumbrances, the seller's or developer's authority and the ownership category before signing, then prepare the registration file. For the wider practice, see General Commercial & Corporate; to scope a specific transaction, contact our team.

MENA coordination

The firm was founded in Kuwait in 1986 and has a branch in Cairo. It covers MENA matters in cooperation with partner offices in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar, and partner offices in Turkey and the United States. Those partner offices are not branches owned by the firm; local licensing and advice are assessed in the relevant jurisdiction.

This page is general information, not advice for a particular entity or transaction.

Frequently asked questions

Can a foreigner buy property in Egypt?

Yes, under Law No. 230 of 1996: up to two properties for private residence, each up to 4,000 square meters and not a historic site. Cases beyond those limits need the Prime Minister's approval.

Can a foreigner buy agricultural or desert land in Egypt?

Law No. 15 of 1963 bars foreigners from agricultural land. Desert land is governed by Law No. 143 of 1981, which defines it as land two kilometers outside city borders; companies may own it within set limits if at least 51 per cent of the capital is Egyptian.

How does the firm handle Egyptian property matters?

From our Cairo branch we review title, registration and the permitted ownership category before a deal is signed, and we scope each purchase on its own facts.

Other markets

Company Formation in Egypt · Real Estate and Property in Saudi Arabia · Real Estate and Property in the UAE · Real Estate and Property in Qatar · Real Estate and Property in Oman · Real Estate and Property in Bahrain