Planning a workation in Dahab? Or a business trip to Alexandria or Cairo? Learn the essential information you and your employees need to work safely and compliantly while traveling in Egypt, including working conditions, safety and health regulations, tax treaties, social security, and more.
Capital city
Cairo
Telephone code
+20
Official language
Arabic
Currency
Egyptian Pound (EGP)
Time zone
UTC+2
Social security compliance
When working remotely abroad, your employees may become subject to the social security scheme of the destination country, which means you, as an employer, would need to pay social security premiums accordingly. Egypt has social security agreements with several countries to prevent the payment of double social security premiums or non-insurance.
To ensure your employees remain compliant with these treaties, they must possess a valid Certificate of Coverage (CoC) obtained from the relevant local authorities. For WorkFlex users, the CoC is issued automatically after a trip request is submitted. Discover our solution for efficient social security risk mitigation here.
Tax compliance
Egypt has signed bilateral tax treaties with numerous countries that specify the steps to take to avoid double taxation. These treaties generally follow international standards and provide guidelines for various types of income, including employment income.
Despite the existence of tax treaties, the issue of Permanent Establishment remains a significant compliance concern for employers with employees temporarily working in Egypt. If a traveling employee is deemed to constitute a Permanent Establishment in Egypt, the employer may be required to:
- Register the company locally
- Allocate profits to the local business (branch)
- File corporate taxes
- Comply with various local regulations
To avoid this scenario, follow the guidelines mentioned in the "Do's and Don'ts to avoid tax risks" section above.
Overriding local employment provisions
Employees traveling to Egypt are expected to comply with some basic local employment provisions that may be qualified as overriding, such as minimum salary standards.
Visa
To work legally while in another country, employees generally need a valid work title. It's important to keep in mind that the consequences of entering without the proper documentation can be significant for both the employee and the employer.
For those planning work-from-anywhere trips to Egypt, here's a quick overview:
- E-Visa: Available for many nationalities through the official e-visa portal for stays of up to 30 days.
- Visa on Arrival: Available to select nationalities at Egyptian ports of entry for stays of up to 30 days.
- Standard Visa: Required for nationalities not eligible for e-visa or visa on arrival, obtained through Egyptian diplomatic missions.
- Visa-Free Entrance: Limited to a small number of nationalities for short stays.
For a trip-specific visa information, check out WorkFlex Visa Navigator.
For those planning a business trip to Egypt, here's what you need to know:
- E-Visa Option: Business e-visas are available for eligible nationalities for stays up to 30 days.
- Visa-Free Entry: Available only to a very limited number of nationalities for business purposes.
- Business Visa: Required for most nationalities, obtained through Egyptian diplomatic missions.
- Visa on Arrival: Available to select nationalities for business purposes, typically valid for 30 days.
For a trip-specific visa information, check out WorkFlex Visa Navigator.
Working hours
Most employees in Egypt work from Sunday to Thursday, with a standard workweek consisting of 48 hours. The workday is typically running from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with a lunch break of 1 hour in between.
To remain compliant during your trip abroad, here are some suggestions to follow:
- Avoid working overtime: Regulations regarding overtime can differ significantly and may be much stricter compared to those in your home country.
- Refrain from working outside regular hours: The rules surrounding working outside regular hours may vary and could be stricter than in your home country.
- Do not work on weekends: If the weekend days differ from those in your home country, please avoid working on both your regular weekend days and the local weekend days.
Public holidays
National holidays:
- January 25: Revolution Day
- April 25: Sinai Liberation Day
- June 30: Revolution Day
- July 23: Revolution Day
- October 6: Armed Forces Day
Religious holidays (dates vary):
- Eid al-Fitr
- Eid al-Adha
- Islamic New Year
- Prophet Muhammad's Birthday
- Coptic Christmas
- Coptic Easter
Depending on the region you're visiting, there may be additional region-specific public holidays. For more information about these holidays, please check here.
To comply with labor laws, please refrain from working on national or regional holidays during your trip. These days hold significant importance for locals and provide a great opportunity for you to blend in and celebrate with the community.
Working activities
When considering travel for work purposes—whether for a workation or a business trip—it is crucial to understand the implications of Permanent Establishment (PE) and associated tax risks. PE is a significant compliance concern for companies and can become costly due to the administrative burden if the compliance requirements for employees working abroad are not properly managed. To help mitigate these risks, here are a few guidelines to follow.
If you are traveling for a workation, please:
- Refrain from negotiating or signing sales contracts during your trip.
- Avoid visiting clients or any office, including your employer's local office in the destination country.
Following these guidelines will help mitigate the important compliance risks related to Permanent Establishment for your employer.
If you are a business traveler, it may be difficult to avoid the activities mentioned above. In this case, please ensure you inform your employer's compliance department about this matter. If you and your organization are WorkFlex users, this topic is addressed through the WorkFlex platform.
Data protection
Data protection is fundamentally about keeping our information safe from unauthorized access, breaches, theft, or damage. This responsibility is important for everyone, regardless of where they are working.
When employees work temporarily from abroad, data protection involves ensuring continued coverage and compliance with the data protection regulations of both, the home country and the destination country. Egypt has implemented the Personal Data Protection Law (Law No. 151 of 2020). Its level of regulation and enforcement is characterized as robust. That means, in Egypt data protection laws are well-established with strong safeguards and regulatory mechanisms. While comprehensive, enforcement may be less stringent in certain areas compared to "heavy" regimes. Learn more about it here.
For WorkFlex users, a comprehensive list of data protection activities is available in the profile, but here are some general data protection guidelines to keep your data safe:
- Adhere to Your Company's Internal Data Policies: Familiarize yourself with and follow your organization’s specific data protection protocols.
- Use Secure Network Connections: Always connect through secure networks, especially when accessing sensitive information.
- Be Aware of Phishing: Stay vigilant against phishing attempts by verifying the authenticity of emails and messages before clicking on any links.
- Utilize Strong Passwords and Multi-Factor Authentication: Create complex passwords and enable multi-factor authentication for an added layer of security.
- Keep Your Devices in a Secure Location: Always store your devices in safe places to prevent unauthorized access.
- Lock Your Screen Whenever Applicable: Ensure your screen is locked when you're away from your device to protect your information.
Travel health insurance
When traveling to Egypt for work—whether for a short business trip or an extended workation—it's essential to have comprehensive health insurance coverage to ensure access to medical care.
For business trips, the employer typically arranges the employee's travel health insurance. However, for workations, these responsibilities can be less clear. WorkFlex takes care of travel health insurance for trips worldwide to ensure there are no costly consequences for either the employee or the employer if accidents occur while working abroad.
For travelers using WorkFlex
If you’re traveling with WorkFlex, comprehensive health insurance is automatically included if your employer has activated this feature. For more details, please refer to your trip request on the WorkFlex platform.
For other travelers
Ensure you have travel health insurance with worldwide coverage, whether for a workation or business trip, so that you can receive adequate medical treatment in case of an emergency.
Urgent safety information
For travelers using WorkFlex:
Please refer to your trip's risk assessment under the "Health and Security" dimension to review any urgent security information relevant to your travel.
For other travelers:
Please visit official authority websites to check for any current threats or urgent security advisories:
Terrorism
There is an ongoing risk of terrorist attacks across Egypt, particularly in the Sinai region. These attacks have typically targeted Egyptian security forces, Coptic institutions, and occasionally foreign nationals.
Although the state of emergency was lifted in 2021, security forces and the military still hold significant powers to combat terrorism. Expect increased security checks, especially at night.
Exercise caution when traveling in Egypt, particularly in tourist areas along the Red Sea. Avoid being near Coptic institutions during holidays (e.g., Coptic Christmas on January 7). Remain vigilant in crowded places and during special events. Always refer to the global security advisory for updates.
Sinai Peninsula
Travel to the northern Sinai Peninsula, North Sinai governorate, and the Egyptian-Israeli border area is strongly discouraged, except for the immediate coastal section and the border town of Taba. Ongoing military operations due to past terrorist attacks, along with a state of emergency in North Sinai, including nighttime curfews, make these areas dangerous. The road from Suez to Taba is closed to non-military vehicles.
In the southern Sinai Peninsula, including South Sinai governorate and popular coastal towns like Sharm el-Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba, and Taba, solo excursions and overland travel are discouraged. Always follow advice from hotels and tour operators. Book and engage in activities like diving, snorkeling, hiking, and desert excursions only with licensed local guides.
Other regions of the country
Travel to remote areas of the Sahara, including border regions with Libya and Sudan, is also advised against. These areas have been declared restricted zones by Egyptian authorities, and travel is prohibited. Boundaries for these restricted zones can change frequently. Remote desert destinations, particularly in the western and southern desert areas, require special permits and can only be visited with a tour operator recognized by the Ministry of Tourism. Even previously authorized desert excursions can be canceled on short notice by military or security forces.
Only participate in professionally organized, locally guided desert excursions with recognized tour operators. Never venture beyond secured areas and roads. Always travel with knowledgeable local guides when undertaking overland journeys.
Domestic political situation
Although Egypt's internal political situation remains tense, it is generally stable. Occasional demonstrations, which may lead to arrests, are possible, particularly in Cairo and other major cities.
Security forces and the military maintain significant powers to intervene, especially at night and during demonstrations. Expect heightened security checks during these times.
Be mindful that critical remarks about Egypt or political comments, including on social media, can be considered criminal defamation or "spreading false news," which may lead to legal action. Searches for such comments may occur during security checks, and there has been an increase in personal checks in public spaces, particularly in Cairo, including searches by plainclothes officers and mobile phone checks. Refusal to comply with police orders may result in temporary detention or arrest.
Stay informed through local media or your tour operator. Avoid demonstrations and large gatherings, especially near mosques after Friday prayers. Unauthorized protests and demonstrations are prohibited, and participation can lead to prosecution. Avoid religious sites, universities, and government buildings, particularly on dates such as January 25 (anniversary of former President Mubarak's ousting) and June 30 (anniversary of the revolution). Be cautious of your behavior and comments in public and on social media.
Landmine danger
Landmines remain a hazard in certain areas of Egypt, including the Sinai, undeveloped coastal regions of the Red Sea, the Mediterranean coastline west of El Alamein, and border areas with Sudan and Libya.
Exercise caution in these areas and stick to established roads and paths. Always follow warning signs and instructions from local authorities.
Crime
Crime rates in Egypt are relatively low, but petty crimes like pickpocketing and occasional attacks on women do occur. In tourist areas such as Hurghada, incidents of fraudulent or extortionate behavior by taxi drivers have been reported.
Exercise standard caution and be especially careful when traveling alone, such as when riding as the last passenger in shared taxis. As a woman traveling alone, avoid walking in major cities or outside tourist zones after dark.
Only use taxis with working meters and always pay after exiting through the window. Confirm the fare and destination before beginning your ride, ideally at your hotel. Keep money, ID, driver’s license, and other important documents secure; consider saving electronic copies or photos to facilitate replacement if they are lost or stolen. Prefer cashless payments and carry only the necessary amount of cash for the day, avoiding unnecessary valuables or jewelry.
Be vigilant in large crowds, such as at airports, train stations, and bus terminals, and keep a close watch on your belongings. Be cautious of unfamiliar emails, phone calls, prize notifications, offers, or requests for help from alleged acquaintances. Do not share personal information—verify credibility in person or contact the police if needed.
Egypt has a desert climate with distinct seasonal patterns:
Winter (December to February):
- Mild days (15°C to 25°C/59°F to 77°F)
- Cool nights (5°C to 15°C/41°F to 59°F)
- Occasional rain in coastal areas
Summer (June to August):
- Very hot days (30°C to 40°C/86°F to 104°F)
- Warm nights (20°C to 25°C/68°F to 77°F)
- High humidity in coastal regions
- Extremely dry in inland areas
Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November):
- Pleasant temperatures
- Occasional sandstorms (Khamaseen)
- Best time for travel
Airports
Cairo International Airport (CAI)
- Location: Cairo
- When to use: Main international hub, excellent connections worldwide
Sphinx International Airport (SPX)
- Location: Cairo
- When to use: Domestic flights primarily
Hurghada International Airport (HRG)
- Location: Hurghada
- When to use: Red Sea tourist destinations
Alexandria International Airport (ALY)
- Location: Alexandria
- When to use: Northern Egypt access point
Train stations
Ramses Station (Cairo)
- Main connections: National rail network
- Routes: Alexandria, Luxor, Aswan
Alexandria Station
- Main connections: Northern Egypt
- Routes: Cairo and Delta regions
Ride-hailing services
- Uber
- DiDi
- Careem
- InDriver
Public transportation
Metro
- Cairo Metro: Three operational lines
- Alexandria: Tram system
- New developments ongoing
Buses
- Public buses
- Private minibuses
- Inter-city coaches
Taxis
- White taxis in Cairo
- Yellow taxis in Alexandria
- Use meter or agree on fare beforehand