- You are here:
- Home
- Expat living
- Country and city guides
- Egypt
Expat guide: Egypt
This expat guide offers information and advice if you are moving to Egypt. Click on the different tabs to find out about anything from tax rules and banking to accommodation and culture.
Download this guide as a pdfMoving to Egypt
Egypt is not only a tourist destination, but also a very interesting country for expats. It is a focal point for regional politics, an education hub and a meeting point between the west and Arabic cultures. Although Egypt might not be thought of as an expat destination characterised by international business, the country is certainly culturally central to that of the Arabic world, and expats moving there will see a country as relevant as ever.
Expats considering moving to Egypt should pay special attention to the political situation. Though not characteristically unsafe, in early 2011 riots and violence ran rampant in lieu of an uprising against the former Mubarak government.
Egypt makes for a different kind of expat destination as it is usually curiosity or love of the country rather than a financial draw that brings expats to stay. Egypt has its business incentives but isn't an internationally prominent financial or industrial centre that typically relocates entrepreneurial expats. Therefore Egypt attracts engaging active expats that balance expat communities with Egyptian culture and people. Teachers, writers, volunteers and NGO workers are all interwoven into Egyptian communities, making for a truly foreign expat experience. However, it should be noted that there are business opportunities for entrepreneurs in the new emerging markets that are a result of the country actively promoting and engraining itself into international business community.
Shipping and removals
There are a number of international shipping and removal companies offering competitive price quotes for services shipping to Egypt.
Shipping to cities other than Cairo will be more difficult and expensive. Small, expensive items may be better brought in personal luggage or air freight as Egyptian customs has a reputation for allowing items to go missing. It is also a good idea to insure expensive shipped goods through a company other than the one used for shipping.
It is often much cheaper to buy new items from within Egypt than to ship them from a home country. Doing this will not only save on shipping costs but also on the tax paid on imported goods. Tax rates for imported goods tend to change but can be as high as 35 to 55 percent of the item's worth – in particularly electronics and furniture are taxed high and can be bought cheaply in Egypt.
This content is provided by www.expatarrivals.com, copyright © 2011 Globe Media Ltd. All rights reserved. By its very nature much of the information in this travel guide is subject to change at short notice and travellers are urged to verify information on which they're relying with the relevant authorities. Neither Globe Media nor Bupa International can be held liable for any errors or omissions, or any loss, damage, illness and/or injury that may occur as a result of this information.
Bupa International is not responsible for the content of external websites.
Contact us
-
To discuss your needs, please call us on:
+44 (0) 1273 718 306
Share this on Facebook
Health insurance
