Egypt (EG)

Egypt is one of the world's oldest civilisations — the land of the Pharaohs, the Great Pyramids of Giza, and the mighty Nile River.

Capital: Cairo

Region: Africa

Language: Arabic

Currency: EGP (£)

Cost of living: Very affordable (index 22)

Emergency: 123

Healthcare in Egypt

Egypt operates a dual-tier healthcare system. The public sector, run by the Ministry of Health and Population (MOHP), provides nominally free care to Egyptians but suffers from overcrowding, underfunding, and variable quality — most expats avoid it. The private sector offers world-class care at internationally accredited hospitals at a fraction of Western costs. The Universal Health Insurance (UHI) Act 2018 (Law 2/2018) is rolling out gradually by governorate, aiming for full national coverage by 2032 — in 2026, coverage is not yet nationwide. Expats rely almost entirely on private health insurance and private hospitals.

Private sector (JCI-accredited hospitals): regional excellence, comparable to European standards for most procedures. Public sector: significantly below Western standards. Egypt is a growing medical tourism destination — many expats note that private specialist care quality is excellent at 20–30% of equivalent UK/US costs.

Public healthcare: Universal Health Insurance Authority (UHIA) / Ministry of Health Hospitals

الهيئة العامة للتأمين الصحي الشامل / مستشفيات وزارة الصحة

Eligibility:Egyptian nationals enrolled in the UHI rollout (currently covering Port Said, Ismailia, Suez, South Sinai, Luxor, and additional governorates as rollout progresses in 2026). Foreign nationals with Egyptian work permits contribute to social insurance but the UHI scheme access for foreigners is limited and inconsistent — most expats do not use it.

Monthly cost:Employee social insurance contribution includes health insurance component — total 11% of gross salary for employees. No separate premium for public health insurance if covered through employment.

What's included:

GP consultations at primary health care centres
Specialist referrals within the public system
Emergency treatment at public hospitals
Maternity care (within the UHI network)
Basic laboratory tests and radiology
Essential medications listed on the national formulary
Preventive care and vaccination programmes

Not included (or co-pay required):

Most dental care (limited exceptions)
Optical care and eyeglasses
Cosmetic and elective procedures
Advanced private specialist care
International medical evacuation
Most mental health services beyond basic psychiatric

Co-payments:Under the UHI scheme: patient copayments capped at a percentage (typically 10–20% of cost, up to a maximum annual cap). Public MOHP hospitals technically free for Egyptians but medication shortages and informal payments are common in practice.

How to enrol:Egyptian nationals enroll through the Social Insurance Office (NOSI). Foreign nationals with work permits are nominally covered by NOSI contributions but practical access to the UHI scheme as an expat is limited — consult with your employer's HR department. Most multinational employers provide private health insurance instead.

Waiting period:No waiting period for emergency care. Waiting lists for non-emergency specialist appointments in the public system can be weeks to months.

Private healthcare: Private Health Insurance

Who can use it:All foreign nationals; most employers of expats provide group private health insurance as part of the benefits package.

When it makes sense:ALWAYS for expats. Private health insurance is not optional for any expat in Egypt — the public system is inadequate for expat needs and even basic private consultation requires upfront cash payment without insurance.

Monthly cost:EGP 1,250–5,000/month for individual (EGP 15,000–60,000/year). Many employers cover 100% of the premium for the employee; family members may be added at cost.

Major providers:

AXA Egypt (largest private insurer)Allianz EgyptMetLife EgyptGlobeMed Egypt (international health insurance for expats)Cigna Global (international plan for expats with global coverage)Bupa International (international plan)Aetna International (US employer plans)

Accessing care

GP system

Egypt does not have a formal GP gatekeeper system. Patients can go directly to any specialist without a GP referral. Some private hospitals have family medicine or general practice departments that function as first-contact care. Employer group insurance plans often designate a network of providers — check your insurer's network before your first visit.

Specialist referral

No mandatory referral required in the private sector — you can self-refer to any specialist. Your insurer may require pre-authorisation for certain procedures (surgery, MRI, etc.) — always call your insurer before non-emergency specialist visits to confirm coverage and network compliance. Top private hospitals have all major specialties in-house.

Emergency care

Call 123 (general emergency) or go directly to the nearest JCI-accredited private hospital emergency department. Dar El Fouad Hospital (6 October City), As-Salam International Hospital (Maadi), and Cleopatra Hospital have 24/7 emergency departments with English-speaking staff. For life-threatening emergencies, private ambulance: 08008880088 (Misr for Life). Always carry your insurance card and have your insurer's emergency number saved.

Out of hours

Private hospitals in Cairo (Dar El Fouad, As-Salam International, Cleopatra) provide 24/7 emergency and after-hours care. Some private clinics have extended hours to 9pm or 10pm. There is no NHS 111 equivalent — for non-emergency after-hours queries, many expats use telehealth options (Vezeeta.com, Rosheta.com) for online consultations with Egyptian doctors.

Prescriptions

Prescriptions are required for many medications but enforcement at pharmacies is often lax. Doctors issue handwritten or printed prescriptions. Pharmacists in Egypt provide significant medical advice (traditional role). For controlled substances (narcotics, strong sedatives), strict prescription enforcement applies. Keep a supply of regular medications when travelling within Egypt — outside Cairo, some brands may not be available.

Dental

Dental care is not covered by most employer private health insurance plans in Egypt — dental is usually a separate add-on or self-pay. Private dental clinics offer excellent quality at fraction of Western costs: EGP 500–1,500 for a consultation and cleaning; EGP 1,500–5,000 for fillings; EGP 5,000–15,000 for crowns. Cairo has excellent dental training programmes through Cairo University Faculty of Dentistry — many graduates run high-quality private practices. Popular expat areas (Maadi, Zamalek) have many English-speaking dentists.

Mental health

Private psychiatric and psychological services are available in Cairo. See Mental Health Resources section for detailed information. Within private hospitals (As-Salam International, Dar El Fouad), psychiatry departments exist. EAPs (Employee Assistance Programmes) at multinationals often provide confidential counselling sessions.

Maternity

Egypt has a high C-section rate (one of the highest globally) — be informed and discuss birth preferences with your OB/GYN early. Top hospitals for maternity: Dar El Fouad, As-Salam International, Cleopatra, Anglo-American Hospital. Costs for natural birth at private hospital: EGP 20,000–60,000. C-section: EGP 30,000–80,000. Many expat women return home for delivery or use international health insurance with evacuation coverage.

Expat-specific advice

First steps on arrival:

Get private health insurance BEFORE arriving or on day 1 through employer HR — never be uninsured in Egypt
Register with a private GP/family doctor in your neighbourhood (Maadi, Zamalek, New Cairo) within the first week
Identify the nearest JCI-accredited private hospital to your home: Dar El Fouad (West Cairo/6 October), As-Salam International (Maadi area), Cleopatra (multiple branches)
Save emergency numbers: 123 (general), 08008880088 (Misr for Life private ambulance), your insurer's 24/7 emergency line
Check your insurer's network of approved hospitals and specialists in Cairo
Get vaccinations up to date before arriving: Hepatitis A and B, Typhoid, Rabies if working with animals, and ensure Tetanus/MMR are current
Register with your home country embassy — British FCDO, US Embassy, etc. — for emergency notification services

Finding English-speaking doctors:English-speaking doctors are widely available at private hospitals and clinics in Cairo expat areas. Most senior consultants and specialists at JCI-accredited hospitals (Dar El Fouad, As-Salam International) trained abroad (UK, USA, France, Germany) and are fully fluent in English. Expat community Facebook groups (Cairo Expats, Maadi Community) maintain regularly updated lists of recommended English-speaking GPs, paediatricians, OB/GYNs, and specialists. French-speaking doctors are also available at some hospitals.

International insurance:International health insurance plans (Cigna Global, Bupa International, Aetna) are accepted at major Cairo private hospitals. However, you typically need to pay upfront and claim reimbursement — or have the hospital bill your insurer directly (direct billing arrangements with specific hospitals). Confirm direct billing agreements before admission for planned procedures. For emergencies, pay first and claim back — most international insurers have emergency assistance lines.

Emergency card info:Carry your private health insurance card with emergency phone numbers at all times. Keep a card in Arabic stating your blood type, known allergies, and critical medical conditions — ask a translator to prepare this. Medical alert bracelets for serious conditions are advisable. There is no EHIC equivalent for Egypt — tourists and expats must rely entirely on private insurance or pay privately for all care.

Pharmacies (صيدلية (Saydaliya))

Hours:Most private pharmacies: 9am–11pm daily. 24-hour pharmacies are available in major Cairo neighbourhoods — major chains operate 24/7 branches. Seif Pharmacy (أكبر سلسلة صيدليات) is the largest chain and operates many 24-hour branches.

After-hours / emergency:Seif Pharmacy chain has 24-hour branches across Cairo. El Ezaby Pharmacy also has 24-hour locations. Ask your building bawab (doorman) for the nearest 24-hour pharmacy. The 19011 pharmacy delivery service (Dawaya, Vezeeta pharmacy) offers home delivery of medications. For genuine medical emergencies, go to a private hospital ER — pharmacies are for routine medication needs.

Prescription rules:Prescriptions are required for antibiotics, hormones, and controlled substances — but enforcement is inconsistent for many other medications. Pharmacists frequently give medication advice and dispense without prescription for common complaints. Bring a sufficient supply of any specialist medications from home; while most common medications are available, specific brands may be unavailable or different formulations used. Controlled substances (opioid painkillers, strong anxiolytics): strict prescription enforcement, sometimes requires doctor to be present or special prescription form.

Available over-the-counter:

Paracetamol / Panadol (EGP 20–50 per pack)
Ibuprofen / Brufen (EGP 25–60)
Oral rehydration salts (ORS) — essential for traveller's diarrhoea (EGP 15–30)
Antidiarrhoeals: Imodium / Loperamide (EGP 30–60)
Antihistamines for allergies (EGP 30–80)
Sunscreen (various brands, international; EGP 100–300)
Insect repellent (EGP 50–150)
Proton pump inhibitors (OTC in Egypt, unlike some countries)
Zinc and vitamin supplements
Strepsils/throat lozenges (EGP 30–60)

Typical costs

GP visit (with insurance)	EGP 0–200 copayment (depending on plan)
GP visit (private pay)	EGP 500–1,500
Specialist visit	EGP 1,000–3,000
Emergency visit	EGP 1,500–5,000+ (without insurance)
MRI scan	EGP 3,000–8,000
Prescription average	EGP 50–400 per medication
Dental check-up	EGP 500–1,500
Baby delivery	EGP 20,000–80,000 (natural to C-section, private hospital)

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