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
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Professional Services
Finding lawyers, accountants, doctors and other professionals in Egypt.
Egypt's professional services market is a mix of world-class international firms and highly variable local providers. For legal, tax, and financial matters with significant money at stake, use established international firms. The legal and regulatory environment has been improving under President Sisi's economic reform programme, and Egypt now has investor-friendly legislation in many sectors. However, enforcement and predictability can still be inconsistent — having a good local lawyer "who knows the system" is genuinely valuable. Personal relationships and trust (عمل بالوساطة) matter enormously in Egyptian professional culture. Start relationships early and do not rush transactions.
Language options: English is widely spoken at international firms and premium service providers in Cairo. Arabic is required for most government interactions and local professional services. French is spoken at some Francophone-linked firms. For technical documents (contracts, tax filings, property deeds), bilingual (Arabic/English) versions are best practice. All official documents filed with Egyptian authorities must be in Arabic.
Legal Services (Lawyers / محامون)
EGP 2,000–8,000/hour for senior partners at international firms; EGP 800–3,000/hour at Egyptian boutique firms; EGP 500–1,500/hour for individual practitioners How to find: Egyptian Bar Association members practice law in Egypt. For expat matters, international law firms with Cairo offices are best: Baker McKenzie Egypt, Freshfields (through alliance), ADSERO (formerly Helmy, Hamza & Partners — top Egyptian firm), Matouk Bassiouny (top-tier Egyptian), Zulficar & Partners, Ibrachy & Dermarkar. For simpler matters (lease review, visa advice), independent bilingual lawyers with expat experience are available through expat community referrals.
Egyptian Bar Association (نقابة المحامين المصريين)American Chamber of Commerce Legal CommitteeBritish Embassy Commercial Services referral list
💡 Always get a written engagement letter and fee agreement before any work begins. For property transactions, use a registered notary (مأمور شهر عقاري) as well as a lawyer. For work permit issues, your employer's legal team usually handles this — if not, seek a specialist in labour and immigration law.
Tax Advisers (مستشارو الضرائب)
Big 4 firms: EGP 5,000–20,000/hour for partners; EGP 2,000–8,000 for managers. Annual personal tax return filing: EGP 5,000–20,000 at reputable firm. Smaller practitioners: EGP 2,000–8,000 for annual personal tax return. How to find: Big 4 audit and tax firms all have significant Cairo presence: PwC Egypt, Deloitte Egypt, KPMG Hazem Hassan, Ernst & Young (EY) Egypt. Egyptian Tax Authority certified practitioners are available for smaller businesses and individuals. For expat personal tax, an international firm with cross-border expertise is preferable.
Egyptian Society of Accountants and Auditors (ESAA)Egyptian Tax Authority Certified Practitioners Register
💡 If your employer provides tax equalisation, their HR/finance team will arrange tax preparation. Independent expats should file by March 31 deadline. The ETA e-filing portal (myaccounteg.eta.gov.eg) allows online filing but can be challenging without Arabic language proficiency.
Real Estate Agents (وسطاء عقارات)
Rental agent commission: typically 1 month's rent (paid by tenant). Sales agent commission: 2–2.5% of sale price (may be split between buyer and seller agents). Some landlords list directly to avoid agent fees. How to find: International real estate agencies operating in Egypt include Coldwell Banker Egypt, JLL Egypt, CBRE Egypt, Century 21 Egypt, and Engel & Völkers Egypt. For online property search: Aqarmap.com, Property Finder Egypt (propertyfinder.com.eg), OLX Egypt. Local Arabic-speaking agents often have the best knowledge of specific neighbourhoods; commission is typically 1–2.5% of sale price or 1 month's rent for rentals.
💡 For expats, international agencies (Coldwell Banker, JLL) are more accustomed to bilingual contracts and addressing expat needs. Always insist on a formal written lease agreement (عقد إيجار) stamped at the local notary. Verify the landlord owns the property (check title deeds at the Real Estate Registry). Negotiate maintenance responsibilities clearly before signing.
Employment Lawyer (محامي قانون العمل)
Consultation: EGP 1,500–5,000/hour. Employment contract review: EGP 5,000–15,000 flat fee. Labour dispute representation: EGP 10,000–50,000+ depending on complexity. How to find: Egyptian Bar Association members specialising in labour law. For expat employment matters, international firms with labour law practices are preferred: Baker McKenzie Egypt, Matouk Bassiouny, Zulficar & Partners, ADSERO. For wage disputes: the Ministry of Manpower and Immigration (manpower.gov.eg) provides free initial mediation.
Egyptian Bar Association (نقابة المحامين المصريين)Ministry of Manpower and Immigration (manpower.gov.eg)
💡 Egyptian Labour Law (No. 12/2003) governs employment contracts, termination, and end-of-service gratuity. Expats on employer-sponsored visas should understand their rights before signing contracts — particularly on non-compete clauses and end-of-service benefits. File initial complaints with the Ministry of Manpower before pursuing court action.
Financial Advisers (مستشارون ماليون)
International IFA firms: typically commission-based or 1–2% of assets under advice. Bank relationship managers: free but tied to bank products. How to find: Few truly independent financial advisers operate in Egypt. Most "financial advisers" are bank relationship managers or insurance sales agents. For genuine fee-only advice, international IFA firms (deVere Group, Harrison Brook, Globaleye) operate in Cairo targeting expats. For pensions and UK-linked finances, an FCA-regulated UK adviser may be more appropriate for expats on short-term contracts.
💡 Be cautious of high-commission offshore bond products marketed to expats in Egypt. Always ask how the adviser is compensated. For basic banking needs, CIB and QNB relationship managers provide good service at no fee. For UK pension transfers, only use FCA-registered advisers.
Arabic Translation Services
EGP 200–800 per page for certified/sworn translation by Ministry of Justice registered translator. Standard commercial translation: EGP 100–400 per page. How to find: Licensed translators (مترجمون معتمدون) registered with the Ministry of Justice are required for legally valid translations of official documents. Find through Egyptian courts system, notary offices, or international law firms. Commercial translation agencies in Cairo: TranslateYes, 1-StopEgypt, and others through Google Maps. Cost varies significantly.
💡 For documents needed in legal proceedings or government offices, only sworn translators registered with the Ministry of Justice will be accepted. For visa applications and work permits, insist on sworn translation. Keep all translated documents with originals.
Professional Services
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