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Egypt's property registry now asks foreign buyers for a residence card

Since 27 July 2026, Egypt's real estate registry and notary offices serve foreigners only if they hold a residence card or an exemption card. For buyers, residency now comes first.

Al Mithaq news desk · Published · Source: Alkhaleej
Signing a property contract at the registry desk, with the keys and a residence card beside it
Signing a property contract at the registry desk, with the keys and a residence card beside it. Picture: illustration

What changed

An instruction issued on 27 July 2026 tells registry and notary offices not to provide their services to foreigners who do not hold a residence card or an exemption card. Egyptian newspapers Youm7 and Shorouk and the Gulf paper Alkhaleej all reported it.

Why it mattersRegistering the home is how it becomes legally yours. If the residence card is not ready, the registration waits. Planning the residency and the purchase together avoids weeks of delay.

The good news: the home itself opens residency

Owning property in Egypt worth USD 50,000 opens a renewable one-year residency, USD 100,000 three years and USD 200,000 five years. Buyers who go for citizenship at USD 300,000 get a six-month residence permit after the first approval.

What Al Mithaq does

We plan the order with you: the home, the residency and the registration, so nothing waits. Our Egypt page has a two-tap check and the SODIC homes we represent.

Sources

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