Egyptian Citizenship by Investment: The Ultimate Guide

Egyptian citizenship by investment is a niche program, primarily for people who want to either invest in Egypt specifically, or for investors looking to gain a foothold within the Middle East and/or African market.

Egypt – Country Profile

Egypt is a North African country of over 106.8 million people located on the southern edge of the Mediterranean sea. It borders Libya to the west, Sudan to the south, and Israel to the east. Egypt can be described as either Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, or African, though the most accurate description is to say it is a fusion of all of those things.

A Rich History

Egypt has always been a resource-rich country. This made it an irresistible target for imperial ambition, from the Ancient Greeks and Romans, through to the Ottomans, the French, and finally the British, until the country gained independence in 1922.

Egypt’s Economy

Egypt’s currency is the Egyptian Pound. In 2016 the Egyptian government took steps to devalue the currency and allowed it to float as part of an IMF assistance program. Although the currency exchange rate continues to rise and fall against the dollar, overall Egypt remains an affordable destination for Westerners.

Egyptian Citizenship by Investment – Methods

The four methods to gain citizenship by investment in Egypt are: 1. Donation 2. Real Estate investment 3. Company investment 4. Bank Deposit investment

The first requires you to purchase specific, government-approved property, the second allows you to invest in a company in Egypt and the third involves a non-refundable contribution, essentially a donation, to the Egyptian government. There are also two different bank deposit options, for a duration of either three or five years.

Citizenship by Donation

Citizenship by donation is a one-and-done deal. It involves making a non-refundable contribution to the Central Bank of Egypt worth $250,000.Paying $250,000 for what is essentially a bad Tier C passport is not for everyone, though others may view gaining citizenship as highly advantageous.

Real Estate Investment Option

The main limitation here is that you are restricted to buying from a list of government-approved properties. The upside is that there are many different types of government-owned properties available, so you can choose the location and you are free to buy more than one property if you so wish.

These government-owned projects include a range of residential, commercial, and even industrial properties. You also have the option to buy either a completed property or the land on which a government project will be built. The property’s price may be somewhat higher than what an Egyptian citizen might pay, but at least it’s government guaranteed.

To avail of this program, you will need to make a minimum investment of $500,000. This amount must be paid in full, though if the government-owned project you want to buy is worth more than this amount, you are then able to pay the rest in installments. Any property you buy under this program must then be held for five years.

If, during those five years, you obtain Egyptian citizenship through other means and wish to sell the property you will automatically be transitioned to the citizenship through donation option, meaning you will have to make a non-refundable donation of $250,000 if you wish to retain your citizenship.

Is Egypt’s citizenship by Investment Orogram Worth it?

For the majority of our clients, who come from Western countries, the answer is probably no. This is a niche program, aimed primarily at those looking to invest in Egypt specifically or gain a foothold in the Africa/Middle East region generally.

So unless this is specifically your intention, it’s safe to say that this program is probably not for you. In which case you are advised to look at similar programs elsewhere. If, however, the above describes your intention perfectly, then this is an option to consider. It might not be the best program out there, but as a country, Egypt certainly has potential.