Property Lawyer in Egypt for Foreigners

Yes, foreigners are permitted to own property in Egypt. Under Law 230/1996, an individual can own up to two properties for personal residential use. Each property's area is capped at 4,000 square meters. It is important to note that certain restricted areas, such as those with military significance or specific coastal regions, might have additional regulations or outright prohibitions on foreign ownership. Our firm thoroughly confirms your eligibility and the property's status before you proceed with any purchase.

No, your physical presence in Egypt is not strictly required for the property purchase process. You can grant us a Power of Attorney (PoA), which must be notarized in your home country and then legalized at the Egyptian embassy or consulate there. Once we receive this legally recognized document, our team can efficiently manage and complete all aspects of the property acquisition on your behalf, ensuring a smooth and compliant remote transaction.

To ensure the utmost security for your investment, we recommend a structured payment approach. Payments to the seller are typically staged, coinciding with the achievement of specific legal milestones throughout the purchase process, such as contract signing, successful due diligence, and final registration. For property transactions involving higher values, we often advise and facilitate the use of an escrow service, managed through a regulated bank, to further safeguard funds until all conditions are met.

The timeframe for completing a property purchase in Egypt varies depending on the type of property. For resale apartments, the process generally takes between 4 to 8 weeks to finalize. If you are purchasing an off-plan unit directly from a developer, the process typically extends to 6 to 12 weeks until the Green Contract, which legally registers your ownership, is fully processed and officially in your name. We strive to expedite this process while ensuring all legal requirements are met.

Our legal fees are structured to be transparent and are typically calculated as a percentage of the property's purchase price, usually ranging between 1.5% and 2.5%, with a defined minimum fee. This percentage covers the comprehensive legal services required for your property acquisition. To ensure clarity and avoid any surprises, the precise scope of work and the agreed-upon fees are always confirmed in writing and thoroughly discussed with you before any legal work commences on your behalf.