The Discreet Investor logoThe Discreet Investor
Home / Citizenship / Egypt Updated: September 2026

Egypt flagCitizenship by investment

Egypt

Citizenship of a 100-million-person market at Africa’s crossroads — four routes from a $250,000 donation to a refundable bank deposit, granted by presidential decree in 6–9 months.

$250,000+
Investment amount
6–9 months
Obtaining period
4
Investment routes
Get your cost estimate

Why investors choose it

5 benefits of Egypt citizenship

1

Four flexible routes

A straight $250,000 donation, property from $300,000, a business route — or a refundable $500,000 deposit: pick the structure that fits the balance sheet.

2

A market of 100 million

Egyptian citizenship is access: the Arab world’s largest population, the new Administrative Capital build-out, and treaty reach into a 1.5-billion-consumer African market.

3

Real estate that works

From $300,000 across residential, commercial or industrial stock (Sinai excluded) — hold 5 years, rent it out the whole time.

4

Straight to the decree

No residency years, no language exam — citizenship is granted directly by presidential decree once the investment clears.

5

Regional mobility

Visa-free and on-arrival access across Africa and the Arab world — and a serious consular network behind the document.

One investment, citizenship for all

Who can be on the application

The spouse and dependent children acquire citizenship with the investor.

Investor

  • Over 18
  • Clean record
  • Lawful source of funds
  • Medical check

Spouse

  • Included on the same application

Dependent children

  • Included without further conditions

Investment options

Four ways to qualify

Established under Law No. 140 of 2019 — from the simplest donation to a fully refundable deposit.

Option 1 — simplest

Treasury donation

$250,000

A one-time, non-refundable contribution wired directly to the Central Bank — no asset to manage, the fastest paperwork of the four.

Option 2 — returnable asset

Real estate purchase

$300,000+

Residential, commercial, industrial or retail property anywhere but Sinai — held 5 years, rentable throughout.

Purchase$300,000+ total, one or more properties
Holding5 years, rental income permitted
Option 3 — enterprise

Business investment

$350,000 + $100,000

Invest $350,000 in a new or existing Egyptian company (40%+ stake, 5 years) plus a $100,000 non-refundable state donation — partial recovery of the company tranche possible at exit.

Company investment$350,000, min 40% stake, 5 years
State donation$100,000 non-refundable
Government fee$10,000 for the whole family
Option 4 — capital preserved

Central Bank deposit

$500,000

A $500,000 deposit at the Central Bank, refunded after 3 years in Egyptian pounds, without interest — citizenship with the principal parked, currency risk acknowledged.

Government fees (Due Diligence, processing, passports) come on top and depend on family composition — request the exact, personalised calculation on a free call.

Procedure

Five steps to the passport

Largely remote through an authorised representative — limited presence only for biometrics, a medical check and passport issuance.

1

Preliminary check 1 day

Our compliance side screens the file confidentially — Egyptian vetting runs through multiple security agencies, so the file must be right the first time.

2

Route selection & structuring 1–2 weeks

Donation, property, company or deposit: we model the four routes against your liquidity and exit preferences, then open the local account.

3

Application & vetting 3–6 months

The citizenship application office processes the file; security and background checks run in parallel.

4

Investment & decree 2–4 weeks

The qualifying investment completes, and citizenship is granted by presidential decree.

5

ID & passport 2–4 weeks

National ID and passports are issued through the civil registry — a short visit covers biometrics and collection.

FAQ

About Egypt citizenship

Which of the four routes should I choose? +

Liquidity decides. Want minimal paperwork? The $250,000 donation. Want an asset? $300,000 property, rentable for the 5-year hold. Want the capital back? The $500,000 CBE deposit, refunded in EGP after 3 years — accepting the currency conversion. Operators pick the company route.

Is the deposit really refundable? +

Yes — after 3 years, in Egyptian pounds at the prevailing rate, without interest. Read that twice: the principal returns, but in local currency. We model the FX scenario with you before you choose it.

Do I have to live in Egypt or pass exams? +

No residency period, no language test. Citizenship is granted directly by presidential decree; a short visit handles biometrics, the medical check and passport collection.

Is dual citizenship allowed? +

Egyptian law formally contemplates renunciation at naturalisation, but retention is routinely permitted with authorisation — a nuance we structure into the file from day one. Ask us about your specific nationality on the call.

Other second citizenship options

Alternatives to Egypt

Türkiye flagTürkiye

from $400,000
  • G20 economy passport
  • US E-2 treaty country
  • Property in a real market
6+ monthsRE exit: 3 years

Grenada flagGrenada

from $235,000
  • US E-2 business visa — unique
  • China visa-free 30 days
  • 3 generations on one file
8+ monthsRE exit: 5 years

St Kitts & Nevis flagSt Kitts & Nevis

from $250,000
  • The world's oldest programme
  • 10-year US visitor visa path
  • Fastest obtaining period
4+ monthsRE exit: 7 years

São Tomé & Príncipe flagSão Tomé & Príncipe

from $90,000
  • Cheapest programme worldwide
  • Approvals in 8–10 weeks
  • Portuguese-speaking (CPLP) bloc
2+ monthsFully remote

Nauru flagNauru

from $105,000
  • Politically neutral passport
  • 3–4 month processing
  • Climate-resilience mission
3–4 monthsLow entry

Schedule a free consultation

Let's match you with the right expert

Four quick questions, one minute of your time. A specialist replies within one business day with a personalised calculation and plan.

Step 1 of 4

What's your main goal?

Pick the closest fit

Visa-free travel

A stronger travel document

Plan B / safety net

A second status for the family

Tax optimisation

A friendlier tax base

Business & banking

Accounts, markets, mobility

Preferred investment route?

Select all that apply

Contribution / donation

The simplest path

Real estate or deposit

A returnable asset

Advise me

I'd like expert guidance

Who's applying with you?

Select all that apply

Just me

Single applicant

Spouse & children

The immediate family

Parents / relatives

Where the programme allows

Where should we send your calculation?

A specialist replies within one business day

A hundred-million market. One decree.

Egypt citizenship from $250,000 in 6–9 months: four routes from a simple donation to a refundable half-million deposit, property that pays rent through the hold, and a passport granted by presidential decree. Free consultation, reply within one business day.

Book a free call now