Can I repatriate proceeds from a property sale?

Capital repatriation is permitted under Egyptian Investment Law Article 7 for foreign investors. In practice, repatriation of EGP proceeds requires conversion through a licensed Egyptian bank at the prevailing exchange rate.

What currency risk should I be aware of?

Properties are priced and registered in EGP. If you purchase with USD/SAR/AED, you convert at the rate on payment date. If you sell and repatriate, you convert back at the then-prevailing rate. Two EGP devaluations since 2016 demonstrate the directional risk.

How We Work — Gulf Investor Process Guide

The four steps

Discovery call

Free · 30 minutes

What we do

Listen to your objectives — budget, timeline, use case (own-use / buy-to-let / resale), currency preference, and whether you need a proxy visit.

What you do

Come with your shortlist (or none — we can start from scratch). Let us know your WhatsApp availability during Gulf business hours.

Cost & timeline

Free. No commitment. We schedule via WhatsApp and conduct the call in English, Arabic, or both. Available Mon–Sat, 9:00–20:00 GST.

Book discovery call →

Valuation report in USD

Free · 48-hour turnaround

We produce a written valuation for your shortlisted unit(s). This is an 11-section document, same methodology as our Arabic sample report — translated and denominated in EGP, USD, SAR, and AED.

What the report covers

→ Property profile & location analysis

→ Comparable sales — last 90 days

→ Price per m² vs. zone average

→ 3 pricing scenarios (conservative / market / aggressive)

→ Estimated gross rental yield

→ Currency risk note (EGP vs. USD/SAR/AED)

→ Days-on-market benchmark

→ Our fee — disclosed in writing here

See sample report →

Field visit — 3 tiers

Flexible by preference

Tier 1 — Virtual

Cost: Free

WhatsApp video walkthrough of the unit — all rooms, building entrance, street access, nearby amenities. We photograph and video every space you request. Sent within 3 business days of your written request.

Tier 2 — Proxy

Cost: discussed on request

We attend the physical inspection on your behalf. We file a written condition report covering: structural visible defects, finishing quality, utilities (water, electricity, gas), natural light, noise, and neighbours. We flag anything the listing did not disclose.

Tier 3 — In-person

Cost: your travel + accommodation

We coordinate your visit from Cairo International Airport — transport, hotel recommendations near Sadat City, Arabic translation during negotiation if needed. No extra charge from us for coordination. Typical day-visit from Cairo takes 4–5 hours round-trip including viewing time.

Transaction — escrow, legal, currency

30–90 day close

We provide structured introductions to independent Egyptian real estate lawyers who specialize in foreign-buyer transactions. We do not act as legal counsel and our mediation fee is separate from and not shared with the lawyers we introduce.

What the lawyer covers

→ Title deed verification (Notary Public chain)
→ Pre-contract due diligence (developer registration, planning permit)
→ Sale contract review + negotiation of clauses
→ Notary Public registration
→ Real Estate Registry filing

Currency & escrow

→ We can connect you with Egyptian commercial banks offering USD-denominated installment accounts
→ Egyptian law requires payment in EGP for domestic transactions — USD/SAR/AED is converted at point of transfer
→ Buyer-side escrow is arranged through a licensed Egyptian notary, not held by Smart Group
→ Our fee is paid on completion — not before

Service	Our commitment	Conditions
First WhatsApp response	Within 4 hours	Mon–Sat, 09:00–20:00 GST (UTC+4)
Discovery call scheduling	Within 48 hours	Subject to calendar availability
USD valuation report delivery	48 hours	From receipt of unit details & access agreement
Virtual tour video	3 business days	Pending developer / seller access
Proxy visit report	5 business days	From written proxy appointment
In-person visit coordination	5–10 days notice	Depends on seller / developer schedule
Lawyer introduction	Within 24 hours of request	We introduce; lawyer engagement is direct
Transaction close (estimated)	30–90 days	Varies by developer documentation readiness and Notary schedule

Frequently asked questions

Can a non-Egyptian citizen legally own property in Egypt?

Yes. Egyptian Investment Law (Law No. 72 of 1973 as amended, and its successors) permits foreign nationals to own up to two residential properties in Egypt, with no area restriction on the property size. Ownership is registered at the Notary Public and recorded at the Real Estate Registry. There are no restrictions on nationalities from GCC states.

Can I repatriate sale proceeds back to KSA or UAE?

Capital repatriation is permitted under Egyptian Investment Law Article 7 for registered foreign investors. In practice, when you sell, the proceeds are in EGP. You convert through a licensed Egyptian bank at the prevailing exchange rate and transfer to your overseas account. There is no government restriction on the act of repatriation itself — the practical constraint is the exchange rate at the time of conversion.

What currency risk should I understand before buying?

All Egyptian property transactions are denominated in EGP. You convert your USD/SAR/AED to EGP on payment, and convert back on sale. Egypt has devalued the EGP twice since 2016 — from approximately 8.8 EGP/USD (2016) to 49 EGP/USD (2026). If the EGP depreciates further between your purchase and sale, your USD return from the property will be reduced even if the EGP-denominated price rises. Our sample valuation includes a dedicated currency risk section covering three devaluation scenarios.

What taxes apply to foreign property buyers in Egypt?

At purchase: stamp duty of approximately 2.5% of the contract-registered value, plus registration fees (typically 2–3% depending on Monufia governorate fee schedule). Annually: property tax based on assessed rental value — typically modest for residential property below EGP 2M. There is no acquisition tax specific to foreign buyers and no capital gains tax on residential property sales for individuals as of 2026. Consult your Egyptian lawyer for the exact figures applicable to your specific unit and transaction structure.

Can I rent out the property and who manages it?

Yes, foreign owners can rent properties. Sadat City rental demand comes primarily from university lecturers, industrial zone workers, and families relocating from Cairo. Smart Group does not currently offer a property management service — we are a mediation firm, not a property manager. We can introduce you to local property management contacts. This is on our service roadmap.

What is a realistic exit strategy and timeline?

Egyptian second-city residential property is typically a medium-term hold (3–7 years). Near-term exits (under 2 years) are possible but carry market-timing risk and higher relative transaction costs. The strongest exit windows have historically been tied to infrastructure milestones — road completions, new school openings, industrial zone expansions — that bring new buyer demand into the market. We will flag known upcoming milestones in your valuation report.

What if I cannot visit Egypt at any point?

The virtual tour (Tier 1) and proxy visit (Tier 2) cover the inspection stage without requiring your presence. For the legal transaction, Egyptian law allows Power of Attorney (POA) — you authorise a named representative (typically the lawyer we introduce) to sign on your behalf at the Notary Public. The POA document can be authenticated through the Egyptian Embassy or Consulate in your country. Fully remote transactions are legally possible and have been completed by Egyptian diaspora buyers; we flag that they require a higher degree of trust in the local representatives involved.

How long does a full purchase take from first contact to registration?

Discovery through to Notary registration: typically 45–90 days for a ready-to-deliver unit with complete documentation. For off-plan units, the legal purchase agreement is registered sooner, but the title deed (Tabu) is issued only on physical delivery. Construction-stage MASA partner units are near delivery as of May 2026 — expect title within 6–12 months from purchase.

How we work with Gulf investors