How Does Local Laws Work in Egypt?
Last verified: 2025-06 · Middle East
1The Quick Answer
Drug possession, LGBTQ+ activity, photographing government or military sites, and criticising the president are all serious criminal offences in Egypt.
2What You Need to Know
Drug laws are extremely strict — possession of even small amounts can result in lengthy prison sentences. Photographing military installations, police officers, bridges, airports, embassies, and government buildings is prohibited by law and tourists have been arrested for it. LGBTQ+ relationships are illegal and actively prosecuted, with undercover police operations reported on dating apps. Publicly criticising the president or government can lead to detention under broad cybercrime and anti-terrorism laws. Dual nationals should be aware that Egyptian authorities may treat them primarily as Egyptian citizens.
3Practical Tips
Practical Tips
- 1Delete any sensitive photos before crossing any checkpoint — particularly near the Sinai or military zones
- 2Avoid any political commentary on Egyptian social media during your visit
- 3Unmarried couples can now generally share hotel rooms without issue in tourist areas, though this is technically still restricted by some local ordinances
Important Warning
LGBTQ+ travellers face genuine legal risk in Egypt. Avoid public displays of affection and be extremely cautious with dating apps, which are monitored by police.
How does this compare?
Local Laws rules in nearby and similar countries:
The UAE has strict laws around alcohol, public behavior, drugs, and dress. What is legal in your home country may be a criminal offense here.
Several activities legal elsewhere are criminal offences in Morocco, including same-sex relations, sex outside marriage, and public displays of affection between unmarried couples.
Alcohol is completely banned, drugs carry the death penalty, LGBT relationships are illegal, and criticizing the royal family is a criminal offense.
More About Egypt
Tipping (baksheesh) is deeply embedded in Egyptian culture and expected for almost every small service.
Updated 2025-06
Use the Cairo Metro for cheap city travel, and Uber or Careem for safe, fairly-priced taxis.
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Private hospitals in Cairo are good, but healthcare in rural and desert areas is very limited — travel insurance with evacuation cover is essential.
Updated 2025-06
Police: 122, Ambulance: 123, Fire: 180, Tourist Police: 126.
Updated 2025-06
Cover shoulders and knees in most public areas; swimwear is fine at Red Sea and Mediterranean resorts.
Updated 2025-06
Alcohol is available at licensed hotels, tourist restaurants, and specialist shops — but not at most local eateries.
Updated 2025-06
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