Egypt Citizenship by Investment: Cost and Fees Guide 2026

Egypt Citizenship by Investment: Cost and Fees Guide 2026

Last updated: March 2026

For the discerning investor seeking an additional citizenship that opens doors across Africa, the Arab world, and beyond, Egypt's citizenship by investment programme represents a strategically compelling option in 2026. Whether your objective is enhanced global mobility, access to Egypt's rapidly expanding economy, or securing a legacy asset for your family, understanding the precise costs and fees involved is the essential first step. This guide, prepared by the advisers at Mirabello Consultancy, sets out everything you need to know about Egypt CBI cost and fees in clear, practical detail.

What Is the Egypt Citizenship by Investment Programme?

The Egypt Citizenship by Investment Programme is a government-authorised scheme that grants Egyptian nationality to qualifying foreign investors and their families in exchange for a qualifying financial contribution to the Egyptian economy. Established under Law No. 140 of 2019 and regulated by Prime Ministerial Decrees No. 3099 of 2019 and No. 3562 of 2023, the programme is administered by a dedicated unit of the Prime Minister's Office and overseen at the highest levels of government. It is one of a small number of African CBI programmes and is particularly notable for offering multiple investment routes, relatively competitive minimum thresholds compared to Caribbean alternatives, and the strategic geographic position Egypt holds as a gateway between Africa, the Middle East, and Europe.

Unlike residency-by-investment or golden visa programmes, the Egyptian CBI scheme grants full citizenship and passport rights upon approval, not a temporary residency permit. This distinction is important for investors comparing Egypt against other programmes in the region. You can explore how Egypt compares with other leading programmes in our comprehensive guide to the best citizenship by investment programmes worldwide.

Egypt CBI Investment Options and Costs in 2026

Understanding Egypt CBI cost and fees begins with the four official investment pathways. Each route has different capital requirements, liquidity implications, and suitability depending on your financial profile and objectives.

Option 1: Non-Refundable Deposit (Lowest Entry Point)

The most straightforward route involves making a non-refundable deposit of $250,000 (or the equivalent in freely convertible foreign currency), transferred from abroad and paid to the Egyptian public treasury. As the name implies, this capital is not returned upon exit from the programme, it is a permanent contribution. This option is favoured by investors who prefer simplicity and wish to avoid the administrative complexity associated with managing a physical asset or fund investment in Egypt.

Option 2: Refundable Bank Deposit

Investors who prefer to retain access to their capital may opt for a refundable deposit of $500,000 placed in a special account at the Central Bank of Egypt. The funds are held for three years, after which they are repaid in Egyptian pounds at the Central Bank rate on the day of recovery, without interest. This route effectively means your citizenship costs nothing beyond the opportunity cost of the deposited capital, the currency risk on repayment and associated government fees, making it attractive for investors with strong balance sheets who view the capital as a temporary allocation rather than a permanent outlay.

Option 3: Real Estate Investment

A real estate purchase of at least $300,000 in Egyptian property qualifies under the programme, provided the property is purchased through an Egyptian developer or entity approved by the relevant authorities. If the property is sold within five years, $250,000 must be paid to the treasury to keep the citizenship. Egypt's real estate market, particularly in Cairo, the North Coast, and the New Administrative Capital, has attracted significant international interest in recent years, offering the dual benefit of citizenship and potential capital appreciation. However, investors should account for property transfer taxes, agent fees, and legal costs, which typically add a further 5-8% to the base investment figure.

Option 4: Business Investment

The fourth pathway requires a total of $450,000: an investment project of at least $350,000 under Investment Law No. 72 of 2017, plus a non-refundable $100,000 paid to the treasury. This route suits entrepreneurial investors comfortable with an operational commitment and those seeking to establish a genuine commercial presence in Egypt. Returns depend on business performance; this is not a guaranteed-return vehicle.

Government and Administrative Fees

In addition to the primary investment amount, applicants must budget for the following fees:

• Application fee: $10,000, non-refundable
• Professional advisory and consultancy fees: Separate from the government charges and set by the adviser you engage
• Document legalisation, translation, and courier costs: Approximately $1,500-$3,000

As a realistic total cost-of-ownership model: an investor choosing the non-refundable route should budget the $250,000 contribution plus the $10,000 application fee, together with professional advisory and document costs. Those choosing the refundable deposit route will invest $500,000 in tied-up capital plus the same fees and costs.

Eligibility Requirements for Egypt CBI

Egypt's citizenship by investment programme is open to a broad range of international investors, but applicants must satisfy the following criteria:

• Clean criminal record: Applicants must provide certified police clearance certificates from their country or countries of residence and citizenship.
• Source of funds: Documented evidence that investment funds originate from legitimate, lawful sources is mandatory. This includes tax records, business accounts, and financial statements.
• Health: A standard medical certificate is required confirming the applicant is in good health.
• No threat to national security: Background screening is conducted by Egyptian security authorities as part of the due diligence process.
• Nationality: Certain nationalities may face additional scrutiny or may be ineligible. Your adviser at Mirabello Consultancy can confirm eligibility based on your specific passport(s).

There is no residency requirement before or after the grant of citizenship, which makes the programme highly attractive for investors who maintain a busy international schedule and cannot commit to extended periods in-country.

The Application Process: Step by Step

Navigating the Egyptian bureaucratic landscape efficiently requires expert guidance. The process, broadly speaking, follows these stages:

1. Initial consultation and eligibility assessment: Your Mirabello adviser reviews your personal, financial, and nationality profile to confirm programme suitability and identify the optimal investment route.
2. Application submission: The formal file is submitted to the Prime Minister's Office naturalisation unit through its reception office at the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI), accompanied by all supporting documentation and the $10,000 application fee.
3. Due diligence and security screening: Egyptian authorities conduct background checks, leading to an initial decision within three to six months of a complete application.
4. Investment execution: After the initial decision you receive a six-month temporary residence, during which funds are transferred from abroad or the real estate or business investment is completed. Evidence of investment is then filed with the unit.
5. Approval and oath of allegiance: The Prime Minister's final decision follows within three months of completing the investment. The main applicant is then required to take an oath of allegiance to Egypt, either in-country or at an Egyptian consulate abroad.
6. Passport issuance: Egyptian passports are issued following the completion of all administrative steps. The process from oath to passport receipt is typically 4-6 weeks.

Processing Timeline: How Long Does Egypt CBI Take?

Egypt's official timeline is longer than that of many Caribbean CBI programmes. The Prime Minister's Office indicates 6 to 12 months from application to passport in hand. Complex cases, those involving applicants from higher-scrutiny nationalities, complicated source-of-funds documentation, or incomplete initial files, may take longer.

Key timeline milestones typically look as follows:

• Before submission: Document gathering and preparation
• Months 1 to 6: Review, security checks and an initial decision within three to six months of a complete application
• Next six months: Temporary residence, during which the chosen investment is completed
• Within three months of investing: Final Prime Ministerial decision on citizenship
• Then: Passport application and collection

Working with an experienced consultancy such as Mirabello significantly reduces the risk of delays caused by documentation errors, incorrect fee submissions, or procedural missteps. Contact our team to begin your assessment today.

Benefits of Egyptian Citizenship

Beyond the headline investment figures, the true value proposition of Egyptian citizenship lies in a combination of strategic, personal, and economic benefits:

Passport Mobility

The Egyptian passport currently provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to approximately 51 countries, including several African nations, Arab League members, and a number of Southeast Asian destinations. While the Egyptian passport is not in the same tier as European or Gulf passports for visa-free travel, it offers meaningful regional mobility, particularly across the African continent and the Arab world, and is especially valuable when combined with your existing passport portfolio as part of a broader second citizenship strategy.

Economic and Business Opportunity

Egypt is the most populous country in the Arab world, home to over 105 million people and positioned as a continental trade hub. Egyptian citizenship opens doors to business registration, property ownership, banking access, and investment opportunities that are restricted to foreign nationals. The New Administrative Capital and various free economic zones offer significant commercial infrastructure for investors.

Cultural and Heritage Connection

For many investors, particularly those of Egyptian descent or with longstanding business ties to the country, Egyptian citizenship carries intrinsic personal and heritage value that transcends the purely strategic.

No Renunciation Required (In Most Cases)

Egypt permits dual nationality for naturalised citizens in most circumstances, meaning you do not need to relinquish your existing citizenship. Always verify this position against your home country's laws, as some nationalities impose restrictions on holding additional citizenships.

Family Inclusion: Extending Citizenship to Your Family

One of the most appealing features of the Egypt CBI programme is the ability to include family members in a single application. The following family members may be included:

• Spouse: Declared on the main application.
• Minor children: Declared in the application; nationality passes to minor children.
• Parents: The programme does not provide for parents or siblings.

All included family members receive full Egyptian citizenship and passport rights upon programme approval. This comprehensive family inclusion makes Egypt's programme particularly attractive for family-oriented investors who wish to secure a generational asset through a single investment decision. For investors comparing family inclusion across multiple programmes, our guide to the best golden visa investment programmes provides a useful framework.

You may also find our detailed guides on comparable regional programmes useful for comparison purposes, including Jordan citizenship by investment and Turkey citizenship by investment, both of which serve a similar strategic investor profile.