Focus On Egypt

Permits and visas

Anyone considering relocating to Egypt should be aware of the current unstable political situation. In early 2011, an uprising against the Mubarak government led to rioting and outbreaks of violence and many expats were evacuated out of the country. The revolt was uncharacteristic, but expats should still be wary.

Getting a job in Egypt is impossible without a work visa, and these can only be obtained if you have a formal job offer and contract from a company or sponsor. Expats who want to stay longer than three months should apply for an

Costs

The currency in Egypt is the Egyptian pound (£);

$1 = £6

€1 = £8

£1 = £11.50

(correct as of October 2011)

For some reason, Egyptian coins are notoriously hard to get hold of, so don't be surprised if a merchant rounds up a price to the nearest pound. And then of course there's the heavy emphasis on tipping or ‘baksheesh'.

What has to be understood is that the average Egyptian often has to work more than one job to make ends meet and usually thinks of foreigners as wealthy. This leads to baksheesh - the idea that everyone must be tipped for every minor service. It's particularly common in the major cities so it's worth double-checking all your receipts; cashiers will have no qualms about adding a stiff baksheesh to your bill.

The cost of living in Egypt can be kept low if you take the trouble to familiarise yourself with the area you live in. For example, taxis aren't very expensive, but the public transport is even cheaper. Food is also a small expense if you learn where to buy it. If you opt to avoid meat and dine in simple places it's possible to survive on a food budget of E£15 (£1.60) per day.

Salaries

Expats brought in from abroad to work in Egypt are often on a higher salary and are usually paid in Euros, British Pounds or US Dollars. Expats who are hired from within Egypt are paid in the local currency and tend to earn much less.

Taxes

Unfortunately, living in Egypt doesn’t mean you no longer have to pay tax in your home country. But, Egypt has signed tax treaties with many countries and this protects you from paying income tax in both places. Expats are still liable for income tax in Egypt, depending on residency status.

Income is taxed progressively from 20% to 40%, depending on your gross income. The whole tax system is rather complicated and it’s probably best to hire a professional expat tax agency to help you manage the process.

Religion

The Egyptian people are an ethnic blend of many other cultures; including, Greek, Arab, Armenian, Turkish, African, Syrian and Palestinian, and around 90% are Sunni Muslim.

As with any predominantly Muslim country, you do need to be respectful of the main Islamic customs and traditions. For example, don't show too much bare flesh - especially as a woman - and don't go out eating or drinking in public during Ramadan. It won't win you any friends amongst the locals! Public displays of affection between men and women should also be avoided, even if you're married. Although Egyptian men are frequently seen to hold hands and will often greet one another with a kiss on the cheek.

That being said, expats are not expected to adhere meticulously to Islamic law. Although Muslims are prohibited from drinking alcohol or

Food

One of the largest health concerns in Egypt is sanitation. You should only drink and cook with bottled water and ensure vegetables and fruit are washed thoroughly. The good news is, that if you find places to eat in that you trust you can enjoy a three-course meal for as little as £110 (£11).

For expats who are unused to Egypt, the pollution and noise can seem inescapable, particularly in Cairo, where people tend to live and work in close proximity. Women from western cultures may find the transition to the male-focussed society quite hard, especially as unaccompanied women can often find themselves the target of verbal - and occasionally physical - harassment. Learning a little Arabic and trying your best to fit in with local customs is the best way to ease the transition.

All local costs/regulations correct as of October 2011. While Fabric and PRWeek endeavour to provide the correct information they accept no liability.