Moving to Egypt, what to bring with you, a checklist for 2026

Passport and personal documents

Start with your passport. It must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry and have a blank page, otherwise you may be refused entry to Egypt. If you are moving for a long time, renew your passport in advance: the residence permit is stuck into the passport, and the passport must stay valid.

• Copies of your passport and visa, on paper and on your phone.
• Passport photos, needed for residency and other paperwork.
• School certificate, diploma and transcripts, if you plan to study or work.
• Birth and marriage certificates if you are coming with family: you will need them to register your family and enrol children in school.

Legalisation, do it before you leave

Egypt is not a party to the Hague Apostille Convention. So documents for Egyptian authorities are legalised through the consulate: first they are certified in your country, then at the Egyptian embassy or consulate. At home this is usually easier and faster than sending papers from Cairo later.

The exact procedure depends on the country and the type of document, so check it with the Egyptian embassy. We covered the whole chain in detail in the article on translating and legalising documents.

Medicines, how to bring them

Bring your usual medicines at least for the first weeks, especially if you take them regularly. Many drugs are sold in Egyptian pharmacies, but under other brand names, so write down the international name of the active ingredient.

Be careful: some prescription and even over the counter medicines are controlled substances in Egypt. The UK Foreign Office warns that you may need prior permission from the Egyptian Ministry of Health, and without it the medicine will not be let in and the owner may be prosecuted.

• Carry medicines in their original packaging and in your hand luggage.
• Bring a recent prescription or a letter from your doctor with the diagnosis, the name of the drug and the dose, stating that the medicine is for personal use.
• Take an amount for personal use, not a supply for years.
• If a drug is strong, a sleeping pill or a psychotropic, check the rules with the Egyptian embassy or consulate before travelling.

Money and bank cards

Egypt runs largely on cash, so bring a reserve of dollars for the first weeks: rent, deposit and setting up. The notes should be clean, without tears or writing. Foreign cash worth more than 10,000 dollars must be declared on arrival, and you can bring in no more than 5,000 Egyptian pounds.

Visa and Mastercard cards from banks in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and other countries not under sanctions usually work. Russian Visa and Mastercard cards do not work abroad, and Mir cards are not accepted in Egypt. Tell your bank about the trip. More in the article money in Egypt.

Phone, laptop and other electronics

Since 21 January 2026 Egypt has ended the duty free import of a phone for passengers. According to the telecom regulator NTRA, tourists keep a grace period of 90 days. After that, a phone that works with an Egyptian SIM card must be registered and the fee paid through the Telephony app, otherwise it is cut off from the mobile network. According to Egyptian media, the fee is about 38.5% of the value of the device.

The rules have changed several times, so check them on the NTRA website (tra.gov.eg) before buying a new phone at home. What to do with your phone and how to buy one in Egypt, read in the article about phones and IMEI.

• It is better to bring your laptop and tablet: imported electronics in Egypt are usually more expensive.
• The UK Foreign Office advises declaring expensive electronics and camera equipment on arrival.
• Do not bring satellite phones or radio transmitters, according to the same source they are likely to be confiscated.
• Put power banks only in your hand luggage, airlines require this.

Sockets and voltage

Egypt uses 220 volts and 50 hertz, with type C and F sockets that take two round pins. This is the same standard as in Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, so you will not need adapters.

For devices from countries with other sockets, such as the USA or the UK, check the label on the power supply: if it shows a range from 100 to 240 volts, an adapter is enough. A surge protector is useful for expensive equipment.

Clothes for the climate and local norms

Summer in Egypt is long and hot, so the core of your wardrobe is light cotton and linen clothing, a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. In winter Cairo evenings are cool and apartments have no central heating, so pack a warm sweater, a light jacket, warm socks and slippers.

Egypt is a conservative country, and in the city clothes that cover shoulders and knees are more comfortable. Abayas, hijabs and modest clothing are easier to buy locally, the choice is huge.

What is better to buy in Egypt

Imported electronics, cosmetics and familiar brands are usually more expensive in Egypt, so it is better to bring them. But do not waste luggage weight on things sold on every corner. It is easier to buy locally:

• Bed linen, towels, dishes and household goods, for example at the Ataba and Muski markets in Cairo.
• Vegetables, fruit, grains and cleaning products.
• Everyday clothes, shoes and bags.
• Second hand furniture, appliances and dishes from people who are leaving.

How Tullab helps you settle in

Look for furniture, appliances, dishes and textiles from people who are leaving in the for the home section. This way you can furnish an apartment much more cheaply than in a shop. Help with transporting your purchases is offered in the moving and freight section.

Brought too much or found something better? Post a listing for free and sell what you do not need to your neighbours.