Egypt
Making Hijrah to Egypt
Egypt is one of the most accessible destinations for Muslim families making hijrah. Islam is the religion of the state, the adhan is heard publicly, and halal food is universal. The cost of living is low by Western standards, and Cairo holds large, settled expat communities. The real work is the bureaucracy, which is where a plan matters.
Is Egypt a good place for Muslim families to make hijrah?
For many Western Muslim families, Egypt is the most practical first move. Islam is the religion of the state, with the principles of Islamic sharia as the main source of legislation and Al-Azhar as the country's principal Islamic institution. The adhan is called publicly, halal food is the universal default rather than something you hunt for, and Islamic schooling is extensive. Al-Azhar alone hosts nearly 90,000 foreign students from 129 countries, which tells you how deeply the country is set up to receive Muslims from abroad.
How do I get residency in Egypt?
Egypt offers multiple residency pathways, and the process has been getting more modern. The Passports Administration added optional expedited processing and residence-card delivery in 2024, then mobile biometric capture and online appointment booking in 2025. It is not frictionless. Fees still have to be paid by converting foreign currency through a bank or licensed exchange and presenting a recent receipt, and the sequence rewards knowing the steps in advance. This is exactly the kind of process the Hijrah Plan walks you through in order.
What does it cost to live in Egypt, and how stable is the money?
Egypt is affordable for a family earning in dollars, pounds, or euros. As of August 2026 the Egyptian pound traded around 50 to the dollar, having weakened roughly 5 percent over the preceding period, with the Central Bank holding key rates at 19 to 20 percent. A Western income stretches a long way here, which is why remote earners and retirees choose Egypt. Understanding the currency picture before you move, and how you will bring money in, is part of planning it properly.
What are schools like for my children?
Islamic schooling is extensive, and international curricula are widely available, including British, American, IB, French, German, and Canadian programs. Families who prefer to teach at home should know that homeschooling is prohibited under Egyptian law, so schooling is part of the plan you make before you arrive, not after.
What should I know before I commit?
A few realities worth planning around. Income tax is assessed on worldwide income for tax residents, up to 27.5 percent, so your tax position needs thought before the move. A dependent spouse's residence does not automatically carry the right to work; that requires a separate Ministry of Labour licence. Foreign property ownership is allowed but restricted in certain zones. None of these are dealbreakers. They are simply the things a serious family sorts out in advance, which is what the plan is for.
Frequently asked questions
Is Egypt safe for Muslim families?
The central government is stable, with elevated risk concentrated in specific designated military zones such as North and Middle Sinai and the border regions, away from where families settle. In cities, the common issues are petty crime and newcomer overcharging rather than danger.
Do I need to speak Arabic to move to Egypt?
Arabic is the official language and the local dialect sits some distance from what learners first study, while English is functional mainly in urban areas. You can settle without fluent Arabic, but learning it changes your experience.
Can I make hijrah to Egypt on a remote income?
Yes. Egypt is well suited to remote workers and online earners, since a Western income goes far and residency does not depend on a local job. Be aware Egypt taxes worldwide income for residents, which is worth planning around.
Can my spouse work in Egypt?
Not automatically. A dependent spouse's residence carries no work authorisation by default; working requires a separate Ministry of Labour licence under Decree 279/2025.
Build your Egypt hijrah plan, step by step
Egypt rewards the prepared. The Hijrah Plan walks you through your residency path, your documents, your income and tax position, and your first weeks on the ground, built around your family's situation.
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