Do you need an attorney to buy property in Egypt?
Legally not required, but strongly recommended for non-resident buyers. Title verification, contract translation, and registration are technical steps where mistakes are expensive to fix later.
Buyer guide
Property attorneys in Egypt.
Buying property in Egypt as a non-resident is doable. The paperwork is not. This guide covers what an attorney handles, how to choose one, typical fees, and the red flags that should make you walk away.
Where it matters
When you need an attorney.
Common situations where a property attorney saves you from costly mistakes:
- Contract review before signingArabic legal language is dense, and assumptions made on a translation can cost you later.
- Title verification for the sellerConfirms the seller owns what they claim to sell, and whether there are encumbrances.
- Off-plan depositsProtect deposits when buying from a developer before completion.
- Inheritance planningEgyptian succession rules differ from common-law and EU systems.
- Disputes with developers or co-ownersThe attorney handles formal correspondence and litigation.
- Non-resident transactionsPower of Attorney drafting, foreign-buyer registration, currency-transfer paperwork.
The engagement
What attorneys handle.
A typical property attorney engagement in Egypt covers five workstreams:
Due-diligence
Title search, encumbrance check, building-permit verification, and Orascom-phase confirmation for El Gouna properties.
Contract translation
Side-by-side Arabic + English (or your language) so you sign what you actually understand.
Power of Attorney
Drafted with narrow scope, notarised, and revocable. Lets the attorney sign on your behalf for specific acts.
Registration + handover
Real-estate registration at the local notary, key-handover, and utility transfer.
Escrow + payment
Holds buyer funds in a regulated client account until completion conditions are met.
Your checklist
How to choose an attorney.
Five criteria you should be able to verify before signing the engagement:
Bar-registered + verifiable
Active membership of the Egyptian Bar Association, with the senior attorney name and registration number provided in writing.
Foreign-buyer experience
Demonstrable closings with non-resident buyers under Decree 230/1996 (freehold) and 99-year leasehold structures.
Real-estate specialisation
Not a generalist firm. Property law in Egypt has its own quirks — co-ownership, condominium rules, beach-front zoning.
English working language
Senior attorney communicates fluently in English. German, Russian, Italian, or French as a bonus depending on your background.
Transparent fee structure
Written flat-fee or capped percentage. No success-fee on the property price, which can incentivise the wrong things.
Budget
Typical fees and timelines.
From$0flat-fee, simple resale
Up to$0off-plan, milestone payments
Resale closing0 wkfrom signed contracts
Fees for foreign-buyer property transactions in Egypt typically range from approximately USD 1,500 to USD 5,000. Off-plan transactions with milestone payments sit at the higher end. The flat-fee usually includes due-diligence, contract review, translation, registration support, and one Power of Attorney draft.
Timelines for a straightforward resale transaction run from three to eight weeks once contracts are signed. Off-plan transactions extend over the build period and can stretch to two or three years. Confirm what is included in the fee and what counts as a scope-extension before you commit.
Warning signs
Red flags to avoid.
If any of these come up during your first conversation, walk away.
- No bar registration numberOr refuses to provide it in writing when you ask.
- Cash-only feesNo invoice, no receipts, no paper trail.
- No written engagement letterScope and fee should be defined before work starts.
- Pressure tacticsPushing you to sign within 48 hours without time to review.
- Acts for the seller tooThe same lawyer representing both sides is a conflict of interest.
Signing remotely
Power of Attorney explained.
A Power of Attorney lets your appointed lawyer sign documents on your behalf when you are not physically in Egypt. It must be notarised, and the scope must be defined narrowly — for example limited to one specific property and one transaction.
A broad open-ended Power of Attorney is risky. Define the property, define the acts the attorney may sign for, define an expiry date, and keep a copy. The Power of Attorney is revocable at any time with formal notification.
FAQ
Common questions.
What does a property attorney in Egypt typically charge?
Typical fees range from approximately USD 1,500 to USD 5,000 per transaction. Flat-fee engagements are more common for non-resident buyers than hourly billing. Confirm scope and fee in writing before signing.
Can you use a Power of Attorney to buy property in Egypt?
Yes. A notarised Power of Attorney lets your appointed attorney sign on your behalf when you are not physically in Egypt. The scope must be defined narrowly and the document is revocable.
How do you verify an Egyptian attorney is licensed?
Check membership of the Egyptian Bar Association. Ask for the firm name, the senior attorney name, and bar registration details in writing. Cross-check with the Bar lookup where available.
Next step
Connecting with an attorney.
Gouna Realty is an aggregator. We index listings from multiple sources, we do not act as a broker, and we do not refer specific lawyers. The simplest route: pick a property, message the listing agency on WhatsApp, and ask for their preferred legal partner. Then apply the criteria on this page before you sign.
Questions about the buying process? Email hello@gounarealty.com.
Trust
Privacy.
Gouna Realty does not store attorney-client correspondence. Legal enquiries go directly to the attorney intake; we never see, store, or process privileged communications.