An Expat Guide to Healthcare in Egypt in 2022

Whether you would like to spend your expat life in Cairo, Alexandria or Hurghada in Egypt, healthcare in these Egyptian cities is sometimes taken for granted but actually plays a huge role of it. Medical costs vary across Egypt, therefore here we have put together an expat guide to Egypt when it comes to effectively using the country’s medical system in 2022. 

Public Healthcare in Egypt 

Despite the government’s attempt at reforming the public healthcare system in Egypt, the public hospitals still have poor quality and do not live up to the Western standard that expatriates are looking for. Even a large number of local Egyptians do not often use the public healthcare system themselves because of its obsolete medical facilities, long waiting times for treatment, insufficient levels of personnel training and sewage disposal. These are the reasons why expats in Egypt are more likely to turn to the country’s private hospitals instead. 

Private Healthcare in Egypt 

In Egypt, private hospitals are of high quality and have around the clock medical specialty. English communication is not an issue as the staff at these private healthcare providers are good at speaking Engilsh and cater to the specific medical requirements of expats. Cash payment for appointments and procedures is expected at these private facilities. You are advised to ask for receipts and other necessary paperwork to ensure reimbursement by health insurance providers. 

Cost of Medical Treatment in Egypt 

Medical treatment in Egypt is less costly than that in Europe, the U.S and some other countries in the Middle East.   

According to World Bank, even though more than half of the population has access to some form of health insurance, nearly three fourths of all medical costs are paid out of pocket. 

Cities with the most expensive costs of medical treatment are Cairo, Alexandria and Hurghada. 

Inpatient Care 

Having been globally ranked at 1542, As-Salam International Hospital in Cairo caters to a large percentage of international patients and is popular with expatriates in Egypt. Additionally, Dar Al Fouad Hospital in Cairo is one of the best private hospitals in Egypt and the Middle East. It has expertise in cardiology. Al Kawthar Hospital Hurghada in Red Sea is also an excellent choice when it comes to superb inpatient care services in Egypt. 

Emergency Numbers in Egypt 

As an expatriate in Egypt, you are supposed to call 123 for ambulance when you are in a case of emergency. As streets in Egypt are typically in traffic jam, ambulance services find it difficult to arrive at the emergency scene punctually. It is perhaps best to set up personal transport to a nearby private hospital. Alternatively, you can contact the hospital and ask for an ambulance. 

Medevac Egypt (Medical Evacuation in Egypt) 

Just in case you are in a specific location of Egypt where medical treatment is unavailable for your serious illness or severe injury, perhaps consider including medical evacuation (medevac) benefit on your international health insurance policy during your expat life in Egypt.  

Dental Care 

Many dentists in Egypt are fluent with English speaking as some of them have been internationally trained and graduated from Western universities. 

Popular dental clinics in Egypt include Helio Dental Clinic in Cairo, Dr. Bassem Samir Dental Clinic in Cairo and Royal Dental Clinic in Alexandria.  

COVID-19 in Egypt 

The government of Egypt has taken many steps in response to COVID-19 including:  

• The reduction of natural gas and electricity prices to industries; 

• The central bank’s allocation of 20 billion Egyptian pounds ($1.2bn) to support the country’s stock exchange; 

• The increase of the daily withdrawal limits for credit and debit cards by the central bank; 

• The grant of an “immediate” financing for the import of key commodities. 

• Travel restrictions and occasional lockdowns 

Therefore, the COVID-19 risk level in the country is moderate. 

The vaccination programme (how this works and who is eligible) details can be found at: 
https://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/7/48/402519/Life–Style/Health/Guide-to-COVID-vaccination-in-Egypt-What-we-need-t.aspx  

Travel Eligibility for COVID-19 

As of Jan 31, 2022, travel to or from South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, and Zimbabwe is suspended. 

Note: The above information is subject to change, depending on the COVID-19 situation. 

All passengers who began their journey in these countries and are arriving on connecting flights to Egypt must comply with the following requirements: 

• Take a COVID‑19 PCR test through ID NOW upon arrival at their own expense 

• Self‑quarantine for 14 days under observation of competent health offices 

• Take a COVID‑19 PCR test on day 7 after arrival at their own expense 

For more details, please visit https://www.egyptonlinevisa.com/travel-restrictions/  

Documentary requirements for travel 

All passengers must complete a health declaration form that will be provided on board the aircraft. Forms are also available from Egyptian tourism companies and their international counterparts. 

Egypt Dentist Prices 

Living in Egypt as an expat might, at one point, make you wonder “What is the cost of dental implants in Egypt and all the rest of dental treatment cost in the country?” Obviously, they cost much less than those in the U.S. and some other Western countries. Here we have provided you with a table that indicates average costs of various types of dental procedures done in dental clinics across Egypt. 

Dental Procedure	Average Cost
Dental Braces	USD 1229
Dental Bridge	USD 322
Dental Crown	USD 170
Dental Implant	USD 565
Dentures	USD 625
Teeth Whitening	USD 206
Tooth Extraction	USD 37
Tooth Filling	USD 44
Dental Veneers	USD 194
Dental Consultation	USD 10

Insurance 

There are two principal kinds of health insurance in Egypt, namely, international health insurance and local medical insurance. International medical insurance is typically more popular with expatriates residing in Egypt due to its more comprehensive coverage including its greater flexibility and portability when compared to the local one. 

Egypt houses a host of health insurance companies who are a perfect fit for the expat community in Egypt. The health insurers we find most frequently used among Egypt expatriates include Morgan Price, VUMI, Now Health and Cigna. The plan range of these health insurance providers is fairly around the clock and the insurance premium rates are often kept to a minimum. 

Our Advice 

It is always important to learn where hospitals, medical clinics and dental providers are situated and also how much their medical costs are. If you are in a rural location of Egypt where medical treatment is fairly unavailable, you may need medevac (medical evacuation) cover for your international medical insurance plan because it is a benefit that we find popular with residents in Egypt where medical amenities are limited in some areas.