Once you decide on a property, you will need to pay a holding deposit to take the property off the market while contracts are drawn up.

It is completely usual to negotiate a property’s selling price in Egypt, unless you are buying off-plan when the price is fixed.

Lawyers
Lawyers in Egypt will normally speak English and will be able to produce your necessary paperwork in Arabic, as required by all the authorities. Egypt has many complex real estate registration issues so it is critical to have a lawyer conduct the appropriate searches and provide you with legal advice regarding the purchase.

Local lawyers will also help you through the best way to conduct business with the local people who have their own particular idiosyncrasies and customs which are important to be aware of.

Fees and Taxes
Property registration and legal fees for conveyance total around 6%.

Stamp Duty on property is payable by the buyer at 3%. The buyer will also pay a small inspection and measurement fee (approx. 65 euros).

Tax on any form of income from property runs at 20 to 22% and is basically the alternative to Value Added Tax. Many countries enjoy a double taxation treaty with Egypt.

Egypt levies no inheritance or capital gains taxes.

Registration
Most Egyptian properties are not registered, even though registration is an essential pre-requisite to a purchase. Therefore the lawyer’s assistance in liaising with the Real Estate Registration Office in Egypt is essential in order to ensure the property is duly registered and prepared for foreign purchase. Registration can take up to four months. After inspections and payment of taxes/fees, you will finally obtain a new title from the Registry.

Mortgages
Currently there are no mortgage facilities available to foreigners in Egypt, though this situation is due to change in the near future with the full implementation of a new mortgage law in Egypt. The best option today is to obtain a mortgage abroad or to free up equity in your country of residence via a re-mortgage or an equity release scheme. In this way you will be able to purchase your property in Egypt outright.

The current lack of a fully developed lending system has slowed the construction industry in Egypt, even though Cairo is one of the most densely populated cities in the world and the need for new housing is starkly apparent. This situation is destined to change as soon as mortgage facilities become more commonplace.

Property Tax
Today, taxes on the sale of real estate bear no relation to standard property taxes or real estate registration fees in other countries. The Egyptian government is currently debating a reform of property registration fees and is proposing to impose international-standard property taxes.

Tax From The Sale of Property
In Egypt, the sale of land and/or buildings is taxed in the same way and the system is very simple. Tax is chargeable at 2.5% of money earned from a sale and it must be filed as tax owed by April 1st. For example: an individual or corporation selling a piece of land for LE 100,000 must file a tax return by March 31st stating that LE 2,500 is owed in taxes.

The only exceptions (under Article 42) are income from the sale of inherited land or other real estate is tax which are free, as is any income earned from the sale of land or other real estate you own through a shared capital company, provided you keep your shares in the company for at least five years after the sale. This last provision is designed to prevent the formation of “paper” companies to dodge tax liabilities from the sale of properties.

Stamp Duty / Capital Gains Tax / Inheritance Tax
In Egypt there is no stamp duty or capital gains tax payable on real estate and, if you are a British resident, you will also avoid inheritance tax on any Egyptian properties that you decide to pass on to your loved ones.

Tax on Rental Received
Any person, partnership or company must file a tax return detailing all rent or other income derived from real estate by March 31st of each year. For rental income the basic threshold for taxation is LE 5,000 per annum and, provided your rental income is less than this figure, you need not declare your received income.

For rental incomes greater than LE 5,000, 50% of the total amount is tax-free to cover maintenance and other expenses associated with owning the property. The balance is taxable at a standard rate of up to 20% rate of personal and corporate income. For example, you rent out a flat for LE 8,000 per month, grossing LE 96,000 in rental income per year. Simply subtract the deduction against costs of 50%, leaving LE 48,000 as taxable income. The balance owed in taxes is LE 6,100.