Getting a SIM Card in Egypt: Complete Guide
Which carrier to choose, where to buy, what documents you need, and how much mobile data costs.
Mobile Carriers in Egypt
Egypt has four main mobile operators:
- WE (Telecom Egypt) — state operator, excellent coverage, good prices
- Orange Egypt — good coverage, competitive data plans
- Vodafone Egypt — large network, coverage slightly behind WE and Orange
- Etisalat (e&) — strong in cities, excellent speeds
4G is available across all carriers in Hurghada, and 5G is actively rolling out — speeds in the city are very good right now. For most expats, WE or Orange is the best choice: WE has the best coverage, Orange offers competitive plans.
Physical SIM or eSIM?
eSIMs exist in Egypt, but they are not available to tourists and foreigners directly — on your own you can only get a physical SIM card. Exception: if you go through an Egyptian acquaintance (see "Grey option" below).
Where to Buy
- Official operator stores — the most reliable option. Found in every mall and on busy streets. Your SIM will be properly registered and staff will help with setup
- Airport: operators have kiosks at arrivals. Convenient but slightly more expensive
- Small shops: SIM cards are available everywhere, but prices are marked up and it's unclear how long the SIM will last — registration may not be done properly
The most reliable option is an official operator store. SIMs from small shops may be unregistered and stop working after a couple of weeks.
What You Need
- Your passport (original, not a copy)
- A valid visa pasted in your passport — tourist visa on arrival (sticker) or tourist residence permit (plastic card)
You can get a SIM card without a passport for one month — but it will be blocked after a month. For long-term use, you need a passport with a valid visa.
The SIM card itself costs about 50-100 EGP ($1-2 USD). You'll then load a data package on top.
Grey option: SIM registered to a local
Many expats get a SIM registered through an Egyptian acquaintance — the card is registered to their passport. In this case:
- No visa required — just an arrangement with a local
- No need to visit the carrier office when your visa changes or gets renewed
- Works indefinitely as long as you top up the balance
- eSIM is available — Egyptians have access to eSIMs, and through a local this becomes accessible to you as well
This is an unofficial arrangement. Technically the SIM belongs to another person, who could in theory block or re-issue it. Only use this option if you fully trust the person.
Payment
You can pay with cash or a bank card. However, be prepared that payment terminals may not work — always have cash on hand.
Pay in Egyptian pounds (EGP), not dollars or euros — it will be cheaper. You can exchange currency at any bank, exchange office, or ATM.
Data Plans and Pricing
Egyptian mobile data is very affordable. Check current plans on the operators' websites: WE, Orange, Vodafone, Etisalat (e&).
Egypt charges a 30% VAT on mobile services. This means if you top up 100 EGP, only 70 EGP lands on your balance. Factor this in when calculating how much to top up: to buy a 200 EGP package, you need to add around 285-290 EGP to your account.
You can activate packages via the carrier's app or by dialing USSD codes. The WE and Orange iOS apps support Apple Pay for top-ups.
Carrier apps
- WE: App Store · Google Play
- Orange: App Store · Google Play · AppGallery
- Vodafone: App Store · Google Play · AppGallery
- Etisalat (e&): App Store · Google Play
Visa expired — what happens to your SIM?
Once your visa expires, the carrier deactivates your SIM card. This is standard practice — your number is tied to your entry documents.
How to reactivate your SIM after renewing your visa
If you've renewed your visa (this is done free of charge at the passport office for 1-2 months depending on your nationality), the process is simple:
- Go to an official operator store with your passport showing the new renewal stamp
- The staff updates your records and reactivates your SIM
- Usually takes 15-30 minutes
With Orange, you can do this by email — no need to visit a store. Write to their support, attach a photo of your passport with the new stamp, and they'll update your records remotely.
Don't delay reactivating your SIM — after deactivation, your number may be reassigned to another user if you don't contact the carrier for a long time.
Tips
- Top up your balance through the carrier app, Fawry kiosks, or any small shop
- Keep your SIM active — if you don't use it for 3 months, it may be deactivated
- WhatsApp calls work well on Egyptian networks — many locals prefer it over regular calls
- Wi-Fi in cafes and co-working spaces is generally reliable in tourist areas
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