Two methods of property registration in Egypt

This is a somewhat involved process, including several steps:

• Present a request for property registration to the land registry (it is then sent to the Egyptian Surveying Authority).
• The Surveying Authority delegates a team from the Department of Measurements to produce a report on the property, which is then sent back to the Surveying Authority
• Once the inspection report is either approved or disproved by the Surveying Authority, it is sent back to the land registry, which then prepares an “acceptance report”
• The Egyptian Lawyer’s Syndicate approves the final draft of the purchase contract (you must have a lawyer to complete this procedure), which is then returned to the land registry for processing
• The buyer pays a maximum LE2,000 to obtain his contract from the land registry
• Both the buyer and seller sign the contract at the offices of the land registry
• The buyer collects his contract at the land registry

The entire process generally takes between three and four months to complete. While full registration gives you the most protection under Egyptian property law

This is an increasingly popular process amongst foreigners buying land in Egypt, as it removes restrictions on how many properties a foreigner may buy and when he may sell them. It is also not nearly as time consuming as full registration, though it as not quite as iron-clad legally.

When a property is registered under signature of validity, the buyer begins by obtaining what is called a “negative certificate” from the land registry. This document certifies that there are no outstanding debts or claims on the land. Tax authorities then produce a document showing what taxes, of any, are due on the property.

The next step is the drafting of a contract that outlines the property size, purchase price, et cetera and so on, which the buyer and seller both sign. In the final step, the buyer delegates power of attorney to his lawyer, who then files a suit to legally certify the signature of the seller as valid, which in effect completes the sale. This process also takes several months.