eSIM Egypt

Internet in Egypt: roaming, an Egyptian SIM or an eSIM?

Egypt lies outside the European Union, so "roam like at home" does not work there, and a Polish SIM charges for data according to the price list for countries outside the EU. In Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh and Marsa Alam most tourists spend a week or two in an all-inclusive hotel, and that is exactly where hotel Wi-Fi lets you down most often: it works in the lobby, not on the beach, and slows down in the evening.

What to know about Egypt in particular

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  The rules on phones from abroad. Since January 2026 Egypt has charged customs duty on phones brought in for good, but the exemption still covers tourists staying up to 90 days. A phone with a Polish SIM and an eSIM in roaming works without registration for the whole holiday.
• •
  An Egyptian SIM needs registering. Local SIM cards are sold against a passport, and a phone with one works on the Egyptian network as a local one. An eSIM bought in Poland works in roaming, so neither the registration nor the 90-day limit applies to it.
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  Coverage. In the Red Sea resorts, in Cairo, Luxor and Aswan the network is good. In the desert and on a Nile cruise between the cities there is sometimes none, so download the maps offline.
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  Calls through apps. WhatsApp and Messenger work normally, voice calls included.

How much data for a trip to Egypt

Before you fly

1. 1.
   Dial *#06#: an EID line means the phone supports eSIM. The phone must not be locked to an operator.
2. 2.
   Choose a package for Egypt and pay with BLIK, a card, Apple Pay or Google Pay.
3. 3.
   Install the eSIM at home over Wi-Fi: instructions for your phone.
4. 4.
   After landing, switch data to the eSIM and turn on data roaming on it. The package will start at the first connection to an Egyptian network.

Questions about the internet in Egypt

Does the eSIM work on an excursion to Cairo and Luxor?

Yes, the package covers the whole of Egypt. On the road through the desert coverage drops out; in the cities it comes back.

Do I have to register my phone in Egypt?

Not on a holiday of up to 90 days. Registration and duty apply to phones brought in for good and to local SIM cards, not to an eSIM in roaming.

Won't the hotel Wi-Fi be enough?

In the lobby, usually yes. On the beach, in a room at the far end of the resort and on excursions, usually not, and that is where you want to send a photo or check the map.