How to Get Egypt CitizenshipKey facts
- Residence for naturalisation
- 10 years
- Language
- Required, no test
- Dual citizenship
- New citizens only
- Civic test
- No civic knowledge requirement
- Criminal record
- A criminal record or good character condition applies
- Income condition
- Income or economic resources must be shown
- Dual citizenship in detail
- Partly accepted: for new citizens onlyNew citizens do not have to give up their previous citizenship.Authorities can withdraw citizenship from citizens who naturalise abroad, with exceptions.
- Available routes
- Region
- Africa
- Law in force as of
- 1 January 2024
- Last checked
- Not yet checked by our team
The rule text in the sections below was coded for the law on 1 January 2024. A November 2026 search found no later change for this country, but this has not been verified.
Naturalisation (residence)
Residence in Egypt is the basis of this route, together with the other conditions below. Authorities retain discretion and may refuse an application even when the conditions are met.
- Residence
- 10 years
Person has been resident in Egypt for 10 years.
- Previous citizenship
- New citizens do not have to give up their previous citizenship
- Language
- Required, no test or certificate specified
Person must be acquainted with Arabic language.
- Civic knowledge
- No civic knowledge requirement
- Criminal record
- A criminal record or good character condition applies
Good conduct and reputation required, no criminal penalty restricting freedom for a crime of honour.
- Income or economic resources
- Income or economic resources must be shown
Good mental health, no disability making a burden on society
Marriage or civil partnership
Marriage to a citizen of Egypt is the basis of this route, together with the conditions below. An application is required, and citizenship must be granted once the legal conditions are met.
Person is the wife of a male citizen, notifies the minister of interior of wish to acquire citizenship, and the marriage lasts for at least 2 years thereafter (unless terminated by husband's death). Minister may oppose during the 2 year period.
Descent (citizen parent)
For a person with a parent who is a citizen of Egypt, the rules below set out how this route works.
Descent (born in country)
Person is born in Egypt after entry into force of the law to a citizen.
Descent (born in country)
Person is born in Egypt before entry into force of the law to a citizen and declares wish for Egyptian citizenship.
Descent (born abroad)
Person is born abroad after entry into force of the law to a citizen.
Birth in the country
This route concerns people born in Egypt, and only in the situations described below. Authorities retain discretion and may refuse an application even when the conditions are met.
Person is born in Egypt, ordinarily resident there, and applies within 1 year of reaching the age of majority. Other conditions: see the rules for ordinary naturalisation.
Child of a new citizen
This route covers children of a person who becomes a citizen of Egypt, subject to the conditions below. The law of Egypt confers citizenship automatically, independent of any administrative decision.
Person is the minor child of a father or mother who is acquiring citizenship, unless normal residence is abroad and he/she retains the original citizenship of the father or mother by the law of that country.
Other family members of citizens
This route covers certain family members not covered by the marriage or descent routes in Egypt. An application is required, and citizenship must be granted once the legal conditions are met.
Person is a woman married to a man who is acquiring Egyptian citizenship and notifies the minister of interior on same terms as for the rules for marriage.
Former citizens (reacquisition)
This route covers people who previously held citizenship of Egypt, subject to the conditions below.
Person lost or was deprived of citizenship and 5 years have elapsed since that event.
Person lost citizenship during childhood because the father changed citizenship and the person elects to reacquire citizenship within 1 year of reaching the age of majority.
Ethnic or cultural affinity
This route covers people with an ethnic or cultural link to Egypt, subject to the conditions below. Authorities retain discretion and may refuse an application even when the conditions are met.
Person is born in Egypt to a father or mother of Egyptian origin, is ordinarily resident in Egypt, and is now an adult.
Person is of Egyptian origin, has been ordinarily resident for 5 years, and is now an adult.
Person is born in Egypt to a foreign father or mother also born there, his father or mother belongs to the majority of inhabitants in a country whose language is Arabic or religion is Islam, and the person applies within 1 year of reaching the age of majority.
Stateless persons
Statelessness, or the risk of it, is the basis of this route in Egypt. The law of Egypt confers citizenship automatically, independent of any administrative decision.
Person is born in Egypt of unknown parents. Foundling in Egypt shall be considered born there unless otherwise established. If a declaration is made to renounce Egyptian citizenship when another citizenship is established during childhood (mode L14), the person may reacquire citizenship by declaration within 1 year after reaching the age of majority.
Special achievements
For people whose achievements or contributions are recognised by Egypt, the rules below set out what applies. Authorities retain discretion and may refuse an application even when the conditions are met.
Person is a foreigner who has rendered honourable services to Egypt or to the Egyptian religious sects.
person is a foreigner who has resided in Egypt for five consecutive years in accordance with Art. 20bis of Law No. 89 of 1960 regarding the entry and residence of foreigners in the Republic of Egypt ('deposit residency' category).
Investment
A qualifying investment or financial contribution is the basis of this route in Egypt. Authorities retain discretion and may refuse an application even when the conditions are met.
The Prime Minister, based on the presentation of the Naturalisation Applications Examination Unit, can grant citizenship on the basis of a) the purchase of public property for a value exceeding 300,000 USD b) establishing/participating in an investment project 350,000 USD c) depositing 500,000 USD in an Egyptian account for 3 years d) depositing 250,000 USD to the State Treasury (without return).
Not available in Egypt: Adoption, Citizens of specific countries, Residence during childhood, Very long residence, Refugees, Public or military service. Coded by GLOBALCIT for 1 January 2024 and updated with in-force changes.
Dual citizenship
Dual citizenship in Egypt is accepted for new citizens, but not generally for citizens who naturalise abroad.
- New citizens
- New citizens do not have to give up their previous citizenship
- Citizens who naturalise abroad
- Authorities can withdraw citizenship from citizens who naturalise abroad, with exceptions
Person acquires citizenship of another country, except if s/he obtains permission.
Compare with neighbours
The period of 10 years set under the law of Egypt is also the most common one in Northern Africa.
See how Egypt compares with every country in the residence ranking
| Country | Residence | Language | Dual citizenship |
|---|---|---|---|
 Algeria | 7 years | Assimilation only | Accepted |
 Libya | 10 years | None | New citizens only |
 Morocco | 5 years | Required, no test | Accepted |
 Sudan | 10 years | None | Accepted |
 Tunisia | 5 years | Required, no test | Accepted |
Official sources
Official government page: not yet linked.
Naturalisation provisions: Nationality law: Art. 4(5).
Cite this page
TravelDecl. (n.d.). How to Get Egypt Citizenship. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://traveldecl.com/citizenship/egypt/
<a href="https://traveldecl.com/citizenship/egypt/">How to Get Egypt Citizenship</a> (TravelDecl, retrieved 5 November 2026)
Sources and licence
Vink, van der Baaren, Bauböck, Džankić, Honohan, Manby (2025). GLOBALCIT Citizenship Law Dataset v3.1. Global Citizenship Observatory, https://hdl.handle.net/1814/73190. CC BY 4.0. Modified by TravelDecl.
Modified by TravelDecl: updated with changes after 1 January 2024.
GLOBALCIT codes the law as written. Fees, processing times, quotas and how officials apply the rules in practice are not in this dataset: check them with the official authority.
FAQ
How many years to become an Egyptian citizen?
The law of Egypt sets 10 years of residence for ordinary naturalisation. Other legal conditions also apply.
Does Egypt allow dual citizenship?
Only in one direction: people who naturalise in Egypt, but not generally its citizens who naturalise abroad.
Do I need a language test for Egyptian citizenship?
Language ability is required for Egyptian citizenship, though no test or certificate is specified.
Is there a civic knowledge test for Egyptian citizenship?
Applicants for Egyptian citizenship are not asked to demonstrate civic knowledge.
Do I have to give up my current citizenship to get Egyptian citizenship?
There is no obligation to renounce your current citizenship to get Egyptian citizenship. The law of your current country may have its own rules on this.
Can I get Egypt citizenship by marriage?
Yes, Egypt provides a marriage route. Procedure: entitlement.
Can I get Egypt citizenship by descent?
Yes, the law of Egypt provides citizenship by descent from a citizen parent. Procedure: automatic, discretionary.
Can I get Egypt citizenship by investment?
Yes. Egypt has an investment route in the data. Amounts and terms should be confirmed with the official authority.
Related pages
Also see: Egypt passport, visa-free access and entry rules. Latest law changes.
Corrections to this page are handled by Sarah Kim, Fact-Checker.