Emergency Numbers & Access
Call 123 for ambulance — Arabic-speaking operators. In practice, taking a taxi or Uber to the nearest private hospital is often FASTER and more reliable than waiting for an ambulance, especially in Cairo traffic. As-Salam International Hospital (مستشفى السلام الدولي) in Maadi and Dar Al Fouad (دار الفؤاد) in 6th October City are the top choices for emergency care. Tourist Police (شرطة السياحة — call 126) can assist foreigners with medical emergencies and translation. In Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh, private hospitals catering to tourists have better emergency response. Deposit often required before treatment at private hospitals — have credit card or cash ready.
Response time: 15-45 minutes in Cairo (highly traffic-dependent — Cairo traffic is legendary). 20-60+ minutes in other cities. Ambulance service (الإسعاف) is free but often basic — many Egyptians take taxis to hospital instead.
Cost: Public ER: EGP 50-500 ($1-10) — essentially free but basic conditions. Private ER: EGP 500-5,000 ($10-100). Ambulance: FREE (public), but unreliable. Private hospital admission: EGP 2,000-10,000/day ($40-200). ICU (private): EGP 5,000-20,000/day ($100-400). Surgery (private): EGP 10,000-200,000 ($200-4,000).
Healthcare System
Egypt has a massive two-tier healthcare system. Public hospitals (المستشفيات الحكومية) are free/very cheap but severely overcrowded, understaffed, and often in poor condition — avoid for anything beyond basic emergencies. Private hospitals in Cairo and Alexandria provide excellent care at remarkably affordable prices by international standards. Top private hospitals: As-Salam International Hospital, Dar Al Fouad, Cleopatra Hospital Group, Saudi German Hospital Cairo, and The Medical Park. Medical tourism is growing — Egypt has strong ophthalmology, cardiology, and dental care reputations. Many senior Egyptian doctors trained in UK, Germany, or US. The pharmaceutical industry is strong domestically — medications are extremely cheap. The Universal Health Insurance reform aims to provide comprehensive coverage to all citizens by 2030.
Designed for: Egyptian citizens via expanding UHI (launched 2019, rolling out province by province — Port Said, Luxor, Ismailia first). Visitors use private hospitals — universally recommended over public facilities.
GP Access & Costs
Private clinics (عيادات خاصة) are ubiquitous and affordable. Walk-in accepted everywhere — no referral needed for any specialist. Doctors often see patients in personal clinics attached to their homes (common Egyptian model). Pharmacists act as de facto primary care — dispensing medications, giving advice, and even administering injections. In tourist areas (Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada, Sharm), clinics cater specifically to tourists with English/German/Russian speakers.
Typical wait: Private clinic: usually same-day, often within 1-2 hours. Some popular specialists operate a "take a number" system — waits of 1-3 hours in the evening (peak hours 5-10pm). Public hospitals: unpredictable, often 2-6+ hours.
Availability: Excellent in Cairo (especially Maadi, Zamalek, Heliopolis, Nasr City — expat-heavy areas), Alexandria, and tourist cities. Very limited in Upper Egypt (south of Luxor) and Sinai interior. Tourist resorts (Sharm, Hurghada, El Gouna) have adequate private clinics.
GP Visit
Private GP: EGP 200-600 ($4-12)
Private GP
GP: EGP 200-600 ($4-12). Specialist: EGP 300-1,500 ($6-30). Professor/consultant: EGP 1,000-3,000 ($20-60). Dental: EGP 200-5,000 ($4-100). Blood tests: EGP 100-500 ($2-10). MRI: EGP 1,500-4,000 ($30-80).
ER Without Insurance
Private ER: EGP 500-5,000 ($10-100). Hospital admission (private): EGP 2,000-10,000/day ($40-200). ICU: EGP 5,000-20,000/day ($100-400). Surgery: EGP 10,000-200,000 ($200-4,000). Medical evacuation to Europe: $30,000-80,000.
Medication
Medications are EXTREMELY cheap — Egypt has one of the most affordable pharmaceutical markets in the world. Antibiotics: EGP 20-100 ($0.40-2). Common medications: EGP 5-50 ($0.10-1). Even branded medications cost a fraction of Western prices. Egypt manufactures many generics domestically (EIPICO, Amoun, Eva Pharma). Pharmacies are everywhere and act as informal healthcare providers. Many medications available without prescription including antibiotics (technically restricted but widely sold OTC).
Pharmacy & Medication
Hours: Most pharmacies open 9am-11pm or midnight. Many 24-hour pharmacies (صيدلية ٢٤ ساعة), especially in Cairo. Seif Pharmacy (صيدليات سيف), El Ezaby (العزبي), and Roshdy (رشدي) are major chains. Pharmacists will often diagnose, recommend treatment, and administer injections — functioning as informal GPs. This is the first stop for most Egyptians for health issues.
OTC: Extremely permissive — virtually everything available without prescription in practice, including antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and many medications that are strictly prescription-only elsewhere. Pharmacists dispense freely. Quality is generally good (domestic manufacturing). Prices are remarkably low.
Controlled substances: Despite permissive pharmacy culture for most medications, Egypt has STRICT laws on certain controlled substances. Tramadol is heavily controlled — possession without valid prescription can result in imprisonment (commonly abused in Egypt). Other controlled substances: opioids, benzodiazepines, amphetamines. Cannabis/hashish: illegal with severe penalties. Khat: illegal. Carry doctor's letter for all prescription medications. Custom officials may inspect medications at entry.
Practical Tips
- As-Salam International Hospital (Maadi, Cairo) — best all-round private hospital for foreigners. English-speaking. JCI-accredited.
- Dar Al Fouad (6th October City) — premier cardiac and surgical hospital. English-speaking.
- Use pharmacies as your FIRST stop for minor ailments — El Ezaby and Seif chains are reliable and incredibly affordable
- ALWAYS take a taxi/Uber to hospital rather than waiting for an ambulance in Cairo — traffic makes ambulance response unpredictable
- Drink ONLY bottled water, avoid ice, eat at busy restaurants (high turnover = fresher food) — Pharaoh's Revenge is real
- Bring anti-diarrhoeal medication (Imodium/loperamide) and oral rehydration salts — you will probably need them
- Carry USD or EUR cash for hospital deposits — cards accepted at major private hospitals but ATMs can be unreliable
- Tourist Police (126) can assist with medical emergencies and provide translation
- In Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada, hyperbaric chambers available for diving injuries — check with your dive operator
- Egyptian pound exchange rate has been volatile — use ATMs (CIB, QNB) for best rates, avoid airport exchangers
What is the emergency number in Egypt?
Ambulance: 123, Police: 122, Fire: 180, Tourist Police: 126. Ambulance response can be slow and unreliable — in tourist areas, hotels often arrange private transport to hospital. In Cairo, As-Salam International Hospital and Dar Al Fouad have private ambulance services.
Is healthcare affordable in Egypt?
Yes. A private GP visit costs EGP 500–1,500 ($10–$30). A private hospital ER visit costs EGP 1,000–5,000 ($20–$100). Hospital stays cost EGP 3,000–15,000 ($60–$300) per night at private facilities. Cairo has several excellent private hospitals. Public hospitals should be avoided by visitors.
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Sources: Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population, WHO Egypt Country Office, CDC Travelers' Health — Egypt 2024, UK Foreign Office Travel Advice Egypt, As-Salam International Hospital, Dar Al Fouad Hospital
Last reviewed: March 2026 by Gewardz Health
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