Sharm El Sheikh Real Estate
Property Details Sheet
Printed On: 19 June 2013
http://www.sharmelsheikhrealestate.com/legal-advice

Legal Advice - Buying Property in Sharm El Sheikh

What every home buyer should know before investing in Egypt:

According to the Prime minister declaration Number 548 dated 5 April 2005 there is no property ownership for foreigners in the Sharm El Sheikh area. It is a 99 years lease hold and enforced. For verification you can contact us for appropriate documentation.

Process for registration of 99 years lease hold at El Tur city (3 to 6 months):
  1. Present the documents at the register in Cairo.
  2. Cairo central registration office for foreigners
  3. Documents are stamped after verification .

Advantages of buying property in Sharm El Sheikh:

  • Tax breaks (no stamp duty)
  • No capital gain tax on resale
  • No sales tax
  • Low death succession duty 7% (to transfer property ownership)
  • Tax benefits (extremely low taxes)
  • Banks: easy to open accounts and to transfer funds
  • 0% tax on bank interest.
There are 3 types of registration in El Tur city and all of them will give you a blue/green stamped document:
  • Preliminary sale contract can not be registered for foreigners buying properties in Sharm El Sheikh.
  • Contract validity which proves ownership (like registration for Egyptians) only for Egyptians
  • Signature validity which does not grant ownership but grants validity of the signatures on the document and it is a form of legal protection (which is commonly used for foreigners).

Frequently asked questions about buying a property in Egypt:

1-What are the potential problems of buying property in Egypt?
The property registry in Egypt is out of date and incomplete, and many believe that only 10% of the properties in Egypt are actually registered. Naturally this can create a problem for the property investor. However resorts like Sharm El Sheikh are far more geared up to the international property market. Further more, those considering investing in property in Sharm El Sheikh would be wise to do so through an established and reputable estate agent. In Egypt Free hold registered properties for foreigners can not be sold for the first 5 years from the date of registry for Cairo, HURGHADA,Marsa Alam (which does not apply in Sharm El Sheikh only 99 years usufruct Right according to Prime minister decree 548).

2-Will I need a local lawyer?
In a country where real estate registration issues are as complex as in Egypt, it is really critical to have a lawyer conduct search and to advise on the legality of the purchase, even if you are buying a brand new property from a well established developer, who can register only after the project is completely built through a document called Dedication Resolution (Karar Takhsees).with Sharm El Sheikh Real Estate we have prepaid a full Due Diligence reports Through a specialised solicitor secure our clients investments

3- Will I be able to mortgage?
Local mortgages are almost impossible to obtain, so you will need to fund the purchases yourself or via same country mortgage. All the Off Plan properties with strong reputable developers are INTEREST FREE and financed for a minimum average 3 years.

Good advise

There is no restriction on selling before completion naturally, you need to be prepared to wait for the property to be completed before you can move in.

Sharm El Sheikh Real Estate customer care team will keep you updated on the progress of your property at all times. There’s always a Sharm El Sheikh Real Estate representative to answer your questions.

There is no restriction on selling properties before completion except it is stated in the sale contract.

If you intend to sell on before completion rather than move in yourself or let the property, don’t overstretch yourself – just in case you eventually decide not to sell off-plan and end up keeping the property.

Where can I find more information on Egypt?

Embassy of Egypt
26 South Street, London W1K 1DW
Tel.: +44 20 74993304/2401
www.egypt.embassyhomepage.com

British Embassy Cairo
7 Ahmed Ragheb Street
Garden City, Cairo
Tel.: +20 0 (0)227940852
www.britishembassy.gov.uk/egypt
consular.cairo@fco.gov.eg

NEW Law Number 14 dated 13 September 2012 for Property ownership in Sinai

New law Number 14 year 2012 issued on 13 September 2012 Concerning the Property ownership in Sinai

This law will be activated from the date of issue 13 September 2012 and will apply only on any purchases that will take place after the date of issue. Any purchase prior to this date is governed according to the existing law or decree on the date of purchase,and is not retrospective.

Clause No 7
It is prohibited to own land or built up properties in the area for non Egyptians and non Egyptian parents or for Egyptian Companies that it its capital is fully owned to Egyptians

Clause 8
All Egyptians who acquire a dual Nationality and kept his Egyptian Nationality are obligated to dispose with all what he owns of Land or Built properties in Sinai to Egyptians who are holding only Egyptian Nationality and from Egyptian Parents within a 6 months period from the date of issue of this law. In case this 6 months have elapsed without disposing these properties the ownership will be transferred to the state and the owner to be compensated with the value which will be evaluated by an expert valuer which will be assigned by the minister of Justice.

Clause 13
Possibility with an order from the board members of Sinai after the acceptance of the Ministry of Defense, Interior, Intelligence the following:

A) Egyptian and foreigner individuals and corporations to own the buildings in area without owning the land that it is built on. Which apply on the land which is owned by the developer.

B) Issue the Usufruct right for non Egyptians for the built properties in the area for residing for a maximum period of 50 years according to the regulations and procedures that the board members in this concern. Which apply on the land which is leased (Usufruct) by the developer