Short-Term Rental Regulations Under Review by Ministry of Tourism
Egypt's Ministry of Tourism is drafting new rules for short-term holiday rentals on the Red Sea coast, potentially impacting thousands of property owners.
The Ministry of Tourism has confirmed that it is drafting new regulations specifically targeting short-term holiday rentals on the Red Sea coast. The rules, expected to be published for public consultation in August, could have significant implications for owners who list properties on platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com.
Proposed Measures
According to sources familiar with the draft, the regulations would require all short-term rental properties to register with a new online portal, obtain a classified tourism permit (renewable annually), and comply with minimum safety and amenity standards. Properties that fail to register could face fines of up to EGP 500,000.
“The goal is not to restrict the market but to formalize it. Short-term rentals are a major part of Hurghada's tourism accommodation mix, and they need to meet the same basic standards that hotels do.”
— Ministry of Tourism spokesperson
Market Impact
Industry analysts estimate that 40–50% of short-term rental properties in Hurghada currently operate without formal registration. While the new rules may cause short-term disruption, most expect the market to adapt quickly. Formalization could actually benefit professional operators by reducing unregulated competition.
- Registration with new online portal
- Annual renewable tourism permit
- Minimum safety and amenity standards
- Fines up to EGP 500,000 for non-compliance
- Public consultation expected August 2026
The Ministry has indicated that there will be a 12-month grace period after the regulations are finalized to allow property owners to come into compliance.
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