Egypt lifts all Covid entry rules

There was more good news for holidaymakers this week, as Egypt lifted all Covid entry restrictions, fully opening up to all visitors from June 17th.

Travel Agents are already reporting steady increases in bookings and that trend is expected to continue with these changes.

We’ve got the low down on all things Egypt in this guide, including why Travel Insurance should be top of your list once you’ve booked.

Us Brits can never be guaranteed a warm summer, let alone winter which makes Egypt’s year-round warm climate the perfect holiday destination. Now with the removal of covid restrictions and the ability to offer up something for everyone, from its breath-taking scenery and historical sites to the vibrant Red Sea coastline and party scene. Egypt has just become this Summer’s hottest commodity.

While travelling is getting easier again, the importance of Travel Insurance should not be underestimated – providing peace of mind so you can travel with confidence.

Let’s dive in to all things Egypt and everything you need to consider for your Travel Insurance purchase.

Think Cash

Unlike at home, debit and credit cards are not widely accepted in Egypt. Some venues will accept major credit cards and there are ATM’s available throughout most of the cities but if you’re venturing into smaller towns and rural areas, we can’t recommend carrying some cash to be on the safe side. Having the right Travel Insurance could also help out if your cash or belongings is lost / stolen (terms apply).

Egypt is in Europe!

Yes, we know it isn’t… However, some Insurers class Egypt as Europe on annual cover policies. Make sure you check the policy wording and don’t just assume as some Insurers will list this as Worldwide and your Travel Insurance will not be valid. If you’re looking for a single trip policy then you simply just need to select “Egypt” as your destination. As Egypt is not in Europe you won’t be covered by the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) is invalid. Therefore, if you don’t have Travel Insurance you will be responsible for any unexpected medical expenses, including medical bills and repatriation back to the UK.

Is Travel Insurance still compulsory?

When travel restrictions began to ease during the coronavirus pandemic, Egypt made Travel Insurance compulsory. It no longer states on the FCDO website that travellers to the country require proof of Travel Insurance upon arrival. However, we highly recommended Travel Insurance as it covers you against the following:

• At least £5m medical cover (up to £15m) which is important due to the high costs involved
• Emergency medical expenses also includes things like accommodation and repatriation, should your stay be extended due to a period of time in hospital.
• Cancellation and curtailment
• Covid-19 cover available (medical and cancellation)
• Lost, stolen or damaged baggage
• Disruption and delays
• Legal / personal liability cover (for example if you face legal costs due to an incident that happens when you’re in Egypt.)
• Smart Luggage (included in gold and optional on bronze/silver) – real-time automated payments if luggage is delayed or lost.

Pre-existing Medical Conditions

If you have a pre-existing condition, it is critical to have high-quality Travel Insurance in place from the date of booking. This ensure that you are covered if you have to cancel due to a decline in your health as long as the condition has been stated at the time of purchasing your policy. We understand that trying to find Travel Insurance that covers all pre-existing medical conditions can be difficult, which is why here at Just Travel Cover we have made it as simple as possible. Our panel of professional medical Travel Insurers provides cover for hundreds of pre-existing conditions with our staff available to answer any questions online or over the phone!

Find more information on Travel Insurance for Egypt in our brand new destination centre.

Read our ‘Travel Insurance Checklist’ blog for everything you need to consider to get the best Travel Insurance for you.

As always keep an eye on the FCDO page for any changes to entry requirements