Operating in Egypt? Speak with a security consultant.
Egypt is the most populous Arab country and a significant commercial hub, with major tourism, energy, and logistics sectors. Cairo is a working commercial city hosting international corporations, embassies, and a large expatriate community. The risk environment requires professional management on several dimensions: terrorism, state security sensitivity, specific crime patterns, and one of the most severe drug law regimes in the world.
FCDO advises against all travel to areas of northern Sinai and the Egypt-Libya border region. Against-essential-travel advisories apply to parts of the Western Desert and areas near the Sudan border. General caution is advised across Egypt.
The Alexandria shooting pattern
Two shooting incidents in Alexandria, in May 2023 and October 2024, targeted individuals with Israeli or dual-national identity. These were the first terrorism-category incidents targeting foreign nationals in Egypt’s second city in the current period. They are not isolated data points: they indicate a threat vector in a city that was previously considered lower risk than Cairo.
Operational planning for Egypt should include Alexandria in threat assessments for any visit to that city, not treat it as incidental background risk.
State security sensitivity
Egypt is a security state with a documented history of detaining foreign nationals on broad legislative grounds. British nationals have been held in Egypt without transparent legal process. The risk is not routine for standard corporate travellers but is elevated for journalists, researchers, NGO workers, and individuals who have publicly expressed views on Egyptian politics, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, or human rights.
Pre-travel social media review and a clear understanding of the legal environment are appropriate for any Egypt deployment.
Sexual assault risk at Red Sea resorts
FCDO has documented sexual assaults at Red Sea resort properties by hotel staff. The risk affects female travellers at resort destinations outside Cairo. Hotel selection and in-resort protocols are part of a complete Egypt risk assessment for any traveller, not only corporate visitors.
Drug law briefing
Egypt’s drug laws require specific briefing for every traveller. Life imprisonment and the death penalty apply. Travellers carrying medication of any kind must verify its legal status in Egypt before travel. This is not a risk category that is mitigated by professional security: it is a compliance matter that requires personal legal verification.
Source: FCDO Travel Advice: Egypt (2025). OSAC Egypt Country Security Report 2024. US State Department Egypt Travel Advisory (2025). Egyptian Narcotics Control Authority documentation (2024).
Our vetted operators provide close protection and executive protection and security driver services across Egypt. For a detailed local assessment, see our Cairo city briefing.
Cities We Cover
Cairo
High riskEgypt's capital and primary commercial city. FCDO documented shooting in Alexandria in 2024 killed an Israeli-Canadian national. A 2023 Alexandria attack killed two Israeli tourists. Detention risk exists for social media criticism of the Egyptian government. Egypt imposes the death penalty or life imprisonment for drug offences: specific briefing is required for all travellers.
View city guide →Alexandria
Moderate riskEgypt's second-largest city and principal Mediterranean port, home to six refineries and three petrochemical complexes. Calmer than Cairo day-to-day, but the site of two shootings targeting individuals with Israeli association, in May 2023 and October 2024. No operating British Consulate currently: consular support routes through the Embassy in Cairo, roughly 220km away by the desert road.
View city guide →Security Regulations
Firearms
Under Article 13 of Law No. 86 of 2015, guards of a licensed company may be licensed to hold weapons and ammunition under the Weapons and Ammunition Law No. 394 of 1954. The weapons belong to the company, not to the guard. Ask to see the weapons licences before any armed assignment. Most commercial close protection in Egypt runs unarmed.
Licensing
Companies that guard facilities and transport money in Egypt are licensed under Law No. 86 of 2015. The Minister of Interior, or a delegate, is the only authority that issues and revokes these licences. Operating without a licence carries up to 1 year in prison and a fine.
Foreign Operators
Law No. 86 of 2015 licenses only a joint stock company wholly owned by Egyptians. Its founders, board members and guards must be Egyptian nationals. A foreign security company cannot hold the licence, so use an Egyptian-licensed company and take local legal advice before a foreign team carries out protective duties.
Sources, checked : Ahram Online, Sisi issues law authorising Egypt ministries of defence, interior to found security firms (13 July 2015); Law No. 86 of 2015 on companies guarding facilities and transporting money (text, lawyeregypt.net).