Reality Brief: Sharm el-Sheikh

Current alerts

No official alerts recorded for this region.

Alerts checked on October 2, 2026 against the sources cited.

Essentials before you arrive

• A visa is required. Get it online before departure (e-visa), from a consulate, or on arrival at international airports, paid in cash in dollars or euros (30 USD single entry according to France and the UK); it is valid for 30 days. Do not buy it from an agent: the official kiosk is enough.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Egypt, entry and residenceGOV.UK (FCDO), Egypt travel advice: entry requirementsGovernment of Canada, Travel advice: EgyptGuide: Entry and residence

• Passport valid for at least 6 months: after your return date according to France and Canada, after arrival according to the UK. French nationals may also enter with an ID card valid for 6 months, with two passport photos; check the spelling of your name and the number on the entry document, and note that the visa cannot then be extended.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Egypt, entry and residenceGOV.UK (FCDO), Egypt travel advice: entry requirementsGovernment of Canada, Travel advice: EgyptGuide: Entry and residence

• Banned without authorisation: drones (confiscated and never returned), binoculars even small ones, professional photo or video equipment. CBD is banned and tramadol strictly prohibited, with very heavy penalties. Keep a prescription, ideally in English, for your medication.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Egypt, useful informationGOV.UK (FCDO), Egypt travel advice: safety and securityGuide: Entry and residence

• According to the UK: ambulance 123, fire 180, police 122, tourist police 126. Canada also lists police 112, medical assistance 113, fire 110.

  GOV.UK (FCDO), Egypt travel advice: getting helpGovernment of Canada, Travel advice: EgyptFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Egypt, useful contactsGuide: Health

• Strongly advised against by France (update of 5 March 2026): the Western Desert towards the Libyan border (except the Cairo-Farafra-El Kharga triangle), the military no-go zone south of Siwa, the whole Sudanese border including the road south of Abu Simbel, and North Sinai beyond the Suez-Taba line, as well as Gaza via Rafah.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Egypt, safetyGuide: Safety and emergencies

• The currency is the Egyptian pound (EGP). Dollars are welcome at tourist sites; cards are accepted in larger shops, but many merchants take cash only.

  Government of Canada, Travel advice: EgyptGuide: Money and banking

• Dress modestly (knees and shoulders covered), especially outside resorts, in mosques and souks. Alcohol is only allowed in licensed venues. Ask before photographing someone; photographing children is prohibited.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Egypt, useful informationGOV.UK (FCDO), Egypt travel advice: safety and securityGuide: Daily life and local laws

Living in Sharm el-Sheikh

• Arriving directly at Sharm el-Sheikh for a stay limited to the South Sinai resorts (Sharm el-Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba, Taba): a free entry stamp replaces the visa, up to 15 days according to the UK. To leave that zone or stay longer, you need an Egypt visa.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Egypt, entry and residenceGOV.UK (FCDO), Egypt travel advice: entry requirementsGuide: Entry and residence

• The UK advises against all travel within 20 km of the Libyan border and to North Sinai governorate; and all but essential travel to northern South Sinai (excluding the coasts), Ismailia east of the canal, much of the Western Desert and the Hala'ib triangle.

  GOV.UK (FCDO), Egypt travel advice: warnings and insuranceGOV.UK (FCDO), Egypt travel advice: regional risksGuide: Safety and emergencies

• Crime is generally low, but scammers and touts are common at tourist sites. Report any crime to the tourist police (126) before leaving the country.

  GOV.UK (FCDO), Egypt travel advice: safety and securityFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Egypt, useful contactsGuide: Safety and emergencies

Field experience

• Tip

  Pharmacies, clinics and hospitals

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): pharmacies (5). Locate those near your home in the first days and check opening hours and on-call services locally.

• Tip

  Where to shop for food

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): supermarkets (2). Compare a few basic prices between market and supermarket before settling into habits.

• Tip

  Banks, cash machines and exchange

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): banks (6). Withdraw and change money at these official places, preferably during the day, never in the street.

• Tip

  A shop for your SIM card

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): phone and internet (3). Go with your passport: SIM registration is often mandatory.

• Emergency numbers

  Ambulance 123, fire 180, police 122, tourist police 126.

  123180122126

  GOV.UK (FCDO), Egypt travel advice: getting helpFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Egypt, useful contacts· Oct 2, 2026

• Hôpital Al Salam International

  Health, Sharm el-Sheikh.

  +20 69 366 08 93

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Egypt, useful contacts· Oct 2, 2026