Shorts, a T-shirt, flip-flops, and, perhaps, a windbreaker; here is the whole wardrobe that you will need in Hurghada. Savings? Saving money! You will not have to spend money on a vacation by the sea. After all, you are already at the resort! Unless you decide to spend a few days at an all-inclusive hotel, but without a flight it will be much cheaper. Besides, you are practically a local and not for any "cheating" (well, Egypt is famous for them) You won't be fooled.
The exaggerated benefits of living in a hot country off the coast look exactly like this. What about the rest of the family budget items? Let's sort it out in order.
Housing
A very modest apartment in Hurghada can be rented from $ 100 per month, but it is better to focus on 200. For this money, it is really possible to find an option with one or two bedrooms in a compound – residential complex with its own green area, swimming pool, sometimes a shop. Of course, we are talking about inexpensive locations. For example, Mubarakah, El-Ahiyah.
In the Tourist center of the resort, say, in El Kausera, which is considered the most "Russian" area, renting a house will cost from $ 250.
In elite El Gouna or Sahl Hasheesh, renting a spacious apartment or villa costs from $ 800.
It is more expensive to rent a property in Sharm el-Sheikh, as well as to buy it. The cheapest accommodation in an ordinary house is offered from $200 per month. In a compound, they usually pay from 250 and above for a small apartment. On average, rental rates range from 350 to 700. Renting a villa or townhouse costs from $ 700.
Total monthly housing costs: from $200
Egyptian resorts on the Red Sea are among the most affordable seaside resorts in the world for real estate acquisition. A good apartment in Hurghada can be bought from $15,000, in Sharm el Sheikh from $30,000. More details about the Hurghada housing market and features of transactionsread in our materials!
Utility costs and maintenance of the complex
In Egypt, payment for water and electricity is made through cards. You put down a deposit and use the plumbing and electricity. As soon as the funds run out, your home is automatically disconnected from the supply of resources. To prevent this from happening, the card accounts need to be replenished regularly. The cost of electricity and water for a family of three: about 30-70 dollars per month. The amount may vary depending on the season. In summer, it is more due to the constant operation of air conditioners. In winter, quite a lot can run up due to the fact that you have to turn on the split system for heating.
Another spending position, if you live in a compound, is the cost of maintaining the complex. The money collected from the residents goes to maintaining the swimming pool, common areas, and green spaces. The tariff varies depending on the level of the LCD. The minimum amount you need to count is from $ 200 per year, that is, about $ 20 per month (minimum!).
Finally, the apartment needs Internet. There is practically no wired internet in Egypt, so you will need to buy a router and a SIM card. The tariff fee will average $10 per month, according to Statista (from $4.4 to $37.1).
Total monthly utility bill: from $ 60.
Mobile communication
A tourist SIM card with 20 GB of Internet will cost $ 10.
Next, you can choose the appropriate tariff: from 5 to 25 dollars for basic services per month. For example, the Red Advanced tariff from Vodaphone Egypt (25 GB, 5000 minutes) It costs $12.
In total, per month for communication for a family of two adults and a child: about $ 25.
Food products
Of the major international supermarkets and hypermarkets in Hurghada and Sharma, there are Carrefour and Metro. It is believed that Carrefour is more budget-friendly, and Metro is more expensive, but the quality of products, such as meat, is better in it.
Residents of Hurghada also buy groceries, household chemicals, household items at the large Gomla Market store located in the city center on the tourist Sheraton street.Prices for locally produced products are low. However, some positions are quite expensive. For example, beef, chicken costs more than, for example, in Russia. Prices for eggs are twice as low, for milk and dairy products are thirty percent higher than in Russian supermarkets. Fruits and vegetables are much cheaper. Let's collect the basket and compare it.
- Chicken is 200 pounds ($4.28) per kg.
- Beef from 450 pounds ($9.64) per kg.
- Eggs start from 160 pounds ($3.43) for 3 dozen.
- Milk starts from 50 pounds ($1.07) per liter.
- Potatoes – 15 pounds ($0.32) per kg.
- Local apples – from 20 pounds (0.43 dollars) per kg.
- Imported apples – from 80 pounds ($1.71) per kg.
- Tomatoes – from 10 pounds (0.2 dollars) per kg.
- Oranges – from 15 pounds (0.3 dollars) per kg.
- Onions – from 18 pounds ($0.4) per kg.
- Carrots – from 12 pounds (0.3 dollars) per kg.
This category of expenses should also include the purchase of drinking water. Since the quality of tap water leaves much to be desired, water must be purchased, including for cooking.
It is quite difficult to calculate monthly expenses, since everything here depends on the dietary habits of each particular family. Approximately $ 200 can be pledged for two adults and a child.
Approximately for family meals: $200 per month.
Transport
About Egyptian transport we told you in detail. It has many disadvantages, but high cost is not one of them. So, a trip by minibus from one end of Hurghada to the other will cost only 10 pounds (0.2 dollars), by taxi at least 400 pounds (8.57 dollars). The latter is not cheap, but it is not expensive compared to other countries.
It is cheaper and more reliable to use taxi ordering applications. In Hurghada, these are Uber and Careem, and in Sharm el-Sheikh, InDrive.
For transportation: about 30-50 dollars per month per family.
Some foreigners decide to drive themselves. You can rent a car for 15,000-25,000 pounds ($321-536) per month and above, depending on the class, engine capacity, make, and so on. A liter of 92 gasoline costs 12 pounds ($0.24).
Medicine
Medical insurance in Egypt, depending on the package, the amount of coverage and the level of the company, costs from several thousand to several tens of thousands of Egyptian pounds per year. The cheapest policy will cost less than $50, but it can save you from larger expenses if you need to see a doctor urgently.For example, for a one-time visit to a specialist, you will need to pay about 600-950 pounds (12-20 dollars).
Locally produced medicines are inexpensive, which cannot be said about imported ones.
On average, it is advisable for a family to invest around $50-100 per month for medicine.
Education
In Egypt, all schools for foreigners are paid. The school costs about $100-300 per month. For example, Russian schools (there are several in Hurghada and Sharma) cost parents $150 per month. British, American, German – are cheaper than similar ones in other countries, starting from about 1,600 dollars per year.
You will also have to pay for kindergarten. There are various options, including Russian-speaking kindergartens. Cost: approximately $50 per month.
Before the child starts studying, parents will have to purchase uniforms, textbooks and other school supplies. A one-time expenditure will be about $ 100.
In total, per month for kindergarten or school: from 50-100 dollars.
Entertainment and leisure
This expense item can be either insignificant or significant, depending on your lifestyle.
The first thing to remember is that beaches in Egypt are paid. You will have to pay an average of 100 pounds ($ 2.14) per person for admission.
Breakfast in an inexpensive cafe in Hurghada will cost only $ 3, creamy soup with seafood in a budget institution for locals will cost $ 1.5. If we talk about restaurants designed more for tourists, then their prices are quite European.
Total per month: from $50
Visa extension
A visa based on an apartment rental agreement is issued for up to six months with the right to extend. Thus, it is periodically necessary to lay down the cost of extending the visa: 1,870 pounds ($ 40) per person.
What should I remember?
- There is very high inflation in Egypt. According to the Central Bank at the beginning of March 2024, it is 29.8%.
- The currency in the country is the Egyptian pound. Recently, the Central Bank made it floatingthe exchange rate, after which the national currency collapsed against the US dollar by more than 61%.
To sum up, the minimum budget for a family with one child in Hurghada is from 600-700 dollars, but it is better to focus on the amount of 800-1000 dollars, taking into account unforeseen expenses. It will take a little more in Sharm el-Sheikh.
Thank you for your help in preparing the material of the director of the real estate agency in EgyptSunResidence Zinaida Mazur
Sources:
https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/in/Hurghada-Egypt
https://i-brokers.com/expat-guide-healthcare-insurance-egypt/
https://wiselyinsure.com/insurance-solutions/employee-benefits/medical-insurance-in-egypt/
https://www.statista.com/statistics/1346132/price-for-fixed-broadband-in-egypt/
