Egypt

Drug offenses in Egypt carry severe penalties, and police can stop, question, and detain you without cause.

Penalties include life in prison or the death penalty.

Verified Jul 1, 2026

Cannabis is illegal in Egypt and enforcement is severe. LawLert could not reach any official Egyptian publication of the narcotics law, so this row rests on two foreign governments' travel advisories rather than on Egypt's own legal text, and the source link opens a UK government page. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office states that possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs is a serious offence and can, even for small amounts, lead to life imprisonment or the death penalty. The US State Department reports American travellers arrested and convicted for entering Egypt with medical marijuana or CBD products, prescription included. Do not bring cannabis in any form, CBD included, into Egypt.

Source is a foreign travel advisory, not Egyptian law: the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office states that possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs in Egypt is a serious offence and can, even for small amounts, lead to life imprisonment or the death penalty, and that people who get a life sentence on drugs charges normally spend the rest of their lives in prison with no chance of parole or a pardon. The US State Department likewise warns of severe penalties including life in prison or the death penalty, and reports US citizens arrested and convicted for bringing in medical marijuana or CBD despite holding prescriptions. No article numbers or figures from Egypt's own Law 182 of 1960 on narcotics are stated here, because that text is not published on any reachable Egyptian government site.

Verified Sep 30, 2026

Not all medications legal in the U.S. are allowed in Egypt; the Ministry of Health inspects medication on arrival, so carry it in original packaging with a doctor's letter stating it is for personal use, the dosage, and the condition.

Travelers have been arrested and convicted for bringing in banned medication (including medical marijuana and CBD) even with a prescription.

Verified Jul 1, 2026

Bringing more than US$10,000 into or out of Egypt is illegal, and Egypt also limits how much gold individuals may import.

Excess money may be confiscated and you could face additional penalties.

Verified Jul 1, 2026

It is illegal to remove antiquities from archaeological sites or to buy, trade, sell, or export them; travelers can be prosecuted for looting, damaging sites, or smuggling.

Fines and/or imprisonment

Verified Jul 1, 2026

Drinking alcohol anywhere in Egypt other than a licensed restaurant or bar, a private home, or certain tourist resorts is illegal and can lead to arrest. The licence status of the place you are in, not the drink itself, is what makes it lawful.

Verified Sep 28, 2026

Traffic laws are loosely enforced but foreigners may face extra scrutiny, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is treated seriously.

Driving under the influence could result in arrest or detention.

Verified Jul 1, 2026

It is illegal to photograph police stations, military barracks, and certain other sensitive public buildings in Egypt.

Questioning by authorities, fines, or delayed travel

Verified Jul 1, 2026

Bringing any drone into Egypt, including small personal ones, is strictly prohibited; drones are confiscated and not returned.

Confiscation; severe penalties in extreme cases

Verified Jul 1, 2026

The Egyptian government does not allow visitors to enter with satellite phones; any brought in will be confiscated and not returned.

Confiscation, device not returned

Verified Jul 1, 2026

Same-sex relationships are not explicitly illegal in Egypt, but authorities use 'debauchery' laws to arrest gay and lesbian individuals — often via social-media or dating-app entrapment — and have detained people for displaying rainbow flags.

Up to 10 years in prison under debauchery statutes

Verified Jul 1, 2026