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Healthcare in Egypt: cost & waiting times
Mixed public / privatePublic hospitals and clinics run by the Ministry of Health and Population provide low-cost care, and the Universal Health Insurance System is being rolled out governorate by governorate. Most people still pay out of pocket at private clinics and hospitals, which provide the best care, especially in Cairo, Alexandria and resort areas.
Emergency number: Ambulance 123 · Police 122 · Tourist police 126
How residents get care
- Private clinics and hospitals — Book specialists directly at private clinics or hospitals; no referral needed.
- Public hospitals — Low-cost but crowded; standards vary.
- Universal Health Insurance — In governorates where it has launched, residents register with a family health unit.
- Emergencies — Call 123 for an ambulance; in resorts, hotels can call private ambulances.
Official waiting-time source
Egypt doesn't publish waiting times; private care is quick.
No public waiting-time statistics ↗
Typical private costs
Typical self-pay prices — for an exact figure use the official links above or ask a clinic for a written quote.
| Item | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Private GP / general consultation | EGP 300–EGP 800 |
| Private specialist consultation | EGP 500–EGP 1,500 |
| Private MRI (one area) | EGP 1,500–EGP 4,000 |
| Cataract surgery, per eye (private) | EGP 25,000–EGP 36,000 |
| Hip replacement (private) | EGP 120,000–EGP 160,000 |
Typical waits & prices by procedure
Typical averages for comparison, not quotes. Public care is free or nominal at the point of use unless noted. Private care has no standard queue — availability depends on the provider. Where an official statistic exists (UK, Ireland, Poland) the interactive guide shows it, dated and sourced.
| Procedure | Typical public wait | Typical private price |
|---|---|---|
| GP / primary-care appointment | ~7 days | EGP 620–EGP 1,200 |
| Specialist consultation (first) | ~118 days | EGP 1,900–EGP 3,100 |
| MRI scan (one area) | ~55 days | EGP 3,600–EGP 6,200 |
| CT scan | ~55 days | EGP 4,100–EGP 7,300 |
| Gastroscopy / endoscopy | ~82 days | EGP 17,000–EGP 25,000 |
| Cataract surgery (per eye) | ~164 days | EGP 25,000–EGP 36,000 |
| Knee arthroscopy | ~228 days | EGP 47,000–EGP 67,000 |
| Inguinal hernia repair | ~200 days | EGP 31,000–EGP 47,000 |
| Gallbladder removal | ~237 days | EGP 57,000–EGP 83,000 |
| Hip replacement | ~273 days | EGP 120,000–EGP 160,000 |
| Knee replacement | ~309 days | EGP 130,000–EGP 180,000 |
| Tonsillectomy | ~228 days | EGP 31,000–EGP 41,000 |
| Carpal tunnel release | ~218 days | EGP 19,000–EGP 28,000 |
| X-ray | ~18 days | EGP 830–EGP 1,600 |
| Ultrasound scan | ~36 days | EGP 1,600–EGP 2,900 |
| Echocardiogram | ~55 days | EGP 2,600–EGP 4,400 |
| Colonoscopy | ~91 days | EGP 19,000–EGP 29,000 |
| Coronary angiogram | ~55 days | EGP 26,000–EGP 39,000 |
| Varicose vein removal | ~182 days | EGP 31,000–EGP 47,000 |
| Lumbar disc surgery (discectomy) | ~246 days | EGP 93,000–EGP 130,000 |
| Rotator cuff repair (shoulder) | ~228 days | EGP 67,000–EGP 93,000 |
| Hysterectomy | ~182 days | EGP 73,000–EGP 110,000 |
| Vasectomy | ~91 days | EGP 4,100–EGP 7,300 |
| Bunion surgery | ~228 days | EGP 41,000–EGP 57,000 |
Prescriptions
Medicines are cheap and many are sold without a prescription; use reputable pharmacies.
Dental care
Dental care is mostly private and inexpensive.
Adult public dental cover: limited. Typical self-pay prices:
| Treatment | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Check-up + X-rays | EGP 415–EGP 935 |
| Scale & polish | EGP 620–EGP 1,245 |
| Filling | EGP 935–EGP 2,075 |
| Extraction | EGP 935–EGP 2,590 |
| Root canal | EGP 3,110–EGP 7,260 |
| Crown | EGP 4,145–EGP 9,330 |
| Implant (post only) | EGP 12,440–EGP 25,920 |
| Implant + crown | EGP 20,735–EGP 36,290 |
| Veneer (per tooth) | EGP 4,145–EGP 9,330 |
| Full denture (per arch) | EGP 5,185–EGP 12,440 |
Finding a doctor or specialist
Well-known hospital groups (listed, not vetted or ranked):
Check a provider's inspection rating or registration with General Authority for Healthcare Accreditation and Regulation (GAHAR) ↗.
Health insurance
Insurers and schemes people in Egypt commonly use, and cover for visitors. Listed for comparison, not recommended — check the policy wording yourself.
| Insurer | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Universal Health Insurance Authority ↗ | National / public scheme | New national health insurance, rolling out by governorate. |
| AXA Egypt ↗ | Local health insurer | Health insurance. |
| Allianz Egypt ↗ | Local health insurer | Health and travel insurance. |
| Bupa Global ↗ | International / expat cover | International health plans. |
Visiting Egypt?
Your entitlement: None — no agreement with the UK and the GHIC isn't valid. Visitors pay, usually at private hospitals that may ask for payment up front.
EHIC / GHIC: EHIC/GHIC not valid.
Pharmacies: Pharmacies are everywhere and many deliver.
Insurance: Travel insurance essential, with evacuation cover — check FCDO advice for areas insurers may exclude.
Useful links
Open the full interactive guide, compare tool & tracker →Content last checked: 2026-10-02. Figures are typical/official-source references, not quotes — see the links above for the current real number.