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Most common payment methods in Egypt

Hello everyone,

Moving to Egypt, even simple things like paying for groceries or a coffee can feel different. In order to help fellow expats and soon-to-be expats better prepare for their daily transactions, we invite you to share your insights and experience:

What are the most common payment methods today in Egypt: cash, debit/credit cards, bank transfers, mobile apps or digital wallets?

Is contactless payment (card, phone, smartwatch or via QR code) common and widely accepted?

Is there a popular local payment app that everyone uses?

How safe and secure do you feel using digital payments in Egypt?

Do you still need to carry cash for small shops, markets, taxis or administrative services?

Are there any particularities in payment habits or methods in Egypt that surprised you?

Thank you for your contribution,

Cheryl
Expat.com Team
See also

Hi Cheryl,


From my experience in Egypt, cash is still very common, especially in small shops, local markets, taxis, and some administrative services. However, card payments are becoming much more common, especially in supermarkets, restaurants, hotels, and larger stores.


Mobile wallets and instant bank transfers are also widely used. In particular, InstaPay has become very popular for instant bank transfers, while wallets such as Vodafone Cash are commonly used for everyday payments and transfers.


Contactless card payments are available in many places, and QR-code payments are becoming more common, but acceptance still depends on the business. I wouldn’t rely entirely on digital payments, so it’s always a good idea to carry some cash.


Overall, I feel digital payments are convenient, but I still prefer having both cash and a digital payment option available.


One thing that may surprise newcomers is how quickly people can switch between cash, cards, wallets, and instant transfers depending on the situation.


If you need any help or assistance while you are in Egypt, feel free to contact me on WhatsApp at ***. I’d be happy to help.


Hope this helps!

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