Travel insurance for Egypt

Do you need travel insurance for Egypt?

Travel insurance can help if illness, injury or an unexpected cancellation affects your Egypt holiday. Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs strongly recommends comprehensive cover before you travel.

When choosing your policy, consider:

• Medical treatment abroad: Your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is not valid in Egypt, so you cannot rely on it for healthcare. Choose a policy with suitable emergency medical cover.
• Getting home if you’re unwell: You may need medical support to return to Ireland after a serious illness or injury. The Department of Foreign Affairs warns that medical evacuation can cost thousands of euro, so check that repatriation is included.
• The cost of cancelling: Add up your prepaid flights, accommodation and excursions, then compare this with your cancellation limit. Check which reasons for cancelling or cutting your holiday short are covered.
• What you’ll be doing: A Red Sea dive, Nile cruise or desert excursion may need additional protection. In November 2024, an Irish holidaymaker was among those rescued after a tourist diving boat capsized near Marsa Alam in the Red Sea. Always check your cover is suitable for planned activities before booking. For diving, the Department’s guidance highlights the importance of staying within your policy’s depth limits and meeting its supervision requirements.‍
• Where you’ll be going: Read the latest Egypt travel advice for your itinerary and check with your insurer if any warnings could affect your cover.

If you have a pre-existing medical condition, tell us when you get a quote. Our Irish-based team can help with the medical screening questions and explain the cover available.

How much does travel insurance for Egypt cost?

The cost depends on who’s travelling, how long you’ll be away and the cover you choose. A personalised quote will show you the price based on your details.

Factors that can affect your premium include:

• Trip length: A week in Hurghada may cost less to insure than a month exploring Egypt.
• Who’s travelling: The number of people on your policy, their ages and any pre-existing medical conditions.
• Your cover level: The benefits and limits included in your chosen policy.
• Optional extras: Any additional protection you need for activities, a cruise or valuable belongings.

Compare the medical, cancellation and baggage limits alongside the price, and check the excess you would pay towards a claim.

Get a quote online or speak to our Irish-based team about the cover available for your Egypt holiday.

Why choose JustCover for your Egypt holiday insurance?

JustCover specialises in travel insurance for people with different travel and medical needs.

• Specialist medical condition cover - We can consider more than 1,300 pre-existing medical conditions, subject to medical screening and eligibility.
• Comprehensive protection - Emergency medical cover can be unlimited on some policy levels, with cancellation cover of up to €10,000.
• 24/7 emergency support - Our emergency medical helpline is available when you need help during your trip.
• Irish expertise - Cover designed for Irish holidaymakers, from Ireland’s most trusted travel insurance provider¹.

Whether you are planning a beach holiday on the Red Sea, a Nile cruise or a sightseeing trip to Cairo and Luxor, we can help you find cover that suits your plans.

Do Irish passport holders require a visa for an Egypt holiday?

Irish passport holders normally need a visa to visit Egypt for a holiday. The Department of Foreign Affairs says tourist visas are usually available on arrival for travellers using ordinary Irish passports.

You can also apply online through Egypt’s official e-Visa portal. Ireland is listed as an eligible nationality, and e-Visa applications should be made at least seven days before travel.

Your passport should be valid for at least six months from the date you arrive in Egypt. Passport cards cannot be used for travel to Egypt.

If you are only visiting Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba or Taba for up to 15 days, you may receive a free entry permission stamp instead of a visa. If you travel outside these areas or stay longer, you will need a visa.

Entry rules can change, so always check the latest advice before you travel.

Adventure activities in Egypt

From snorkelling in the Red Sea to exploring the desert, Egypt offers plenty to do beyond sightseeing. Your plans might include:

• Scuba diving or snorkelling around Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada
• Desert tours, quad biking or camel rides
• A Nile cruise with excursions along the way

Some higher-risk activities may not be included as standard in your travel insurance for Egypt. You may also need to use a qualified operator, wear the correct safety equipment or follow certain policy rules. These activities can come with extra risks. An accident could lead to medical treatment, extra accommodation or changes to your travel plans.

Check our activity cover and exclusions and your Policy Wording. If you’re unsure whether an excursion is covered, speak to our team before you book.

Egypt travel risks

Egypt is a popular holiday destination, but there are some risks to be aware of before you travel.

• Heat and dehydration: Summer temperatures can exceed 40°C. When sightseeing in Cairo, Luxor or desert areas, drink plenty of water and take regular breaks from the heat. The Department of Foreign Affairs advises choosing bottled water rather than drinking tap water.
• Road travel: Driving conditions can be hazardous, particularly at night and outside major cities. Take extra care when travelling between resorts, cities and tourist sites. The Department of Foreign Affairs advises avoiding night driving outside main urban areas.
• Diving in the Red Sea: If you are not fully qualified, use a qualified, reputable instructor. Diving alone or beyond your policy’s depth limit could affect your cover.
• Desert and remote areas: Irish holidaymakers are strongly advised against independent travel to remote desert areas near the Libyan and Sudanese borders. The Department also strongly advises against travel to North Sinai, including the Taba-Suez Road.
• Sand and dust storms: These can occur between March and May. Follow local guidance and monitor news and weather updates if a storm affects your trip.
• Travel insurance: The Department of Foreign Affairs strongly recommends comprehensive insurance, including medical and repatriation cover. Check that your policy covers your planned activities and excursions, particularly before diving or visiting remote areas.

Egypt travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions

A pre-existing medical condition needn’t rule out travel insurance for your Egypt holiday. At JustCover, we can consider cover for more than 1,300 medical conditions, depending on your circumstances and the outcome of medical screening.

These include diabetes, heart conditions, arthritis and some cases of cancer in remission.

When you get a quote:

• Tell us about your health: Answer every medical screening question fully and accurately, following the timeframes it asks about.
• Include well-managed conditions: Feeling well does not necessarily mean a condition does not need to be declared.
• Ask if you’re unsure: Our team can help you understand the questions and explain the cover available.

Leaving out medical information requested during screening could affect your cover or a future claim.

Depending on your chosen policy level, you can get up to unlimited emergency medical and repatriation cover, with a 24/7 emergency medical assistance team to contact if you become ill or injured abroad. Benefits, limits and exclusions apply.

Healthcare in Egypt

If you need medical care during your Egypt holiday, you or your insurer will usually need to pay for it. Before leaving Ireland, check the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Egypt travel guidance and understand how to get help through your travel insurance.

• Your EHIC is not valid: Egypt is outside the countries covered by the EHIC, so it will not cover your treatment there.
• You may be asked to pay upfront: The Department of Foreign Affairs warns that hospital bills abroad can run into thousands of euros. Check your emergency medical cover before travelling and keep your insurer’s assistance number handy.
• Check treatment charges: The Department of Foreign Affairs reports that some tourists, particularly in resorts, have been overcharged for treatment and medicines. Where possible, speak to your insurer about the provider and proposed costs before agreeing to non-urgent treatment.
• Know how to get emergency help: Call 123 for an ambulance. You can find this and other useful numbers in the Department’s emergency assistance information. In a medical emergency, seek urgent help first, then contact your insurer as soon as possible.
• Prepare before travelling: Save your policy number and emergency assistance contact details, and keep copies of important documents securely. The Department’s travel insurance and health guidance recommends keeping your insurer’s contact information to hand while abroad.

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Travel tips for Egypt

A few practical checks before you leave can make your Egypt holiday run more smoothly. From getting around to staying comfortable in the heat, here’s what to keep in mind.

• Give yourself time to explore: Leave room in your itinerary for transfers, rest stops and journeys between cities or resorts.
• Plan around the heat: Carry bottled water, wear light, loose clothing and arrange sightseeing for the cooler parts of the day.
• Keep your documents accessible: Store copies of your passport, visa, bookings and insurance details securely, with a copy available offline.
• Confirm your connections: Check flight times and transfer arrangements before each journey, especially when travelling between resorts and cities.
• Check excursion conditions: Review the weather and confirm arrangements with your operator before boat trips, diving or desert tours.
• Stay informed: Read the Department of Foreign Affairs’ latest Egypt travel advice before departure and follow local guidance during your stay.