Egypt rolls out Property ID Law to clean up Real Estate sector

Egypt has taken a major step to modernize its real estate market! Earlier this month, the House of Representatives officially approved the Property ID Law, aiming to bring transparency, efficiency, and order to property records across the country.

What is the Property ID Law?

Under the new law, every property in Egypt will get a unique national ID number. This digital ID will include:

• ✅ Technical specs
• ✅ Ownership details
• ✅ Location info
• ✅ Licensing history
• ✅ Violations
• ✅ Transaction records

All of this data will be connected across various government platforms, helping solve big problems like ownership disputes, land encroachments, and missing property records.

The ultimate goal? A modern digital real estate system that boosts transparency and protects everyone’s rights.

What’s the Timeline?

Property owners will have six months from the date the law’s executive regulations go into effect to regularize their property status. The Prime Minister can extend this period — but not beyond three years total — if recommended by the Ministry of Communications and IT.

The good news? Officials confirmed that this process won’t come with extra fees or financial burdens for citizens. And, just to be clear — this law has nothing to do with reconciling building violations, according to Mahmoud Fawzi, Minister of Parliamentary and Legal Affairs.

Why This Law Matters

Housing Minister Sherif El-Sherbiny explained that one of the law’s biggest wins is the creation of a comprehensive, unified real estate database. This digital system will replace outdated paper records and:

• ✅ Make real estate transactions more secure
• ✅ Protect both public and private property rights
• ✅ Improve transparency and governance
• ✅ Cut down on fraud

Challenges and Concerns

While most are on board, some concerns remain. MP Ehab Mansour praised the law but highlighted a few key issues:

• 70% of Egypt’s properties are unlicensed — tracking them all will be a huge task.
• He also argued the 30-day document submission deadline is too short, especially for cases involving old leases or deceased property owners.
• Fines ranging from EGP 1,000 to 30,000 for late submissions were criticized, especially since his proposal to extend the grace period was rejected.

Mansour emphasized the need for clear procedures in the law’s executive regulations and reminded everyone that the law targets property owners, not tenants.

A Boost for Investment

Ahmed El-Shenawy, Treasurer of the Egyptian Real Estate Council, welcomed the move. He said the Property ID system will:

• ✅ Boost property value
• ✅ Enable asset-backed financing
• ✅ Attract both local and international investors
• ✅ Make real estate more secure and appealing for buyers

He also sees this as a major step toward “exporting” Egyptian real estate, especially as more foreign nationals look to buy rental units or homes in Egypt.