My spouse and I are both foreigners married in Egypt — which country's law governs our marriage?

The Egyptian Civil Code applies different rules to different aspects of marriage. Under Article 12, the substantive conditions for the validity of your marriage (such as minimum age, prohibited degrees of relation, and consent requirements) are each governed by the law of the respective spouse's nationality. This means Egyptian authorities may check that both of you met your own home country's requirements.

For the ongoing effects of the marriage — including financial rights and obligations between spouses — Article 13 provides that the law of the husband's nationality at the time of marriage applies. This also governs divorce proceedings if the marriage breaks down.

Importantly, Article 14 creates an overriding rule: if either spouse holds Egyptian nationality at the time of marriage, Egyptian law alone applies (except for capacity to marry). As a practical matter, if you are both foreign nationals living in Egypt, it is wise to understand both your home country laws and Egyptian family law, especially regarding property rights and divorce, as these could interact in complex ways. Seek legal advice from a lawyer familiar with both jurisdictions.