Which Law Applies to Expat Inheritance in Egypt?

Under Article 17 of the Egyptian Civil Code, inheritance, wills, and all dispositions taking effect after death are governed by the law of the deceased's nationality at the time of death. This means that if you are a foreign national living in Egypt, your home country's inheritance law will generally apply to how your estate is distributed — not Egyptian law.

This is an important protection for expats, as it means your home country's rules on heirs, forced shares, and estate distribution should be respected by Egyptian courts. However, there is a notable exception: real estate located in Egypt will still be subject to Egyptian law as the lex situs (per Article 18), regardless of your nationality.

Regarding the form of your will, Article 17 also allows flexibility — a will may be valid if it complies with the law of the country where it was made, the law of the testator's nationality, or the law of their domicile. As a practical step, expats in Egypt should draft a will that clearly complies with both their home country's requirements and Egyptian formal requirements, especially if they own real estate in Egypt. Consulting both an Egyptian lawyer and a lawyer in your home country is strongly advisable.