Your Rights When Buying on Installments
Installment purchasing (known locally as تقسيط, taqseet) is extremely common in Egypt for big-ticket items like appliances, electronics, furniture, and vehicles. Under Article 30 of the Consumer Protection Law, any supplier offering installment sales must provide you with an invoice or receipt that clearly states all of the following:
- Total sale price (the full amount you will pay over the installment period)
- Cash price of the product (what it would cost if paid in full immediately)
- Annual interest rate and the total interest due over the entire installment period
- Amount of each installment payment
- Number of installments and the schedule
- Due dates for each payment
- Any additional fees or charges
Why this matters for expats: Installment deals in Egypt can carry significant interest rates that are not always made obvious at the point of sale. The law requires full transparency, so you should always request and review this complete breakdown before signing anything.
Comparing Cash vs. Installment Prices
Always ask for both the cash price and the full installment price upfront. Under the law, these must both be disclosed. The difference reveals the true cost of financing. If a supplier refuses to provide the cash price separately, this is a violation of Article 30 and should be reported.
Practical checklist before signing an installment agreement:
- [ ] Have you received a full written invoice with all required details?
- [ ] Is the annual interest rate clearly stated?
- [ ] Do you understand the total amount you will pay over the period?
- [ ] Are the due dates for payments clearly listed?
- [ ] Is the contract written in Arabic as required by Article 5?
Null and Void Contract Clauses
Under Article 28, any clause in an installment contract (or any consumer contract) that reduces the supplier's legal obligations or exempts them from responsibility under the Consumer Protection Law is automatically null and void. This means:
- Suppliers cannot include fine print waiving your return or warranty rights
- Any clause limiting your ability to claim for defects is unenforceable
- Terms that favor the supplier at the expense of your legal rights cannot be enforced against you
As an expat, you should ideally have any significant contract reviewed by a local Arabic-speaking legal advisor before signing.
Consumer Data Privacy Protections
Under Article 29, suppliers who collect your personal information as part of any transaction have legally binding obligations:
- They must keep your data confidential
- They cannot share, sell, or misuse your data without your express written approval
- They must take all necessary precautions to maintain the confidentiality of your information
- Any use of your data for purposes beyond the original transaction requires your explicit consent
For expats, this is particularly important because:
- You may be sharing passport details, visa information, or bank account numbers as part of large purchases or property agreements
- Your personal data may be more sensitive given your residency status
- You have the right to know how your data is being stored and used
What to Do If a Supplier Misuses Your Data
- Request a written explanation from the supplier about how your data is stored and used
- File a complaint with the Consumer Protection Agency (CPA) if you believe your data has been misused
- If the breach is serious, consider also consulting with a lawyer about civil liability claims under Egyptian law
- Keep copies of all contracts and communications where personal data was shared
Receipts and Invoice Rights
Under Article 10, all suppliers must issue you an invoice for any transaction that includes the tax registration number, transaction date, price, product specifications, and quality description. Under Article 12, if you pay a deposit or advance for a product order, you must receive a receipt with the product's characteristics and key data. Never make a deposit payment without receiving this receipt.