Egypt allows photography in public spaces.

On July 20, the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced that it had approved new regulations regarding photography for personal use by both Egyptian citizens and foreign tourists, allowing everyone to take photos with all types of traditional cameras, digital cameras, and video cameras without needing prior permission.

Egyptian tourists and residents will no longer have to secretly take photos of the streets after the Ministry of Tourism announced that amateur photography will be allowed in public spaces.

Previously, Egypt had laws prohibiting photography in public areas, but many tourists still defied these laws to take candid photos to capture moments of their visit to the country.

However, the statement clarified that restrictions would be imposed on photographing children and commercial photography. The ministry noted that it would not be permitted to photograph or share images "containing scenes that could, in one way or another, damage the image of the country."

This move comes after Egyptian citizens and foreign tourists complained about the authorities requiring permits for photography in public areas, sometimes confiscating cameras and prohibiting filming even with a permit.

Egypt's relative relaxation of strict photography regulations could be good news for the country's tourism industry, which contributes more than 10% of GDP and employs around 2 million people out of the nation's total population of 103 million.

Over the years, Egypt has strived to revive its tourism industry in the face of the ongoing political instability since 2011 and the subsequent Covid-19 pandemic.

Phuong Thao is an editor at Travellive magazine. She is passionate about traveling and enjoys capturing moments with her camera in every place she visits. Travel, art, and lifestyle are Phuong Thao's favorite writing topics.

Phuong Thao