No, you can't legally fly a drone in Egypt as a tourist unless you have permission in advance. UK government travel advice says not to import, use or produce drones in Egypt unless the Egyptian Ministry of Defence has given permission beforehand, and that doing so without permission can bring a prison sentence of up to seven years or a fine of 5,000 to 50,000 Egyptian pounds. Our advice: leave the drone at home.
What the law says
Two layers apply:
- Aviation law: Egypt's aviation law says unmanned aircraft may not fly in the country without permission from the civil aviation authority.
- Security rules: importing or using a drone needs prior Ministry of Defence permission. Using drones to photograph near sensitive sites is illegal.
Permits for tourists are rare. We're not aware of a standard process for a visitor flying for fun.
What happens at the airport
Travelers regularly report drones being found in luggage scans at Cairo, Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh and land crossings. Outcomes reported include:
- The drone is held by customs until you leave, sometimes with daily storage fees.
- The drone is confiscated.
- Questions from security, and in some cases footage deleted from memory cards.
Even a small drone like the Neo shows up clearly on X-ray. Don't try to hide one.
Pyramids, temples and the Red Sea
Egypt's most photographed places are also its most sensitive. Giza, Luxor, Abu Simbel and the Suez Canal area have heavy security, and military and police posts are common. Flying there without permission is a serious risk.
If you need aerial shots for work, ask a local production company about the permit process well in advance rather than bringing your own drone.
Options instead
- Hot air balloon flights over Luxor give you an aerial view legally.
- A good travel camera captures temples and markets well. See our best travel vlogging camera guide.
- Bring the drone on a different leg. If your trip continues to Greece, Spain or elsewhere, consider shipping the drone ahead or routing so it never enters Egypt.
For your next trip
The drones we'd recommend for countries that do welcome tourists:
- DJI Mini 4 Pro: 249 g, our safe all-rounder.
- DJI Mini 5 Pro: 249 g, 1-inch sensor.
- DJI Neo: 135 g, selfie clips.
Rules current as of October 2026. This is general information, not legal advice.
Find friendlier destinations in drone laws by country, and read traveling with a drone before any trip.
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