Personal Finance Tips

Top payment methods in Egypt: A guide on best ways to pay

Nicholas Chia

10.09.25

Read time 2 minutes

Wondering what the most popular ways to pay are in Egypt? Explore the top payment options and choose wisely.

Egypt, with a population of around 109.45 million people, has a GDP of approximately 347.34 billion, making it the 42nd largest economy in the world. The official currency of Egypt is the Egyptian Pound (EGP).

A diversified economy with key drivers in tourism, Suez Canal revenues, remittances, and natural gas. It has significant trade agreements with the European Union and Arab nations through the Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA).


Country	Egypt
Population	109.45 million
GDP (USD)	347.34 billion
Global Ranking	42nd
Currency	Egyptian Pound (EGP)

What is the main payment method in Egypt?

The overwhelming majority of transactions in Egypt are conducted using physical cash in the form of the Egyptian Pound. Fawry is a massive and hugely popular payment service that allows the cash-based population to pay for over 250 electronic services at a vast network of kiosks and retail stores.¹ Mobile wallets, led by Vodafone Cash and the central bank-backed InstaPay, are also growing rapidly for peer-to-peer transfers and bill payments.

How to pay in Egypt

Each country has its own way of moving money, and choosing the right method can sometimes be difficult. That’s why we have curated the most popular and best payment options for you to use in Egypt.

Payment method	Description	Type
Wise	Wise provides international money transfer services. It is known for offering transparent, low-cost currency exchange rates and fast transfers. Wise uses the real mid-market exchange rate and charges a small, upfront fee, making it a cost-effective alternative to traditional banks for sending money abroad. The platform also offers multi-currency accounts, allowing users to hold and manage money in multiple currencies.	Online/in-person
Cash (Egyptian Pound)	Cash is the dominant and most trusted payment method in Egypt, used for the vast majority of retail transactions across the country.	In-person
Mobile Wallets (Vodafone Cash, InstaPay)	Mobile wallets have seen explosive growth. InstaPay, a state-backed app, allows for instant bank-to-wallet transfers, while wallets like Vodafone Cash are ubiquitous for P2P payments.² ³	Online/in-person
Bill Payment Networks (Fawry)	Fawry is a massive electronic bill payment network with kiosks and service points all over the country, allowing people to pay for hundreds of different services, often with cash.¹	Online/in-person
Cards (Meeza, Visa, Mastercard)	The national debit card, Meeza, is being heavily promoted. International cards are accepted in formal retail and online, but mobile wallets are growing faster.⁴	Online/in-person

Is PayPal available in Egypt?

Yes, PayPal is accepted in Egypt.⁵

Cover all your international travel expenses with the Wise Multi-Currency Card

Whatever you need to buy during your trip, whether it’s a travel adapter, train ticket or an extra bottle of sunscreen, the Wise Multi-Currency Card has you covered.

You can spend like a local in 150+ countries, as this clever contactless card automatically converts currency at the mid-market exchange rate whenever you spend - for just a small conversion fee.

And for extra convenience, you can add your Wise Multi-Currency Card to your Google Wallet or Apple Wallet. Then you can travel even lighter and pay using just your phone, with no need to pack the physical card.

Get started with Wise

*Wise is not a bank. The Wise Multi-Currency Card is issued by our sponsor Bank(s), member(s) FDIC. Fees and T&C apply. See https://growth-layer.live/a%3E for details.

Sources:

*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.

This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.

We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.