Hurghada, RetirementโฏLiving on the RedโฏSea inโฏ2025
A practical guide to healthcare, visas, and the actual cost of living for wouldโbe retirees in Hurghada, ElโฏGouna, and the wider RedโฏSea Coast
1โฏ|โฏWhy the RedโฏSea is on retireesโ radar inโฏ2025
Sunny yearโround weather, a growing community of Englishโspeaking expatriates and the lowest beachfront housing costs on the MediterraneanโRedโฏSea belt have made Hurghada and its satellite resorts an increasingly credible alternative to Spain, Portugal and Thailand for fixedโincome retirees. Passenger arrivals through Hurghada International Airport reached an all-time high in H1 2025, and the facility is slated for private-sector modernization by year-end 2025, improving onward medical evacuation options and international connectivity. arabnews.com
2โฏ|โฏVisa & residency pathways for retirees
| Route | Minimum outlay | Length | Key points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Propertyโbased residence permit (โRealโEstate Residencyโ) | USโฏ$50k / $100k / $200k property purchase tiers | 1โฏ/โฏ3โฏ/โฏ5โฏyears, renewable | The process is simplified in 2024; a bridging proposal is simplified, provided that the property purchase is finalized. |
| ResidenceโbyโInvestment (RBI) program | From USโฏ$50k (bank deposit) or USโฏ$300k (citizenship track) | 1โ5โฏyears; citizenship possible after five yearsโ continuous stay | The process is simplified by providing a bridging loan while the property purchase is finalized. |
| Proof of income โย US$2,000โฏ/โฏmonth + local baThecount | The process is simplified in 2024; a bridging proposal is simplified, provided that the property purchase is finalized. | The process is simplified in 2024; a bridging option is provided while the property purchase is finalized. | The process was simplified in 2024 as a popular bridging option while the property purchase is finalized. |
Paperwork checklist: passport validโฏโฅโฏ6โฏmonths, property valuation, proof of foreignโsource income or pension, police clearance, and private healthโinsurance certificate (required for all multiโyear permits). travel.state.gov
3โฏ|โฏHealthcare quality & costs
3.1โฏPrivate infrastructure in Hurghada
- Royal Hospital Hurghada โ 70โฏbeds, 30โฏspecialties; tripleโcapacity upgrade completed inโฏ2023. royalhospital-eg.com
- ElโฏGouna Hospital โ 24โฏyears in operation; offers ICU, dialysis, and hyperbaric chambers for diving accidents (socialโmedia update, Aprilโฏ2025). instagram.com
- Medevac to topโtier facilities in Cairo 45-minute flight) or to CHGโs new 240-bed Tagamoa Sky Hospital (openingโฏin 2025) is standard among premium insurance plans. cleopatrahospitals.com
3.2โฏTypical outโofโpocket prices (private sector, 2025)
| Service | Local EGP | USD* |
|---|---|---|
| GP consultation | 750โฏโโฏ2,000โฏEGP | US$30โฏโโฏ80 |
| Specialist visit | 1,500โฏโโฏ4,000โฏEGP | US$150โฏโโฏ400 |
| MRI / CT scan | 7,500โฏโโฏ20,000โฏEGP | US$100โฏโโฏ300 |
| Overnight stay (private room) | 5,000โฏโโฏ15,000โฏEGP | USโฏ$100โฏโโฏ300 |
*Converted at the Julyโฏ2025 midโmarket rate USโฏ$1โฏ=โฏ49.35โฏEGP. wise.com
3.3โฏInsurance snapshot
Most retirees purchase an international plan from Cigna, Allianz, or Bupa. Comprehensive inpatient-only coverage for a healthy 65-year-old costs โฏ$1,200โโฏ$ 1,800 per year, rising to โโฏapproximately $3,000 with outpatient, dental, and evacuation riders.
4โฏ|โฏTrue cost of living in Hurghada (midโ2025)
| Monthly expense | EGP | USD |
|---|---|---|
| 85โฏmยฒ furnished apartment, central area | 10,031 | $203 |
| 85โฏmยฒ furnished apartment, nonโcentral | 6,831 | $138 |
| 45โฏmยฒ studio, nonโcentral | 5,522 | $112 |
| Utilities (2โฏpax, 85โฏmยฒ) | 1,085 | $22 |
| Fibre internet 100โฏMbps | 545 | $11 |
| Basic grocery basket* | 4,500 | $91 |
| Private healthโinsurance amortised | โ | $100โ150 |
| Dining out (2ร midโrange meals + 4ร cafรฉ visits) | 3,500 | $71 |
| Indicative total (couple, no rent) | โ | $550โ650 |
| Indicative total (couple, incl. central rent) | โ | $750โ900 |
*Milk, bread, fruit & veg, chicken, bottled water, household sundries.
Data sources: Expatistan price tracker (May 2025) and a local market survey compiled by Hurghadians Property (January 2025).
Cost drivers to watch include imported medicines (priced in USD), electricity (indexed to natural-gas prices), and EGP inflation, which averaged 18% year-over-year in the 12 months to June 2025.
5โฏ|โฏLifestyle advantages & everyday logistics
- Climate: 320+ sunny days, winter daytime 22โฏยฐC, summer evenings tempered by coastal breezes.
- Connectivity: 5G rollout completed along the RedโฏSea highway corridor in Aprilโฏ2025; fibreโtoโtheโhome available in most gated compounds.
- Community: โฅโฏ40,000 registered foreign residents in the HurghadaโElโฏGouna corridor, with active clubs for sailing, golf, scuba, and volunteer reef clean-ups.
- Transport: 4โhour express bus to Luxor for advanced medical centres and cultural trips; SafagaโHurghada highโspeed rail breaking ground Q3โฏ2025, slashing Cairo travel time to <โฏ3โฏhours by 2028.
6โฏ|โฏAction checklist for prospective retirees
- Run the numbers: Target a net pension of US$1,200โ1,500/month for a comfortable coupleโs lifestyle with a buffer.
- Preโpurchase health cover: Choose a plan that includes medical evacuation to Cairo or Europe.
- Visit on an extended tourist visa first: Use the 90โday visaโonโarrival plus two extensions while scouting property.
- Secure property & residency: Close on a unit valued โฅโฏUSโฏ$100k to access a renewable threeโyear permit that covers dependants.
- Open local bank & utility accounts: Required for residency renewal and to lock in directโdebit discounts on electricity and internet.
- Register with your embassy & HEPCA: Gain access to emergency updates and community environmental programmes.
Bottom line
Hurghada and its neighbouring resort towns now offer Europeanโstandard private medical care, a clear residency ruleโbook, and sub-US$1,000 monthly living costs, even after Egyptโs recent currency adjustment. For retirees seeking warm seas, low taxes, and an active expat community, the Re S in 2025 is no longer an emerging optionโit is a mainstream contender.
