Egypt expands insurance coverage for expats, raises payout to LE250,000

Egypt Independent

15 hours ago

CAIRO, July 6 (MENA) – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Immigration and Egyptian Expatriates announced, in cooperation with the Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA), an upgrade to the personal accident insurance policy for Egyptians abroad and their families.
The revamped policy is now more comprehensive and tailored to a wider range of Egyptians working overseas and their families, with the insurance payout increasing to LE250,000 (up from LE100,000) in cases of death or total permanent disability.
The new coverage takes effect in July 2025. The move comes in line with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's directives to provide full care for Egyptians abroad and reflects the state's vision to integrate Egyptians working overseas and their families into social protection networks through flexible and secure insurance tools.
Minister Badr Abdelaaty stated that the proposal to enhance the policy, submitted by the ministry to the FRA, underscores Egypt's firm commitment to safeguarding the rights of its citizens abroad and offering an insurance umbrella that affirms the state's dedication to their security and that of their families.
He noted this step is part of a broader vision to connect Egyptians abroad with national institutions through tangible, reliable services that strengthen their sense of belonging and trust. The minister emphasized that the ministry will continue to coordinate with the FRA and relevant bodies to develop more mechanisms that protect Egyptians overseas and help ensure a stable, secure living environment in host countries.
For his part, FRA Chairman Mohamed Farid described the policy as a successful model of collaboration among state institutions and highlighted the FRA's ongoing efforts to boost insurance inclusion and widen the base of beneficiaries.
He noted that the authority is steadily working to develop and strengthen the insurance sector so it plays a robust role in supporting the national economy.
Farid added that the FRA always strives to balance insurance protection needs with economic developments, which is why it has advanced the new Unified Insurance Law, marking a significant leap in the regulatory framework governing Egypt's insurance market.
He stressed that the FRA is continuously enhancing the regulatory and legislative environment to support a modern, competitive insurance sector that ensures comprehensive protection for all segments of society, both inside and outside Egypt.
He also explained that the Egyptian Pool for Travel Insurance, under its founding statute, manages this policy, which has now expanded for the first time to include all Egyptians working abroad and their families, not just those holding work permits under Law No. 173 of 1958, a step that underscores Egypt's commitment to its citizens wherever they may be.
Deputy Foreign Minister for Migration Nabil Habashi noted that improving the scope and benefits of this policy came in response to requests raised by Egyptians abroad during the Fifth Conference for Egyptians Abroad last year, as well as through continuous engagement with Egyptian communities in recent months.
Habashi extended his gratitude to the FRA and other agencies for embracing the proposal and working hard to turn it into a reality that will benefit millions of Egyptians living abroad.
He stressed that expanding the coverage to include all Egyptians working overseas and their families, whether or not they hold work permits, is a significant step toward ensuring insurance equity and supporting all segments of expatriates.
FRA Deputy Chairman Islam Azzam added that the authority prioritizes developing and offering flexible, integrated insurance solutions that enable Egyptians abroad to secure effective coverage aligned with the nature of their life outside Egypt.
He described the expansion of the personal accident insurance for Egyptians abroad and their families as a strategic milestone in enhancing insurance inclusion and delivering financial protection to diverse groups of Egyptians.
According to the policy text published in the Official Gazette, Egyptians abroad and their families who do not hold work permits can now enroll through the Pool's website, mobile app, and WhatsApp service. This aims to simplify access to insurance services and raise inclusion rates, providing greater financial protection in cases of natural death, accidental death, or accidents resulting in total permanent disability while overseas.
For natural deaths, the pool covers the actual cost of repatriating the body up to a maximum of EGP 250,000. If burial takes place abroad, the Pool pays an amount equivalent to the cost of repatriation from the country of death to Egypt, guided by the actual compensation paid for reparations that same year. 'Repatriation' includes preparing, shipping, and transporting the body.
In the event of death due to an accident, the Pool bears the actual repatriation costs within one year of the incident (upon submission of required documents), and the remaining amount is distributed among the legal heirs as per inheritance rulings. The insurance applies to individuals aged 18 to 70 years at the time of the incident. (MENA)