Ahlan, my friend. Salem here again. And look… this one’s different. This isn’t about hotels or diving spots. This is about something I’ve watched unfold in Hurghada for 15 years — the complicated, beautiful, sometimes heartbreaking world of foreign women falling in love with Egyptian men.
I’ve seen it all. The fairytale endings — German women who married local guys and are now running successful businesses together, raising bilingual kids, genuinely happy. And the nightmares. Women who lost everything. Savings gone. Hearts broken. Some stories I honestly wish I could forget.
So look, I’m gonna be real with you. Brutally honest. Because if even one person reads this and avoids a disaster, it’s worth the uncomfortable truths I’m about to share.
Why This Topic Matters (The Uncomfortable Truth)
Here’s the reality nobody wants to say out loud: Hurghada has a… reputation. Some Egyptian men here specifically target foreign women — especially those over 40, divorced, lonely, looking for love. It’s a business for them. Harsh? Yes. True? Also yes.
BUT — and this is important — there are also genuine, wonderful Egyptian men who fall legitimately in love with foreign women. The connection is real, the intentions are pure, and the marriages work beautifully.
The trick is telling the difference. And that’s what this guide is for.
The Warning Signs: How to Spot a “Bezness” Relationship
“Bezness” — that’s what we call it here. Business disguised as romance. Here are the red flags I’ve learned to recognize:
🚩 He Works in Tourism and Approached You First
Animators, beach vendors, dive instructors, hotel staff… if he approached you, be cautious. Not saying it’s impossible for genuine connections to form, but honestly? The odds are against you. I’ve watched too many women fall for the beach boy charm.
🚩 Things Move Way Too Fast
“I love you” on day three. Marriage proposals after a week. Talking about babies before you’ve even seen where he lives. Classic warning signs. Egyptian culture can be intense, yes, but genuine love still develops gradually.
🚩 He Has “Problems” That Need Money
His mother is sick. His car broke down. He needs to pay for a visa. He wants to start a business together. The requests start small. Then grow. I’ve seen women wire tens of thousands of euros before realizing what was happening.
🚩 You Can’t Meet His Family Easily
In genuine Egyptian relationships, family is EVERYTHING. If he keeps making excuses about why you can’t meet his mother, his sisters, his cousins… something’s wrong. Either you’re a secret (bad sign) or his family doesn’t approve (also a problem).
🚩 He Has a Different “Story” Depending on Who He’s Talking To
Check his social media in Arabic. Get an Egyptian friend to translate. You’d be surprised what you might find. Different relationship status. Photos with other women. A whole life you knew nothing about.
The Tragic Stories: Real Cases I’ve Witnessed
I debated whether to include this section. It’s painful. But you need to understand the stakes.
Helga from Germany
Met a local guy during her holiday. Fell hard. Over 18 months, she sent him €40,000. For “their apartment,” “their business,” “his visa application.” When she finally moved to Egypt… he was already married. With children. The apartment was in his name only. She lost everything and went back to Germany broken.
Susan from the UK
Married legally. Proper wedding. But never registered the marriage at her embassy. When things went wrong and she wanted divorce, she discovered she had almost no rights. He kept the apartment, the car, everything they’d bought together. Egyptian divorce law is… complicated for foreign wives without proper documentation.
Maria from Poland
Had a baby with an Egyptian man. When she wanted to return home, she discovered she legally couldn’t take the child out of Egypt without the father’s written permission. She was essentially trapped for years.
These aren’t rare cases. I could tell you dozens more. The pattern is always similar.
The Legal Process: How to Do It Right
If you’ve read the warnings and you STILL want to proceed — okay. Let’s do this properly then. Here’s the legitimate legal process:
Step 1: Don’t Rush. Seriously.
Spend REAL time together. Not just holidays. Live in Egypt for a few months if possible. See how he is when the honeymoon phase fades. Meet his family — multiple times. Watch how he treats other people, especially those with less power than him.
Step 2: Gather Required Documents
For you (the foreign spouse):
- Valid passport (with tourist visa or residency)
- Birth certificate — apostilled and translated to Arabic by certified translator
- Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage (from your embassy saying you’re legally free to marry)
- Divorce decree if previously married — apostilled and translated
- 6 passport-sized photos
- HIV test from an Egyptian clinic
For him (Egyptian spouse):
- National ID card
- Birth certificate
- Military service certificate (for men of certain ages)
- Divorce papers if previously married
- Proof of income/employment
Step 3: Security Clearance
Yes, this is a thing. Egyptian State Security has to approve marriages to foreigners. Takes 2-4 weeks usually. Sometimes longer. Don’t let anyone tell you it can be “skipped” — it can’t. If someone offers to speed it up for money, that’s a scam.
Step 4: The Marriage Contract
Done at the Ministry of Justice office or by a licensed ma’zoun (marriage registrar). This is where you sign the official marriage contract. And here’s the CRITICAL part…
GET YOUR OWN TRANSLATOR. Not his friend. Not his cousin. Someone YOU choose who will tell you EXACTLY what’s being written. The marriage contract in Egypt can include conditions — about property, about your rights, about divorce terms. Make sure you understand EVERYTHING before signing.
Step 5: Embassy Registration
IMMEDIATELY register your marriage at your home country’s embassy. This is absolutely critical for:
- Your marriage being recognized in your home country
- Any children being recognized as your citizens
- Having legal protection if things go wrong
- Any future visa applications for your spouse
Skip this step and you’re essentially unprotected by your home country’s laws.
Protecting Yourself: The Money Talk
Look, I’m going to be real uncomfortable now. But this is important.
Never Send Money Before You’re Legally Married
Just… don’t. I don’t care what the emergency is. If he truly loves you, he can wait until you’re properly married and you’ve established trust over time.
Keep Finances Separate Initially
Maintain your own bank accounts. Keep assets in your name. Yes, it feels unromantic. But it’s smart. Trust is built over years, not months.
Property Must Be in Your Name Too
If you’re buying property together, make sure your name is on the deed. Not just his. Foreigners CAN own property in Egypt (with some restrictions). Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
Have “Go Home” Money Always Available
Keep enough money accessible — in an account only you control — to buy a plane ticket home and survive for a few months. Emergency fund. Non-negotiable.
The Beautiful Side: When It Works
I don’t want to be all doom and gloom. Because honestly? Some of the happiest couples I know are these international marriages.
Brigitte and Ahmed — she’s German, he was a hotel manager. 12 years now. Three kids. Run a dive center together. Completely equal partnership.
Emma and Hossam — British woman, Egyptian engineer (not in tourism — important distinction). Took their time. She learned Arabic. He learned about English culture. Genuine mutual respect.
What do successful couples have in common?
- They took TIME before marriage — usually years, not months
- Both families were involved and supportive
- The Egyptian partner had his own career/income before meeting her
- Mutual respect for both cultures
- She learned some Arabic; he learned some of her language
- Clear, legally documented arrangements from the start
Cultural Considerations: What to Understand
Egyptian culture is different. Not better or worse — different. If you’re considering this seriously, you need to understand:
Family is Everything
You’re not just marrying him. You’re joining his entire family. His mother WILL have opinions about your household. His sisters WILL visit often. This is non-negotiable in Egyptian culture.
Religion Matters More Than You Think
For Muslim men, you don’t have to convert. But any children will legally be Muslim in Egypt. Consider how you feel about this. What kind of upbringing do you want for potential children?
Gender Roles Are Different
Many Egyptian men — not all, but many — have different expectations about wives’ roles. Discuss this BEFORE marriage. What about work? Household duties? Socializing alone? Don’t assume you agree on these things.
The Social Dynamics
People WILL talk. Other Egyptians might judge your husband for marrying a foreigner. Some expat women might judge you for your choices. Be prepared for unsolicited opinions from all sides.
Practical Planning: Before You Move
If you’re at the stage of actually moving to Egypt for this relationship, here’s practical advice:
Visit Multiple Times First
Not just holidays in the resort. See real Egyptian life. Stay in his neighborhood. Meet the neighbors. Understand what daily life actually looks like. Consider using flight comparison tools to find affordable visits throughout the year — see Egypt in summer AND winter before committing.
Learn Basic Arabic
At minimum, survival Arabic. Better yet, conversational. You need to understand what people are saying around you. It’s about safety as much as integration.
Arrange Reliable Transportation
If moving permanently, you’ll need reliable transport. For airport pickups when visiting or picking up family, I always recommend KiwiTaxi — book online, fixed price, driver waiting. No negotiating with taxi scammers when you’re tired or emotional. Seriously, it’s one less stress.
Connect With Expat Communities
Facebook groups. Expat meetups. Other foreign women who’ve been through this. They’ll tell you what they wish they’d known. Learn from their experiences.
If Things Go Wrong: Know Your Options
Just in case. Because being prepared isn’t pessimistic — it’s sensible.
- Your embassy — Register with them. Visit them. Know where they are. They can help in emergencies.
- Local lawyers — Know of at least one English-speaking lawyer BEFORE you need one
- Emergency contacts — Keep a list of people who can help if needed
- Exit plan — Have valid passport, emergency money, and know how to get to the airport at any time
Final Thoughts From Salem
Listen. This guide might have scared you. Maybe that’s okay. Because honestly? If reading some warnings and hearing some horror stories is enough to change your mind, you probably weren’t ready anyway.
But if you’ve read all this and you STILL believe in your relationship… good. Real love should be able to survive some honest conversation and careful planning.
Do it right. Take your time. Protect yourself legally and financially. Meet his family properly. Register everything officially. Keep your independence.
And if it’s real — truly real — then you might just end up with one of those beautiful marriages that prove everyone wrong. I’ve seen it happen. It’s possible.
Just please, please, be careful. Come back to Hurghada for happy visits, not desperate consultations with lawyers.
Your friend who’s seen too much,
— Salem
Share this guide — if you know someone considering a relationship with an Egyptian man, this information could genuinely help protect them. Better to have too much information than too little.