Egypt Phone Numbers: Format, Area Code & Validation Guide

This comprehensive guide covers Egypt's phone number system – including international dialing codes, landline area codes, mobile operator prefixes, E.164 validation patterns, number portability, and regulatory developments. Learn how to format, validate, and dial Egyptian phone numbers correctly.

Who this is for:

• Developers: Validation patterns for form input
• Businesses: Accurate formats for SMS/voice services
• Travelers: Emergency numbers and dialing instructions
• Telecom professionals: Regulatory compliance requirements

Egypt Landline Area Codes by City

Egypt's landline system is managed by Telecom Egypt and uses a hierarchical geographic area code system overseen by the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA). Each governorate has a unique area code for domestic and international calls.

Metropolitan Area Codes

Major metropolitan areas use single-digit area codes for simplified dialing and increased number capacity:

This single-digit system offers several advantages:

• Reduced dialing time: Faster connection in high-traffic areas
• Simplified routing: Less complex infrastructure and faster call processing
• Larger number blocks: Accommodates more subscribers within the area
• Easy recognition: Quickly identifies the geographic origin of a call

Regional Governorate Codes

Other governorates use two-digit area codes (40 to 97). Below is a comprehensive list based on Wikipedia and verified against NTRA data:

Note: Local calls within the same area don't require the area code. For the complete, up-to-date listing, refer to the NTRA website.

Egypt Mobile Number Prefixes by Operator

Egypt has a competitive mobile market with four primary operators (Vodafone, Etisalat, Orange, and WE). Each operator uses distinct mobile prefixes (10, 11, 12, 15) to identify their network. There are currently no active MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators) in Egypt – all mobile services come directly from the four main network operators.

Market share data as of 2024. These prefixes identify the mobile network operator for both domestic and international calls.

How to Dial Egypt Phone Numbers

Within Egypt:

• Local Calls (same area): XXXX XXXX (8 digits)
• Regional/Mobile Calls: 0 + Area Code/Prefix + Number (e.g., 02 2345 6789 for Cairo, 010 1234 5678 for Vodafone)

International Calls:

• To Egypt: +20 + Area Code/Prefix + Number (e.g., +20 2 2345 6789 for Cairo, +20 11 1234 5678 for Etisalat)

Common Dialing Errors and Solutions:

• Error: Call fails when dialing local number
  • Solution: Within the same area code, dial only the 8-digit subscriber number without the area code prefix
• Error: "Invalid number" when calling from abroad
  • Solution: Ensure you include country code +20 and remove any leading zero from the area code/prefix
• Error: Cannot reach mobile number
  • Solution: Verify the mobile prefix (10, 11, 12, or 15) is correct; mobile numbers are always 11 digits total (including the 0 prefix domestically)

Egypt Mobile Number Portability (MNP)

Mobile Number Portability (MNP) lets subscribers switch operators while keeping their existing mobile number. The process is regulated by the NTRA and governed by the 2020 MNP Guidelines.

Process Timeline:

1. Visit recipient operator store: Submit porting request with valid ID
2. Request acceptance: Receive SMS confirmation within hours
3. Porting completion: Number activated on new network within 24 working hours (typically 3:00 – 6:00 AM)
4. Final settlement: Donor operator issues final bill within 60 days

Requirements for Porting:

• Valid ID: National ID or Passport
• Proof of ownership: Number must be registered in your name
• Account status: No outstanding bills with your current operator
• Minimum service period: 4 months (120 days) with your current operator per NTRA regulations

Costs and Fees:

• Porting fee: Free according to NTRA 2020 guidelines
• New SIM card: Free from recipient operator (e.g., WE confirms free SIM)
• Outstanding bills: Must be paid to donor operator before porting

Rejection Reasons:

• Number not registered with your national ID
• Active with donor operator for less than 4 months
• Unsettled financial obligations to donor operator
• Unpaid mobile wallet debts

Support: For porting issues, contact NTRA Call Center at #155

Recent Developments and Future Trends

The NTRA is actively modernizing Egypt's telecommunications infrastructure with the following initiatives:

• 5G Implementation: Officially launched in June 2025 through all four major operators – Vodafone Egypt, Orange Egypt, Etisalat Misr (e&), and Telecom Egypt (WE) (Omdia, August 2025)
• Digital Transformation: Automating porting requests, online verification, and digital documentation processing
• IoT (Internet of Things): Implementing dedicated number ranges for IoT devices
• Enhanced Security Protocols: Strengthening security measures against fraud and ensuring data privacy
• 112 National Emergency Network: Centralized emergency hotline launched November 2022 to unify police, ambulance, and fire services (Egyptian Streets, 2022)

Telecom Egypt's Infrastructure

Telecom Egypt, the incumbent telecommunications operator established over 165 years ago, manages Egypt's landline network and operates the WE mobile brand. The company's infrastructure investments include:

• Data Centers: Operating Tier III-certified facilities (Uptime Institute standards) across major cities including Cairo, Alexandria, and Smart Village
• Submarine Cable Systems: Operating and investing in multiple international submarine cables including SEA-ME-WE systems connecting Egypt to Europe, Asia, and Africa
• Terrestrial Fiber Optic Network: Over 200,000 km of fiber infrastructure nationwide providing backbone connectivity

Egypt Phone Number Validation (E.164 Format)

Egypt adheres to international telecommunications standards, particularly the ITU-T E.164 recommendation for international numbering plans.

The E.164 format for Egyptian phone numbers is as follows:

+20 (Country Code) X (Area Code/Prefix) XXX XXXX (Subscriber Number)

Validation Rules

General E.164 Format:

• Must start with + followed by country code
• Maximum 15 digits (including country code)
• Egypt country code: 20

Egyptian Landline Numbers:

• Format: +20 + [2-3] (1 digit) or [40-97] (2 digits) + 7 digits
• Regex: ^\+20(2|3|13|15|40|45|46|47|48|50|55|57|62|64|65|66|68|69|82|84|86|88|92|93|95|96|97)\d{7}$
• Example: +20 2 2345678 (Cairo), +20 88 1234567 (Asyut)

Egyptian Mobile Numbers:

• Format: +20 + (10|11|12|15) + 8 digits
• Regex: ^\+20(10|11|12|15)\d{8}$
• Example: +20 10 12345678 (Vodafone), +20 11 87654321 (Etisalat)

Validation Code Examples:

import re

# Validate Egyptian mobile number
def validate_egypt_mobile(number):
    pattern = r'^\+20(10|11|12|15)\d{8}$'
    return bool(re.match(pattern, number))

# Validate Egyptian landline
def validate_egypt_landline(number):
    pattern = r'^\+20(2|3|13|15|40|45|46|47|48|50|55|57|62|64|65|66|68|69|82|84|86|88|92|93|95|96|97)\d{7}$'
    return bool(re.match(pattern, number))

# Examples
print(validate_egypt_mobile("+201012345678"))  # True
print(validate_egypt_landline("+20221234567"))  # True

// JavaScript validation
function validateEgyptMobile(number) {
    const pattern = /^\+20(10|11|12|15)\d{8}$/;
    return pattern.test(number);
}

function validateEgyptLandline(number) {
    const pattern = /^\+20(2|3|13|15|40|45|46|47|48|50|55|57|62|64|65|66|68|69|82|84|86|88|92|93|95|96|97)\d{7}$/;
    return pattern.test(number);
}

// Examples
console.log(validateEgyptMobile("+201012345678"));  // true
console.log(validateEgyptLandline("+20221234567"));  // true

This standardized format facilitates international call routing and simplifies integration with global telecommunications systems.

Egypt Emergency Numbers

Egypt operates a comprehensive emergency services system accessible nationwide. The primary emergency number is 112 for mobile phones, providing unified access to police, ambulance, and fire services:

Primary Emergency Numbers:

• Police: 122 (or 112 from mobile – unified emergency hotline)
• Ambulance: 123
• Fire Brigade: 180
• Tourist Police: 126 (for foreign visitors, theft, or tourism-related crimes)

Language Support: The 112 unified emergency number provides multilingual support, including Arabic and English. Traditional numbers (122, 123, 180) operate primarily in Arabic, though major tourist areas may have English-speaking operators.

Coverage: Emergency services are available throughout Egypt's 27 governorates, with response times varying by location. Urban areas (Cairo, Alexandria, major cities) have faster response times, while remote governorates may experience delays.

Additional Emergency Contacts:

• Traffic Police: 128
• Electricity Emergency: 121
• Gas Emergency: 129
• Water Emergency: 125
• Cybercrime: 108
• U.S. Embassy Emergency (for U.S. citizens): Contact U.S. Embassy Cairo

Summary: Egypt Phone Number Format Guide

This guide covers Egypt's complete phone number system, validated against official sources including the NTRA, Telecom Egypt, and current market data from telecommunications analysts. For the most up-to-date regulatory information, technical specifications, and policy changes, refer to the official NTRA website.

Key Takeaways:

• Egypt country code: +20 (for international calls)
• Four mobile operators with distinct prefixes: Vodafone (10), Etisalat/e& (11), Orange (12), WE (15)
• Mobile number porting is free and completes within 24 hours
• Emergency number 112 works from mobile phones with multilingual support
• All numbers comply with ITU-T E.164 international standards for global compatibility