Why is my phone getting blocked with a local SIM in Egypt, and how to avoid the registration tax?

From messages by 3 participants in 1 source · Last activity: 13 days ago

TL;DR

Using a local SIM in an expensive phone for too long triggers a mandatory IMEI registration tax of about 38% of the phone's value. Most travelers avoid this by buying a cheap $/€ phone or router for the local SIM/eSIM and sharing WiFi to their main device.

What the community said

After paying the 38.5% registration tax, the phone is registered and can use Egyptian SIM cards indefinitely.

registration after 38.5% tax

The rule has been in effect since January 1, 2025: when activating a local SIM card, you must pay a tax of 38% of the phone's value, otherwise it gets blocked.

law effective 1.01.25

Best workaround: buy the cheapest basic phone or a portable router, put the local eSIM/SIM in it, and share internet via WiFi to your main phone. This avoids the 38% tax entirely — makes sense if the extra device costs only around $150-200.

cheap phone + eSIM/WiFi router

The choice comes down to two options: either accept using a separate WiFi router, or pay a tax equal to 38% of your phone's value to unlock it.

38% of phone value tax

To unlock a phone that got blocked for using a local SIM card, you need to pay a registration tax calculated as a percentage of the phone's value, not a flat fee.

unlock tax — 38%

After the carrier restricts your phone to WiFi-only access, unlocking it requires paying a tax of 38% of the phone's value — a steep cost if you're using a high-end smartphone.

mobile network block, 38% tax