Is a VPN legal in Egypt? What Law 175 of 2018 says
Egypt blocks hundreds of websites, so many people there ask whether using a VPN is itself against the law.
We read Egypt's information technology crimes law article by article. Here is what it says, and where the real risk is.
On this page
Law 175 of 2018 on combating information technology crimes does not mention VPNs and does not punish using one. It gives investigators the power to block websites (Article 7) without any penalty for visiting a blocked site. Its penalties attach to specific acts, such as deliberately entering a site, account or system that is prohibited, without right (Article 14), or using a telecom or broadcast service without right (Article 13).
What the law says
Investigators may order a website blocked when it carries content the law treats as a crime and that threatens national security or the economy. The order goes to a court within 24 hours, which decides within 72 hours. The article sets no penalty for visiting the blocked site.
At least one year in prison and/or a fine of EGP 50,000 to 100,000 for deliberately entering, or staying without right after entering by mistake, a website, private account or information system that is prohibited. The penalty rises when harm follows.
Using a telecom or broadcast service without right is an offence of its own.
The text does not answer this directly. Article 14 speaks of entering a site that is "prohibited" without right, and the law does not say whether a site blocked by an investigator's order counts. Because Article 7 blocking is tied to content the law treats as a crime, what you do on such sites can fall under other articles. The safe course is not to use a VPN to reach blocked content.
The Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression identified at least 549 websites blocked in Egypt between 24 May 2017 and the end of June 2020, including news sites and proxy and VPN services, and noted that blocking varies by network (AFTE). Its list was last updated in 2020.
When is using a VPN fine, and when is it an offence?
- Protecting your connection on public Wi-Fi.
- Reaching your company's network remotely.
- Keeping your browsing private from the local network.
- Entering a prohibited site, account or system without right.
- Using a telecom or broadcast service without right.
- Using it to commit or hide any other offence.
Choosing a VPN in Egypt
For legitimate use, choose a provider with an audited no-logs policy and an obfuscation mode for networks that slow or block VPN connections. We compared them in the best VPN for Egypt.
This page is general information drawn from the law text and official pages, not legal advice. Rules change, so check the official text or ask a licensed lawyer about your own case. Last checked: 2 November 2026.
Sources
On combating information technology crimes: Financial Regulatory Authority (Arabic)
VPN and the law in Egypt: frequently asked questions
Short answers to what readers ask most. Question not here? Write to us.
Law 175 of 2018 on information technology crimes does not mention VPNs or punish using one. It punishes specific acts, such as deliberate unauthorised access to a prohibited site, account or system.
No law we read bans VPNs. Egypt does block many websites, including some VPN providers' sites, which is a different thing from banning the tool.
Using a VPN for privacy, work or public Wi-Fi is not an offence under Law 175. What you do through it can be, for example reaching a prohibited system without right (Article 14).
The law does not answer this directly. Article 7 allows blocking without a penalty for visiting, but Article 14 punishes entering a site that is prohibited without right. The safe course is not to use a VPN to reach blocked content.
Yes, with care: some networks interfere with VPN traffic, so choose a provider with obfuscation and install it from the official app store.
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