Who sends money from Saudi Arabia to Egypt
Common senders: workers in construction, healthcare, domestic work and services, and professionals supporting families across Asia and Africa.
About this corridor
Saudi Arabia hosts the largest Egyptian community abroad. After Egypt's 2024 currency reform, the rate gap that once pushed people to informal channels has largely closed, so licensed providers and bank apps are now the sensible route.
Worked example: sending 2,000 SAR
Using the ExchangeRate-API rate on 2026-10-08, 1 SAR = 13.9611 EGP, our estimate model gives these results for sending 2,000 SAR:
| Provider | Est. fee | Est. received | Total cost vs mid-market |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wise | 15.75 SAR | 27,702.32 EGP | 219.89 EGP |
| Revolut | 6.00 SAR | 27,699.25 EGP | 222.96 EGP |
| Remitly | 0.00 SAR | 27,587.14 EGP | 335.07 EGP |
| Western Union | 18.75 SAR | 27,107.23 EGP | 814.98 EGP |
| Bank wire (typical) | 75.00 SAR | 26,203.25 EGP | 1,718.96 EGP |
In this example Wise delivers roughly 1,499.07 EGP more than a typical bank wire. Rates move daily and providers change pricing, so treat this as an illustration from our model; the live calculator above and the provider's own quote are what count. See how we estimate.
Sending to Egypt: what to know
- Payout options: bank accounts, InstaPay-linked accounts, mobile wallets such as Vodafone Cash, and cash pickup at banks and post offices.
- Delivery to accounts at National Bank of Egypt, Banque Misr and other large banks is widely supported.
- Since the 2024 exchange-rate reform, formal channels have become much more competitive than informal ones.
Rules and limits
In Saudi Arabia: Money transfers from Saudi Arabia are regulated by the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA). Senders need a valid Iqama or national ID that the provider verifies, and outgoing personal remittances are not taxed.
In Egypt: Remittances are paid out through banks and payment providers supervised by the Central Bank of Egypt.
How to pick the cheapest option
- Compare the amount received, not the fee. "Zero fee" offers usually hide their cost in the rate. How markups work.
- Small amounts: watch fixed fees. Large amounts: watch the markup.
- Avoid intermediary deductions. SWIFT wires can lose $10–30 in transit. Why.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way to send money from Saudi Arabia to Egypt?
It depends on the amount and the day's pricing. This page calculates, at today's mid-market rate, how much EGP each provider delivers for 2,000 SAR; the top row is currently the cheapest by our estimate.
How much more does a bank wire cost for 2,000 SAR?
Using the reference rate on 2026-10-08, our model puts the gap at about 1,499.07 EGP versus the cheapest option. Rates and pricing change daily.
How can my recipient in Egypt receive the money?
Common payout options are bank accounts, InstaPay-linked accounts, mobile wallets such as Vodafone Cash, and cash pickup at banks and post offices. Availability differs by provider, so check before you send.
How long does it take?
Digital services usually take minutes to 1–2 business days; bank wires often take 2–5 business days.
Sources
Official pages checked on