By virtue of the Law No. 15 of 1963, foreign ownership of agricultural land is prohibited. Law No. 143 of 1981 places limits on the ownership of desert land, which the Law defines broadly as all territory two kilometres outside city borders. Partnerships and joint stock companies can own desert land up to 42 km2 (10 000 feddans) and 210 km2 (50 000 feddans) respectively, if Egyptian nationals own at least 51% of the capital. Under the Law, being a tenant under a lease with a term of more than 50 years is also considered as ownership.
"Foreigners, whether natural or legal persons, are prohibited from owning agricultural lands and the like cultivable, fallow and desert lands in the United Arab Republic. This prohibition includes full ownership as well as ownership of the neck or usufruct.
It is not considered agricultural land in the application of the provisions of this law, the lands within the scope of cities and countries to which the provisions of Law No. 52 of 1940 are referred to, if they are not subject to the lands tax.[...]" (Law No. 15 of 1963: Prohibiting foreign ownership of agricultural lands and the like [google translation])
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"Article 1
b) With the exception of the lands stipulated in item (a), the minister concerned with land reclamation shall issue a decision defining the areas (which are covered by the
land reclamation plan and projects. This is one of the conditions and rules required by the State Defense Affairs
In the application of the provisions of this law, desert lands mean lands owned by the state, privately owned, and located outside the reins after a distance of two kilometers.
[...]
Article 11
The maximum ownership limit in the desert lands subject to the provisions of this law shall be in accordance with the irrigation methods and methods achieved
in terms of: rationalization and economy in the use of available water sources, and in accordance with scientific developments in this field, as follows
a) If irrigation is on groundwater or modern methods are used, such as sprinkler or drip, or any irrigation method that depends on water pressure (1): The maximum
ownership limit is determined as follows: [...]
2. Ten thousand (ten thousand) feddans for a cooperative society, with a maximum of thirty (30) feddans for a member.
3. Ten thousand) acres for companies of persons and the recommendation of shares, taking into account that the maximum limit for the ownership of the individual does not exceed 150 (one hundred and fifty) acres.
4. Fifty thousand (50,000) feddans for joint stock companies.
b) If the irrigation is by the surface irrigation method that is agreed upon between the Minister concerned with Reclamation and the Minister of Public Works and Water Resources, or for the drained areas of lake lands, the maximum ownership limit shall not exceed half of the aforementioned maximum limits.
The ownership of Egyptians shall not be less than 51% of the company’s capital, and the individual’s ownership shall not exceed 20% of the company’s capital. [...]" (Law No. 143 of 1981 regarding desert lands. [google translation])
Law No. 15 of 1963 on the Prohibition of Foreign Ownership of Agricultural lands, as amended by Law No. 104 of 1985
Law No. 143 of 1981 on Desert Lands
[<a href="https://elpai.idsc.gov.eg/Legislations/Item/92083">Law</a>],[<a href="http://extwprlegs1.fao.org/docs/pdf/egy208069.pdf">Law</a>],[<a href="https://www.gafi.gov.eg/English/StartaBusiness/Laws-and-Regulations/Documents/LandandRealEstateOwnershipLaws.pdf">Other</a>],[<a href="https://www.tamimi.com/law-update-articles/foreign-ownership-of-real-estate-in-egypt/">Other</a>]