X-Ray Cost in Egypt
What you pay at private radiology centres, government and university hospitals, and under Universal Health Insurance (UHI) — with tips for expats and tourists. Last reviewed October 2026.
Short answer: how much is an X-ray in Egypt?
At private radiology centres an X-ray costs approximately EGP 150–1,500 (≈$3–$29) depending on the exam; a chest X-ray is about EGP 150–500 (≈$3–$10). Premium Cairo hospitals charge more. Ministry of Health and university hospitals charge nominal fees, and registered members of Universal Health Insurance (UHI) in Port Said, Ismailia, Suez, South Sinai, Luxor and Aswan are covered. Egyptian centres rarely publish prices, so these are indicative — call for a quote.
Quick Overview
Egypt is moving from a fragmented system — Ministry of Health and Population (MOHP) hospitals, university hospitals, and the older Health Insurance Organization (HIO) for employees, pensioners and schoolchildren — to Universal Health Insurance under Law No. 2 of 2018. UHI is run by three bodies: the Universal Health Insurance Authority (UHIA, the payer), the Egypt Healthcare Authority (public providers) and GAHAR (accreditation). It started in Port Said in 2019 and now covers the six phase-1 governorates; Cairo, Giza and Alexandria come in later phases. In practice most people in big cities pay out of pocket at private radiology centres, which are widespread and inexpensive by international standards.
🏥 Government & university hospitals
- MOHP general hospitals in every governorate
- Kasr Al Ainy (Cairo University), Ain Shams, Alexandria University hospitals
- Referral needed; queues and waiting lists
- HIO members covered at HIO facilities
🩻 Private radiology centres
- Chains: Alfa Scan, Cairo Scan, Misr Radiology Center and others
- Chest X-ray approx. EGP 150–500
- Same-day, often walk-in
- Digital images and report, usually same day
🆕 Universal Health Insurance
- Port Said, Ismailia, Suez, South Sinai, Luxor, Aswan
- Register with UHIA; family-medicine unit refers you
- Small legal co-payments for some services; exemptions apply
- UHIA hotline: 15344
Egyptian X-Ray Prices by Exam (2026)
Indicative self-pay ranges at private radiology centres in Cairo, Giza and Alexandria. Egyptian centres seldom publish price lists online and these figures could not be checked against an official schedule for this update, so treat them as approximate. Premium private hospitals sit above these ranges; centres in smaller cities are often cheaper.
| Exam | Government / UHI | Private centre (EGP, approx.) | USD (≈) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plain X-rays | |||
| Chest | Nominal fee / covered | 150–500 | $3–$10 |
| Hand or wrist | Nominal fee / covered | 200–600 | $4–$11 |
| Ankle or foot | Nominal fee / covered | 200–600 | $4–$11 |
| Knee | Nominal fee / covered | 200–600 | $4–$11 |
| Cervical or lumbar spine (single segment) | Nominal fee / covered | 300–800 | $6–$15 |
| Spine, several segments / extra views | Nominal fee / covered | 600–1,500 | $11–$29 |
| Pelvis / hips | Nominal fee / covered | 200–700 | $4–$13 |
| Abdomen | Nominal fee / covered | 200–600 | $4–$11 |
| Dental panoramic (OPG) | Dental services vary | 300–700 | $6–$13 |
| Chest X-ray at a premium private hospital | — | 500–1,500 | $10–$29 |
| Other imaging | |||
| Ultrasound, CT, MRI | Covered under UHI; lower fees at university hospitals | Not verified for this update — CT and MRI cost many times an X-ray; ask centres for quotes | |
Indicative ranges, not from an official price list. USD at approximately EGP 52.5 = $1 (October 2026). The pound has fallen sharply since 2022, so prices in EGP keep rising — always confirm with the centre.
How Coverage Works in Egypt
Universal Health Insurance (UHI)
- Law No. 2 of 2018; mandatory family-based membership
- Phase 1 (operating): Port Said, Ismailia, Suez, South Sinai, Luxor, Aswan
- Later phases extend to the remaining governorates, ending with Greater Cairo and Alexandria
- Imaging covered at accredited public and contracted private providers
Outside UHI governorates
- MOHP hospitals: nominal fees for uninsured patients
- HIO: employees, pensioners, widows and schoolchildren at HIO facilities
- University hospitals: low fees, long waits for CT/MRI
- Private insurance (AXA, Allianz, MetLife, Bupa Egypt) for private hospitals and centres
How to get an X-ray
- UHI: family-medicine unit → referral → accredited facility
- Government hospital: register, see a doctor, pay the fee
- Private: take your doctor's request to a radiology centre
- Bring your national ID (national number) or passport
Where to Get an X-Ray
🏥 Government & university hospitals
- Kasr Al Ainy (Cairo University Hospitals)
- Ain Shams University Hospitals — Cairo
- Alexandria Main University Hospital
- MOHP general hospitals in every governorate
- Egypt Healthcare Authority hospitals in UHI governorates
🩻 Private radiology chains
- Alfa Scan — X-ray, CT, MRI, ultrasound, many branches
- Cairo Scan — X-ray, dental and advanced imaging
- Misr Radiology Center — Cairo, serves international patients
- Independent centres in most cities
🏨 Private hospitals
- Cleopatra Hospitals Group — Cairo
- As-Salam International Hospital — Cairo
- Dar Al Fouad Hospital — 6th of October City / Nasr City
- Resort-area private hospitals (Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada) — higher prices for tourists
Guide by Patient Type
🇪🇬 Egyptian residents
- In a UHI governorate: register and use your family-medicine unit
- Elsewhere: government hospitals for low fees, private centres for speed
- HIO members: use HIO clinics and hospitals
- Compare 2–3 private centres — prices vary a lot
💼 Expats
- Private insurance through your employer is common
- Radiology chains and major hospitals bill insurers directly
- English is widely spoken at Cairo private centres
- Keep reports and CDs for your insurer
✈️ Tourists
- Pay private rates; emergency care available at public hospitals
- Ask for the price in pounds before the scan
- Resort clinics charge more than city radiology centres
- Travel insurance recommended
Practical Details
📋 What to bring
- National ID or passport
- UHI / HIO / insurance card
- Doctor's request (طلب أشعة)
- Previous images on CD/USB
- Cash or card
⏰ Typical wait times
- Emergency: immediate
- Government routine: hours to days
- Private centre: same day
- Report: same day to 48 hours
💡 How to save money
- Use UHI if you live in a covered governorate
- Ask whether one view is enough
- City radiology centres are cheaper than hospitals
- Keep digital copies to avoid repeats
FAQ
How much does an X-ray cost in Egypt in 2026?
At private radiology centres an X-ray costs approximately EGP 150–1,500 (about $3–$29) depending on the body part and number of views; a chest X-ray is typically about EGP 150–500. Ministry of Health and university hospitals charge nominal fees, and members of the Universal Health Insurance (UHI) system in phase-1 governorates are covered. Centres rarely publish prices online, so call for a quote.
كم سعر أشعة الصدر في مصر؟ (How much is a chest X-ray in Egypt?)
Approximately EGP 150–500 at private radiology centres in Cairo, Giza and Alexandria, and more at premium private hospitals such as Cleopatra, As-Salam or Dar Al Fouad (roughly EGP 500–1,500). Government hospitals charge a small fee. Prices in pounds have risen since the 2024 devaluation, so confirm the current price.
Is an X-ray free in Egypt?
Not universally. Under the Universal Health Insurance Law (Law No. 2 of 2018), X-rays are covered for registered members in the governorates where UHI is operating (Port Said, Ismailia, Suez, South Sinai, Luxor and Aswan), with small co-payments set by law for some services. Elsewhere, Ministry of Health hospitals charge nominal fees, HIO members are covered at HIO facilities, and private centres charge full price.
Which governorates have Universal Health Insurance?
UHI launched in Port Said in 2019 and now operates in the six phase-1 governorates: Port Said, Ismailia, Suez, South Sinai, Luxor and Aswan. UHIA reports that in Aswan alone it covers about 1.4 million beneficiaries (80.5% coverage). Later phases extend it to the rest of the country, with Cairo, Giza and Alexandria among the last.
Do I need a doctor's referral for an X-ray in Egypt?
Private radiology centres generally perform plain X-rays with a doctor's request and often accept walk-ins; the radiologist may ask for clinical details. Government hospitals and UHI/HIO facilities require a referral from the treating doctor or family-medicine unit.
How much is a panoramic dental X-ray (OPG) in Egypt?
Approximately EGP 300–700 at private radiology centres and dental imaging centres; cone-beam CT (CBCT) of the jaw costs more. Dental clinics in tourist areas may charge foreign patients more — ask for the price in pounds before the scan.
How much do CT and MRI cost in Egypt?
CT and MRI cost many times more than an X-ray and vary widely by centre, region and use of contrast. They are covered under UHI in phase-1 governorates and available at university hospitals for lower fees, though often with waiting lists. Private centres quote on request — compare two or three.
Can tourists get an X-ray in Egypt?
Yes. Tourists pay private rates at radiology centres or private hospitals; emergency care is available at public hospitals. Prices are low by international standards (a chest X-ray is roughly $3–$10 at a radiology centre), but premium hospitals and resort clinics in Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada charge more. Travel insurance is recommended.
Where do expats get X-rays in Cairo?
Most expats use private radiology chains such as Alfa Scan, Cairo Scan or Misr Radiology Center, or private hospitals such as Cleopatra, As-Salam International and Dar Al Fouad, often billed to international or local private insurance.
Compare X-Ray Costs Across Countries
Sources
- Universal Health Insurance Authority (uhia.gov.eg) — governorate coverage updates, including Aswan (1.4 million beneficiaries, 80.5% coverage), 2026
- Universal Health Insurance Law No. 2 of 2018
- Ministry of Health and Population (mohp.gov.eg) and GAHAR (gahar.gov.eg)
- Private radiology centre service pages: Alfa Scan, Cairo Scan, Misr Radiology Center; prices are indicative estimates
- Exchange rate: open.er-api.com, 12 October 2026
Last reviewed: October 2026. EGP prices change with the exchange rate; always verify with the facility.