Egypt: street photography will no longer require permits

Egyptian Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly asked on Monday the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Khaled El-Anany to set laws permitting photography in streets and public spaces.

El-Anany said that there are three types of photography, which allowed to take pictures for free without prior permits.

The first type is for the Egyptians, tourists, and foreigners residing in the country will have the accessibility to capture in public spaces without any restrictions to boost the tourism in Egypt, El-Anany explained.

He added that the second type permits the foreign correspondents and news channels to film, but in coordination with the Egyptian Information Service to obtain approvals in advance.

Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities sets the license fees for local cinematographers filming inside Egyptian archaeological and touristic sites to be EGP 50,000 ($2,642) per month, while foreign cinematographers would be granted licenses of EGP 150,000 ($7,925) monthly.

The granted law for the cinematographers was approved to encourage Egyptian and foreign producers to film in tourist and archaeological sites, streets and public squares.

El-Anany said that there is no objection about filming and publishing unflattering materials of the country, except they provide a license that explains the purpose behind that.

He continued that photographing citizens and children is allowed but with written consent of the concerned people.

Over the past year, there have been several complaints and reports of security forces confiscating cameras and photographic equipment from people on the streets and asking about licenses or permits.