How to Rent Out Your Apartment Short-Term in Hurghada: The Complete Owner’s Guide

Updated October 2026 · Written by the HAPPYDAYS team, running serviced apartments in Hurghada since 2014

Own an apartment in Hurghada that sits empty most of the year, or is let on a fixed monthly rent? Short-term (holiday) rental can earn you more, but it takes work and organisation, and since 2025 it also takes a licence. This guide walks you through it step by step: the law, preparing the unit, pricing, day-to-day operations and the costs many owners forget.

Why Hurghada works for short-term rental

Hurghada is one of the few places in Egypt with demand almost all year round: in winter Europeans come for sunshine and warm weather, and in summer and on public holidays Egyptians come for the sea. Many visitors, especially families and long-stay guests, prefer an apartment with a kitchen and space to a hotel room.

That does not mean any apartment rents itself. Location, furnishing, photos, reviews and how fast you answer guests are what separate a unit booked most of the month from an empty one.

Step 1: The law and the licence (read this first)

In 2025 the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities issued Decree No. 209 of 2025 regulating “Holiday Homes”. Put simply: any residential unit offered for short-term stays needs a licence from the Ministry, and the licence is renewed every year. It was followed by Decree No. 801 of 2025 for another category: a standalone building (or a dedicated section of one) with at least 8 units used exclusively for holiday homes.

On 6 July 2026 the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities announced a one-year grace period for owners already hosting guests to regularise their units; after that, hosting tourists in unlicensed apartments will not be allowed. He also announced an exemption from the fees for converting a unit from residential to hotel use, provided the requirements are met.

Documents usually required (according to published summaries of the decree):

• Proof of ownership or a valid lease agreement.
• Civil Defence (fire safety) approval.
• An occupational health and safety inspection.
• Proof of tax registration.

The unit must also meet minimum specifications and services (including housekeeping), and the operator must keep guest records. Companies managing many units can obtain one consolidated licence for their whole portfolio, subject to conditions such as a registered base and a manager approved by the Ministry.

Step 2: Preparing the apartment

Guests compare your apartment with a hotel room, so it must be clean, complete and practical. The essentials:

• Air conditioning in every room: in a Hurghada summer it is not a luxury.
• Good beds and mattresses, plus enough white linen and towels to change between every guest.
• An equipped kitchen: fridge, hob, kettle and tableware for the number of guests.
• Fast, stable internet: one of the first questions guests ask, especially long-stay guests.
• A washing machine for long stays, a TV, and good blackout curtains.
• Safety: a fire extinguisher, good locks and, if possible, a small safe.

Step 3: Photos and listing on the platforms

Most bookings in Hurghada come through global platforms such as Booking.com, Airbnb, Agoda and Expedia. The first thing a guest sees is the photos, so invest in professional photos in daylight, with a clear shot of every room, the bathroom, the kitchen and the view.

Write an honest description: the area, distance to the sea and the airport, whether there is a beach or pool, and the number of beds. Honest listings mean fewer complaints and better reviews, and reviews are what push you up the platform rankings.

Step 4: Seasonal pricing

One fixed price all year leaves money on the table. Hurghada has clear seasons:

• Winter (roughly October to April): the European season, with more demand for long stays.
• Christmas and New Year: among the busiest weeks of the year.
• Egyptian public holidays and the summer break: strong demand from Egyptian families.
• Quiet periods: lower the price a little or offer long-stay discounts instead of leaving the unit empty.

Watch the prices of similar units in your area on the platforms and adjust yours regularly.

Step 5: Day-to-day operations

This is the part that wears most owners out. Every booking means:

• Fast replies to guests before and after booking, sometimes in several languages and at any hour.
• Check-in and check-out, often around late-night flights.
• Full cleaning and fresh linen between every guest.
• Quick maintenance for any fault: a broken air conditioner in August means a bad review.
• Guest registration and keeping guest records as the law requires.

The costs you must count

Before comparing short-term with monthly rental, deduct from the expected income:

The rule: short-term rental beats a monthly lease when occupancy is high enough to cover these costs and still leave a clear margin. We will do the maths with numbers in an upcoming article.

Run it yourself or with a management company?

If you live in Hurghada and have time, running it yourself can pay off. If you live in Cairo or abroad, a management company is usually the practical answer.

How HAPPYDAYS works with owners

We have run serviced apartments in Hurghada since 2014, from our office in Sakkala. We offer two models:

• Full management: we take over the apartment, prepare and photograph it, list it on the platforms, welcome the guests and handle cleaning and maintenance, while you receive a report and your income.
• Booking commission: we bring the bookings, and you welcome the guests yourself.

We start with a free visit and an estimate of expected income based on your apartment’s location and the season. List your property here and our team will call you.

Frequently asked questions