Why Hire Developers in Egypt? Egypt vs Eastern Europe
Lower cost, a large graduate pool, strong English and working hours that overlap with both Europe and the Gulf. Here’s how Egypt compares with Eastern Europe for offshore development.
Egypt vs Eastern Europe at a glance
| Egypt | Eastern Europe (e.g. Poland) | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical developer rate | ~$20–35/hr [VERIFY] | ~$40–56/hr [VERIFY] |
| Time difference vs Central Europe | 1 hour ahead | Same time zone |
| Time difference vs Saudi Arabia | 0–1 hour behind | 1–2 hours behind |
| Time difference vs UAE | 1–2 hours behind | 2–3 hours behind |
| Languages | English, plus German, French, Italian and Spanish speakers | English plus local languages |
| Arabic | Native | Rare |
| STEM share of graduates | 35%+ [VERIFY] | [VERIFY] |
| Your partner on the ground | Bit&Bits, in Cairo since 2004 | — |
Rates and graduate figures come from outside research [VERIFY SOURCES AND YEAR BEFORE PUBLISHING]. Your actual cost is confirmed per role.
Five reasons companies hire in Egypt
Cost
Salaries and running costs are a fraction of Western Europe and the Gulf, so the same budget funds a bigger team.
Talent pool
Egypt has one of the largest populations in the region, with more than 35% of graduates in STEM subjects [VERIFY].
Working hours
Cairo’s working day overlaps fully or almost fully with Central Europe, the UK morning and the whole Gulf.
Languages
English is widely spoken in tech, and Egypt has speakers of German, French, Italian and Spanish.
Arabic and English
For Gulf companies, your team reads and writes Arabic natively, which helps with Arabic products, content and support.
When Eastern Europe may suit you better
If your team must share the exact Central European working day with no difference at all, or you need on-site visits within the EU at short notice, Eastern Europe can be the easier choice. For most companies, Egypt gives similar skills and overlapping hours at a lower cost.
Why Bit&Bits in Egypt
- A Cairo company since 2004, with offices in Dubai and Jeddah
- A named account manager and written SLAs
- Concrete vetting steps you can read before you hire
- Your code and IP are yours by contract
Frequently asked questions
Is English good enough for daily work?
Yes. English is standard in Egypt’s tech sector, and we test spoken and written English for every candidate.
How much can I save compared with Poland or Romania?
Market rates suggest Egypt costs roughly 40–50% less than Poland for similar roles [VERIFY]. Savings against Western Europe and the Gulf are larger.
What are Egypt's working hours?
Cairo is on UTC+2, and UTC+3 in summer. The standard Egyptian week is Sunday to Thursday; your team’s week is agreed with you [CONFIRM].
Is Egypt stable enough for a long-term team?
Bit&Bits has run its Cairo operation continuously since 2004. Our office has backup power and internet [CONFIRM].
Can I find German- or French-speaking developers?
Often, yes, though fewer than English speakers. Tell us early so we can screen for it [CONFIRM].
Request a Team
We’ll get back to you as soon as possible with any questions and a time for a short call.