The abbreviation A.R.E. in the context of international acronyms and country codes stands for the Arab Republic of Egypt.
While the modern, internationally standardized codes for this country are EGY (three-letter code) and EG (two-letter code), the A.R.E. acronym is still frequently encountered in older documents, customs forms, and specific organization databases. This article will clarify the different ways the Arab Republic of Egypt is identified globally and explain why you might still see the A.R.E. abbreviation.
The Primary Meaning: Arab Republic of Egypt
The acronym A.R.E. directly reflects the official name of the country.
- R.E. = Arab Republic of Egypt
Modern, Standardized Country Codes
When dealing with modern data systems, shipping, banking (IBAN), or internet domains, the ISO 3166 standards are used. The A.R.E. code has been superseded by the following official codes:
| Code Type | Code | Country Name | Use Case |
| ISO 3166-1 Alpha-3 | EGY | Egypt | International banking, aviation, and data systems. |
| ISO 3166-1 Alpha-2 | EG | Egypt | Internet Top-Level Domain (.eg), currency codes, and general use. |
| ITU Calling Code | +20 | Egypt | International telephone and mobile dialing. |
| Numeric Code | 818 | Egypt | Shipping, statistics, and numeric data processing. |
The key takeaway is that if you are asked for a country code, you should use EGY (three-letter) or EG (two-letter) rather than A.R.E.
Why the A.R.E. Abbreviation Still Appears
The continued presence of the A.R.E. acronym relates to a historical and political designation.
Historical Context
The use of A.R.E. stems from a specific period in the country’s history. From 1958 to 1961, Egypt and Syria were united as the United Arab Republic (U.A.R.). Although Syria later withdrew, Egypt continued to use the name United Arab Republic until 1971, when it officially adopted the name Arab Republic of Egypt.
For several years afterward, and particularly in older institutional documents (such as those from the IMF, UN agencies, and specific trade bodies), the initialism A.R.E. became an official designation. Many legacy systems and non-ISO standardized databases still retain this older three-letter code alongside or instead of the current ISO code, EGY.
Confusion with Other Acronyms
The use of A.R.E. can sometimes cause confusion because three-letter codes are often interpreted as ISO Alpha-3 codes.
- E.: This two-letter code actually corresponds to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
- R.: This two-letter code corresponds to Argentina.
- DZ: This two-letter code corresponds to Algeria (DZA).
If you see an entry for A.R.E. country in a form, it is nearly always referencing the Arab Republic of Egypt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is A.R.E. an official ISO 3166 country code?
No. The official ISO 3166-1 Alpha-3 code is EGY. While A.R.E. was used by various international organizations historically, it is not the current, recognized standard from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
What is Egypt’s telephone country code?
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) assigns the country code +20 to Egypt. To call a number in Egypt from any other country, you would dial your country’s exit code, followed by 20, and then the local phone number.
If a website asks for the 2-letter code for A.R.E. country, what should I enter?
You should enter EG. The two-letter ISO code for the country that A.R.E. refers to (the Arab Republic of Egypt) is EG.
What does the country code AE stand for?
The two-letter code AE stands for the United Arab Emirates. If you are looking for the country code for the Arab Republic of Egypt (A.R.E.), ensure you are using EG or EGY.
