Health Insurance for Expats in Saudi Arabia 2025: What You Need to Know
Is Health Insurance Mandatory in Saudi Arabia?
Yes — health insurance is legally mandatory for all expatriates and their dependents in Saudi Arabia. This is regulated by the Council of Cooperative Health Insurance (CCHI). Without valid health insurance, your Iqama renewal will be blocked.
Your employer is legally required to provide health insurance coverage for you. If they do not, they are in violation of Saudi Labor Law.
About CCHI – The Regulator
The Council of Cooperative Health Insurance (CCHI) is the government body that regulates all health insurance in Saudi Arabia. All insurance policies must be CCHI-approved. You can verify any policy and check your coverage details on the CCHI portal.
Who Pays – Employee or Employer?
Under Saudi Labor Law:
- [OK] Your employer must pay for your health insurance
- [OK] Family/dependent coverage is also typically provided by the employer (check your contract)
- [!] Some companies offer only basic employee coverage — you may need to pay the difference to add dependents
If you are self-employed or on a freelance visa, you must arrange your own CCHI-compliant insurance.
Top Health Insurance Providers in KSA
- Bupa Arabia — The market leader; wide hospital network, strong app, good English service
- Tawuniya (The Company for Cooperative Insurance) — Large network, government-linked, comprehensive plans
- MedGulf — Popular for mid-range corporate plans
- AXA Cooperative Insurance — Good for expats with international ties; offers global coverage add-ons
- Saudi Re — Primarily reinsurance but present in the market via partners
What Is Typically Covered?
| Service | Usually Covered? |
|---|---|
| GP / General Doctor visits | [OK] Yes |
| Emergency treatment | [OK] Yes |
| Specialist consultations | [OK] Yes (in-network) |
| Hospitalization | [OK] Yes |
| Medications | [OK] Yes (formulary drugs) |
| Maternity care | [OK] Yes (standard plans) |
| Dental | [!] Basic only / depends on plan |
| Optical / Vision | [!] Depends on plan |
| Pre-existing conditions | [!] Often excluded initially |
| Mental health | [!] Limited — improving under Vision 2030 |
How to Use Your Health Insurance
- Get your insurance card from your employer's HR/PRO — it contains your policy number and provider.
- Find an in-network (approved) hospital or clinic — your insurer's app or website has a directory. Going out-of-network means paying more or everything yourself.
- Present your insurance card and Iqama at the facility reception.
- A co-payment (co-pay) may be required — typically 20 SAR to 100 SAR per visit, deducted directly.
- For prescriptions, present your card at an in-network pharmacy.
- For reimbursement claims (out-of-network emergencies), submit receipts via your insurer's app or website within the policy's claim window.
Tips for Expats
- Download your insurer's app immediately — it has your policy, network hospitals, and claim submission.
- [hospital] Save the number of the nearest in-network hospital in your phone before you need it.
- Pharmacy chains like Nahdi Medical and Al Dawaa are widely in-network.
- If you travel internationally frequently, ask HR about adding an international coverage rider.
- If your employer provides dependents coverage, ensure dependents are actually added to the policy — it doesn't happen automatically in all cases.