Quick Summary
- Health insurance is mandatory for all expat workers — employer must provide it
- Expats use private hospitals — government hospitals are primarily for Saudi nationals
- Insurance quality varies significantly — check your policy carefully
- Dependents are not automatically covered by employer insurance — confirm with HR
- Pre-existing conditions may be excluded — declare honestly when applying
- Emergency treatment is provided regardless of insurance status at any hospital
How the Saudi Healthcare System Works for Expats
Saudi Arabia operates a dual healthcare system — a government sector primarily serving Saudi nationals and a large private sector that serves most expatriate workers. As an expat with health insurance you access private hospitals and clinics directly using your insurance card.
The standard of private healthcare in Saudi Arabia is generally high — major cities have internationally accredited hospitals with well-trained medical staff, many of whom trained abroad. Specialist care, surgery and complex treatments are readily available in Riyadh and Jeddah.
Your Employer's Insurance Obligation
Under Saudi law all private sector employers are legally required to provide health insurance for their employees. This is not optional — it is a mandatory employment condition linked to your iqama. Key points:
- Employer pays the full premium for employee health insurance — you should not be asked to contribute to your own basic coverage
- Insurance must meet minimum coverage standards set by the Council of Cooperative Health Insurance (CCHI)
- Employer insurance typically covers you only — dependents are generally not included unless your contract specifically states otherwise
- If your employer fails to provide health insurance this is an HRSD complaint matter — do not accept working without insurance
Understanding Your Insurance Policy
Not all employer health insurance is equal. Saudi Arabia has several tiers of insurance coverage:
| Policy Level | Typical Annual Limit | Network | Common For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic (Class C/D) | SAR 250,000–500,000 | Limited hospitals | Lower-salary employees |
| Standard (Class B) | SAR 500,000–1,000,000 | Most private hospitals | Mid-level professionals |
| Premium (Class A) | SAR 1,000,000+ | All major hospitals | Senior staff, expat packages |
Key Things to Check in Your Policy
- Annual limit — the maximum the insurer pays per year. Some serious conditions can cost SAR 500,000+ so the limit matters enormously.
- Hospital network — your insurer has a list of approved hospitals. Treatment outside the network is usually not covered or only partially reimbursed. Know your network hospitals.
- Co-payment (co-pay) — many policies require you to pay 10–20% of each consultation or treatment cost. Know your co-pay percentage.
- Pre-existing condition exclusions — conditions you had before the insurance started may be excluded for the first year or permanently. Check what is excluded in writing.
- Dental and optical — these are often separate riders, not included in basic medical. Check specifically whether dental and optical are covered.
- Maternity coverage — if applicable, check whether maternity is covered and from when. Some policies have waiting periods for maternity benefits.
- Mental health coverage — often limited or excluded. If this is important to you, check specifically.
Best Private Hospitals in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia has excellent private hospitals in major cities. Well-regarded options include:
- Riyadh: King Faisal Specialist Hospital, Saudi German Hospital, Dr Sulaiman Al-Habib Hospital (HMG), Dallah Hospital, Saudi-American Hospital
- Jeddah: International Medical Center, Saudi German Hospital Jeddah, Dr Al-Habib Hospital, Al-Salama Hospital
- Dammam / Al Khobar: Dallah Hospital, Saudi Aramco Medical Services (SAMSO — primarily for Aramco employees), Dr Al-Habib Hospital
Always confirm the hospital is in your insurance network before visiting for non-emergency treatment to avoid unexpected out-of-pocket costs.
Medical Emergencies — What to Do
In a genuine medical emergency:
- Call 911 — Saudi Arabia's emergency number for police, fire and ambulance is 911
- Go to the nearest emergency room — all hospitals must provide emergency treatment regardless of insurance status. You will not be turned away in an emergency.
- Contact your insurer's emergency hotline — your insurance card has a 24/7 emergency number. Call them as soon as possible after receiving emergency care to begin the claims process.
- Notify your employer — particularly for work-related injuries which go through GOSI rather than standard health insurance.
Insurance for Dependents
As mentioned, employer insurance typically covers the employee only. For dependents you have two options:
- Check if employer extends coverage — some companies — particularly larger multinationals — include dependent coverage in the employee package. Check your contract and ask HR directly.
- Purchase separate dependent insurance — if not covered by employer, you must arrange and pay for your dependents' health insurance yourself. This is a mandatory requirement for dependent iqama holders. CCHI-regulated insurers offer family plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
My employer has not given me an insurance card after 3 months. What do I do?
Request your insurance card in writing from HR immediately. Employers are legally required to provide insurance from the start of employment. If HR does not respond within one week, file an HRSD complaint. Working without health insurance for months is a violation of your employment rights.
Can I use government hospitals as an expat?
Government hospitals in Saudi Arabia are primarily for Saudi nationals. Expats can access government emergency services in a genuine emergency but routine care is through the private sector using your insurance. Some government hospitals accept expat patients with direct payment but this is not the standard route.
My insurance was cancelled when I resigned. Am I still covered?
Employer-provided insurance is typically linked to your employment. When employment ends your coverage ends. There may be a short grace period depending on your insurer. If you are between jobs or waiting for a new employer to process your insurance, arrange short-term private coverage to avoid a gap. Do not assume you are still covered after your last working day.
Does my Saudi insurance cover me when I travel home?
Most Saudi employer health insurance policies are designed for use within Saudi Arabia only. Some premium policies include international emergency coverage. Check your specific policy document — do not assume international coverage is included. For home country travel, many expats rely on travel insurance for medical coverage abroad.
Insurance Issue With Your Employer?
No insurance card, inadequate coverage or insurance cancelled improperly? Book a consultation for guidance on your rights and how to resolve it quickly.