Saudi Arabia Health Insurance for Expats

International Health Insurance for Expats in Saudi Arabia

Expats are encouraged to secure an international health insurance plan for their time in Saudi Arabia to protect themselves against unexpected illness or injury. Adequate health insurance coverage is mandatory for all citizens and expats in the country. 

Are you an expat moving to or visiting Saudi Arabia? Are you interested in learning about the best health insurance plans in the country? The insurance experts at Pacific Prime created this guide to help you understand your health insurance options. 

We will discuss the healthcare system in Saudi Arabia, share resources for hospitals and clinics, and list the best international health insurance providers. Keep reading to learn more, or click here for a free quote!

Recommended International Health Insurance Plans for Expatriates Living in Saudi Arabia

Cigna Global Insurance Plan

• Worldwide Coverage (excluding the US)
• Access to Cigna's trusted network of hospitals and doctors
• Numerous Deductible Options
• 24/7 Customer Support
• 4 Core Insurance Plans

Plan Details Get a Quote

Allianz Care Health Insurance

• World-leading Health Insurance Provider for Expats
• Extensive Network With Over 1.9 Million Medical Providers
• Quick and Efficient Claims Process
• Maximum Plan benefit up to USD $5,000,000

Plan Details Get a Quote

The Healthcare System in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia’s healthcare system is universal and is composed of the public and private sectors. The Ministry of Health oversees the country's healthcare system. The public sector only caters to Saudi citizens, and expats must use private healthcare facilities. 

Saudi Arabia has a wide array of healthcare facilities available for its citizens and foreigners, with hospitals, clinics, outpatient programs, pharmacies, and more. Some issues Saudi Arabia’s healthcare system struggles with are a shortage of workers and a lack of preventative care. 

Saudi Arabia Public Hospitals and Clinics

Some of Saudi Arabia’ best public hospitals and clinics include the King Faisal Specialist Hospital, King Fahad Hospital-Dammam, and Yanbu General Hospital. 

King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre
Address: Makkah Al Mukarramah Br Rd, Al Mathar Ash Shamali, Riyadh 12713, Saudi Arabia
Phone: +966 11 464 7272

The King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center in Riyadh provides both quality medical care to Saudi Arabia and important research opportunities and findings. Some of the specialties and centers provided by this hospital are: 

• Heart Center
• Neuroscience Center
• Oncology Center
• Dentistry 
• Dermatology
• Autism Center
• Critical care medicine
• And more

King Fahad Hospital-Dammam
Address: Ammar Bin Thabit St، Al Merikbat neighborhood, Dammam 32253, Saudi Arabia
Phone: +966138043333

The King Fahad Hospital in Dammam is located in the eastern region of Saudi Arabia and is accredited with the Joint Commission International (JCI) as a testament to its high-quality medical services. The specialties provided in the hospital include:

• Neurological surgery
• Surgical oncology
• Nuclear medicine
• Radiation therapy
• Hematology
• Orthopedic surgery
• Urology
• And more

Yanbu General Hospital
Address: Al Bandar, Yanbu 46421, Saudi Arabia
Phone: +966143908403

Yanbu General Hospital is a government hospital in Saudi Arabia that provides 24/7 emergency treatment to the public and has 300 beds available. Some of the specialties offered by Yanbu General Hospital are: 

• Cardiology
• Dentistry
• Dermatology
• Ear, nose, and throat
• General surgery
• Pediatrics
• Internal medicine
• Obstetrics and gynecology
• Pulmonology
• Urology
• Ophthalmology
• And more

Saudi Arabia Private Hospitals and Clinics

Some of the top private hospitals and clinics in Saudi Arabia include the Al Jazeera Hospital, Kingdom Hospital, and Abha International Private Hospital.

Al Jazeera Hospital 
Address: 7264 Hassan Ibn Thabet, An Nasim Al Gharbi, Riyadh 14236, Saudi Arabia
Phone: +966920005322

The Al Jazeera Hospital is a part of the Al Jazeera Hospital Group and provides quality healthcare to both local and international patients. The hospital provides quality primary, secondary, and tertiary care. Specialities and facilities provided by the Al Jazeera Hospital are: 

• 24/7 emergency care
• Pediatrics
• Internal medicine
• Cardiology 
• Pharmacy
• Medical laboratory
• And more

Kingdom Hospital
Address: Al Thoumamah Rd, Ar Rabi, Riyadh 11564, Saudi Arabia
Phone: +920000751

Kingdom Hospital is located north of the capital and has been providing comprehensive healthcare services since 2000. Kingdom Hospital has an emergency room and intensive care units, and many other specialities and centers like:

• General surgery
• Obesity Treatment and Surgery Center
• Internal medicine
• Dermatology
• Dentistry
• Pediatrics
• Orthopedics
• Urology
• Obstetrics and gynecology
• Kingdom Heart Center
• Ophthalmology

Abha International Private Hospital
Address: King Abdul Aziz Rd, As Sharafiyah, Abha 62521, Saudi Arabia
Phone: +966172292222

Established in 1995, the Abha International Private Hospital provides quality care to expats and locals in Saudi Arabia while maintaining international standards. The hospital provides inpatient and outpatient care with the latest medical technology, and offers specialities and facilities like: 

• Infertility and fertility treatment department
• Department of Thoracic Surgery
• Hematology 
• Rehabilitation medicine
• Rheumatology
• Pediatrics and neonatology
• Dentistry
• Urology
• Cardiology
• Internal medicine
• Gastroenterology
• Vascular Surgery Department
• And more

Health Insurance Options in Saudi Arabia for Expats 

Expats in Saudi Arabia have the option to purchase their own private health insurance for their time in Saudi Arabia, or they can rely on the health insurance provided to them by their Saudi Arabian employer. If you work in the public sector, you may qualify for public health insurance.

If you don’t work for an employer in the country, you will be required to purchase a health insurance policy from the government as part of your visa application. Tourism Health Insurance offers basic medical insurance coverage to visitors in the country. 

Public Health Insurance in Saudi Arabia for Expats

Expats can only qualify for public health insurance in Saudi Arabia if they work in the public sector. They can receive health insurance from their employers if they work for a local company, but the health insurance will be private. 

There is a Tourism Health Insurance that is mandatory for expats visiting Saudi Arabia on a tourism visa, which provides fundamental medical coverage. Medical emergencies will be covered under this plan up to around SAR 100,000 or USD 27,000. 

Even with the required health insurance coverage, many expats choose to secure their own insurance policy. Private health insurance can help supplement and extend coverage to foreigners in Saudi Arabia. 

Private Health Insurance in Saudi Arabia for Expats

Private health insurance can help cover the cost of healthcare services in Saudi Arabia and grant expats access to private hospitals and clinics. Without private health insurance, expats are left to pay for their healthcare out of pocket, which can add up quickly. 

Private health insurance can cover a variety of healthcare services, such as: 

• Inpatient and day patient treatment
• Surgical costs
• Physician visits
• Mental health treatment 
• Vaccinations
• Prescription drugs
• Medical evacuation and repatriation
• Repatriation of remains
• Dental and vision coverage
• Maternity coverage

Expats in Saudi Arabia can secure a private health insurance policy through an international or local insurance provider. International insurance providers offer the benefit of globally portable coverage, so you can visit neighboring countries and stay protected. 

Best International Health Insurance Providers in Saudi Arabia

The best private insurance providers for expats in Saudi Arabia are offered by international health insurance providers Allianz, April International, AXA, Cigna Global, and Bupa. We will share a brief overview and highlight these providers’ plans in the following sections.

If you’d like to learn even more about the top international health insurance providers, check out our article guide here!

Allianz Health Insurance in Saudi Arabia

Allianz offers comprehensive insurance plans in Saudi Arabia to fit a variety of expats’ needs. Riders are available to be purchased and attached to basic policies that Allianz provides. These riders can offer coverage for accidents and other risks that expats may face abroad. 

The plans offered by Allianz include the Care, Care Plus, and Care Pro plans. While each of these plans may differ in coverage limits and benefits, they share similar benefits as listed below:

• Inpatient costs
• Diagnostics and laboratory tests
• Surgeries
• Ambulances transport
• Cancer treatment

Plan Details Get a Quote

April International Health Insurance in Saudi Arabia

April International is a leading international insurance provider that offers affordable, comprehensive coverage to expats in Saudi Arabia.

They offer their health benefits to expats in different tiers of coverage through their Emergency Plan, Formule Basic, Essential Plan, Comfort, and Premium Plan.

April International offers a variety of benefits in its plans, including:

• Inpatient treatment
• Outpatient treatment
• Emergency repatriation
• Emergency evacuation
• Maternity coverage
• Vision and dental coverage

Plan Details Get a Quote

AXA Health Insurance in Saudi Arabia

AXA is a leading international health insurance provider that insures expat individuals and families in Saudi Arabia. Its health insurance plans are offered in five coverage tiers: Foundation, Standard, Comprehensive, Prestige, and Prestige Plus.

Each of these plans includes comprehensive inpatient coverage, with annual limits ranging from USD $160,000 to $8,000,000. Exact coverage benefits will vary from plan to plan.  

The core benefits included in all five plans are:

• Inpatient hospital charges and surgeries
• Emergency care
• Medical evacuation and repatriation
• A range of cancer treatments
• Ambulance transport
• CT, PET, and MRI scans

Plan Details Get a Quote

Cigna Global Health Insurance in Saudi Arabia

Cigna provides flexible insurance plans to expats in Saudi Arabia and across the world. They offer their members 24/7 access to a customer care team and access to any of Saudi Arabia’s private healthcare facilities. Their plans are customizable and comprehensive. 

Cigna has a Silver, Gold, and Platinum plan with different levels of coverage. All three of these plans share several common key coverage benefits:

• Hospitalization
• Inpatient and outpatient services
• Cancer treatment
• Physiotherapy
• Accidental death or total permanent disability compensation

Plan Details Get a Quote

Bupa Global Health Insurance in Saudi Arabia

Bupa Global is a top international insurance provider for expats in Saudi Arabia looking for comprehensive and customizable coverage. Bupa Global allows its members to seek second medical opinions if needed and requires no referrals for specialist visits.

Bupa Global offers three international health insurance plans in the islands: Bupa Select, Bupa Premier, and Bupa Elite. Bupa Select offers the most basic and affordable coverage, while Bupa Elite offers the most comprehensive coverage with an annual limit of around USD $4,761,300. 

Bupa Global covers the following benefits in its plans:

• Inpatient treatment
• Cancer treatment
• Private hospital room coverage
• Medical evacuation coverage
• Health checks and screenings

Plan Details Get a Quote

Facts to Consider When Picking Insurance in Saudi Arabia

You should consider your budget, how long your trip is, and what your coverage needs are when choosing a health insurance plan for Saudi Arabia. Considering these factors is an important step to finding the right insurance plan for you. 

1. Your Budget: You should understand how much you can afford in monthly or yearly premiums, but this doesn’t mean you should try to find the cheapest coverage possible. You should ensure that your health and finances will be adequately protected through the coverage limit you purchase.
2. The Length of Your Trip: How long your trip is will determine how long you will need to purchase coverage, and whether you will need a travel insurance plan that will last only a few months or something more comprehensive, like an international health insurance plan.
3. Your Coverage Needs: Do you plan on needing outpatient care for your time in Saudi Arabia? Or preventative care? Take the time to determine where you may need additional medical support to ensure you have the right coverage for your health needs.

Health and Safety Tips for Travelers in Saudi Arabia

The main safety concern in Saudi Arabia is terrorism and attacks from Yemen. Militants in Yemen have used drones, missiles, and rockets to attack border towns and other areas in Saudi Arabia.

 It is advised that expats don’t travel within 20 miles of the Saudi-Yemen border, including the cities of Jizran and Najran, Qatif in the Eastern Province and its suburbs, and Awamiyah. 

Terrorist groups may attack in Saudi Arabia with little to no warning, and generally target public areas like tourist locations, government facilities, and markets and shopping malls. Expats in public areas should always stay alert of their surroundings.

Conclusion: Compare Plans and Quotes Now

Visitors in Saudi Arabia on a tourism visa will be required to purchase a Tourism Health Insurance policy if they are not covered by a Saudi Arabian employer. Even with this coverage, many expats choose to secure their own private health insurance plans for their time in the country. 

Expats can find coverage for Saudi Arabia through international health insurance plans. Pacific Prime is partnered with a variety of global health insurance providers, and can help you find the best fit for your needs. 

As a global health insurance broker who specializes in expat health insurance, Pacific Prime can offer a wealth of professional expertise and services. Our tailor-made policies suit every budget and health care need for expats and travellers across the world.

Contact Pacific Prime to discuss, free of charge, a range of Saudi Arabia health insurance services available for you, your loved ones, or your group. To get a no-obligation, free price comparison quote, visit our website today!

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Frequently Asked Questions: 

Is health insurance required for expats in Saudi Arabia?

Health insurance is required for expats in Saudi Arabia. Visitors coming to the country with no local employer to provide health insurance for them will be required to sign up for the Tourism Health Insurance that is included with the tourist visa. 

How can expats get medical insurance in Saudi Arabia?

Expats can get medical insurance in Saudi Arabia through a local employer, the government if they are in the public sector, through the Tourism Health Insurance, or through a private insurance provider. A private insurance provider can be either local or international. 

What health insurance plan is best for foreigners in Saudi Arabia?

The best health insurance plan for a foreigner in Saudi Arabia will fit their budget, meet their healthcare needs, and cover them through the entire duration of their trip. These plans can be found through leading international health insurance providers like Cigna Global, Allianz, or AXA.