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Expat Guide · Health & Wellbeing

Healthcare in Saudi Arabia

By NewToSaudi Editorial Team

Saudi Arabia has one of the most advanced healthcare systems in the region. Expat employees receive mandatory employer-provided health insurance, and a network of world-class private hospitals operate in every major city with English-speaking medical staff.

Health Insurance Guide → Top Hospitals
2,500+ Hospitals & Clinics
Top 10 WHO Regional Ranking
Mandatory Employer Health Insurance
Coverage

Health Insurance in Saudi Arabia

All employers in Saudi Arabia are legally required to provide health insurance for their expatriate employees. The Council of Cooperative Health Insurance (CCHI) regulates all health insurance in the Kingdom.

CCHI Legal Requirement

Under CCHI regulations, every employer with one or more employees must provide approved health insurance coverage — there are no exemptions based on company size. Employers found non-compliant face: (1) mandatory back-payment of all outstanding insurance premiums per uninsured employee; (2) a financial penalty up to the equivalent of the full annual insurance premium per uninsured employee; and (3) potential blocks on new work permit issuance and Iqama renewals. Verify current CCHI enforcement terms at cchi.gov.sa. If your employer has not provided you with an insurance card within 30 days of your Iqama issuance, this is a reportable violation — call 920001177.

How Employer Health Insurance Works

Your employer enrolls you (and typically sponsors your direct dependents — spouse and children) in a health plan approved by CCHI. The monthly premium is covered by the employer; you pay only co-payments at the point of care, typically SAR 20–50 per outpatient visit.

Your insurance card (Takaful card) lists your network of approved hospitals and clinics. Always carry it. Before any non-emergency procedure, you may need pre-authorization from your insurer — your HR department handles this.

To add a dependent not covered by your employer, you can purchase a family extension directly from the insurer. Annual costs for a spouse are typically SAR 3,000–8,000 depending on the tier.

CCHI Unified Policy: All approved plans must cover emergency care, maternity (basic), inpatient, and outpatient consultations as a minimum. The CCHI website (cchi.gov.sa) allows you to verify your insurer's credentials and file complaints.

What is Typically Covered

  • Emergency room visits and ambulance services
  • Inpatient hospitalization and surgery
  • Outpatient consultations (GP and specialists)
  • Prescription medications (approved formulary)
  • Diagnostic tests: blood work, X-ray, MRI, CT scans
  • Maternity care (basic delivery coverage)
  • Chronic disease management (diabetes, hypertension)
  • Physiotherapy (limited sessions per year)

Dental and optical care are excluded from basic plans but can be added as riders. Mental health coverage has improved significantly since 2022 and is now included in most enhanced plans.

Basic Plan

Essential Coverage

SAR 250K
Annual coverage limit
  • Emergency & inpatient care
  • Outpatient GP consultations
  • Basic prescription drugs
  • Maternity (normal delivery)
  • Dental care
  • Optical coverage
  • Mental health sessions
Enhanced Plan

Recommended for Families

SAR 500K
Annual coverage limit
  • All Basic plan benefits
  • Specialist referrals without GP gatekeeper
  • Wider hospital network
  • Maternity (C-section & complications)
  • Mental health (10 sessions/year)
  • Dental: SAR 3,000 annual limit
  • Optical not included
Premium Plan

Comprehensive Cover

SAR 1M+
Annual coverage limit
  • All Enhanced plan benefits
  • Direct access to any private hospital in network
  • International emergency coverage
  • Full dental including orthodontics
  • Optical: SAR 1,500 annual allowance
  • Unlimited mental health sessions
  • Home visit & concierge medicine
Primary Care

Finding a Doctor

Saudi Arabia has an extensive network of public and private healthcare facilities. Most expats use private hospitals for convenience, speed, and English-language care.

Modern hospital in Saudi Arabia
Factor
Public Hospital
Private Hospital
Cost to expat
Free (Saudi nationals) / Full pay
Covered by insurance
Wait times
Often long (hours)
Short (same-day)
English staff
Variable
Common at major hospitals
Online booking
Seha app
Cura, hospital apps

How to Find an English-Speaking Doctor

Major private hospital groups — Dr. Sulaiman Al-Habib (HMG), Saudi German Hospital, Mouwasat, and International Medical Center — all have large proportions of English-speaking physicians. Ask your HR department for the approved hospital network list for your insurance plan.

Most large private hospitals offer online booking through their own apps or through third-party platforms. Same-day appointments for general consultations are common in private hospitals.

Healthcare Apps

These three apps cover the majority of healthcare needs for expats in Saudi Arabia.

🩺
Cura
Private doctors, online consultations, lab booking
🏥
Seha (صحة) — Saudi MOH Telemedicine
Free 24/7 video & chat with licensed MOH doctors. Stores vaccination records, medical history & lab results. Requires Iqama to register.
Search "Seha" or "صحة" on the App Store or Google Play · seha.sa
📅
Mawid (موعد)
Saudi MOH appointment booking for government hospitals & PHC clinics. Separate from Seha — use both.
💊
Dawaa
Pharmacy delivery — prescriptions and OTC medicines

Pro tip: Download Seha and link your Iqama immediately after arrival — it stores your vaccination records and gives you free 24/7 MOH doctor consultations. Search "Seha" on the App Store or Google Play, or go to seha.sa. Also grab Mawid (موعد) for booking government hospital appointments.

By City

Top Private Hospitals in KSA

Saudi Arabia's private hospital sector has grown significantly, with internationally accredited facilities in every major city. These are the most recommended hospitals for expat families.

Riyadh

King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre

Saudi Arabia's premier tertiary referral hospital. Internationally renowned for oncology, cardiology, transplant surgery, and rare diseases. JCI accredited.

OncologyCardiacTransplant

Saudi German Hospital Riyadh

Large private group with extensive specialties. Popular with expat families for its multilingual staff, short wait times, and broad insurance acceptance.

GeneralPaediatricsMaternity

Dr. Sulaiman Al-Habib Hospital (HMG)

Saudi Arabia's fastest-growing private hospital group. Multiple branches in Riyadh, known for excellent customer experience, app-based services, and specialist depth.

Multi-specialtyIVFNeurology
Jeddah

International Medical Center (IMC)

Jeddah's most respected private hospital. Known for cardiac surgery, oncology, and its comprehensive emergency department. Strong multilingual team.

CardiacOncologyEmergency

Saudi German Hospital Jeddah

Major private hospital serving both Jeddah residents and patients from across the Western Province. Well-equipped for complex procedures and routine family care.

GeneralOrthopaedicsMaternity

Al-Hayat National Hospital

A well-regarded regional hospital with strong insurance network coverage and a reputation for attentive patient care across multiple specialties.

Multi-specialtyPaediatrics
Dammam & Eastern Province

Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare (JHAH)

Operated in partnership with Johns Hopkins Medicine, exclusively serving Saudi Aramco employees and their families. World-class tertiary care by international standards.

Aramco StaffTertiary Care

Dr. Sulaiman Al-Habib — Dammam

HMG's Eastern Province flagship. Comprehensive services covering primary to tertiary care with English-speaking consultants across all major specialties.

Multi-specialtyIVFSpine

King Fahd Specialist Hospital — Dammam

Government specialist referral centre for the Eastern Province. Exceptional in neuroscience, nephrology, and complex paediatric cases.

NeurologyNephrologyPaediatrics
Medication & Pharmacies

Pharmacies & Medication in KSA

Saudi Arabia has a well-developed pharmacy network. Major chains operate extended hours, many 24/7, and delivery apps bring medications to your door.

🟢

Al-Dawaa Pharmacies

One of the largest pharmacy chains in Saudi Arabia with hundreds of branches nationwide. Stock a wide range of prescription and over-the-counter medications. Available on delivery apps.

🔵

United Pharmacy (Nahdi)

The other major national chain with a similar footprint to Al-Dawaa. Has its own mobile app for prescription refills and home delivery. Good English-speaking staff in expat areas.

Bringing Medication into Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia follows strict pharmaceutical regulations. Most common prescription medications are allowed for personal use if you carry a doctor's letter and original prescription.

  • Carry original packaging and a prescription letter from your doctor
  • Controlled substances (opioids, certain psychotropics) require prior approval from SFDA (Saudi Food & Drug Authority)
  • Common antidepressants and anxiety medications are generally allowed with a prescription
  • Codeine-containing products are heavily restricted — bring alternatives
  • Check the SFDA website for the current approved and prohibited drug lists before travelling

How Prescriptions Work

Saudi pharmacists can dispense many medications that would require a prescription in Western countries. However, antibiotics, controlled substances, and chronic disease medications require a valid prescription.

  • Prescriptions from Saudi-licensed doctors are accepted at all pharmacies
  • Foreign prescriptions are not officially recognized — get a local doctor to reissue
  • Repeat prescriptions for chronic conditions: your GP can issue 3-month supplies
  • The Dawaa and Whites apps allow you to order prescriptions for home delivery
Note: Many medications are significantly cheaper in Saudi Arabia than in Western countries due to government price controls. Check with a pharmacist about generic equivalents.
Emergency Services

Medical Emergencies in Saudi Arabia

In a medical emergency, call 911. Saudi Arabia has a unified emergency number and a well-staffed ambulance service in major cities.

EMERGENCY NUMBER (ALL SERVICES)

911

Works for medical, police, fire, and civil defence. Operators are available 24/7 and English assistance is available on request.

911 is Saudi Arabia's unified emergency number, introduced in 2018. It replaced the previous system of separate numbers (999 police, 997 fire/ambulance). The legacy numbers remain operational as direct lines, but 911 is the single number to remember in any emergency.

🚑
997
Ambulance (direct line)
🚒
998
Civil Defence / Fire
👮
999
Police
☠️
966-1-3541100
Poison Control Center

Using Your Insurance Card in Emergencies

All CCHI-approved insurance plans must cover emergency care regardless of network restrictions. If you go to any hospital in a genuine emergency, your insurer cannot deny coverage on network grounds. Show your Takaful insurance card at the emergency registration desk. For non-life-threatening conditions, call your insurance company's 24-hour helpline first — they will direct you to the nearest in-network facility and issue a pre-authorization number, avoiding out-of-pocket costs.

Dental & Vision

Dental & Optical Care

Dental and optical care are not included in basic health insurance plans but are widely available in Saudi Arabia at competitive prices compared to Western Europe and North America.

Typical Private Dental Costs (SAR)

Initial consultation150–300
Tooth filling (composite)300–600
Root canal treatment1,500–3,500
Tooth extraction250–800
Dental implant (single)5,000–12,000
Professional cleaning300–500
Orthodontic braces10,000–25,000

Major private hospitals and dedicated dental clinics (Aster, Specialized Dental Center) offer modern equipment and English-speaking dentists. Ask your employer about dental add-on coverage — it can be significantly cheaper than out-of-pocket costs.

Mental Wellbeing

Mental Health Services

Awareness of mental health has grown substantially in Saudi Arabia in recent years. Private therapy is available in major cities, and online platforms have made access significantly easier for expats.

Options Available to Expats

  • Private psychologists and therapists at major hospitals (HMG, IMC, Saudi German)
  • Psychiatry services — prescription and medication management
  • Online therapy platforms: Better Help, Shezlong (Arabic-language platform), and international options
  • Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) — many multinational employers include confidential counselling
  • Community support groups: Facebook expat groups in each city coordinate peer support
Coverage: Enhanced and premium insurance plans now commonly include 10–unlimited mental health sessions per year. Basic plans are improving — check your policy wording. Telehealth consultations with a therapist or psychiatrist via Cura are billable to most plans.
Finding English-Speaking Therapists: The Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS) certifies mental health practitioners in Saudi Arabia. Many certified therapists are English-speaking expats or Saudis trained abroad. For personal recommendations, expatriate community Facebook groups (search "Expats in Riyadh", "Jeddah Expats") are excellent peer-sourced directories. International Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) offered through large multinationals also provide confidential, English-language counselling referrals.

Typical Private Therapy Costs (SAR)

Psychologist session (50 min)350–700
Psychiatrist consultation400–800
Online therapy (per session)200–450
Families

Maternity & Paediatric Care

Saudi Arabia has excellent maternity and children's healthcare, with dedicated women's hospitals and internationally trained paediatricians at major private hospitals.

Maternity Care

Most major private hospitals have dedicated maternity units with modern labour and delivery suites, neonatal ICUs, and English-speaking obstetricians.

  • Antenatal care: Regular check-ups covered by enhanced/premium plans
  • Normal delivery: Typically covered from day 1 of insurance (verify waiting periods)
  • C-section: Covered by most enhanced plans; pre-authorization usually required
  • High-risk pregnancy: Refer to King Faisal Specialist Hospital or JHAH (Aramco employees)
  • Maternity leave: Saudi Labour Law mandates 10 weeks for private sector (pre + post natal)
Birth Registration: Foreign babies born in Saudi Arabia must be registered at your home country's embassy within a few months of birth. Your child will receive an Iqama once registered in the Kingdom.
🩺 Pediatric Filter Active
Need Specialized Care or Developmental Therapy?

Isolate 24/7 children's ER departments and vetted special needs therapy networks immediately by location.

Find Paediatric ERs, ABA Therapists & Children's Hospitals by City →

Paediatric Care & Vaccinations

Paediatric care is widely available at private hospitals. Saudi Arabia follows a comprehensive national vaccination programme aligned with WHO recommendations.

  • Paediatricians are available at most private hospitals — book in advance
  • Saudi national vaccination schedule is free at Primary Health Care (PHC) centres
  • Vaccines required for school enrollment: check your school's requirements
  • Meningococcal vaccine (ACWY) required for Hajj/Umrah travel
  • Yellow fever and other travel vaccines available at designated MOH clinics

Top Paediatric Hospitals

  • National Guard Hospital (KAMC) — Riyadh
  • Prince Sultan Military Medical City — Riyadh
  • HMG hospitals — all cities (private)
  • King Fahd Children's Hospital — Jeddah
Children's Health Priority

Specialized Pediatric ER & Developmental Therapy Networks

Saudi Arabia's private hospital sector has shifted decisively toward dedicated child emergency infrastructure and neurodivergent support. Identify the right provider before Day 1 — your corporate health plan's network approvals are the critical variable.

Dedicated Pediatric Emergency Spaces

The most significant structural upgrade in Saudi private healthcare over the past four years has been the separation of adult and pediatric emergency pathways. The Dr. Sulaiman Al-Habib (HMG) Olaya cluster in Riyadh now operates a purpose-built children's emergency unit with pediatric-trained triage nurses, dedicated imaging suites scaled for children, and a paediatric ICU accessible without adult emergency throughput. Saudi German Hospital Jeddah and the IMC Jeddah campus have both expanded their pediatric ER footprints under Vision 2030 hospital investment mandates.

For families arriving in the Eastern Province, King Fahad Children's Specialist Hospital in Dammam operates 24/7 paediatric emergency cover. Aramco employees benefit from Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare (JHAH)'s integrated paediatric department — widely regarded as the benchmark for child emergency care in the region. Confirm which of these facilities falls within your corporate CCHI-approved insurance network on your first HR meeting, not after a crisis arises.

Neurodivergent Support & Developmental Therapy

The landscape for children with autism spectrum conditions, ADHD, sensory processing disorders, and developmental delays has expanded substantially since 2022. Two centres lead the space: Canopy (Riyadh) provides an evidence-based ABA and speech-language therapy programme staffed by internationally credentialed therapists — British and North American-trained — with Arabic-English bilingual capabilities. Hope Center for Autism (multiple cities) is one of the Kingdom's longest-established specialist centres for autism and developmental support, with structured early intervention tracks for children from age 18 months.

Both Canopy and Hope operate primarily on private-pay models, though Bupa Arabia and Tawuniya Class-A premium corporate tiers have increasingly extended partial coverage for ABA and occupational therapy sessions — verify your specific policy wording before enrollment. Clearing your insurer's pre-authorization for developmental therapy is a Day-1 relocation priority, not an afterthought: waiting lists at specialist centres run 6 to 14 weeks, and insurance pre-auth adds another 1 to 3 weeks to that timeline. Begin the process before your flight departs.

Filter by Pediatric Need

Our Family & Kids Hub lists verified pediatric ER departments, developmental therapy centres, and specialist children's clinics — filterable by city and care type.

Browse Paediatric Hospitals, ABA & Developmental Therapy Providers — Riyadh, Jeddah & Dammam →
Common Questions

Healthcare FAQ

Answers to the most common healthcare questions from expats living in Saudi Arabia.

Public healthcare is primarily provided for Saudi nationals and some GCC citizens. Expatriates must have private health insurance, which your employer is legally required to provide. Emergency care at any hospital must be provided regardless of ability to pay, but all non-emergency costs will be billed to you or your insurer. Always carry your insurance card.
In genuine emergencies, all CCHI-approved plans must cover you at any hospital regardless of network. For non-emergency care at an out-of-network facility, you will typically pay upfront and submit a reimbursement claim. Reimbursement rates are usually 70–80% of a set tariff. Contact your insurer in advance to get prior authorization and avoid surprises. Your insurer's 24/7 helpline number is on your Takaful card.
Yes — walk-in consultations are accepted at most private hospitals and clinics, though you may wait longer than a scheduled appointment. Emergency departments are open 24/7 without appointments. For specialist consultations, booking in advance via the hospital's app (or Cura) is recommended to minimise wait times. Many clinics now offer same-day online booking.
Basic and enhanced plans are generally only valid within Saudi Arabia, though most include emergency coverage for short overseas trips (typically limited to 30–90 days abroad and a set annual limit). Premium plans often include broader international coverage. Check your policy document or contact your insurer before travelling. Some employers provide a separate international travel insurance rider.
Ask your HR department — many employers cover a spouse and up to three or four children as standard dependents on your policy. If your employer doesn't cover dependents or covers fewer family members than you need, you can purchase a family extension directly from the insurer. You will need Iqama copies for all family members being added. Newborns should be added within 30 days of birth to avoid a gap in coverage.
Yes. Female patients can and do request female physicians in Saudi Arabia, and major private hospitals accommodate this. Women-only clinics and wards are common. Gynaecology and obstetrics departments are staffed predominantly by female physicians. When booking an appointment through Cura or a hospital app, you can filter by the doctor's gender.
Major private hospitals in Saudi Arabia — particularly King Faisal Specialist Hospital, HMG hospitals, IMC, and JHAH — meet or exceed international standards. Many are Joint Commission International (JCI) accredited, the gold standard for hospital quality internationally. The medical staff at these facilities are typically trained in the US, UK, or Canada. Equipment and facilities are modern. For complex specialist care (e.g., complex cardiac surgery, oncology), these hospitals are on par with leading Western hospitals.
No. You can access private healthcare with your passport and insurance card before your Iqama is issued. However, for government health services and to register fully in the Seha app, your Iqama number is required. Emergency care must be provided to anyone regardless of residency status. It is recommended to get a basic health check and any urgent treatments completed as soon as you arrive — do not wait for your Iqama to be processed if you have a medical need.

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References & Official Sources

The information on this page is drawn from official Saudi government bodies and regulatory authorities. Regulations change frequently — verify current requirements directly with the relevant authority before making any legal, financial, or business decisions.

  1. 1. CCHI — Council of Cooperative Health Insurance — Mandatory employer-provided health insurance law; approved insurance provider registry; minimum policy standards for all private sector employees. cchi.gov.sa ↗
  2. 2. Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) — Insurance sector regulation, licensed insurer oversight, and consumer complaint handling for health insurance disputes. sama.gov.sa ↗
  3. 3. MHRSD — Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development — Employer obligations to provide health insurance within 30 days of Iqama issuance; reportable labour violation framework. hrsd.gov.sa ↗

Last reviewed: June 2026 About NewToSaudi Report an inaccuracy