Country guide — North Africa and the Middle East
Expat insurance and health insurance in Saudi Arabia
In short
In Saudi Arabia, health insurance is mandatory for every foreigner residing and working in the country: the law requires employers to insure each non-Saudi employee and their dependants as soon as the work visa and Iqama are obtained. The minimum required corresponds to the lowest tier of the Council of Health Insurance's 'Unified Policy', with an annual cap of around SAR 100,000 according to the sources consulted. Failure to comply means the Iqama cannot be issued or renewed, and the employer is liable to a fine. Since December 2025, insurance must be taken out before the temporary work visa itself is issued, not only before the Iqama.
Key figures
- 6,353 French nationals registered with the consular register in 2025 (+3.07% year on year; 6,164 in 2024).
- Life expectancy at birth: 78.73 years in 2023.
- Current health spending: 5.69% of GDP in 2023.
Local healthcare system
A dual system: the public sector (Ministry of Health, National Guard or university hospitals) is in principle reserved for Saudi citizens — a foreigner is generally only treated there for a life-threatening emergency. The private sector is the normal route to care for foreign residents, with a dense network in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam/Khobar. The Nphies platform, run by the Council of Health Insurance (CHI) and the Ministry of Health, unifies exchanges between insurers, providers and regulators. To better understand how this works, see our guide to healthcare systems abroad.
Legal and visa obligations
- Legal basis: the Cooperative Health Insurance Law (1999) requires every employer to insure their non-Saudi employees and dependants.
- Regulator: the CHI (formerly CCHI) defines the benefits basket; since March 2024, insurer licensing falls under the Insurance Authority.
- Link with the Iqama: insurance is a condition for issuing and renewing the residence permit, with negative HIV/hepatitis tests required.
- Since December 2025: insurance must be taken out before the temporary work visa is even issued.
- Short stay: an assistance contract covering all medical costs and evacuation, described as “essential” by France Diplomatie.
Cost of some medical procedures
Orders of magnitude from specialised sources, not official fee schedules.
| Procedure | Public sector | Private sector |
|---|---|---|
| GP consultation | — | SAR 100 to 300 |
| Specialist consultation | — | SAR 200 to 600, up to SAR 1,200 for premium care |
| Emergency room (access) | — | ≈SAR 200 to 750 for an emergency consultation (co-payment SAR 50-100 if insured); can exceed SAR 350 without insurance at a high-end facility |
| MRI / CT scan | — | ≈SAR 1,500 to 2,500, up to SAR 5,500 for premium care |
| Blood tests | — | ≈SAR 300 to 800 for a basic panel (from SAR 199 for a reduced package), SAR 1,000 to 3,000 for a full panel (cardiac/liver/kidney) |
| Night in hospital (private room) | — | ≈SAR 1,800 to 3,500, up to SAR 8,500 for premium care |
| Minor surgery | — | ≈SAR 5,000 to 12,000 |
Social security agreements with France
There is no bilateral social security agreement between France and Saudi Arabia. No aggregation of pension periods, no exporting of benefits between the two schemes: a French employee must rely on mandatory local insurance and, where relevant, on voluntary CFE affiliation to keep a link with the French scheme.
Which insurance for my profile
General matrix — does not recommend any specific product or insurer.
| Profile | Regulatory constraint | Points of attention |
|---|---|---|
| Working holiday visa | Not applicable (no working holiday visa agreement between France and Saudi Arabia) | — |
| Student | Also falls under the CHI scheme: on a university-sponsored visa, the university generally takes out a dedicated student CHI policy (≈SAR 600 to 1,500/year depending on the institution) | Check that the covered hospital network includes a facility near campus; top-up cover worth considering for a chronic condition |
| Seconded employee / expat | The sponsoring employer (kafala) must take out and fund local insurance | Coverage is often geographically limited and excludes repatriation — international supplementary cover or CFE worth considering |
| Retiree / family without local employment | Premium residency status (Iqama Mumtaza) possible without a sponsor | Does not remove the need for suitable private health cover |
| Family | The employer must also insure declared dependants | — |
Hospitals and care network
- King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSH&RC) — Riyadh, with branches in Jeddah and Medina, a leading tertiary care facility.
- Saudi German Hospital — including Riyadh, multi-specialty care, multilingual reception.
- Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Group (HMG) — more than 20 facilities, one of the kingdom's largest private networks.
Practical steps
- Before departure: the work visa is conditional (since December 2025) on taking out CHI insurance beforehand, plus a medical examination.
- On arrival: the Iqama is issued, conditional on negative HIV/hepatitis tests and registration of the policy.
- Once settled: optional registration with the roll of French nationals living abroad (Riyadh or Jeddah).
- Each year: Iqama renewal is conditional on continuous coverage.
- Alternative: premium residency status (Iqama Mumtaza), which does not remove the need for suitable health cover.
Frequently asked questions
Can a French national receive free care in Saudi Arabia like a Saudi citizen?
No. The public system is reserved for Saudi citizens, except in life-threatening emergencies.
Does my Saudi employer have to insure me and my family?
Yes, the law requires it for the employee and their declared dependants.
Can I rely on French social security during my stay?
Not automatically: in the absence of a bilateral agreement, there is neither coordination nor exporting of entitlements.
Does the insurance provided by my employer cover repatriation to France?
Not necessarily: basic local policies often exclude evacuation or care in France.
Is there a working holiday visa for Saudi Arabia?
No, this scheme does not exist between France and Saudi Arabia as of the verification date.
Moving to Saudi Arabia? Get a quote
Written by Expavy
Sources
- France Diplomatie — Saudi Arabia, Health
- CLEISS — FAQ on social security agreements
- Council of Health Insurance (CHI) — Unified Policy
- KPMG — Health Insurance Now Mandatory Prior to Work Visa Issuance
- World Bank — Life expectancy, Saudi Arabia
- France Diplomatie — Register of French nationals abroad (carte-registre)
- Alea.care — Healthcare Costs in Saudi Arabia for Expats (specialised comparison site)
- Dallah Hospital — Lab Packages (indicative rates)
- Truescho — Health Insurance for Expats in Saudi Arabia (specialised comparison site)