Expat insurance and health insurance in Brunei

A system under the authority of the Ministry of Health, historically very heavily subsidised for citizens (a symbolic 1 BND registration fee). Since 1 July 2025, the ministry has tightened this free access: foreign permanent residents and foreign spouses of citizens or stateless persons no longer receive free care and must take out personal health insurance; holders of a “purple IC” identity card (foreigners) pay a registration fee of 3 BND and “green IC” holders (foreigners) 5 BND, then the full rate for procedures. The private sector (Jerudong Park Medical Centre, JCI-accredited since 2014) is the go-to option for expatriates seeking fast access and international standards. For a serious condition or specialised care not available locally, France Diplomatie states that a medical evacuation may be necessary.

• Entry and tourist stay: a French national does not need a visa for up to 90 days; beyond that, a visa is required. Mandatory online registration (E-arrival card, INRS portal) is required at least 3 days before departure, whatever the mode of transport, on pain of immediate refusal of entry.
• Mandatory medical insurance for foreigners (policy announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Health, in force since 1 July 2025):
  • Phase 1 (since July 2025): business/professional visit pass (10,000 BND if under 90 days, 100,000 BND beyond that), permanent resident permit (100,000 BND), visitor pass (100,000 BND).
  • Phase 2 (from 1 January 2026): private-sector employment pass, dependant pass (spouse, children not in school) and foreign student pass — minimum cover of 5,000 to 100,000 BND depending on the category.
  • Proof of insurance is required on entry or during the stay; failing that, the pass or permit may be limited to two weeks.
• No working holiday visa in force between France and Brunei.
• Islamic criminal law (sharia), fully implemented since 3 April 2019 according to France Diplomatie: certain private acts (adultery, homosexuality, blasphemy, apostasy in particular) are offences that can carry corporal punishment for a person of the Muslim faith. Consuming alcohol in public, as well as trafficking in alcohol or drugs, exposes offenders to severe penalties that can go as far as the death penalty — a moratorium on its application has been in force since May 2019. The import of alcohol is strictly regulated and it is forbidden to offer it to a Bruneian national. The sale and import of cigarettes are also banned, and public displays of affection towards a person of the opposite sex are discouraged.

Brunei is not among the countries with a social security agreement in force with France, nor among the agreements signed and pending (only China and Moldova are in that situation, according to CLEISS). No coordination between schemes, no cross cover. A French national in Brunei must rely on private health insurance meeting the minimum amounts now required by the Bruneian authorities, or on voluntary affiliation with the CFE as a complement.

• Before departure: complete the mandatory online registration (E-arrival card, INRS portal) at least 3 days before travel.
• Before departure: take out insurance covering medical costs, hospitalisation and repatriation — a France Diplomatie recommendation, and now a Bruneian legal requirement depending on the type of pass held.
• Employee or permanent resident: check with your employer or by yourself that the cover taken out meets the minimum required for the relevant pass category, before entering the country or before 1 January 2026 as applicable.
• Registration recommended with the roll of French nationals living abroad, a procedure handled by the consular section of the French embassy in Singapore, which covers Brunei.
• Voluntary affiliation with the CFE recommended in the absence of a social security agreement.
• Find out before departure about applicable sharia rules (alcohol, public behaviour) to avoid any criminal risk, unrelated to health cover.