Healthcare in Kuwait for expats
Public health fees, private hospitals and the Dhaman health system.
In short
Expats pay an annual health fee to access public clinics and hospitals, which charge per visit. Many employers add private insurance for faster care at private hospitals.
- Public access
- Via annual health fee
- Visit fees
- Charged at public facilities
- Private insurance
- Common employer benefit
- Emergency
- 112
Step by step
Tick each step as you finish it. Open a step to see what to do.
Collected at visa issue and renewal.
With residence
Documents checklist
Do’s and don’ts
Do
- Keep Civil ID address updated – it decides your clinic
Don’t
- Don’t rely only on public care for elective procedures
Cost estimator
Untick what doesn't apply to you. These are rough figures and fees change often, so check with the authority.
Watch out
- Public medicine fees for expats were raised. Keep receipts for reimbursement with private insurers.
Common questions
Is emergency care free?
Emergency care is provided but fees may apply for expats.
Official links
Background and more detail
Public system
Expats pay an annual health insurance fee when renewing residence, which gives access to public clinics and hospitals for a small consultation fee.
Dhaman
Dhaman hospitals and clinics are being rolled out to serve private sector expat workers under a dedicated insurance scheme.
Private care
Many expats use private hospitals for shorter waiting times. Some employers provide private insurance; check whether it covers family.
Emergency
Call 112 for emergencies. Emergency care is provided regardless of insurance.
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