Health insurance in Kuwait for expats

Kuwait’s public healthcare system has undergone substantial reform in recent years. This was borne out of frustrations from the local population that they couldn’t get the care they needed because of the sheer volume of expats, which make up around 70% of Kuwait’s total population of approximately five million.¹

As a result, to reduce congestion and overcrowding, there’s now greater distinction between locals and expats in terms of access to care. At many public healthcare facilities, locals get priority access over expats in the mornings for non-emergency care.² But to ensure expats can still get easy access to care, Kuwait has now started to open some hospitals and clinics which are exclusively for expat use.

There’s also a difference in how public healthcare is paid for. Locals can access public healthcare facilities for free, while expats have to pay a mandatory health insurance premium every year, the cost of which is substantial and rising on a regular basis.

Alternatively, expats can pay to access the private healthcare system, which is growing with several new hospitals opening in recent years.³

Opening times are different to what you may be used to in a Western country, reflecting the very hot daytime weather in Kuwait and its status as a Muslim country. Many clinics will open between around 9am and 1pm, and then open again later in the day from around 5pm to 8:30pm.⁴ Many facilities will also close on Fridays, the traditional Islamic day of prayer.

Each of Kuwait’s five administrative regions has its own public hospital, with full outpatient services, and an accident and emergency facility that’s open 24 hours a day. On top of this, there are also a range of specialist public hospitals that cover different areas of specific care.

Despite the issues of overcrowding and long waiting times, the standard of healthcare in Kuwait is good. The public healthcare system benefits from doctors that are internationally trained and able to speak English,⁵ meaning that there is rarely a communication issue for expats..

The private healthcare system offers an even higher level of care, in exchange for the relatively high costs involved in accessing it. Waiting times are very small or non-existent, and those with access to it can quickly take advantage of the very best in expertise, facilities and dedicated care.

Having public health insurance in place is one of the conditions for securing a residency visa in Kuwait, so you’ll have to make this payment as part of your application process.

Once you’ve secured your health insurance coverage, you’ll be required to undergo a medical examination at an approved health centre. Once completed, you’ll be issued with a national health insurance card, which you’ll need to present at public healthcare facilities to access the care you need.

The health insurance card has to be renewed every year, which means paying the annual health insurance fee and undergoing the medical examination again.

What kind of documentation do I need to access healthcare in Kuwait?

To access the public healthcare system in Kuwait, you’ll need to obtain a medical card. This can be received by going to a hospital or clinic to register and bringing along your Civil ID card.

The fees charged by the Kuwaiti authorities for accessing the public healthcare system have been substantially increased in recent years. The current fee is KWD 130 per year (approx. £315; $420; €375), but there are plans to increase this further in the coming years, eventually reaching KWD 190 per year (approx. £465; $620; €550).⁶

These fees are compulsory and cover access to the parts of the public healthcare system that are available to expats. If you want access to private medical facilities, then you’ll either need to secure medical insurance as a benefit from your employer or pay for your own private medical package.

Private healthcare costs vary substantially, depending on the level of cover you need from your chosen provider, including whether you need a dental plan. You should examine your options across local and international providers carefully, and make sure you get a plan that covers all your health specifics and priorities.

Prescription costs in Kuwait are regulated by the Medicines Pricing Division of the Ministry of Health. They’re adjusted on a regular basis and vary depending on the type of drug involved. You can expect to pay a maximum of US$20 (approx. £15; €18) for a brand-name medication, and generic drugs are generally cheaper.⁷

Private medical insurance is not mandatory in Kuwait, but it can be extremely useful to have it in place. While it represents an additional cost on top of the mandatory public healthcare payment, it does mean avoiding waiting times and restrictions that regularly impact expats who rely on the public system.

What are the benefits of private health insurance in Kuwait?

Taking out private health insurance in Kuwait can be beneficial for a whole host of reasons, including:

• Shorter waiting times: you’ll be able to get appointments, see specialists and get procedures completed far faster by opting for private medical facilities.
• All-day access: private hospitals don’t apply ‘locals-only’ rules to appointments in the mornings ², meaning you can get access to care at any time of day that suits your needs.
• High-quality care: the private healthcare system in Kuwait offers the very best care available, including more personalized treatment and attention, and more comfortable surroundings.
• Dental cover: with dentistry not covered by public healthcare⁸, going private is essential if you want to avoid extensive costs of regular dental treatments.
• Prescription cover: good private medical insurance in Kuwait can cover the cost of your prescriptions, which can easily mount up if you need repeat prescriptions⁷.
• Peace of mind: knowing that you have access to the best quality care, as and when you need it, can take the stress out of settling into a new country for you and your loved ones.

Would I need dental insurance in Kuwait?

The public healthcare system in Kuwait does not extend to dental care, which means costs must either be covered out-of-pocket, or through private medical cover. However, the quality of dental care available in Kuwait is generally considered to be very good, with many practising dentists being European expats themselves.⁸

The costs of dental treatments in Kuwait is relatively low, with typical prices such as:⁹

• Consultation: KWD 2 (approx. £4.90; $6.50; €5.80)
• Extraction: KWD 2
• Fixing ‘mobile’ teeth: KWD 5 (approx. £12.20; $16.30; €14.50)

Of course, if you’re likely to need regular dental care and/or more advanced treatment, then these costs can quickly mount up, making private cover the better-value option.

The emergency number in Kuwait is 112, and most operators will generally speak and understand English to a good level. Ambulances are usually only dispatched in serious cases when people are in critical or life-threatening conditions, or if there has been a road traffic accident. If this isn’t the case, then you’ll have to make your own way to hospital.