Saudi Arabia requires all foreign students to hold CCHI-compliant health insurance — a mandatory condition for your student visa (D1), Iqama issuance, and university enrollment.
Minimum coverage for residence permit renewal. Covers hospitalization and emergency care. Required copayments apply (SAR 20–50 per visit).
Covers outpatient, specialist, diagnostics, medication. Accepted at most private hospitals in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam.
Includes dental, optical, mental health, maternity. No referral required for specialists. Best-in-class hospital network.
Full scholarships include health care for the student and for family members who come to live with them. Partial scholarships may not — check your award letter and confirm with your university whether you need your own CCHI plan.
| Item | Cost | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Basic CCHI Insurance (annual) | SAR 1,200–2,000 (~€300–€500) | Minimum plan for Iqama compliance. Covers ER and hospitalization. |
| Standard Insurance (annual) | SAR 3,000–6,000 (~€750–€1,500) | Full outpatient, specialist, and inpatient coverage at CCHI-approved hospitals. |
| GP / Clinic Visit (with insurance) | SAR 20–50 copayment (~€5–€13) | Copayment required at most CCHI-insured clinics. Without insurance: SAR 150–300 (~€38–€75). |
| Specialist Consultation | SAR 150–400 (~€38–€100) | Private clinic specialist fees with insurance copayment. May require GP referral depending on plan class. |
| Emergency Room | SAR 100–300 copayment (~€25–€75) | ER copayments vary by plan. Stabilization is free at all Saudi hospitals regardless of insurance status. |
| Hospital Stay (per night) | SAR 500–2,000 (~€125–€500) | Private hospital room rates. Covered by standard and comprehensive plans after deductible. |
| Prescription Medication | SAR 15–100 per prescription (~€4–€25) | CCHI-covered medications list applies. Branded drugs may have additional copayment. |
Saudi Arabia is actively recruiting international students: the Ministry of Education runs its own admissions platform for non-Saudi applicants, Study in Saudi. The country offers fully funded scholarship programs, world-class universities, and a rapidly modernizing healthcare system.
Saudi Arabia runs a dual healthcare system: a government-funded public network for Saudi citizens and GCC nationals, and a large private sector serving expats and foreign nationals. All private healthcare is regulated under the CCHI (Council of Cooperative Health Insurance), which mandates a minimum benefit package for all insured residents.
Private hospitals in major cities — Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Khobar — offer excellent facilities with English-speaking medical staff. Many hospitals are internationally accredited (JCI-certified), offering care on par with Western standards.
Saudi Arabia’s insurance model is called “cooperative insurance” (تأمين تعاوني), based on takaful (mutual sharing) principles. This is different from conventional insurance but functions similarly in practice for students:
CCHI-approved insurers for students include: Bupa Arabia, Tawuniya (formerly NCCI), MedGulf, AXA Cooperative Insurance, Al-Ahlia, and Gulf Union.
| Class | Annual Cost | Hospital Access | Copayment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | SAR 1,200–2,000 | Selected government-approved hospitals | SAR 50+ |
| Class C | SAR 2,000–4,000 | Most private hospitals | SAR 30–50 |
| Class B | SAR 3,500–6,000 | Wide private hospital network | SAR 20–30 |
| Class A | SAR 5,000–9,000+ | Premium hospitals, dental, optical | SAR 10–20 |
Students on a full government scholarship get health care through the scholarship instead — see below.
Saudi government scholarships for international students: The Ministry of Education awards full and partial scholarships to non-Saudi students at public universities. You apply through the Study in Saudi portal (studyinsaudi.moe.gov.sa), the university or a Saudi embassy. A full scholarship includes a study place, housing, a one-off allowance on arrival, annual travel tickets and health care for the student and for family members who come to live with them. Partial scholarships cover only some of these benefits — check whether health care is included in yours.
KASP / Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Scholarship Program — not for international students: The King Abdullah Scholarship Program (KASP), launched in 2005, has continued since 2015 under the name Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Scholarship Program and was restructured in March 2022 into four tracks under the Human Capability Development Program. It is one program, not two, and it funds Saudi citizens studying abroad — it does not cover foreign students at Saudi universities.
University scholarships: Some universities also award their own scholarships. The university sets the benefits, including whether health cover is included.
Complete guide to CCHI-regulated health insurance for students in Saudi Arabia.
Read more →Tips for selecting the right insurance plan for your studies.
Read more →Compare health insurance requirements across popular study destinations.
Read more →Compare insurance options for international students in these countries
Compare CCHI-compliant health insurance options for your studies in Saudi Arabia. Find the right plan for your visa, Iqama, and university enrollment.
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