In Saudi Arabia, providing health insurance for domestic workers is a legal requirement for all employers. The Council of Cooperative Health Insurance (CCHI) regulates all health insurance plans. This guide covers what's required, how much it costs, and how to enroll in 2026.
⚡ Quick Facts
| ✅ Mandatory? | Yes — required by Saudi law |
| 🏛️ Regulator | CCHI — Council of Cooperative Health Insurance |
| 💰 Basic Plan Cost | SAR 400–700/year |
| 💰 Enhanced Plan | SAR 800–1,200/year |
| ⏱️ When Required | Before Iqama issuance — within 3 months of arrival |
| 📞 MLSD | 19911 |
⚖️ Legal Requirement
Saudi Arabia's health insurance law, enforced by CCHI, mandates that all residents including domestic workers must have valid health insurance. Employers who fail to provide insurance face fines and cannot renew the worker's Iqama.
💰 Health Insurance Plans & Costs 2026
| Plan Type | Annual Cost (SAR) | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Basic (Domestic Workers) | SAR 400–700 | Government hospitals, emergencies, basic medications |
| Standard | SAR 700–900 | Network clinics, specialist referrals, dental (basic) |
| Enhanced | SAR 900–1,200 | Wider hospital network, dental, optical, maternity |
🏥 What Basic Coverage Includes
- ✅ Government and network hospital visits
- ✅ Emergency treatment
- ✅ Essential prescribed medications
- ✅ Basic diagnostic tests and X-rays
- ✅ Work-related injury treatment
🔄 How to Enroll
Many Musaned agency packages include health insurance enrollment automatically. Check your package details at musaned.com.sa.
Contact a CCHI-approved insurer such as Tawuniya, Bupa Arabia, Medgulf, or AXA Cooperative for a domestic worker plan.
Once insured, upload the insurance certificate to your Musaned account and link it to the worker's Iqama application.
Health insurance must be renewed before expiry — MLSD will block Iqama renewal for workers with expired coverage.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Can the employer deduct insurance costs from the maid's salary?
No — health insurance must be fully paid by the employer. Deducting it from the worker's salary is illegal under Saudi labour regulations.
What happens if the domestic worker's insurance expires?
Expired insurance means the worker lacks legal health coverage and the employer cannot renew the Iqama. Renew before expiry to avoid disruption.
Does health insurance cover maternity for domestic workers?
Basic plans typically do not cover maternity. Enhanced plans may provide maternity coverage — check the policy details with the insurer before purchasing.
Which insurers offer plans specifically for domestic workers?
Major Saudi insurers offering domestic worker health plans include Tawuniya, Bupa Arabia, Medgulf, and Al Rajhi Takaful. Compare plans on the CCHI portal at cchi.gov.sa.
🏠 Looking to Hire a Domestic Worker in Saudi Arabia?
GCC Domestic connects families across Saudi Arabia with MLSD-verified domestic worker agencies via Musaned. Browse packages, compare workers, and hire legally.
📌 Source: CCHI — Saudi Arabia Health Insurance Regulator — Updated 2026. Always verify at musaned.com.sa