Healthcare in Bahrain: Hospitals, Insurance and Emergencies

In an emergency, call 999

The emergency number for police, ambulance and fire is 999. Ambulances take patients to the nearest suitable emergency department, and both government and private hospitals run emergency units.

Save your insurance card and CPR number on your phone so you can share them quickly.

Public and private healthcare

Government healthcare is run through primary health centres and government hospitals. Expats can use them, and fees for non-Bahrainis are currently set at modest levels, though the government has said these will be revised once mandatory health insurance is fully in place.

Private hospitals and clinics are widely used by expats, especially those with insurance. Waiting times are usually shorter, and many doctors trained in Europe, North America, the Arab world and South Asia.

All health professionals and facilities are licensed by the National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA), which also oversees medicines and pharmacies.

Main hospitals

Bahrain's main hospitals are spread across the island, so most residents are within 20 to 30 minutes of a major emergency department.

Government primary health centres

Primary health centres are spread across the governorates and provide family medicine, vaccinations, maternal care and basic services. Residents are registered to a centre based on their address.

Expats can use these centres for a fee, and many employers rely on them for basic care for staff. For faster appointments and English-speaking specialists of your choice, most expats with insurance use private clinics.

Health insurance rules for expats

Most employees receive health cover through their employer, and employers pay fees for expatriate staff to use government health services. Many employers also provide private insurance as a benefit.

Bahrain's Health Insurance Law, Law No. 23 of 2018, sets up a national system with mandatory cover for residents. Full implementation for expats has been phased, so check the current position with your employer or the Supreme Council of Health.

If you are self-sponsored, retired or living on the Golden Residency without an employer, you need your own private policy. Valid health insurance in Bahrain is one of the documents required for a Golden Residency application.

Choosing a private health insurance plan

Plans range from basic inpatient cover to comprehensive international policies. Premiums depend mainly on age, pre-existing conditions and the network of hospitals included.

As a rough guide, budget from a few hundred dinars a year for a basic adult policy to well over BHD 1,500 a year for comprehensive cover at older ages. Compare quotes from licensed insurers and international providers.

• Check which hospitals are in the network, especially your nearest one
• Look at outpatient limits, co-pays and maternity cover
• Ask about cover for pre-existing conditions and chronic medication
• Consider evacuation or treatment-abroad cover if you travel often

Pharmacies and medication

Pharmacies are everywhere, including in supermarkets and malls, and several run 24 hours. Pharmacists are licensed and can advise on minor ailments.

Some medicines that are sold freely abroad are controlled in Bahrain. If you take regular medication, bring a doctor's letter and the prescription, and check NHRA guidance on controlled medicines before you travel.

Primary care, dentists and specialists

Most expats register with a private clinic or family doctor for day-to-day care. Private clinics offer general practice, paediatrics, dentistry, dermatology, physiotherapy and most specialities.

You can usually book a specialist directly in the private sector without a referral, though your insurer may require one for claims.

Maternity and children's health

Several private hospitals have well-regarded maternity and neonatal units. Check maternity waiting periods carefully, as many insurance policies only cover pregnancy after a set period.

Children follow a national vaccination schedule, and private paediatric clinics are widely available.

Mental health and wellbeing

Mental health services are available in both the public and private sectors, including psychiatrists, psychologists and counsellors. Check whether your insurance covers therapy, as outpatient mental health cover is often limited.

Many residents also lean on community groups, sports clubs and faith communities, which can be an important source of support after a move.

Medical records and continuity of care

Bring copies of your medical records, vaccination history and current prescriptions when you move. Translations are rarely needed for English documents.

If you have a chronic condition, arrange a specialist appointment soon after arrival so your medication continues without a gap. Check that your insurer covers the condition from day one.

Government health services use a national electronic record system, and private hospitals keep their own records. Ask for copies of test results so you can share them between providers.

What it means for Golden Residency holders

Golden Residency holders who are not employed need their own health insurance, both to apply and to protect themselves. Choose a policy with a network that includes the hospitals nearest your home.

If you plan to spend part of the year abroad, an international policy that covers you in Bahrain and your home country may be better value than two separate plans.

Questions people ask.

Sources: National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA) · Ministry of Health, Bahrain · King Hamad University Hospital · American Mission Hospital · Royal Bahrain Hospital · Golden Residency for foreigners owning real estate (bahrain.bh) · Expat healthcare fees to be revised (News of Bahrain, October 2026)