Mandatory Health Insurance Forthcoming

The situation

The Bahraini government has issued a new law mandating that health insurance coverage be provided to all citizens, residents and visitors in the country beginning in January 2019.

A closer look

The health insurance plan must cover benefits that the government will announce, which will depend on the foreign national’s category.

• The Bahraini government will provide coverage for Bahraini citizens.
• Employers will need to enroll foreign employees (and their dependents, if stated in the foreign national’s employment contract).
• Visitors must provide their own health insurance.
   

A list of approved health insurance providers is yet to be published.

Impact

Employers should prepare their budgets and administrative departments to provide health insurance to employees by January 2019. Employers should note the allowable insurance providers once the government publishes this information.

Looking ahead

Fragomen will provide updates on the forthcoming mandatory health insurance policy as more information becomes available.

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].