Kuwait: New health insurance rules take effect, doubling the premium rate
Source: Middle East Insurance Review | Feb 2026
Kuwait’s Ministry of Health has introduced new regulations to hike health insurance premiums for expatriate residents, which will ease government budgetary pressure and support the private health insurance sector.
The new rules, which entered into effect on 23 December 2025, set the price of health insurance at KWD100 ($325), applicable to all workers in both the public and private sectors. The new premium is double that of the previous premium of KWD50.
According to a Ministry statement, annual revenues exceeding KWD200m are expected to be generated, while also easing pressure on the Ministry’s facilities and supporting the private health insurance sector.
There are over 3m expatriates in Kuwait, who make up most of the population. Healthcare services offered at Kuwait’s public hospitals are state funded for citizens. M