Bahrain is preparing to introduce a new phase of its national healthcare arrangements on Saturday, October 31, 2026, with the gradual implementation of mandatory health insurance requirements for eligible expatriate residents. The programme will be introduced alongside the issuance and renewal of work permits and residence permits, according to the Supreme Council of Health.

Lieutenant General Dr Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, President of the Supreme Council of Health, confirmed that the Kingdom has completed the organisational and technical preparations necessary for the introduction of the National Health Insurance Programme for Residents.

The initiative is designed to regulate access to healthcare services through an integrated insurance framework, strengthen the sustainability of the health sector and improve coordination between healthcare providers, insurance companies and relevant government authorities.

The Supreme Council of Health clarified that implementation will begin gradually on October 31, rather than applying simultaneously to every expatriate living in Bahrain. The programme will be linked to the issuance or renewal of work permits and residence permits for the categories covered by the new requirements.

The latest implementation arrangements were discussed during a meeting between the council and representatives of the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, attended by Minister of Industry and Commerce Abdullah bin Adel Fakhro.

During the meeting, officials reviewed the preparations required for the private sector and emphasised the importance of cooperation with employers to ensure a smooth transition to the new system.

Under the announced framework, the programme provides a mandatory basic insurance package covering primary healthcare, secondary medical services, specialist treatment and emergency care through authorised insurance providers.

Eligible residents will also have access to optional insurance packages offering additional benefits or broader coverage, subject to the applicable policy conditions and regulatory requirements.

An important aspect of the announcement concerns the categories excluded from the programme. Bahraini citizens, domestic workers, expatriate employees working in government entities and their dependants are not included in the announced implementation arrangements.

The Supreme Council of Health has also confirmed that the healthcare services currently provided to Bahraini citizens will remain unchanged as a result of the programme’s introduction.

For private-sector employers, the new arrangements make it particularly important to review the insurance requirements associated with their expatriate employees and ensure that the necessary documentation is available when relevant work or residence permits are issued or renewed.

The council has stressed the importance of maintaining communication with business organisations and employers, recognising their role in ensuring that the insurance programme is introduced efficiently and that organisations understand the applicable requirements.

Preparatory discussions have also taken place with the Bahrain Insurance Association and insurance providers operating in the Kingdom.

These discussions addressed the operational and regulatory arrangements for the programme, including the handling of existing insurance policies, the mandatory basic package and opportunities for insurers to offer supplementary or optional coverage.

The programme aims to strengthen access to essential healthcare services for eligible residents while improving the efficiency of medical resources and supporting cooperation between public and private healthcare institutions.

However, the implementation date should not be interpreted as automatically cancelling all existing health insurance policies. The treatment of current policies remains subject to the relevant transition arrangements, regulatory circulars and applicable requirements.

The public announcements concerning the rollout also did not establish a single universal insurance premium applicable to all residents. Any specific financial obligations must be verified against the relevant official rules, approved insurance arrangements and applicable categories.

The Supreme Council of Health has emphasised that the gradual introduction is intended to provide employers and insurance providers with an orderly transition while supporting the continued delivery of healthcare services.

The initiative forms part of Bahrain’s wider healthcare development plans, which focus on sustainability, regulatory oversight, improved service quality and stronger partnerships between the public and private sectors.

Residents and employers are encouraged to review the applicable insurance requirements before issuing or renewing relevant work and residence permits, and to follow official announcements from the Supreme Council of Health and competent authorities.

The programme’s scheduled commencement on October 31, 2026, represents the beginning of its phased implementation, rather than the announcement of a new decision on that date.

Source: Bahrain Supreme Council of Health