Health Insurance Basics for Foreign Residents in

Medical costs and claims are a common worry for Chinese residents. This article covers three things: Egypt's Universal Health Insurance System, private/overseas insurance, and what to check when choosing a policy.

1. Universal Health Insurance System (UHIS)

• Established by Law No. 2 of 2018 and run by the Universal Health Insurance Authority (UHIA), it is being rolled out in phases by governorate;
• UHIA's FAQ states that services may be provided to foreigners residing in or visiting Egypt under rules set by the Authority, subject to the **principle of reciprocity**;
• Whether your governorate is covered and how foreigners enrol is not widely published — ask UHIA directly.

2. Overseas medical/accident insurance

The Chinese Embassy notes that medical resources are limited in much of Egypt and that claims after accidents can be difficult and slow. It recommends buying suitable overseas travel accident insurance before arriving, checking what it covers, and contacting the insurer promptly after any incident.

3. Choosing a policy

• **Coverage**: outpatient, inpatient, emergency, chronic conditions, dental;
• **Hospital network**: is there direct billing in your city?
• **Evacuation**: medical transfer or repatriation included?
• **Claims paperwork**: which reports and invoices, and are translations needed?
• **Dates**: cover your whole stay without gaps.

If you're employed

If you work for a company registered in Egypt, ask HR whether it provides group medical insurance or local social insurance for foreign staff, and what it covers.

Reminder

• The system is still expanding and changing. Check with UHIA, the Ministry of Health and your insurer.
• Compiled by Wang Fu Egypt for general guidance. For binding details, please refer to the Universal Health Insurance Authority and your insurer.

Sources

• UHIA – FAQ: services for foreign residents/visitors (reciprocity): https://uhia.gov.eg/helpie_faq/%D9%87%D9%84-%D9%8A%D8%AC%D9%88%D8%B2-%D8%AA%D9%82%D8%AF%D9%8A%D9%85-%D8%AE%D8%AF%D9%85%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%A3%D9%85%D9%8A%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B5%D8%AD%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B4%D8%A7%D9%85/
• UHIA – FAQ index: https://uhia.gov.eg/%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%a3%d8%b3%d8%a6%d9%84%d8%a9-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%b4%d8%a7%d8%a6%d8%b9%d8%a9/
• 中国驻埃及使馆 20 Sep 2026 提醒（提前购买保险）: https://eg.china-embassy.gov.cn/lsfw/2018/0517/202609/t20260920_12027157.htm

Your first week in Egypt

• Get a local SIM card and save key addresses in Arabic.
• Keep some Egyptian pounds in cash and use official exchange channels.
• Check your health insurance and the nearest hospital.
• Save emergency numbers and your embassy contact from its official website.
• Install a ride-hailing app and find the supermarket and pharmacy near your home.

How we work

• Send your request from the booking page or our contact channels: the task, the city and the date.
• The Wang Fu team checks the details and asks about your field and terminology if needed.
• You receive a written quote and plan before anything starts.
• We assign the right person, coordinate on site or remotely, and stay in touch until the job is done.

Related guides

• Living in Egypt: a practical guide
• The Chinese community in Egypt
• Chinese community groups in Egypt
• Cairo Metro guide
• Egypt train guide
• Mobile top-up in Egypt