expat guide to egypt healthcare system

An Expat Guide to Healthcare and Insurance in Egypt 2024

Welcome to the ultimate guide on the healthcare system and health insurance in Egypt for expats. If you’re an expat planning to move to Egypt, understanding the intricacies of the Egypt healthcare system is crucial. This practical guide on utilizing Egypt’s healthcare system will provide you with essential information, tips, and insights to navigate the healthcare and insurance landscape effectively.  By familiarizing yourself with the public healthcare system in Egypt, Private Healthcare system in Egypt as well as costs of medical treatment in Egypt, you equip yourself with valuable information to make informed decisions during your stay in Egypt. Whether you are seeking medical treatment, looking for insurance coverage, or simply want to understand how the healthcare system in Egypt works, this guide will serve as a valuable resource.

 As an insurance broker specializing in serving expats, our goal is to make your transition to Egypt as smooth as possible, with a strong focus on your healthcare and insurance needs. Detailed information on Insurance in Egypt for expats can be viewed here. 

Public Healthcare in Egypt 

Despite the government’s attempt at reforming the public healthcare system in Egypt, the public hospitals still have poor quality and do not live up to the Western standard that expatriates are looking for. Even a large number of local Egyptians do not often use the public healthcare system themselves because of its obsolete medical facilities, long waiting times for treatment, insufficient levels of personnel training and sewage disposal. These are the reasons why expats in Egypt are more likely to turn to the country’s private hospitals instead. 

In addition to private healthcare options, it’s important to consider dental care in Egypt as well. Dental procedures in Egypt can vary in cost, and it’s helpful to have an idea of the average prices. We have provided you with a table that indicates the average costs of various types of dental procedures done in dental clinics across Egypt. This information can assist you in planning and budgeting for your dental needs while living in Egypt.

Private Healthcare in Egypt 

In Egypt, private hospitals are of high quality and have around the clock medical specialty. English communication is not an issue as the staff at these private healthcare providers are good at speaking Engilsh and cater to the specific medical requirements of expats. Cash payment for appointments and procedures is expected at these private facilities. You are advised to ask for receipts and other necessary paperwork to ensure reimbursement by health insurance providers. To learn more about private healthcare in Egypt, make sure to delve into the section below on the best hospitals in Egypt, in particular, best hospitals in Cairo. You will want to be aware of this information in case of emergencies.

Best Hospitals in Egypt

  • Saudi German Hospital Cairo is a multi-specialty hospital offering a wide range of medical services, including orthopedics, cardiology, neurosurgery, and gastroenterology. It has been a trusted healthcare provider for over 30 years and is known for its exceptional quality care. The hospital is located in Cairo, Egypt.

 +20 2 2619 6666, Taha Hussein Rd, Huckstep, El Nozha, Cairo Governorate 4473303, Egypt

  • Cure Hospital is a private hospital specializing in cancer treatment. It offers a variety of cancer treatment options, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery. The hospital is located in Nasr City, Egypt.

25 Hammouda Mahmoud, Al Manteqah Ath Thamenah, Nasr City, Cairo Governorate 4441503, Egypt

  • Queens Hospital _ Cleopatra Hospitals Group is a hospital specializing in maternal and neonatal care. It offers a wide range of first-class neonatal, adult intensive care, gynecology and obstetrics services. The hospital is located in Heliopolis, Egypt.

4 Sheikh Nour Eldin, off Thawra St., Heliopolis, 11345, Egypt

  • As-Salam International Hospital is a multi-specialty hospital offering a wide range of medical services. It is known for its modern facilities and experienced doctors. Most international patients visit this hospital. The hospital is located in Cairo, Egypt.
Cairo – Al Wosta, Athar an Nabi, Dar El Salam, Cairo Governorate 4220501, Egypt
 
  • Dar Al Fouad Hospital is one of the largest and most prominent medical centers in Egypt. It offers a wide range of medical services, including cancer treatment, cardiology, and orthopedics. The hospital is located in Nasr City, Egypt.
تقاطع طريق النصر مع, Youssef Abbas, Nasr City, Cairo Governorate 11765, Egypt

Cost of Medical Treatment in Egypt 

Medical treatment in Egypt is less costly than that in Europe, the U.S and some other countries in the Middle East.   

According to World Bank, even though more than half of the population has access to some form of health insurance, nearly three fourths of all medical costs are paid out of pocket. 

Cities with the most expensive costs of medical treatment are Cairo, Alexandria and Hurghada. 

As-Salam International Hospital Egypt
As-Salam International Hospital Egypt

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Inpatient Care 

Having been globally ranked at 1542, As-Salam International Hospital in Cairo caters to a large percentage of international patients and is popular with expatriates in Egypt. Additionally, Dar Al Fouad Hospital in Cairo is one of the best private hospitals in Egypt and the Middle East. It has expertise in cardiology. Al Kawthar Hospital Hurghada in Red Sea is also an excellent choice when it comes to superb inpatient care services in Egypt. 

Emergency Numbers in Egypt 

As an expatriate in Egypt, you are supposed to call 123 for ambulance when you are in a case of emergency. As streets in Egypt are typically in traffic jam, ambulance services find it difficult to arrive at the emergency scene punctually. It is perhaps best to set up personal transport to a nearby private hospital. Alternatively, you can contact the hospital and ask for an ambulance. 

Medevac Egypt (Medical Evacuation in Egypt) 

Just in case you are in a specific location of Egypt where medical treatment is unavailable for your serious illness or severe injury, perhaps consider including medical evacuation (medevac) benefit on your international health insurance policy during your expat life in Egypt.  

Dental Care in Egypt

Many dentists in Egypt are fluent with English speaking as some of them have been internationally trained and graduated from Western universities. 

Popular dental clinics in Egypt include Helio Dental Clinic in CairoDr. Bassem Samir Dental Clinic in Cairo and Royal Dental Clinic in Alexandria.  

 

View of the Cairo city and Nile river in Egypt

Egypt Dentist Prices 

Living in Egypt as an expat might, at one point, make you wonder “What is the cost of dental implants in Egypt and all the rest of dental treatment cost in the country?” Obviously, they cost much less than those in the U.S. and some other Western countries. Here we have provided you with a table that indicates average costs of various types of dental procedures done in dental clinics across Egypt

Dental Procedure  Average Cost 
Dental Braces  USD 1229 
Dental Bridge  USD 322 
Dental Crown  USD 170 
Dental Implant  USD 565 
Dentures  USD 625 
Teeth Whitening  USD 206 
Tooth Extraction  USD 37 
Tooth Filling  USD 44 
Dental Veneers  USD 194 
Dental Consultation  USD 10 

Expat Health Insurance in Egypt 

There are two principal kinds of health insurance in Egypt, namely, international health insurance and local medical insurance. International medical insurance is typically more popular with expatriates residing in Egypt due to its more comprehensive coverage including its greater flexibility and portability when compared to the local one. 

Egypt houses a host of health insurance companies who are a perfect fit for the expat community in Egypt. The health insurers we find most frequently used among Egypt expatriates include Morgan PriceVUMINow Health and CignaThe plan range of these health insurance providers is fairly around the clock and the insurance premium rates are often kept to a minimum. 

In conclusion, expats in Egypt have the option to choose between international and local health insurance. While both options have their merits, international health insurance tends to be the preferred choice due to its comprehensive coverage and flexibility. With reputable companies like Morgan Price, VUMI, Now Health, and Cigna operating in Egypt, expats can rest assured that their health insurance needs will be well taken care of.

Our Advice 

It is always important to learn where hospitals, medical clinics and dental providers are situated and also how much their medical costs are. If you are in a rural location of Egypt where medical treatment is fairly unavailable, you may need medevac (medical evacuation) cover for your international medical insurance plan because it is a benefit that we find popular with residents in Egypt where medical amenities are limited in some areas. 

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