PUBLISHED DECISION GUIDE
Health Coverage in China: What Foreigners Should Know Before Buying Insurance
An official update on insurance options for foreigners in China, covering eligibility for social insurance, commercial products, and key considerations for choosing coverage.
Having healthcare coverage is crucial for every foreigner living and working in China. Here are important things to know before buying insurance.
Independently written English guidance based on cited public sources. Every public guide is human reviewed; it is not an official translation of the source publisher.
Can I get social insurance in China?
According to the Ministry of Education, foreign students need to purchase corresponding medical insurance for admission. Universities will also purchase group insurance for students.
Foreigners working in China are protected by social security and medical care benefits provided by their employers. If you don’t have a regular job, you can buy an individual insurance plan that meets your medical care needs.
Are there any insurance products specifically for me?
Generally, foreigners who travel, study, live and work in China are no different from Chinese citizens in purchasing commercial insurance.
However, you can find a variety of different types of insurance products on the market according to your needs, such as personal accident insurance, dread disease insurance and investment savings insurance.
What kind of commercial insurance can I buy in China?
Foreigners can purchase any kind of insurance as long as they meet the condition of the insurers.
Specifically, short-term products are more suitable for you if you have temporary residence certificates. You may need to purchase long-term coverage if you are a permanent resident, have real property or are married to a Chinese citizen.
It should be noted that most domestic insurance companies do not ass
Public sources
Editorial process
Editorial review and corrections
This guide received human editorial review. Use its public sources and review date to assess the current information boundary.
Request an editorial correction