Quick answers: healthcare in South Africa
- How much does health insurance cost in South Africa for expats?
- Indicative international health insurance for a 32-year-old living in South Africa (inpatient and outpatient, mid-level plan, worldwide excluding the USA) typically costs £198 to £279 a month, with a median of £212 and the cheapest at £138, based on 13 plan quotes from the 14 insurers on our panel, taken in 2026-09. Your price depends on your age, medical history, plan and deductible, and is only confirmed by the insurer.
- How much does expat health insurance cost by age in South Africa?
- Indicative median monthly premiums in South Africa (inpatient and outpatient, mid-level plan, worldwide excluding the USA): age 25 US$211, age 35 US$292, age 45 US$393, age 55 US$613, age 65 US$1,065. Quotes taken 2026-09; the insurer confirms the final price. Shown in US$. Other HealthiNomad prices are in GBP.
- Do foreigners need health insurance in South Africa?
- It depends on the visa. Remote workers (remote work visa): Applicants must show a gross salary of at least R650,796 a year and a contract with a foreign-based employer. Retirees (retired person's visa): Applicants must show at least R37,000 a month in income, such as a pension or other income. Students (study visa): Proof of medical cover with a medical scheme registered under the Medical Schemes Act, renewed annually for the period of study. Medical treatment visa applicants: Must provide confirmation from the person or institution responsible for medical and hospital costs, or proof of their own means to pay where a medical scheme or employer is not liable, plus a letter from a South African practitioner or hospital with estimated costs. Countries that require travel insurance to enter
- Can foreigners use public healthcare in South Africa?
- Public hospitals charge patients according to the Uniform Patient Fee Schedule (UPFS). In the Western Cape, foreign nationals who are not means-tested are classified as full-paying patients and are charged the full UPFS tariffs, the same category that applies to patients funded by medical schemes.
- Do hospitals in South Africa ask foreigners to pay upfront?
- Private hospitals may require a deposit before admitting patients, and hospitals and doctors often require payment up front before service or admission. There is no healthcare agreement between the UK and South Africa, so UK visitors pay for treatment in full.
- What is the emergency number in South Africa?
- Call 112 for an ambulance in South Africa.
What health insurance costs in South Africa (indicative)
These are indicative prices, based on 13 plan quotes from the 14 international insurers on our panel, for one standard profile: a 32-year-old living in South Africa, inpatient and outpatient cover, mid-level plan, worldwide excluding the USA. The typical monthly price is £198 to £279, with a median of £212 and the cheapest at £138. Your actual price depends on your age, medical history, the plan, your deductible and where you want cover, and is only confirmed by the insurer. Snapshot 2026-09-24. See the Health Insurance Cost Index.
Indicative prices: the 5 lowest of 13 plan quotes, monthly in GBP, cheapest mid-level plan in each insurer's range. Quotes taken 2026-09-24.
See the figures
| Age | Cheapest | Median | Higher end | Plans quoted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | US$153 | US$211 | US$264 | 14 |
| 35 | US$217 | US$292 | US$336 | 14 |
| 45 | US$266 | US$393 | US$432 | 14 |
| 55 | US$426 | US$613 | US$702 | 14 |
| 65 | US$623 | US$1,065 | US$1,224 | 13 |
Indicative. Single adult, inpatient and outpatient, cheapest mid-level plan per insurer, worldwide excluding the USA. Quotes taken 2026-09-29. The insurer confirms the final price. Shown in US$. Other HealthiNomad prices are in GBP.
How healthcare works for expats
South Africa has a two-tier system: a public sector run by the provincial health departments and a large private sector run mainly by hospital groups such as Mediclinic, Netcare and Life Healthcare. Private care is of a very high standard but expensive, while standards in public hospitals vary across the country. Most private patients are funded through medical schemes (medical aid) or pay directly.
Public care and state schemes
Public hospitals charge patients according to the Uniform Patient Fee Schedule (UPFS). In the Western Cape, foreign nationals who are not means-tested are classified as full-paying patients and are charged the full UPFS tariffs, the same category that applies to patients funded by medical schemes.
Private hospitals
Private hospitals bill a hospital account (ward fees, theatre time, medicines and facility fees) separately from doctors, anaesthetists, radiologists and pathologists, who each send their own accounts. Mediclinic publishes a private tariff schedule and fixed-fee packages for planned procedures; the fixed fees cover the hospital cost for a set length of stay but exclude doctor fees, scans, pathology, prosthetic devices and take-home medication.
Paying up front
Private hospitals may require a deposit before admitting patients, and hospitals and doctors often require payment up front before service or admission. There is no healthcare agreement between the UK and South Africa, so UK visitors pay for treatment in full.
Typical medical costs in South Africa
Published prices, mostly from private hospitals. Pound figures are approximate conversions.
| Treatment | Price | About |
|---|---|---|
| GP consultation including medication, Lister Clinic (review visit within 7 days R350)7 Johannesburg, per consultation (cash price) | ZAR 700 | £32 |
| Emergency unit facility fee by triage level, green to red, Mediclinic hospitals1 Nationwide (Mediclinic hospitals), per visit, hospital facility fee only (doctor fees extra) | ZAR 435 to ZAR 4,415 | £20 to £204 |
| General ward, surgical cases, Mediclinic hospitals1 Nationwide (Mediclinic hospitals), per day (private tariff, excludes doctor fees) | ZAR 5,202 | £241 |
| Private ward when medically necessary or doctor-authorised, Mediclinic hospitals1 Nationwide (Mediclinic hospitals), per day (private tariff, excludes doctor fees) | ZAR 6,351 to ZAR 7,932 | £294 to £367 |
| Intensive care unit, Mediclinic hospitals1 Nationwide (Mediclinic hospitals), per day (private tariff, excludes doctor fees) | ZAR 21,786 | £1,009 |
| Vaginal delivery, hospital fixed fee, Mediclinic2,6 Nationwide (Mediclinic hospitals), per delivery (hospital fee only; doctor fees extra) | ZAR 22,185 | £1,027 |
| Caesarean section, hospital fixed fee including 3-day stay, Mediclinic3 Nationwide (Mediclinic hospitals), per delivery (hospital fee only; doctor fees extra) | ZAR 34,255 | £1,586 |
| Hip replacement, hospital fixed fee including 5-day stay, Mediclinic (excludes prosthesis and doctor fees)4 Nationwide (Mediclinic hospitals), per procedure (hospital fee only) | ZAR 66,140 | £3,063 |
| Cataract or lens procedure, hospital fixed fee, 1-day stay, Mediclinic5 Nationwide (Mediclinic hospitals), per procedure (hospital fee only; doctor fees extra) | ZAR 14,320 | £663 |
| Wisdom teeth extraction in hospital, hospital fixed fee, Mediclinic2,6 Nationwide (Mediclinic hospitals), per procedure (hospital fee only; dentist and anaesthetist fees extra) | ZAR 13,005 | £602 |
| Operating theatre time, minor to major theatre, Mediclinic hospitals1 Nationwide (Mediclinic hospitals), per minute (private tariff) | ZAR 75 to ZAR 169 | £3 to £8 |
Health insurance rules for foreigners
Remote workers (remote work visa)
Applicants must show a gross salary of at least R650,796 a year and a contract with a foreign-based employer. The official requirement lists do not include health insurance; the port of entry version requires a medical report on form DHA-811.8,9
Retirees (retired person's visa)
Applicants must show at least R37,000 a month in income, such as a pension or other income. The official requirement lists include a medical report on form DHA-811 but no health insurance requirement.10,11
Students (study visa)
Proof of medical cover with a medical scheme registered under the Medical Schemes Act, renewed annually for the period of study.12
Medical treatment visa applicants
Must provide confirmation from the person or institution responsible for medical and hospital costs, or proof of their own means to pay where a medical scheme or employer is not liable, plus a letter from a South African practitioner or hospital with estimated costs.13
Foreign nationals treated in public hospitals (Western Cape)
Foreign nationals not assessed under the means test are full-paying patients and are charged the full Uniform Patient Fee Schedule tariffs.14
UK visitors
There is no healthcare agreement between the UK and South Africa; the FCDO advises holding travel health insurance and funds for treatment and repatriation.15
Tips before you buy cover
- Expect separate accounts from the hospital and from each doctor, anaesthetist, radiologist and pathologist involved in your care.
- For planned procedures, ask for a fixed-fee quote and check what it excludes, such as doctor fees, prostheses and take-home medication.
- Carry proof of insurance or a means of payment, as private hospitals may ask for a deposit before admission.
- Save 112 (from mobiles), 10177 (ambulance) and 10111 (police) in your phone.
- Students should arrange cover with a South African registered medical scheme before applying for a study visa.
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Sources
- 1.MCSA Private Tariff Schedule (South Africa), tariffs with effect from 1 January 2026, Mediclinic Southern Africa (January 2026)
- 2.All Private Fixed Fee Products, Mediclinic Southern Africa (accessed September 2026)
- 3.Caesarean Section: Private Fixed Fee, Mediclinic Southern Africa (accessed September 2026)
- 4.Hip Replacement: Private Fixed Fee, Mediclinic Southern Africa (accessed September 2026)
- 5.Cataract or Lens Procedure: Private Fixed Fee, Mediclinic Southern Africa (accessed September 2026)
- 6.About Fixed Fees, Mediclinic Southern Africa (accessed September 2026)
- 7.Services price list, Lister Clinic (Dr Maphisa and Partners Inc.) (accessed September 2026)
- 8.Remote Work Visa: requirements (DHA/TRV/Remote Work), effective 9 October 2024, Department of Home Affairs (October 2024)
- 9.Requirements for port of entry visa (remote work visa) exceeding 3 months, Embassy of South Africa, Washington DC (October 2024)
- 10.Retired person's visa, South African Consulate-General, Toronto (DIRCO) (accessed September 2026)
- 11.Requirements for retired person visa, Embassy of South Africa, Washington DC (April 2024)
- 12.Study visa, South African Consulate General, Los Angeles (DIRCO) (accessed September 2026)
- 13.Requirements for medical visa, Embassy of South Africa, Washington DC (April 2024)
- 14.Western Cape Uniform Patient Fee Schedule regulations 2026 (Provincial Gazette Extraordinary 9216), Western Cape Government (April 2026)
- 15.South Africa travel advice: health, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (GOV.UK) (accessed September 2026)
- 16.South Africa travel advice: getting help, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (GOV.UK) (accessed September 2026)
- 17.South Africa International Travel Information, U.S. Department of State (accessed September 2026)
- 18.Euro foreign exchange reference rates (25 September 2026: GBP 0.86045, ZAR 18.5798 per EUR), European Central Bank (25 September 2026)
Costs and rules change. Always check with the hospital, the insurer or the relevant authority before relying on a figure.