by Who pays health insurance premiums for foreign workers depends on the country. In the UAE and Saudi Arabia, the employer must pay. In Germany, you and your employer split the cost. In the UK, you pay a charge up front with your visa. This guide to health insurance premiums for foreign workers compares seven countries and shows what each system charges in 2026.
Key points
- In the UAE and Saudi Arabia, employers must provide and pay for cover, and can’t deduct it from your pay.
- In Germany, contributions come out of your pay and are split 50/50 with your employer.
- In the UK, you usually pay the Immigration Health Surcharge up front, unless your employer pays it.
- Get the premium, family cover, and waiting period in writing before you accept a job.
Health Insurance Premiums for Foreign Workers at a Glance
| Country | Who pays | What it costs |
|---|---|---|
| UK | You, up front with your visa. Your employer can choose to cover it. | £1,035 a year for most workers, or £776 for students and under-18s |
| USA | Shared. Your employer picks the plan and you pay a share. | Average yearly premium in 2026: $9,804 for one person, $28,303 for a family. Workers paid $1,672 and $7,471 of that. |
| Canada | Mostly paid through taxes | Provincial plans usually have no monthly premium. Some foreign workers aren’t eligible, and some provinces make you wait up to three months. |
| France | Shared | Your employer registers you for public cover and must offer a company top-up plan (a “mutuelle”), paying at least 50% of it |
| Germany | Shared 50/50 | 14.6% of gross pay, split equally, plus your fund’s extra rate. The 2026 average extra rate is 2.9%, also split equally. |
| UAE | Your employer | Employers must provide and pay. The basic Dubai plan typically costs Dh550 to Dh650 a year. |
| Saudi Arabia | Your employer | Private-sector employers must insure non-Saudi staff and covered family members |
Rates change every year, so check each official page before you decide.
Simple Words You Will See
- Premium: the price you or your employer pay for the plan.
- Deductible: the amount you pay yourself before the insurance starts to pay.
- Top-up plan: extra cover for costs the public system doesn’t pay in full.
- Dependants: your spouse and children who are covered under your plan.
Three Ways Premiums Are Paid
- Employer pays: the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Employers can’t take the premium out of your salary.
- Shared: the USA, Germany, and France’s top-up plan. Part comes out of your pay.
- You pay: the UK’s health charge, and any private cover you buy in Canada while you wait for public cover.
Costs Foreign Workers Often Miss
- Family cover. In Dubai, the employer insures you, but your dependants are usually your responsibility. Abu Dhabi employers must also cover a spouse and up to three children. In Saudi Arabia, the covered family is a spouse, sons up to age 25, and unmarried daughters who don’t work. In the UK, each family member pays their own charge.
- Waiting periods. In some Canadian provinces, cover can start after up to three months. Private insurance can fill that gap.
- Deductibles. In the USA, the average deductible for single coverage in 2026 was $1,955, on top of your premium.
- Time limits. The UK charge is paid in full for the whole length of your visa.
How to Check What You Will Really Pay
- Ask who pays the premium, and how much comes out of your pay each month.
- Ask if your spouse and children are covered, and at what cost.
- Ask when your cover starts and if there is a waiting period.
- Ask what the deductible is.
- Get the answers in your contract or offer letter.
What to Do If Your Employer Won’t Pay
In the UAE and Saudi Arabia, cover is the employer’s duty. If your employer asks you to pay for your own plan, ask for the rule in writing first. In Saudi Arabia, employers who don’t provide cover can be fined. Keep your contract and any messages, and contact the labour or health authority where you work if the problem continues.
Fake Offers That Ask for Insurance Money
Some fake recruiters ask workers to pay for “insurance” to get a job. In the UAE and Saudi Arabia, the employer must pay, so any request for premium money before you start is a warning sign. Our guide to fake US work visa bond requests shows how similar tricks work.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who pays health insurance for foreign workers in the UAE? The employer must provide and pay for it, and can’t deduct it from your salary. Dependants are often the sponsor’s cost.
2. Who pays in Saudi Arabia? Private-sector employers must insure non-Saudi workers and covered family members. They can’t deduct the premium from your pay.
3. Do I pay for health insurance in Germany? Yes, half of it. The 14.6% general rate is split equally with your employer, and so is your fund’s extra rate.
4. How much is the UK health charge? It’s £1,035 a year for most workers, and £776 for students and under-18s. You pay it up front for the whole visa.
5. Can my employer pay the UK health charge? Yes. Some employers cover it as a benefit, but they don’t have to.
6. Does Canada charge health insurance premiums? Provincial plans usually don’t charge a monthly premium. But not every foreign worker is eligible, so check your province.
7. What does US employer coverage cost? In 2026, the average yearly premium was $9,804 for one person and $28,303 for a family. Workers paid a share.
8. What is a mutuelle in France? It’s a top-up plan from your employer. Your employer must pay at least 50% of it.
9. Can an agent charge me for health insurance? Be careful. Don’t pay anyone for a job or “insurance” before you start work.
10. Where can I check the latest rules? Use official sites such as GOV.UK, the German government’s investment agency, and Dubai’s and Saudi Arabia’s health regulators.
Final Thoughts
Health insurance premiums for foreign workers range from fully paid by your employer to fully paid by you. Before you accept a job, ask who pays, what your family gets, and when cover starts. Get it in writing. This article is general information, not legal or financial advice. See our Disclaimer. For your own case, check the official government sites.
