Brunei: All foreign nationals required to have health insurance

Employer Action Code: Act

The government is rolling out a mandate for all foreign citizens to have a minimum level of private health insurance coverage while in Brunei, paid by the employer for their foreign workers. The new requirement is partly in response to sharp increases in overall expenditures of the public healthcare system, which previously extended free coverage to permanent residents and foreign spouses of Brunei citizens. Temporary foreign workers were already required to have a basic level of hospitalization and outpatient insurance, typically paid by their employer. In 2024, permanent residents made up 5.8% of the total population of 455,500, and another 18.1% were temporary residents.

Key details

The mandate is being implemented in two steps according to the type of entry pass or permit applicable to the individual, including existing pass or permit holders, with specified minimum coverage levels for the duration of the pass or permit:

• Since July 1, 2025:
• Professional visit pass and business visit pass: minimum coverage of 10,000 Brunei dollars (BND) for visits under 90 days, BND 100,000 otherwise
• Permanent resident permit (for contributors to the economy and development of the nation, and professionals): BND 100,000
• Visitor pass: BND 10,000
• Domestic services employment pass: BND 100,000
• Starting January 1, 2026:
• Employment pass for the private sector: minimum coverage of BND 100,000
• Dependent pass (spouse and non-schooling children): BND 10,000
• Student pass: BND 5,000
• The coverage may be arranged with domestic or foreign insurers
• Proof of valid insurance will have to be provided for foreigners entering or already in the country, or else their entry pass or permit will be limited to two weeks   

Employer implications

Almost all employers in Brunei surveyed by WTW (93%) provide supplemental health benefits, primarily private medical insurance, covering employees and their dependents for surgery/hospitalization and, to a lesser extent, outpatient treatment. Policies purchased before the mandate will remain in effect until they expire. Employers of foreign workers should consider the impact of the new requirements on their recruiting processes and employment costs.