Cambodia (KH)

Affordable Southeast Asian base with easy daily life, a large Phnom Penh and Siem Reap expat scene, strong NGO/tourism/education networks, fast digital payments, and visa rules that are flexible but increasingly document-driven.

Capital: Phnom Penh

Region: Asia

Language: Khmer

Currency: KHR (KHR)

Cost of living: Very affordable (index 35)

Emergency: 119

Healthcare in Cambodia

Cambodia has improving but uneven healthcare. Expats use private clinics and hospitals for routine care, and many carry evacuation insurance for serious trauma, cardiac, neonatal, or complex cases to Thailand, Singapore, or Vietnam.

Good private primary care in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, but complex specialist and emergency capacity is limited compared with Bangkok or Singapore.

Public healthcare: Public healthcare system

Eligibility:Cambodian citizens use public facilities; formal workers may access NSSF-contracted providers. Foreign residents can use public hospitals but often prefer private care.

Monthly cost:NSSF contributions are payroll-based for covered workers; private insurance often USD 500-2,000+ per year.

What's included:

Public hospitals
NSSF-contracted healthcare for registered workers
Basic emergency care
Maternal and child services
Vaccination programmes

Not included (or co-pay required):

Most expat private care
International evacuation
Many imported medicines
Premium dental/optical
Complex care abroad

Co-payments:Public fees are lower but quality and waiting experience vary. NSSF benefits depend on registration and facility participation.

How to enrol:Employees are registered by employers for NSSF where applicable. Expats should also arrange private/international insurance.

Waiting period:NSSF and private policy waiting periods depend on registration/policy terms.

Private healthcare: Private clinics and international hospitals

Who can use it:Available to residents and visitors paying directly or using accepted insurance.

When it makes sense:Routine expat care, pediatrics, obstetrics, dentistry, diagnostics, travel medicine, and English/French-speaking doctors.

Monthly cost:Direct-pay GP USD 20-60, specialists USD 40-120, international insurance far higher.

Major providers:

Royal Phnom Penh HospitalCalmette Hospital VIP / public emergencyKhema ClinicRaffles Medical Phnom PenhInternational SOS ClinicSunrise Japan HospitalAngkor Hospital for Children

Accessing care

GP system

No strict GP gatekeeping. Expats book directly with clinics or specialists.

Specialist referral

Insurance may require pre-approval, especially for imaging, admission, surgery, maternity, or evacuation.

Emergency care

Call 119, but ambulance quality varies. Save private hospital emergency numbers and know your nearest reliable facility.

Out of hours

Major private hospitals and some clinics offer emergency/out-of-hours care; smaller clinics may close evenings/holidays.

Prescriptions

Pharmacies are widespread, but quality varies. Use reputable pharmacies for chronic or imported medicines.

Dental

Private dental care in Phnom Penh is good value; complex work should still be carefully checked.

Mental health

Private therapists, NGO services, and online therapy are common. Psychiatric medication quality and continuity need planning.

Maternity

Private maternity is available; high-risk pregnancy or neonatal complications may require evacuation planning.

Expat-specific advice

First steps on arrival:

Buy insurance with evacuation cover
Identify nearest reliable hospital before emergency
Save insurer pre-approval contacts
Register children with a pediatrician
Carry prescriptions and medical history

Finding English-speaking doctors:Easy to find in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap private clinics; harder in provinces.

International insurance:Strongly recommended, ideally with Thailand/Singapore evacuation and direct billing.

Emergency card info:Carry passport copy, insurance card, allergies, blood type, emergency contact, and Khmer address.

Pharmacies (Pharmacy)

Hours:Many open daily and late; 24-hour options are concentrated in Phnom Penh.

After-hours / emergency:Use hospital pharmacies or reputable 24-hour pharmacies for urgent medicines.

Prescription rules:Many medicines are easy to buy, but controlled drugs and quality concerns require caution.

Available over-the-counter:

Paracetamol
ORS salts
Antihistamines
Mosquito repellent
Basic antibiotics with doctor advice
Sunscreen

Typical costs

GP visit (with insurance)	USD 0-30 copay depending on policy
GP visit (private pay)	USD 20-60
Specialist visit	USD 40-120
Emergency visit	USD 50-300+ before tests/admission
MRI scan	USD 200-500+
Prescription average	USD 5-50 depending on medicine
Dental check-up	USD 20-60
Baby delivery	USD 800-3,000+ private, much more for complications/evacuation

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