China (CN)

China is one of the world's largest economies and most important expat destinations, combining global business hubs such as Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Hangzhou with deep history, fast infrastructure, and a highly digital daily-life ecosystem.

Capital: Beijing

Region: Asia

Language: Mandarin Chinese

Currency: CNY (RMB)

Cost of living: Affordable (index 50)

Emergency: 110

Healthcare in China

China has a mixed healthcare system: public hospitals handle most care, while private and international clinics serve many expats. Public hospitals can be excellent but crowded and Chinese-language heavy; international clinics are easier but expensive.

Top-tier public hospitals in major cities can provide very high-quality specialist care; access and English support vary sharply by city and hospital.

Public healthcare: Basic Medical Insurance

Jiben yiliao baoxian

Eligibility:Foreign employees enrolled in Chinese social insurance may access local public insurance according to city rules. Dependants and non-working residents often need private cover.

Monthly cost:Employee and employer contributions are city-specific and payroll-based.

What's included:

Public hospital outpatient and inpatient care within local reimbursement rules
Some medicines on reimbursement lists
Emergency treatment at public hospitals
Maternity care where eligible

Not included (or co-pay required):

Many imported medicines
International/VIP wards
Dental and vision in most cases
Private international clinics
Evacuation and overseas treatment

Co-payments:Reimbursement depends on city, hospital tier, deductible, and treatment category. Patients often pay first and settle through insurance card/account systems.

How to enrol:Employer registers eligible foreign employees with local social insurance after work permit/residence setup. You receive or activate a social security card in many cities.

Waiting period:Access timing depends on local enrollment and card activation.

Private healthcare: Private and international medical insurance

Who can use it:Available to foreign residents, dependants, students, and employees through individual or group policies.

When it makes sense:Essential for families, high-income professionals, people wanting English-speaking care, international hospitals, evacuation, or private maternity.

Monthly cost:RMB 2,000-15,000+/month for a family depending age, exclusions, maternity, dental, and geographic coverage.

Major providers:

CignaAllianzBupaAXAAetnaMSH ChinaPing An HealthICBC-AXA

Accessing care

GP system

There is no strong GP gatekeeping system. Expats use international clinics for primary care or go directly to public hospital departments.

Specialist referral

Public hospitals often allow direct specialist registration by department. International insurers may require pre-authorisation.

Emergency care

Call 120 or go to a hospital emergency department. International hospitals may have ambulances or advice lines in major cities.

Out of hours

Emergency departments are 24/7; international clinics have limited after-hours coverage and may direct serious cases to partner hospitals.

Prescriptions

Hospital pharmacies dispense many prescriptions. Imported medicines may be unavailable or expensive; bring legal supplies with doctor letters.

Dental

Mostly private/self-pay. International dental clinics in tier-1 cities are high quality but expensive.

Mental health

English-speaking therapy exists in major cities but is limited and expensive. Teletherapy may be necessary.

Maternity

Public hospitals, VIP public wards, and international hospitals are available. Book early, especially for international maternity packages.

Expat-specific advice

First steps on arrival:

Confirm employer insurance and public social insurance enrollment
Find the nearest 24/7 emergency hospital
Save Chinese address cards for home and work
Check medicine availability before arrival
Register with an international clinic if budget allows

Finding English-speaking doctors:Available in international hospitals and clinics in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Hangzhou, and Suzhou. Less reliable elsewhere.

International insurance:Strongly recommended unless your employer provides comprehensive group cover including inpatient, outpatient, emergency, and evacuation.

Emergency card info:Carry a bilingual emergency card with passport number, blood type if known, allergies, conditions, insurer, emergency contact, and Chinese address.

Pharmacies (Yaodian)

Hours:Many chain pharmacies open 8am-10pm; some 24-hour pharmacies exist in major cities.

After-hours / emergency:Hospitals have pharmacies for emergency prescriptions. Use 120 for urgent care.

Prescription rules:Antibiotics, controlled medicines, and some chronic medications require prescriptions. Online pharmacy delivery exists but real-name rules apply.

Available over-the-counter:

Paracetamol/acetaminophen
Ibuprofen
Cold medicine
Antihistamines
Digestive medicine
Rehydration salts

Typical costs

GP visit (with insurance)	RMB 0-300 copay at panel clinic
GP visit (private pay)	RMB 800-2,000 at international clinic; much lower at public hospital but Chinese-language heavy
Specialist visit	RMB 50-500 public registration; RMB 1,200-3,000+ private/international
Emergency visit	RMB 200-2,000+ public; RMB 2,000-10,000+ private/international
MRI scan	RMB 600-2,500 public; RMB 4,000-10,000 private/international
Prescription average	RMB 30-500 depending medicine
Dental check-up	RMB 300-1,500
Baby delivery	RMB 10,000-40,000 public/VIP; RMB 80,000-200,000+ international hospital

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