Oman (OM)

Oman is one of the most welcoming and stable expat destinations in the Middle East, offering a unique blend of ancient Arabian heritage, dramatic natural landscapes, and a rapidly modernising economy.

Capital: Muscat

Region: Middle East

Language: Arabic

Currency: OMR (ر.ع.)

Cost of living: Moderate (index 58)

Emergency: 9999

Healthcare in Oman

Oman operates a mixed public-private healthcare system. The Ministry of Health (MoH) operates an extensive network of public hospitals, polyclinics and health centres providing subsidised or free care to Omani citizens. Expatriates are required by law to hold private health insurance (mandatory since 2017, enforced by the Capital Market Authority / CMA). While expatriates can use public facilities for emergencies, they are charged at non-subsidised rates. The private sector has grown substantially, with internationally accredited hospitals in Muscat. Oman consistently ranks among the top healthcare systems in the Middle East and was ranked 8th globally by the WHO in 2000.

WHO ranked Oman 8th globally in 2000; currently ranks highly among GCC states for healthcare quality and outcomes

Public healthcare: Ministry of Health Public System

وزارة الصحة

Eligibility:Free for Omani citizens. Subsidised for Omani permanent residents. Expatriates: access allowed but at full cost. Emergency care provided to all regardless of status or insurance.

Monthly cost:Free for Omanis. For expats: employer-provided or self-purchased insurance OMR 10–60/month depending on coverage level (CMA mandatory minimum standards apply).

What's included:

Emergency treatment (all patients)
Primary care at health centres (Omanis)
Secondary/tertiary hospital care (Omanis)
Maternal and child health (Omanis)
Vaccination programmes
Chronic disease management (Omanis)
Mental health services (Omanis)

Not included (or co-pay required):

Non-emergency care for expatriates (charged at cost)
Cosmetic procedures
Fertility treatments (limited)
Elective dental (cosmetic)

Co-payments:Omanis: nominal fees for prescriptions (OMR 0.100–1.000). Expatriates: full cost for non-emergency treatment (OMR 10–200+ per visit). Emergency: all patients treated free at public hospital emergency departments.

How to enrol:Omanis auto-enrolled. Expatriates: purchase mandatory private health insurance (CMA-regulated). Register with insurance company to get medical card.

Waiting period:Expatriates cannot access subsidised public healthcare — must use private sector for non-emergency care. Public emergency departments available to all without waiting period.

Private healthcare: Private Healthcare Sector

Who can use it:All residents with health insurance or ability to pay privately. Preferred by expats.

When it makes sense:Always — all expats should and must use private healthcare. Private sector offers English-speaking doctors, shorter waits, modern equipment, and high international standard. Most employer-provided insurance covers private healthcare fully or with small co-payment.

Monthly cost:Basic employer group insurance: OMR 10–20/month employee contribution. Comprehensive family insurance: OMR 30–80/month. Premium international cover: OMR 80–200/month.

Major providers:

Muscat Private Hospital (KIMS Oman)Aster Hospital MuscatAl Shifa HospitalGerman Medical CenterBait Al ShifaApollo Hospital MuscatAl Hayat HospitalBadr Al Samaa Group

Accessing care

GP system

Private polyclinics and hospital outpatient departments. No GP registration system — walk-in or appointment at any clinic. Large group practices in Qurum, Madinat Sultan Qaboos, Al Khuwair serve expat community. Most have direct billing with major insurers.

Specialist referral

No formal gatekeeper system — patients can book directly with specialists. Polyclinic GP may refer to specialist. Insurance may require pre-authorisation for specialist visits (check your policy). Waiting times: usually 1–5 days in private sector.

Emergency care

Emergency: dial 9999 for ambulance (ONAS). Major public emergency hospitals: Royal Hospital (best equipped, free for emergencies), Sultan Qaboos University Hospital. Private emergency: KIMS Oman Hospital, Aster Muscat. For serious accidents/injuries, public hospitals have better trauma facilities.

Out of hours

Many private polyclinics open until 10pm or midnight. Pharmacy chains open 24h in major areas. For emergencies: 9999. No formal out-of-hours GP service; private hospitals have 24h emergency rooms.

Prescriptions

Prescriptions required for most medications. Doctor writes prescription; collect from pharmacy (OMR 2–15 average). Many private polyclinics have in-house pharmacy. Generic equivalents widely available at lower cost. Some medications not available in Oman — bring 3–6 months supply with doctor's letter for prescription drugs.

Dental

Largely private sector. Dental polyclinics widely available in Muscat (OMR 15–35 checkup, OMR 30–150 treatment). Insurance often covers basic dental; cosmetic not covered. Al Razi Dental, Muscat Dental Clinic, hospital dental departments. Public dental very limited for expats.

Mental health

Limited mental health services. Major public facility: Department of Psychiatry at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital. Private: KIMS Oman has psychiatrists; Counselling Clinic Muscat (private). Stigma exists but improving. Government mental health helpline: 920 093 001. Expat-focused: some counsellors via expat networks.

Maternity

Excellent private maternity hospitals. Most popular: Al Hayat Hospital, KIMS Oman, Aster. Midwife-led delivery increasingly available. Average private birth cost: OMR 400–800 (normal); OMR 800–1,800 (C-section) — largely covered by insurance with pre-approval. Royal Hospital (public) also excellent for high-risk pregnancies.

Expat-specific advice

First steps on arrival:

Obtain mandatory health insurance before or immediately upon arriving (CMA-regulated, minimum standards required)
Get insurance card from insurer — carry at all times
Register at a nearby polyclinic or private hospital
Identify nearest 24h emergency room to your home
Check insurance direct-billing hospitals list
Bring 3-month supply of prescription medications + English medical records
Download insurer's app for claims and pre-authorisation

Finding English-speaking doctors:Excellent availability across all private hospitals and clinics in Muscat. Many doctors trained in UK, USA, India. Hospital websites typically list doctor profiles and languages. South Asian expats can find doctors who speak Hindi, Malayalam, Urdu.

International insurance:If you have international health insurance (Cigna, AXA, Allianz International), ensure it meets CMA Oman minimum standards or you may still need a local policy. International insurers must be CMA-registered to provide valid Oman coverage. Premium international plans fully accepted at all private hospitals.

Emergency card info:Carry your insurance card at all times. In emergency: dial 9999 (ONAS ambulance). At hospital: give insurance card first. If uninsured or card not available: treatment will proceed at Royal Hospital emergency; payment settled later. GHIC/EHIC from EU/UK not valid in Oman.

Pharmacies (Pharmacy / Saydaliyya (صيدلية))

Hours:Standard: 8am–1pm and 4pm–10pm (split shift). Malls: 10am–10pm. 24h pharmacies in major areas (Life Pharmacy, Boots Oman, Al Zahrawi, Muscat Pharmacy at hospital).

After-hours / emergency:24h pharmacies available in Muscat, Salalah. Life Pharmacy chain has 24h branches. Hospital pharmacies operational 24h. Outside major cities, limited 24h coverage.

Prescription rules:Prescription required for: antibiotics, controlled substances, strong analgesics, many psychiatric drugs. Non-prescription OTC medications sold freely. Generic equivalents available. Controlled substances (opioids, some benzodiazepines): strict import rules — bring no more than personal supply with original prescription + doctor's letter. No self-importing controlled drugs without Ministry of Health permit.

Available over-the-counter:

Paracetamol / Panadol
Ibuprofen (Brufen)
Antihistamines (Clarityn, Zyrtec)
Omeprazole / antacids
Oral rehydration salts (essential in summer heat)
Sunscreen SPF50+ (essential)
Insect repellent (DEET)
Vitamin D3 (many residents deficient due to sun avoidance)
Multivitamins

Typical costs

GP visit (with insurance)	OMR 3–8 copayment with insurance; OMR 0 at some plans
GP visit (private pay)	OMR 10–20
Specialist visit	OMR 20–50 with insurance copayment; OMR 25–80 without
Emergency visit	Free at Royal Hospital (public emergency). Private emergency: OMR 30–80 initial consultation + treatment
MRI scan	OMR 70–150
Prescription average	OMR 2–15 per prescription
Dental check-up	OMR 15–35
Baby delivery	OMR 400–800 (normal delivery private, largely covered by insurance)

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