Saudi Arabia (SA)
Saudi Arabia is the largest country in the Middle East and the world's leading oil producer — a rapidly transforming absolute monarchy embarking on an ambitious Vision 2030 diversification agenda that has already delivered entertainment venues, mixed-gender events, a booming tourism sector, and the Riyadh Metro.
Social Security in Saudi Arabia
Benefits, contributions, and how the system works for expats.
Saudi Arabia's social insurance system (GOSI — General Organisation for Social Insurance) covers all employees but applies very differently to Saudi nationals vs expats. In 2026, Saudi nationals pay 21.5% total GOSI contribution (employee 9.75% + employer 11.75%) covering pension, disability, and death benefits. Expat employees are enrolled in GOSI occupational hazard branch only — employer pays 2% of salary; expats pay 0% from their own salary. Expats receive NO pension from Saudi GOSI — their retirement provision must be arranged elsewhere. The mandatory employer-provided CCHI health insurance operates separately from GOSI. End of Service Benefit (ESB) is the main financial protection for expats and is calculated under Saudi Labour Law, not GOSI.
Iqama Number / Resident Identity Number
رقم الإقامة
Automatically assigned when your Iqama is issued by the Jawazat (immigration directorate). Your Iqama number is a 10-digit number starting with 2 (for expats; Saudi IDs start with 1). This number is your primary identifier for all government services in Saudi Arabia.
- GOSI registration
- CCHI health insurance
- ABSHER government portal
- Banking and financial services
- WPS (Wage Protection System) salary registration
- Qiwa labour platform (employment contract registration)
- Muqeem (employer compliance tracking)
- Driving licence
- Property rental (Ejar)
- Vehicle registration
- Mobile phone registration
- Tax identification (VAT purposes if business owner)
Benefits & Support Payments
GOSI Occupational Hazard Insurance
التأمين ضد إصابات العمل
Coverage for work-related injuries, occupational diseases, and work-related death. Covers medical treatment costs for workplace injuries, temporary disability payments (75% of salary for up to 4 years), permanent disability compensation (lump sum based on % disability × 36 months of salary), and death benefit (survivors receive 36 months of salary as a lump sum).
All employees registered with GOSI — including all expat workers regardless of nationality.
Your employer registers you with GOSI. Check your GOSI registration via gosi.gov.sa. In case of workplace injury: notify employer immediately, get treated at a GOSI-approved hospital, and file an injury report within 15 days.
End of Service Benefit (ESB)
مكافأة نهاية الخدمة
Mandatory gratuity payment from employer to employee at end of employment. Calculated based on basic salary (not gross with allowances). The primary financial protection mechanism for expats in lieu of a pension from Saudi GOSI. ESB is governed by the Saudi Labour Law (Royal Decree M/51), not GOSI.
All employees under a Saudi employment contract — including expats. No minimum tenure for termination (without cause). 2-year minimum for any resignation ESB.
ESB is paid by your employer when employment ends. If the employer refuses, file a complaint via Qiwa platform or MHRSD. The labour courts can order ESB payment with penalties.
CCHI Health Insurance
الضمان الصحي التعاوني
Mandatory employer-provided health insurance for all private sector employees including expats. Regulated by the Council of Cooperative Health Insurance (CCHI). Covers inpatient, outpatient, emergency, and (from 2026) minimum mental health and telehealth.
All private sector employees from day one of employment.
Employer is legally required to enrol you. If not done, escalate to MHRSD.
Unemployment Insurance (SANID)
ساند — التأمين ضد التعطل عن العمل
Saudi Arabia's unemployment insurance programme applies to Saudi nationals only. Expats do not receive unemployment benefits — there is no equivalent for expat workers whose employment ends.
Saudi nationals only. Expats are not eligible.
Not applicable for expats.
GOSI Saudi National Pension
معاش التقاعد
Pension system for Saudi nationals funded by the 21.5% GOSI contribution. Expats do not receive any pension from Saudi GOSI — regardless of how long they work in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi nationals only.
Not applicable for expats.
Contribution Overview
Expat employees: 0% employee contribution; employer pays 2% occupational hazard to GOSI only. Saudi national employees: employee pays 9.75% of basic salary to GOSI; employer pays 11.75%. Total Saudi contribution: 21.5%. Employer also pays CCHI health insurance premium — varies by plan. No income tax contributions. No unemployment insurance for expats.
International Social Security Agreements
Saudi Arabia has limited social security totalization agreements. The primary agreements are within the GCC — contributions made in GCC countries may be coordinated for Saudi nationals moving between GCC states. For expat workers: Saudi Arabia does not have totalization agreements with the UK, US, Australia, or most Western countries. US citizens working in Saudi Arabia are generally exempt from GOSI (due to limited expat participation) and must continue to track their home-country Social Security and Medicare separately. UK citizens should consider maintaining voluntary National Insurance contributions while abroad to preserve State Pension entitlement. From 6 April 2026, voluntary Class 2 NI for periods abroad is abolished — UK expats must pay Class 3 at £18.40/week for 2026–27 (HMRC CF83 form required). Australian citizens: self-employed super contributions may be tax-deductible in Australia — consult an AUS-based expat tax advisor.
In 2026, GOSI has launched a digital platform allowing employees to verify their GOSI registration status, contribution records, and file injury claims online. Expats should check their GOSI registration is active — employer delays in GOSI registration (though illegal) do occur. Report any unregistered status to MHRSD. Key facts for expats: (1) Your ESB is your main financial protection — track it monthly, understand the resignation cliff, and negotiate a higher basic salary to maximise it. (2) GOSI occupational hazard covers workplace injuries only — not illness or non-work injuries (covered by CCHI). (3) You will receive zero pension from Saudi Arabia regardless of tenure — plan your retirement savings entirely from your own resources.
Social Security
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