Free health care for foreigners in Russia

Do foreigners have access to free health care in Russia?

Russian healthcare system is universal and government-funded – individuals, regardless of their income, access health services when needed. But this regards Russian citizens. And what can foreigners count on in Russia?

For a foreign national to be treated free of charge in hospitals and polyclinics (these are outpatient clinics with doctors of different specialties), he/she needs a health insurance certificate (called «policy» in Russian). If a non-citizen does not have such a certificate, only first aid is available for him/her - that is, doctors will help the foreigner in a critical situation, but as soon as his/her life is not in danger, all other services will be fee-based.

There are two types of «policies»: compulsory or voluntary health insurance. Only those foreigners who have a temporary or permanent residence permit or asylum can get a compulsory health insurance, and they do not have to pay for it. Click here to learn more how to get a compulsory health insurance certificate if you live in Russia.


Need legal help? Feel free to contact us:
Tel: +7 909 961-19-09
Email: legalsolutions@inbox.ru
Visit us: Moscow, Zubovskiy bulvar, building 4/1, office 308

You might also like the articles:
Obtaining a temporary residence permit
Obtaining a permanent residence permit
New law on citizenship of the Russian Federation as of 26.10.2023