Published on and written by Cyril Jarnias
Moving to Lebanon attracts many expatriates, whether they are employees on assignment, entrepreneurs, aid workers, or retirees. The country offers a quality of care long considered the best in the Middle East, with highly trained doctors and private hospitals of international standing. But the current reality is more mixed: deep economic crisis, skyrocketing costs, medicine shortages, and a public system under pressure. For an expatriate, preparing thoroughly and understanding how the healthcare system works is no longer an option—it’s a safety requirement.
This article provides an updated guide to structuring your healthcare in Lebanon. It helps you avoid financial surprises, identify the right contacts, and adapt your strategy, whether your stay is short or long term.
A mixed healthcare system, effective but under strain
Lebanon operates with a mixed healthcare system, where the private sector dominates heavily. Approximately 70 to 90% of healthcare facilities are private, and over 80% of hospital beds are in private structures. Historically, this model allowed the emergence of very high-performing hospitals, especially in Beirut, with care quality often compared to Western Europe or North America.
In practice, there are two parallel worlds.
The public sector, managed by the Ministry of Health, is accessible to residents, including foreigners. However, it suffers from chronic underfunding, long waiting times, uneven infrastructure, and limited capacity. Hospitalizations are partially subsidized for uninsured Lebanese, but foreigners do not benefit from this safety net and remain largely direct payers.
On the other side, a network of private hospitals and clinics, particularly in Beirut and major cities, continues despite the crisis to offer very high-level care, with modern technical equipment (MRI, CT scans, robotic surgery, well-equipped operating rooms) and a strong presence of doctors trained in France, the United States, Canada, or the United Kingdom. English and French are commonly spoken, in addition to Arabic, which reduces language barriers for expatriates.
The healthcare system exhibits a duality, creating a situation of “excellence with inequalities.” The quality of care can be remarkable for patients with sufficient financial means or good insurance. Conversely, access to care becomes extremely difficult, even impossible, for the most vulnerable populations. For an expatriate, this translates to the availability of high-quality care, but often at a high cost, increasingly demanded in direct payment (“fresh USD”).
Economic crisis, inflation, and impact on healthcare
Since 2019, Lebanon has been going through an economic crisis that the World Bank ranks among the worst globally since the 19th century. The GDP has collapsed, the Lebanese pound has lost over 80% of its value, inflation exceeds 100%, more than half the population lives below the poverty line, and the country simultaneously hosts over 1.5 million displaced Syrians. The already fragmented healthcare system is taking the full brunt of this shock.
The concrete consequences for users, including expatriates, are multiple.
In 2022, more than 80% of total healthcare expenditures were directly borne by patients.
In this context, private hospitals have shifted to billing almost exclusively in “fresh” US dollars, while public reimbursements have remained indexed at rates far below reality. Some facilities no longer accept patients covered by the ministry or the NSSF unless they can pay in cash or through private international insurance. Hospitals are reducing capacity (closing beds, canceling non-urgent surgeries) due to a lack of funds to run operating rooms, purchase medications, or maintain equipment.
In Lebanon, drug shortages have become nearly structural. The country imports over 80% of its medicines. Following the reduction or elimination of public subsidies, prices have soared. Stocks are reported to have halved since the start of the crisis, and more than 70% of the population may no longer have regular access to essential treatments, especially for cardiovascular diseases or cancers. This situation has given rise to a black market, hoarding practices, and the circulation of counterfeit or poor-quality products.
The crisis has accelerated the exodus of healthcare professionals. Many doctors, nurses, and specialists have left the country after a drop of over 80% in their real income. In some university hospitals, nearly half the nurses and a large portion of emergency staff have left. Nurse-to-patient ratios in the public sector can reach 1 to 20, degrading the quality of follow-up and increasing the risk of preventable adverse events.
For an expatriate, this reality translates into a paradox: the best hospitals remain capable of offering cutting-edge medicine, but the overall fragility of the ecosystem increases the risks of delays, extra costs, stock shortages, or difficulty finding certain specialists, especially outside Beirut.
Public, private, NGOs: who should expatriates turn to?
For a foreigner settled in Lebanon, it is theoretically possible to access public services, but several factors limit the real appeal of this option.
First, accessibility. Public hospitals are overwhelmed, especially since a significant portion of the population previously covered by private care has shifted to the public system. Bed occupancy rates exceed 90% in winter, massive procedure postponements occur (up to 40% of scheduled operations canceled in some facilities), and there are recurring difficulties finding a bed, particularly in intensive care.
Second, quality and resources. While some public university hospitals maintain a good standard, the lack of equipment, consumables, and the exodus of qualified staff reduce the overall safety of care, especially for complex conditions.
Essential information on access to care and rates for foreign residents.
Expatriates are generally not covered by Lebanon’s public social security schemes.
The NSSF may cover some foreigners under reciprocity agreements with their country, but this coverage is rare and partial.
In the majority of cases, an expatriate in a public hospital is a paying patient, with little or no subsidy.
In practice, the vast majority of expatriates therefore turn to the private sector, especially hospitals and clinics in Beirut, for major care and emergencies. This is where you find reference facilities such as the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC), Hôtel-Dieu de France, Clemenceau Medical Center, St George Hospital, or Lebanese Hospital Geitaoui, often affiliated with major universities (AUB, USJ, LAU, Balamand) and staffed by medical teams trained abroad. These structures operate according to international standards, usually with recognized accreditations, rigorous hygiene, and state-of-the-art equipment.
They play a crucial role for vulnerable groups: Syrian and Palestinian refugees, migrant domestic workers under the kafala system, elderly people without coverage. But these programs are designed for local disadvantaged profiles, not for salaried or executive expatriates, who are not eligible for free care or highly subsidized rates.
NGOs and humanitarian organizations (MSF, Caritas, Lebanese Red Cross, etc.)
For an expatriate, the trade-off is therefore simple in theory but financially demanding: rely on the private sector, ensuring in advance that you have solid health coverage that meets local requirements.
Cost of care: what an expatriate actually pays
Even before the crisis, private healthcare in Lebanon represented a significant budget without insurance. Average amounts, expressed in dollars, provide a useful benchmark for an expatriate.
A consultation with a general practitioner in the public sector ranged from $10 to $20, compared to $50 to $100 in a private clinic. For a specialist, the range was $20 to $50 in the public sector and $100 to $250 in the private sector. An emergency room visit typically cost between $50 and $200, and a hospital night between $100 and $500 depending on the facility and room type.
The maximum cost of a vaginal delivery in the United States, before complications or C-section.
Dental care illustrates the price difference between Lebanon and Western countries well, while still being significant for a local budget. A dental checkup in private practice ranges from $50 to $150. Titanium dental implants cost between $600 and $900 each, compared to $3,000 to $5,000 in the United States or the United Kingdom. A complete “Hollywood smile” (veneers on the entire arch) is around $4,000 to $6,000, well below the $15,000 to $25,000 charged in some Western countries.
The tables below provide a summary overview of main expense categories.
Example of common medical costs (excluding major crisis)
| Type of service | Public sector (USD) | Private sector (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| General practitioner visit | 10 – 20 | 50 – 100 |
| Specialist visit | 20 – 50 | 100 – 250 |
| Dental visit | 20 – 50 | 50 – 150 |
| Eye exam | 10 – 30 | 30 – 100 |
| Basic blood panel | 10 – 20 | 20 – 50 |
| Simple X-ray | 10 – 20 | 10 – 50 |
| MRI | – | 100 – 300 |
| Emergency room visit | – | 50 – 200 |
| Hospital night | – | 100 – 500 |
| “Simple” surgery | – | 500 – 2,000 |
| Childbirth (vaginal, uncomplicated) | – | 1,000 – 3,000 |
Medications, widely available in cities, round out the bill. Prescription treatments often cost between $10 and $50 per month, while over-the-counter drugs start around $5. In a context of inflation and shortage, these amounts can fluctuate significantly and, above all, increasingly need to be paid in dollars.
“Corporate” expatriates rarely face these costs directly, as they are absorbed by international insurance or high-end local policies. Conversely, self-employed individuals, freelancers, or retired expatriates who try to “patch together” a small local policy or have no coverage at all expose themselves to impossible bills in the event of hospitalization or a serious accident.
Health insurance: an essential pillar for expatriates
For a foreign resident, health insurance is not just recommended; it is effectively indispensable. Expatriates are generally not included in Lebanese social security schemes and must provide proof of private coverage to obtain or renew their residence permit.
On paper, three main families of options exist: basic local insurance, comprehensive local private insurance, international health insurance designed for expatriates. There are also community or religious mutual funds, but they primarily target Lebanese nationals.
Typology of coverage and price levels
Price differentials reflect the depth of coverage. Available data allows us to outline broad orders of magnitude:
| Type of coverage | Indicative price (USD/month) | Typical coverage profile |
|---|---|---|
| Basic local insurance | 20 – 50 | Access to public hospitals, essential care |
| Comprehensive local private insurance | 100 – 300 | Private hospitals, specialists, major procedures |
| International / expatriate insurance | 200 – 500 | Worldwide coverage + evacuation, repatriation |
| “Standard” international plan adult | ~80 – 150 | Healthy adult, with deductible |
Salaried expatriates are often covered by insurance negotiated by their employer. However, it is common for these policies to be limited to a specific network, capped on certain items, or denominated in Lebanese pounds, which, with the devaluation, led to a massive loss of coverage value. More and more hospitals now require contracts to be expressed and settled in “fresh USD”; otherwise, they demand cash deposits at admission ranging from $2,000 to $10,000.
In an unstable context, it is recommended that expatriates take out international contracts with specialized groups (such as Cigna Global, Allianz Care, GeoBlue, IMG, Now Health, or APRIL International). These policies, denominated in hard currencies, offer essential guarantees: emergency medical evacuation, health repatriation, and continuity of coverage in case of a hasty departure from the country for security or political reasons.
Why international policies are preferred
Several elements explain this clear preference for international insurance among expatriates in Lebanon.
An insurance policy denominated in Lebanese pounds can become inadequate in the face of hospital costs billed in dollars due to currency volatility, leaving the insured with a symbolic reimbursement despite a initially competitive premium.
The second reason lies in the inclusion of medical evacuation. In case of a serious accident, a pathology requiring locally unavailable care, or a major security deterioration, being transferred by medical airlift to another country (Europe, Gulf, etc.) can cost between $20,000 and $200,000. Few local policies cover this type of expense. International contracts often include it as standard.
Another key factor: exclusions related to the context. In a country exposed to risks of tensions, outbreaks of violence, or attacks, it is crucial to verify that the policy does not exclude acts of war, terrorism, or riots. Some international offerings explicitly include these risks, whereas basic contracts may exclude them.
Finally, international policies generally handle chronic diseases and long-term follow-ups better, with higher caps and structured coverage. In contrast, many local insurers exclude membership after a certain age (e.g., 70) or apply strong restrictions on pre-existing conditions.
How to choose your coverage when moving to Lebanon
For a newcomer, the temptation is sometimes to look only at the premium amount. But in such a fragile environment, the goal is less about having “insurance” than having the right insurance. A few criteria prove decisive.
The first question to ask is about the geographic scope. An expatriate who travels regularly, or who considers the possibility of being evacuated to Europe or a Gulf country in case of a complex condition, should prioritize an international policy with worldwide coverage. For a very sedentary profile, rarely leaving Lebanese territory, broad regional coverage may suffice, provided it accepts Beirut’s reference hospitals.
The second axis concerns the hospital network. Some contracts grant access to all facilities, but with different reimbursement levels, or even surcharges for “premium” hospitals like AUBMC. It is essential to verify the list of directly contracted hospitals (third-party payment) and the specific conditions applied to those you are most likely to use.
The coverage for emergencies and evacuation must also be scrutinized. A good policy must unambiguously cover emergencies 24/7, including in the event of a road accident, heart attack, or severe trauma. It must also include a clear procedure to trigger a medical evacuation, with an operational assistance platform.
Insurance policies often impose waiting periods or exclusions for chronic diseases. It is crucial to check the reimbursement of long-term medications (diabetes, hypertension, etc.), especially in a context of possible treatment shortages.
Finally, the question of insurer stability deserves consideration. Clauses like “guaranteed renewability” (impossibility for the insurer to cancel a contract as long as premiums are paid) or “continuity of coverage” (transfer of accrued rights from a previous insurer to avoid new waiting periods) are useful safeguards in a country in crisis.
Pharmacies, medications, and on-the-ground realities
Expatriates moving to Lebanon are often struck by the density of pharmacies in cities: the number of pharmacies more than doubled between the mid-2000s and the late 2010s. In Beirut and major urban areas, it is easy to find a pharmacy open late, with staff who frequently speak English or French. In rural areas, access is more uneven.
Lebanon imports more than 80% of its medicines, making it vulnerable to economic and logistical crises.
The crisis has upended this balance. With public subsidies on medications removed or drastically reduced, the prices of many drugs have skyrocketed. Recurrent shortages have driven patients to stockpile, distributors to speculate, and a parallel market to emerge, including with pills of dubious or counterfeit quality. Studies have identified counterfeit medications in a non-negligible proportion of households in some regions.
For an expatriate, it is prudent to arrive with a personal supply of medications for a few months, especially for chronic treatments, along with the corresponding prescriptions. It is also useful to identify a few reputable major pharmacies, often associated with hospitals or reliable networks, and to systematically check the appearance, packaging, and origin of dispensed medications.
Official regulations provide for a unified prescription system to encourage the use of generics and regulate pharmaceutical substitution, but its implementation remains partial, hampered by prescriber habits and the lower financial margins associated with generics. Expatriates, accustomed to using generics in their home countries, can nevertheless systematically ask their doctors and pharmacists if a reliable, locally available generic alternative exists, often at a lower cost.
Doctors, specialties, and languages: a favorable environment for expatriates
One of Lebanon’s historical strengths is the density and quality of its medical community. The country boasts one of the highest doctor-to-population ratios in the region, with a significant proportion of practitioners having studied or completed their training in Europe or North America. Many specialties are represented: anesthesiology, cardiology, bariatric surgery, oncology, neurology, pediatrics, psychiatry, dermatology, orthopedics, plastic surgery, etc.
For expatriates, finding English- or French-speaking practitioners is particularly easy in major cities like Beirut. The majority of doctors at large university hospitals consult in English and/or French, in addition to Arabic. The duration of a consultation typically ranges from 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the practitioner and specialty.
It is relatively easy to find a general practitioner or specialist through word-of-mouth, colleagues, online directories, or via embassy services. Some diplomatic representations, such as the British embassy, maintain lists of recommended hospitals and doctors, while noting that they do not bear legal responsibility for these recommendations.
The crisis has led to the departure of several thousand doctors and nurses, creating a critical shortage in certain specialties like pediatric cardiac surgery. For expatriates requiring highly specialized care or treating rare conditions, it is advisable to plan, with your insurance, for the possibility of medical treatment abroad due to extended wait times and limited local options.
Mental health and psychological support: a more visible offering
The economic crisis, the pandemic, the Beirut port explosion, and social tensions have had a massive impact on the mental health of the population, including expatriates. The need for psychological support and care for anxiety or depressive disorders has greatly increased.
The Ministry of Health and WHO have launched a national program including the “Step-by-Step” app. This five-week guided self-help program, available in Arabic and English, is accessible to all adults in the country, including foreigners. Clinical studies confirm its effectiveness in reducing depressive symptoms, particularly among Syrian refugees and Lebanese nationals.
Local NGOs like Embrace operate a national helpline (1564) for people in emotional distress, and clinics such as MIND or IDRAAC offer psychiatric and psychotherapeutic consultations for all ages, with a very structured approach. Médecins Sans Frontières also integrates mental health services into its clinics, particularly in peripheral regions.
For expatriates, some facilities offer therapy in French or English, providing a safety net. However, these services are often not free for foreigners, and private psychiatrists’ fees can be high. It is therefore advantageous to have health insurance that includes mental health and psychotherapy.
Vaccinations and prevention: preparing for your arrival
Before moving to Lebanon, it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional specializing in travel medicine to update your vaccination record. No specific vaccinations are required to enter the country, except when arriving from a yellow fever endemic area. However, several vaccines are strongly advised for living in a middle-income country with infrastructure pressures.
Basic vaccination recommendations include hepatitis A, typhoid, hepatitis B, tetanus-diphtheria booster, MMR update, seasonal flu, and COVID-19. Depending on the traveler’s profile and planned activities (extended stays in rural areas, contact with animals), rabies or meningitis vaccines may also be suggested.
Regarding water- and food-borne diseases, such as traveler’s diarrhea, the same precautions apply as elsewhere: watch out for tap water, ice cubes, poorly washed raw vegetables, and unreliable street food stalls. Long-stay expatriates often end up eating local food without difficulty, but the first few months require increased vigilance. Travel medicine doctors frequently prescribe a “rescue” antibiotic to treat severe acute diarrhea (ciprofloxacin, azithromycin, rifaximin depending on profile), to be used only in case of significant symptoms, alongside hydration measures.
Lebanon does not present a risk of yellow fever or endemic malaria. However, the use of mosquito repellent is recommended, especially during the hot season, to reduce the risk of bites that could transmit other arboviruses.
Lebanon as a medical tourism destination: asset or trap for expatriates?
Paradoxically, Lebanon continues to attract foreign patients for certain procedures, particularly cosmetic surgery, dentistry, ophthalmology, orthopedics, or fertility treatments. Savings can reach 40 to 70% compared to prices in the United States or the United Kingdom, thanks to a lower cost of living, lower salary overhead, and favorable exchange rates.
For an expatriate, Lebanon offers the opportunity to undergo top-tier medical procedures (cosmetic surgery, dental implants, IVF) at reduced cost. This approach requires extreme vigilance: careful selection of the clinic and surgeon, transparent quotes, verification of accreditation levels. In a system with uneven oversight, it is prudent to prioritize the most reputable facilities and surgeons with recognized certifications.
Reputable clinics use CE-marked or FDA-approved implants and devices, apply the same protocols as in Europe or North America, and facilitate post-operative follow-up. For an expatriate, the key question remains ensuring that these procedures, often classified as “non-essential” (cosmetic, fertility, refractive surgery), are well integrated into their insurance coverage, or that they are ready to bear the full cost.
Living with a system under pressure: what expatriates need to anticipate
Beyond the technical aspects of insurance or cost, moving to Lebanon implies accepting life within a healthcare system under constant strain. This reality does not mean it is dangerous to get treated there—the top-tier hospitals remain safe—but it makes it essential to adopt a few preventive habits.
Upon arrival, identify a trusted general practitioner who speaks your language to avoid navigating blindly in case of a health issue. Also locate the emergency department of the hospital where you would like to be treated, and familiarize yourself with the admission procedure (deposit, insurance card, emergency contacts). Finally, keep a file at hand containing your list of treatments, allergies, and medical history, translated into English or French. These simple steps are invaluable for efficient care.
It is also useful to inquire with your employer, embassy, or long-standing colleagues about which facilities are performing best in the current context, whether hospitals, diagnostic labs, or pharmacies.
In a country in crisis, mental health is heavily impacted by cultural adaptation, exposure to poverty and instability, and logistical issues like power outages. It is essential to give yourself permission to seek help, whether through a local helpline, a French-speaking Lebanese psychologist, or remote follow-up with a therapist from your home country, to ensure a successful overall health strategy.
Moving to Lebanon today means entering a healthcare system that is both brilliant and fragile. Expatriates who prepare seriously—by choosing robust insurance, researching facilities, anticipating their medication needs, and staying vigilant about the quality and traceability of care—can continue to benefit from this tradition of medical excellence that the country is known for. Conversely, ignoring these parameters means taking a considerable financial and health risk in an environment where improvisation comes at a very high cost.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or professional advice. We encourage you to consult qualified experts before making any investment, real estate, or expatriation decisions. Although we strive to maintain up-to-date and accurate information, we do not guarantee the completeness, accuracy, or timeliness of the proposed content. As investment and expatriation involve risks, we disclaim any liability for potential losses or damages arising from the use of this site. Your use of this site confirms your acceptance of these terms and your understanding of the associated risks.
Cyril Jarnias is an independent expert in international wealth management with over 20 years of experience. As an expatriate himself, he is dedicated to helping individuals and business leaders build, protect, and pass on their wealth with complete peace of mind.
On his website, cyriljarnias.com, he shares his expertise on international real estate, offshore company formation, and expatriation.
Thanks to his expertise, he offers sound advice to optimize his clients' wealth management. Cyril Jarnias is also recognized for his appearances in many prestigious media outlets such as BFM Business, les Français de l’étranger, Le Figaro, Les Echos, and Mieux vivre votre argent, where he shares his knowledge and know-how in wealth management.
