What you need to know

If you work legally in China, your health cover mostly comes through your job. Your employer enrols you in social insurance, and basic medical insurance is one of the schemes. The rules are in the Interim Measures on Social Insurance Participation for Foreigners Employed in China (Order No. 16 of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security).

Who is covered

Non-Chinese nationals who work legally in China under a work permit and a residence permit, and holders of the foreigner's permanent residence ID card.

What you join

  • basic pension insurance
  • basic medical insurance
  • work injury insurance
  • unemployment insurance
  • maternity insurance

You and your employer pay the contributions. The measures do not give rates; ask your HR office or the local social insurance office.

Deadline

The employer registers you within 30 days of the day it gets your work permit. If an overseas employer sent you to a branch or a representative office registered in China, that office handles the insurance.

Your number

The social security number combines a country code, a reserved digit and the number of your passport or permanent residence card. It is unique in China and does not change. The same document number is used for life.

If your country has an agreement

Nationals of countries that have a social insurance agreement with China follow the terms of that agreement.

What this does not cover

Private health insurance, cover for dependants and what the scheme pays for in a hospital are outside this source. Ask your HR office and the hospital's registration desk. Foreigners who do not work in China are not covered by these measures.

The source is listed below with the date it was opened.

Practical facts

Steps

  1. Check that you are covered: the rules apply to non-Chinese nationals who work legally in China under a work permit and residence permit, and to holders of the foreigner's permanent residence ID card.[1]
  2. Your employer registers you for social insurance within 30 days of the day it gets your work permit. Ask the HR office to confirm the date.[1]
  3. You join five schemes: basic pension, basic medical, work injury, unemployment and maternity insurance. You and the employer pay the contributions as the rules set.[1]
  4. If an overseas employer sent you to a branch or representative office registered in China, the branch or office handles the contributions in the same way.[1]
  5. If your country has a social insurance agreement with China, follow the agreement's terms.[1]
  6. Your social security number is made from a country code, a reserved digit and your passport or permanent residence card number. It is unique in China and never changes.[1]

Official sources

  1. Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security: 在中国境内就业的外国人参加社会保险暂行办法 (Order No. 16, in force since 2011-10-15) (www.gov.cn/zhengce/2022-08/31/content_5711299.htm) · accessed 10/21/2026