WTW advises Brunei employers to review health policies amidst new rules

The move aims to manage rising public healthcare costs.

The Brunei government has introduced a new rule requiring all foreign citizens in the country to have a minimum level of private health insurance coverage, to be paid by their employers.

According to WTW, 93% of Brunei employers already provide supplemental private medical insurance for employees and their dependents, mainly covering hospitalisation and surgery. Existing policies will stay valid until they expire.

Employers are advised to review their current health insurance arrangements to ensure compliance and assess the potential impact on hiring and employment costs.

The move comes as the government seeks to manage rising healthcare costs in the public system, which previously provided free coverage to permanent residents and foreign spouses of Bruneian citizens. 

Temporary foreign workers were already required to have basic hospitalisation and outpatient insurance.

Permanent residents accounted for 5.8% of Brunei’s total population of 455,500 in 2024, whilst another 18.1% were temporary residents.

The new insurance mandate is being rolled out in two phases based on entry pass types and the duration of stay.

Since 1 July, 2025, those entering Brunei under professional or business visit passes must have coverage of at least BN$10,000 ($7,700) for visits under 90 days, or BN$100,000 ($77,000) for longer stays. 

Permanent residents and holders of domestic service employment passes must also have at least BN$100,000 ($77,000) in coverage, whilst visitor pass holders require BN$10,000 ($7,700). 

From January 1, 2026, the rule will extend to private sector employment passes with a BN$100,000 ($77,000) minimum coverage, dependent passes (BN$10,000 ($7,700)), and student passes (BN$5,000 ($3,850)).

The insurance can be arranged with domestic or foreign insurers. 

Proof of valid insurance will be required for entry or renewal of permits; otherwise, the entry pass will be limited to two weeks.

($1.00 = BN$1.29)