Armenia’s health system is in the middle of its biggest reform in decades. Here is what the new universal health insurance means for foreigners, how to use public and private clinics, and why most expats still carry private cover.
The short version
Emergency care is available to everyone in Armenia, regardless of nationality. For routine care, most expats in Yerevan use private clinics, paying out of pocket or through private health insurance. The new state universal health insurance launched in 2026 is being phased in for specific groups of Armenian residents, and it is not yet a replacement for private cover if you are a foreign national.
Universal health insurance: what changed in 2026
From 1 January 2026 Armenia began rolling out a mandatory universal health insurance system. The rollout is staged:
- First groups: children under 18, people aged 65 and over, people with disabilities, socially vulnerable households and families of fallen servicemen — funded by the state budget.
- Employees: salaried workers above an income threshold (reported as monthly earnings over 200,000 AMD) are brought in with a premium largely offset by the state and through the tax system.
- Full coverage of the population is planned by the end of 2028.
The package covers primary care, specialist referrals, outpatient and inpatient treatment, diagnostics and listed medicines, with exclusions such as most dental work, cosmetic procedures and services above the Fund’s price limits. Access starts with your registered primary-care doctor.
What it means for foreigners: the published rules focus on Armenian citizens and residents in the covered groups. If you hold a residence permit and are employed locally above the threshold, ask your employer’s HR or accountant whether you are enrolled. If you are self-employed, a company owner or on a visa-free stay, assume you are not covered and arrange private insurance.
Polyclinics and primary care
The public system is organised around neighbourhood polyclinics. Residents register with a polyclinic and choose a family doctor, who issues referrals to specialists. Registration requires your passport and your social card number, and changes of doctor can be made through the national e-health system. Polyclinics are inexpensive and improving, but waiting times vary and English is not always spoken, so bring a translator or an Armenian-speaking friend to the first visit.
Private clinics in Yerevan
Yerevan has a large private sector, from single-specialty clinics to full hospitals with modern diagnostics. Advantages for newcomers are fast appointments, English-speaking doctors in many practices and transparent price lists. A few practical tips:
- Ask for the price before the procedure. Costs for the same test can vary considerably between clinics.
- Keep every receipt and report. You will need them to claim from your insurer.
- Dentistry is a strength. Private dental care is widely used by expats and usually costs far less than in Western Europe or North America.
- Lab tests are quick. Independent laboratories often deliver results the same or next day, by email or app.
Emergencies
| Number | Use it for |
|---|---|
| 911 | Unified emergency number (ambulance, police, fire) |
| 103 | Ambulance directly |
Emergency stabilisation is provided to foreigners. Save both numbers in your phone and learn to say your address in a way a dispatcher can understand — building number, street, entrance and floor.
Pharmacies
Pharmacies are everywhere in Yerevan and many are open late or 24 hours. Pharmacists are a useful first stop for minor problems. Some medicines that need a prescription elsewhere are sold over the counter, but controls have tightened, so bring a prescription or a doctor’s letter for regular medication. If you take a specific drug, check local availability before you move and bring enough to cover your first weeks.
Private health insurance
Two types of cover are common among expats:
- Local policies from Armenian insurers, often bought through an employer. They are affordable and work well with local clinics, but check the network, limits and whether dental and maternity are included.
- International policies that cover you in Armenia and abroad. They cost more but make sense if you travel often or want the option of treatment in another country.
Some residency and visa procedures, as well as many employers, expect you to hold valid health insurance, so it is sensible to arrange it before or alongside your residency application.
For a private EFES policy, request insurance in Armenia through iEquity’s authorized agency. Eligibility and policy terms are reviewed before payment; private insurance does not replace statutory UHI obligations.
A simple plan for your first month
- Buy private insurance that starts on your arrival date.
- Pick a private clinic and a dentist near your home; save their numbers.
- Get your social card, then register with a polyclinic if you are eligible.
- Bring a medical summary and prescriptions, translated if possible.
- Save 911 and 103, and share your address with a local contact.
Official sources
- Ministry of Health of Armenia: moh.am
- National e-health system (ARMED): armed.am
Last reviewed: September 2026. Rules and prices in Armenia change often — always confirm with the official source linked above before you act.