Healthcare in Yerevan for foreigners: how it works
Healthcare is the first thing people moving with children ask about, and the second thing everyone else remembers when something happens. Here is how it works in Yerevan.
The overall picture
Armenia has both public and private clinics. Most people who have moved here use private ones: it is easier to book, waits are shorter and staff more often speak Russian.
A practical point: if you speak Russian, being a patient in Yerevan is easier than in most countries of the region. Many doctors speak Russian, especially those of the older generation.
What it costs
Reference prices from clinic websites, checked on 23.10.2026:
| Service | Price | Clinic |
|---|---|---|
| GP consultation | 10,000 AMD | Izmirlian |
| Complete blood count | 4,000 AMD | Izmirlian |
| Abdominal ultrasound | 15,000 AMD | Erebuni |
| Brain MRI | 50,000-60,000 AMD | Erebuni, Izmirlian |
| One day in hospital | 20,000 AMD | Izmirlian |
| Paediatrician | from 14,000 AMD | Wigmore |
Prices change, so check the clinic's website before your visit.
Insurance
Health insurance in Armenia is not automatic for a foreigner. According to the government portal hartak.am, health insurance is not required for a temporary or permanent residence permit; a medical certificate is needed instead. The options:
- a policy for people living abroad (an expat policy): you can buy one while already in Armenia
- a local policy from an Armenian insurer: designed for treatment in Armenian clinics
- state health insurance: according to hartak.am, from 2026 it covers citizens and residents, with a contribution of 10,800 AMD a month; whether it applies to foreigners depends on your status, so check yours
- paying as you go without insurance
An example of an expat policy: the Expat plan from Tripinsurance, according to its calculator on 23.10.2026, costs 4,748 ₽ a month for an adult aged 18-69 in Armenia, paid monthly. A policy bought while already in Armenia takes effect from the 6th day, and it does not cover planned treatment or childbirth.
Paying as you go works for outpatient care but becomes risky in a serious case. If you are moving with your family, sort out insurance in the first few weeks.
We wrote about property insurance separately: overview. The logic is similar to healthcare: it is cheaper to arrange it in advance than to deal with the consequences later.
What to find out right after moving
- The nearest clinic and hospital to your home.
- How to call an ambulance: according to hartak.am the number is 103; if you cannot get through, call 112 or 911 (911 has English-speaking operators). The ambulance is free for everyone.
- A round-the-clock pharmacy nearby.
- A paediatrician, if you have children.
- Dentistry: it is well developed in Yerevan and popular with medical tourists.
Do this in your first month, not when you need it.
How it affects your choice of district
In central and well-established districts, polyclinics and private clinics are close by; in new and outlying neighbourhoods there are fewer of them.
For families with children and for elderly parents, being close to medical care is as important a criterion for choosing a district as a school: see apartments for rent in Yerevan.
Median rents by district for September 2026: Kentron about $1,650, Arabkir about $1,240, Nor Nork about $1,080, Shengavit about $895: price overview.
Documents
A passport is usually enough to visit a private clinic. To deal with the public system and to take out a policy, you may need an identification number: about the social card and tax number.
Disclaimer
The rules and procedures for providing medical care to foreigners can change, and this article does not replace a consultation at a specific clinic or with an insurance agent. It is a general guide for planning your move.
Our general relocation guide is in a separate article.
_Photo: Beko, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons. Image resized._
Frequently asked questions
Do doctors in Yerevan speak Russian?
Yes, many doctors speak Russian, especially those of the older generation, and it is more common in private clinics. A Russian-speaking patient has an easier time in Yerevan than in most countries of the region.
Does a foreigner need health insurance in Armenia?
By law it is not required for a residence permit (hartak.am, 23.10.2026), but it is worth getting: insurance is not automatic for a foreigner. An expat policy can be bought while already in Armenia, a local policy is designed for Armenian clinics, and paying as you go is risky in a serious case.
What documents does a foreigner need for an appointment at a private clinic in Yerevan?
A passport is usually enough for a private clinic. For the public system and for taking out a policy, you may need an identification number.
How much does a doctor's appointment cost in Yerevan?
According to the Izmirlian price list on 23.10.2026, a GP consultation costs 10,000 AMD, and a paediatrician at Wigmore from 14,000 AMD. Each clinic sets its own prices, and they change.
What is the ambulance number in Armenia?
103; if you cannot get through, 112 or 911, and 911 has English-speaking operators. The ambulance is free for everyone (hartak.am, 23.10.2026).
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