Cambodia Healthcare for Expats: Hospitals, Costs & Evacuation (2026)
Cambodia's healthcare system is improving, but it's still a long way from what you're used to at home. International clinics in Phnom Penh can handle everyday problems like a stomach bug, a minor infection, or stitches. But anything serious (a bad motorbike accident, appendicitis, a complicated fracture) and you're likely looking at an emergency flight to Bangkok or Singapore.
That evacuation can cost $10,000 to $25,000 or more without insurance. This guide covers what healthcare actually looks like on the ground, which hospitals to trust, what evacuation involves, and how to make sure you're covered before anything goes wrong.
Data last checked: March 2026
Quick Take
Evening atmosphere in Cambodia
- Get travel or expat insurance with evacuation cover. Non-negotiable.
- Use international clinics for anything beyond minor issues.
- Know that serious conditions usually mean a flight to Bangkok.
- Carry cash. Some clinics require upfront payment.
- Get vaccinated before you arrive (Hep A, Typhoid, Tetanus at minimum).
- Save emergency numbers and your insurance hotline on your phone.
How Cambodia's Healthcare System Actually Works
Healthcare in Cambodia
Cambodia has a two-tier system, and the gap between the tiers is significant.
Public hospitals are cheap but limited. Equipment is often outdated, hygiene standards vary, and English-speaking staff are rare. Most expats avoid them for anything beyond very basic treatment. Khmer-Soviet Friendship Hospital and other government facilities serve the local population well for the resources available, but as a foreigner you'll likely find the experience difficult to navigate.
Private and international clinics are where expats and tourists go. These are concentrated in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. They have English-speaking doctors, modern equipment, and standards closer to what you'd expect in a Western clinic. They cost significantly more though. A GP consultation at an international clinic typically runs $50 to $80, compared to a few dollars at a public hospital.
For anything genuinely serious (major trauma, surgery requiring specialist equipment, complex diagnostics) most expats and their insurers opt for medical evacuation to Bangkok or Singapore rather than relying on local facilities. This isn't a criticism of Cambodia. It's simply the reality of a healthcare system that's still developing.
Medical Evacuation: What It Actually Involves
This is the section most people searching for Cambodia healthcare information really need, so let's be specific.
Medical evacuation from Cambodia typically means a flight to Bangkok, which is the closest city with world-class hospital infrastructure. The usual destination is Bumrungrad International Hospital, which is essentially the regional hub for medical tourism and emergency referrals across Southeast Asia. Bangkok Hospital and Samitivej are also common destinations.
What evacuation costs without insurance: A medical evacuation flight from Phnom Penh to Bangkok typically costs $10,000 to $25,000 depending on the medical situation and type of transport required. Air ambulance services are at the higher end. A commercial flight with medical escort is cheaper but only possible if your condition allows it.
How it works in practice: Your insurance provider coordinates with a medical assistance company (commonly International SOS or Pacific Cross). They assess whether local treatment is viable, arrange the transport, and handle the receiving hospital. If you're conscious and stable, this usually happens within 24 to 48 hours. True emergencies can be faster.
What triggers an evacuation: Serious road traffic injuries (extremely common in Cambodia), conditions requiring surgery that local facilities can't safely perform, cardiac events, stroke, or any situation where the treating doctor determines that local care isn't adequate.
The bottom line: if your insurance doesn't explicitly cover emergency medical evacuation, you cannot afford to be in Cambodia. This is not an exaggeration.
Which Hospitals and Clinics to Use
Phnom Penh
Royal Phnom Penh Hospital is the most commonly recommended international hospital among expats. English-speaking staff, 24-hour emergency department, and direct billing with most international insurers. Located on Russian Boulevard.
Sen Sok International University Hospital is a newer facility with good equipment and a growing reputation among the expat community.
Calmette Hospital is a semi-public hospital that's better resourced than most government facilities. Some expats use it for less serious issues.
International SOS Clinic is not a full hospital, but it's excellent for consultations, vaccinations, and non-emergency treatment. They also coordinate evacuations.
Siem Reap
Royal Angkor International Hospital is the main international-standard option in Siem Reap. Handles most non-critical care.
For anything beyond what these facilities can manage, you're looking at a transfer to Phnom Penh or Bangkok.
What to expect with costs
A GP visit at an international clinic: $50 to $80. Basic blood tests: $30 to $60. An overnight hospital stay: $150 to $400. Emergency room visit: $100 to $300. These are rough figures and vary by facility, but the point is that without insurance, even routine care adds up fast, and serious treatment becomes financially devastating.
Sexual Health and STD Testing
This doesn't get talked about much in expat guides, but it's worth covering honestly. If you're living in Cambodia for any length of time, knowing where to get tested matters.
Pasteur Institute Cambodia in Phnom Penh is the most commonly recommended option for STD screening among expats. It's affordable, professional, and results come back quickly. A standard STD panel (HIV, Syphilis, Hepatitis B, Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea) typically costs around $30 to $60 depending on what you're testing for. Walk-ins are usually fine but mornings are less busy.
Royal Phnom Penh Hospital and International SOS Clinic also offer sexual health testing, though at higher prices ($80 to $150 for a full panel). These are better if you want English-speaking staff throughout the process or if you need results sent to an insurer.
Roomchang Clinic and various private labs around BKK1 and Toul Tom Poung offer basic testing too, often at lower prices, though the experience can be more variable.
In Siem Reap, Royal Angkor International Hospital handles STD testing but options are more limited than Phnom Penh.
If you're on a budget, Pasteur Institute is the go-to. Get tested regularly, especially if you're sexually active with new partners. There's no judgement at any of these clinics. They see expats and tourists for this all the time.
Choosing the Right Insurance
Expat social life in Phnom Penh
There's a meaningful difference between travel insurance and expat health insurance, and which you need depends on how long you're staying.
Short-term visitors and tourists need travel insurance that includes medical cover and emergency evacuation. Check the policy limit. Anything under $100,000 medical cover is risky for Southeast Asia given evacuation costs. Make sure evacuation is explicitly listed, not implied.
Long-term expats and teachers need dedicated international health insurance. Standard travel policies typically cap out at 30 to 90 days. Expat policies offer year-round cover, often include direct billing at local clinics (so you don't pay upfront and claim back), and cover pre-existing conditions after a waiting period.
Key things to check in any policy: Does it cover emergency medical evacuation? Is there a cap on evacuation costs? Does it cover motorbike accidents (some exclude this if you don't have a local licence)? Does it offer direct billing at Cambodian clinics, or do you pay and claim back?
The motorbike point is critical. Road accidents are one of the most common reasons expats need serious medical care in Cambodia, and some budget policies exclude motorbike injuries unless you hold a valid Cambodian driving licence.
Common Health Risks and How to Avoid Them
Stomach problems are almost guaranteed at some point. Drink only bottled or filtered water, never tap water. Eat food that's freshly cooked and served hot. Street food is generally fine if it's popular and cooked in front of you. Empty stalls are riskier. Carry oral rehydration salts.
Dengue fever is a real risk, especially during the rainy season (May to October). There's no vaccine widely available, so prevention is everything: use mosquito repellent with DEET, wear long sleeves in the evenings, and sleep under a net if your accommodation doesn't have good screens. Symptoms include sudden high fever, severe headache, and joint pain. Get to a clinic quickly if you suspect it.
Rabies exists in Cambodia. Avoid touching stray dogs and cats. They're everywhere and some carry the virus. If you're bitten or scratched, wash the wound immediately and get to a clinic for post-exposure treatment the same day. Pre-exposure rabies vaccination is worth considering if you'll be in rural areas or staying long-term.
Vaccinations to get before you arrive: Hepatitis A and B, Typhoid, Tetanus. Your doctor may also recommend Japanese Encephalitis (especially for rural stays) and Rabies (especially for long-term residents). Get these sorted at least 4 to 6 weeks before departure.
Safety and How It Connects to Healthcare
The most common reason expats end up in hospital in Cambodia isn't tropical disease. It's road accidents. Traffic in Phnom Penh and on highways between cities is chaotic by Western standards. Helmets are legally required on motorbikes but enforcement is inconsistent. If you ride, wear a proper helmet (not the thin decorative ones sold locally), stay alert, and avoid driving at night on unlit roads.
Bag snatching from moving motorbikes happens, particularly in Phnom Penh. This can result in injuries if you're pulled off balance. Keep bags on the side away from the road, or use a crossbody bag.
Don't flash expensive phones, cameras, or jewellery in busy areas. Use reputable transport. Grab and PassApp are widely used ride-hailing apps and are safer than hailing random tuk-tuks at night.
What to Pack for Medical Preparedness
Bring your prescription medications with copies of the prescription. Pack a basic first aid kit: plasters, antiseptic, anti-diarrheal medication, oral rehydration salts, paracetamol, and insect repellent with DEET. If you have allergies or a medical condition, carry a medical alert card. A laminated note in English and Khmer with your condition, blood type, and emergency contact goes a long way.
Carry enough cash (US dollars are widely accepted) to cover an initial clinic visit. Some facilities require payment before treatment, even with insurance.
What This Means for Teachers
If you're moving to Cambodia to teach, your healthcare planning needs to go further than a tourist's. You'll be here for months or years, not weeks.
Register with an international clinic within your first week. Get a proper expat health insurance policy rather than relying on rolling travel insurance. Ask your school about any health coverage they provide. Some do, many don't, and the ones that do often provide minimal cover.
Build a list of emergency contacts: your clinic, your insurance emergency hotline, your embassy, and a trusted local friend who can help translate in an emergency. Learn the Khmer words for "hospital" (មន្ទីរពេទ្យ, mon-tee-peh) and "help" (ជួយ, chuoy).
What to Do Before You Arrive
- Buy travel or expat health insurance with evacuation cover.
- Confirm your policy covers motorbike accidents and the activities you'll be doing.
- See your doctor for vaccinations at least 4 to 6 weeks before departure.
- Research international hospitals in the city you'll be based in.
- Pack a first aid kit, prescriptions, and a medical alert card.
- Save your insurance emergency hotline, local hospital numbers, and embassy contact on your phone.
- Carry enough US dollars in cash to cover an initial clinic visit.
Common Mistakes
- Skipping insurance or buying the cheapest policy: Budget policies often exclude evacuation or motorbike injuries, which are the two things you're most likely to need.
- Assuming public hospitals will be fine: They serve a purpose, but the experience as a foreigner without Khmer language skills can be very difficult.
- Not getting vaccinated: Hepatitis, Typhoid, and Rabies are preventable. Don't gamble on it.
- Drinking tap water: Stomach illness is almost guaranteed. Stick to bottled or filtered.
- Riding without a proper helmet: The thin local helmets offer almost no protection. Bring or buy a proper one.
- Not carrying cash: Some clinics won't treat you until payment is made. Always have US dollars on hand.
FAQ
How much does healthcare cost in Cambodia for foreigners? At international clinics, expect $50 to $80 for a GP visit, $150 to $400 for an overnight stay, and $100 to $300 for an emergency room visit. Public hospitals are much cheaper but quality and communication are limited. Evacuation to Bangkok costs $10,000 to $25,000 without insurance.
Do I need specific vaccinations for Cambodia? Yes. At minimum, get Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, and Tetanus before you travel. Your doctor may also recommend Japanese Encephalitis and Rabies, especially if you're staying long-term or visiting rural areas. Get vaccinated 4 to 6 weeks before departure.
Can I use my home country's health insurance in Cambodia? Almost certainly not. Most domestic health insurance policies don't cover you internationally. You need a specific travel insurance or international health insurance policy. Check before you leave. Don't assume you're covered.
What happens in a medical emergency? Get to the nearest international clinic or hospital. Call your insurance provider's emergency hotline. They'll coordinate your care and arrange evacuation to Bangkok if needed. If you're in Phnom Penh, Royal Phnom Penh Hospital has a 24-hour emergency department.
Is Cambodia generally safe for tourists and expats? Yes, Cambodia is generally safe. The main risks are road traffic accidents and petty crime like bag snatching, not violent crime. Stay aware, use trusted transport apps, wear a helmet if you ride, and don't display expensive items in busy areas.
Protect Your Internet Connection
Public Wi-Fi in Cambodia's cafes, coworking spaces, and hotels is often unsecured. If you're doing online banking, accessing work systems, or logging into accounts, a VPN is worth having.
Related Guides
- Navigating Cambodia's E-Visa for Phnom Penh: Your Step-by-Step 2026 Guide
- Cost of Living in Phnom Penh for English Teachers
- How to Teach English in Cambodia Without a Degree (2026 Guide)
- South Africans in Cambodia: 2026 Guide to Moving, Teaching, and Living Well
- How to Find a Teaching Job in Cambodia in 2026: Step by Step Guide
- Cost of Living in Cambodia for English Teachers (2026 Guide)
- Phnom Penh Travel Safety 2026: Your Essential Tourist Guide
