GOSI for Expats: What You Pay, What You Get, and Why
GOSI for Expats: What You Pay, What You Get, and Why
GOSI (General Organization for Social Insurance) is Saudi Arabia's mandatory social insurance system. It covers about 12.9 million contributors, and 77% of them are expats. That is roughly 9.91 million non-Saudi workers. But despite making up the majority, expats get far less coverage than Saudi nationals.
Here is how it actually works for you as an expat employee.
Your GOSI Contribution: Zero
The single most important thing: you do not pay anything into GOSI. The full cost sits with your employer.
| Contributor | Rate | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Employer | 2% | Occupational Hazards Insurance |
| You (expat) | 0% | Nothing to pay |
That 2% is based on your basic salary plus housing allowance, capped at SAR 45,000/month. Anything above SAR 45,000 is ignored for GOSI purposes.
Quick example
Say you earn SAR 8,000 basic + SAR 2,000 housing:
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Basic salary | SAR 8,000 |
| Housing allowance | SAR 2,000 |
| GOSI-eligible amount | SAR 10,000 |
| Employer pays (2%) | SAR 200/month |
| You pay | SAR 0 |
What You Are Actually Covered For
That 2% buys you exactly one thing: Occupational Hazards Insurance (OHI). It kicks in when something goes wrong at work.
Medical treatment for work injuries or occupational illnesses: hospital, surgery, rehab, prosthetics, assistive devices, ongoing care.
Temporary disability pay if a work injury sidelines you:
- First 60 days: 100% of salary
- After 60 days: 75% of salary for up to 12 months
- Beyond 12 months: a medical committee reviews your case
Permanent disability from a work injury:
- Total permanent disability: monthly pension at 100% of contribution wage
- Partial permanent disability: lump sum or monthly payment scaled to the disability percentage
Death from a workplace incident:
- Dependents receive a monthly pension at 100% of contribution wage
- Plus a lump sum burial allowance
Hospitalization: daily allowance for the duration, on top of medical treatment.
What You Are NOT Covered For
This is where it stings. As an expat, GOSI gives you none of the following:
- Retirement pension - work here 30 years, still no pension
- Unemployment insurance (SANED) - Saudi nationals only
- Non-work disability - break your leg on a weekend hike? Not covered
- Non-work death benefits - only workplace fatalities trigger GOSI payouts
So what is your actual safety net? Three things:
- End-of-Service Benefits (ESB) - your gratuity when you leave a job
- Private health insurance - mandatory for all expats under cooperative health insurance rules
- Your own savings - no government pension is waiting for you
Expat vs. Saudi Coverage: Side by Side
Contribution rates
| Component | Saudi Employee | Saudi Employer | Expat Employee | Expat Employer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annuities (Retirement) | 9% | 9% | 0% | 0% |
| Occupational Hazards | 0% | 2% | 0% | 2% |
| SANED (Unemployment) | 0.75% | 0.75% | 0% | 0% |
| Total | 9.75% | 11.75% | 0% | 2% |
Saudi total: 21.5% of eligible salary (combined). Expat total: 2% of eligible salary (employer only).
Benefits
| Benefit | Saudi Nationals | Expatriates |
|---|---|---|
| Retirement pension | Yes (after 25+ years or age 60) | No |
| Early retirement | Yes (after 20 years, age 55) | No |
| Occupational hazard coverage | Yes | Yes |
| Unemployment insurance (SANED) | Yes (up to 12 months) | No |
| Disability pension (non-work) | Yes | No |
| Survivor pension (non-work death) | Yes | No |
The July 2025 GOSI Reform
Starting July 1, 2025, GOSI contribution rates began a gradual increase. But only for a narrow group.
Who it applies to: new employees entering the workforce with no prior contribution periods under the Civil Pension Law or the Social Insurance Law before July 3, 2024. For affected Saudi employees, both employer and employee rates increase by 0.5% annually until 2028.
Impact on expats: none. The employer-only 2% rate for occupational hazards stays the same.
How to Check Your GOSI Registration
You have the right to verify your status. Three ways:
- GOSI portal (gosi.gov.sa) - log in with your Iqama number
- Taminati app - available on iOS and Android
- Ask your employer for your GOSI subscription certificate
Check that your registration is active, your reported salary matches your actual basic + housing, and your employer is paying on time.
If your employer has not registered you with GOSI or is underreporting your salary, that is a violation. Report it through MHRSD at 19911.
Common Questions
Can I get a GOSI refund when I leave Saudi Arabia? No. You never contributed anything from your salary. The 2% your employer paid is an insurance premium, not a savings account.
Does GOSI affect my End-of-Service Benefits? No. Completely separate systems. ESB is based on your years of service and last basic salary, paid by your employer.
What if I get injured at work? File a claim with GOSI right away. Your employer must report the injury within 3 days. GOSI covers all medical costs and disability payments if applicable.
Do I still need private health insurance? Yes. GOSI only covers work-related injuries and illnesses. Private health insurance (mandatory for all expats) handles everything else: doctor visits, prescriptions, dental, non-work hospitalizations.
Can my dependents benefit from my GOSI? Only if you die from a workplace accident. They would receive a survivor's pension. For general health coverage, your dependents need to be on your employer-provided private insurance.
Plan Around the Gaps
Knowing what GOSI does not cover should shape your financial planning:
- Your ESB is your de facto Saudi retirement savings. Know how resignation timing affects the payout.
- Build personal savings. No pension, no unemployment insurance, no government safety net beyond workplace accidents.
- Make sure your private health insurance is solid. GOSI will not help with a non-work medical emergency.
- Consider independent life and disability insurance, especially with dependents.
Key Takeaways
- Expats pay zero into GOSI. The employer pays 2% for occupational hazard coverage only.
- You get real protection for work-related injuries and fatalities, but nothing beyond that.
- No pension, no unemployment insurance, no non-work disability coverage for expats.
- The July 2025 reform does not change expat rates.
- Your ESB, private health insurance, and personal savings are your actual financial safety net.
- Check your GOSI registration and reported salary regularly.