{"id":144978,"date":"2025-06-23T18:59:18","date_gmt":"2025-06-23T15:59:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.salamahlaw.com\/?p=144978"},"modified":"2025-06-23T19:01:20","modified_gmt":"2025-06-23T16:01:20","slug":"how-can-an-investor-obtain-a-license-to-establish-a-medical-complex-in-saudi-arabia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.salamahlaw.com\/en\/how-can-an-investor-obtain-a-license-to-establish-a-medical-complex-in-saudi-arabia\/","title":{"rendered":"How Can an Investor Obtain a License to Establish a Medical Complex in Saudi Arabia?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Saudi regulator has imposed a set of specific conditions that investors in the healthcare sector must meet in order to obtain licenses to establish public or private medical complexes in the Kingdom. This aligns with Saudi Arabia\u2019s commitment to developing and sustaining the healthcare sector. To explore this topic in detail and learn about the specific requirements, please refer to our article: <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;How Can an Investor Obtain a License to Establish a Medical Complex?&#8221;<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> available via the provided link.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>In Line with Vision 2030<\/b><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Saudi Arabia\u2019s Vision 2030 aims to develop the healthcare sector, facilitate access to healthcare services, and enhance their quality through the improvement of hospitals, primary care centers, emergency services, digital transformation in health, and preventative care. To achieve innovation and sustainable healthcare, the Kingdom has opened the door to private investment in the healthcare sector. In this article, <\/span><b>Salamah Law Firm<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> outlines how investors can obtain licenses to establish medical complexes in Saudi Arabia.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>What Are the Requirements for Opening a Medical Complex in Saudi Arabia?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Article One of the <\/span><b>Private Health Institutions Law<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> distinguishes between two types of medical complexes:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: left;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>General Medical Complex<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: A facility prepared to receive patients, conduct medical examinations, and provide treatment. It must include at least three different medical specialties, one of which must be a core specialty (e.g., surgery, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, or family medicine).<\/span>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Specialized Medical Complex<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: A facility comprised of clinics in one or more specific medical specialties and their subspecialties.<\/span>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>How Long Does It Take to Obtain a Medical Complex License?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To obtain a license for establishing either a general or specialized medical complex, the following steps must be <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">followed:<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><\/h4>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>First: Initial Approval Requirements<\/b><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The investor must apply for initial approval via the <\/span><b>Sehha<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> platform, selecting the type and specialty of the healthcare facility and its location, and attaching the following documents:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: left;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Copy of the lease agreement or title deed.<\/span>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Commercial registration number issued by the Ministry of Commerce.<\/span>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Investment license from the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (if the investor is a non-Saudi national).<\/span>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Site approval from the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs.<\/span>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><\/h4>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Second: Obtaining Approvals and Licenses from Relevant Authorities<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul style=\"text-align: left;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Application for endorsements for medical staff.<\/span>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Obtaining a license from the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs.<\/span>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><\/h4>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Third: Final Licensing Requirements for a General Medical Complex<\/b><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once all medical and administrative preparations are complete and at least three medical specialties are available\u2014one being a core specialty (required only for general medical complexes)\u2014in addition to having an emergency department, the investor may apply for the final license with the following documents:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: left;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs license number.<\/span>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Registration and classification numbers for all medical personnel from the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties.<\/span>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Copy of ambulance vehicle registration (no older than 5 years), or a signed agreement with a licensed emergency transport service provider (applicable only to general medical complexes).<\/span>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The license is issued upon on-site verification of all requirements and staffing, within 10 business days.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><strong>Read Also : <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salamahlaw.com\/en\/what-are-the-most-common-medical-errors-in-saudi-arabia\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">What Are the Most Common Medical Errors in Saudi Arabia<\/span><\/a>?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Licensing Fees<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: left;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">License for general or specialized medical complex: <\/span><b>SAR 2,000<\/b>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>How Can I Obtain a License to Establish a Hospital?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The law defines a <\/span><b>hospital<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as a facility equipped to receive patients, diagnose, treat, and admit them for inpatient care.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>To obtain a hospital license, the following steps must be followed:<\/strong><\/p>\n<h4><\/h4>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>First: Initial Approval Requirements<\/b><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The investor must apply via the <\/span><b>Sehha<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> platform, selecting the hospital\u2019s specialty, number of beds, and location, and attaching:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: left;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Title deed or lease agreement valid for at least 15 years.<\/span>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Commercial registration number from the Ministry of Commerce.<\/span>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Investment license from the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (for non-Saudi investors).<\/span>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Preliminary engineering plans approved by a certified engineering office and submitted to the Ministry of Health\u2019s General Directorate of Engineering Services for final approval.<\/span>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><\/h4>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Second: Government Approvals and Licensing<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul style=\"text-align: left;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Application for endorsements for medical staff.<\/span>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Submission of final architectural plans to the Ministry of Health for approval prior to construction.<\/span>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Obtaining the license from the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs.<\/span>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Third: Final Licensing Requirements<\/b><\/h4>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once construction is complete, the investor must apply for operational licensing and submit the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: left;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">License from the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs.<\/span>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Registration and classification numbers for all healthcare workers from the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties.<\/span>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Security contract with a licensed security company.<\/span>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Licensing is issued after an on-site inspection by the local health authority within 10 business days. Licensing fees vary by hospital capacity:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: left;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Up to 50 beds: <\/span><b>SAR 5,000<\/b>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">51\u2013100 beds: <\/span><b>SAR 10,000<\/b>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Over 100 beds: <\/span><b>SAR 15,000<\/b>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>What Are the Requirements to License a Physical Therapy Center?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A physical therapy center is classified as a <\/span><b>supportive healthcare facility<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that provides therapeutic and rehabilitative services. Licensing such a center follows the same procedures and requirements as licensing a medical complex. The licensing fee is <\/span><b>SAR 1,000<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>How to Inquire About a Health Facility License?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All health facility licenses can be verified and tracked via the <\/span><b>Sehha<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> electronic health services platform.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>What Are the Penalties for Operating a Health Facility Without a License?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to Article 20 of the <\/span><b>Private Health Institutions Law<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and without prejudice to harsher penalties under other laws, operating a private health institution without a license is punishable by:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: left;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Closure of the facility and disqualification from obtaining a license for a period of <\/span><b>6 months to 2 years<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from the closure date.<\/span>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fines as follows:<\/span>&nbsp;\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>SAR 10,000 to 30,000<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for supportive healthcare facilities.<\/span>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>SAR 30,000 to 100,000<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for laboratories, radiology centers, and emergency transport centers.<\/span>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>SAR 50,000 to 150,000<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for clinics, medical complexes, and one-day surgery centers.<\/span>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>SAR 100,000 to 300,000<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for hospitals of all categories.<\/span>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The licensing process for establishing medical complexes in Saudi Arabia is complex and requires the guidance of a specialized attorney familiar with legal, administrative, and financial procedures. We strongly recommend consulting <\/span><b>Salamah Law Firm<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which brings over a decade of experience in facilitating healthcare licenses, offering precise legal advice on healthcare investment, and representing clients before competent judicial authorities\u2014ensuring <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">protection of rights and compliance with Saudi healthcare laws.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><strong>Read More : <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salamahlaw.com\/en\/investment-contracts-under-the-saudi-legal-framework\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Investment Contracts under the Saudi Legal Framework<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Saudi regulator has imposed a set of specific conditions that investors in the healthcare sector must meet in order to obtain licenses to establish public or private medical complexes in the Kingdom. This aligns with Saudi Arabia\u2019s commitment to developing and sustaining the healthcare sector. To explore this topic in detail and learn about&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":34,"featured_media":144979,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-144978","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.salamahlaw.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/144978","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.salamahlaw.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.salamahlaw.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.salamahlaw.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/34"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.salamahlaw.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=144978"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.salamahlaw.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/144978\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":144983,"href":"https:\/\/www.salamahlaw.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/144978\/revisions\/144983"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.salamahlaw.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/144979"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.salamahlaw.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=144978"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.salamahlaw.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=144978"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.salamahlaw.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=144978"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}