Article 34 of the Saudi Private Health Institutions Law
المادة 34 من نظام المؤسسات الصحية الخاصة
Existing licenses continue under the rules in force when the Law was issued, and institutions must adjust their positions to the Law and its Regulations within five years of the Regulations taking effect, extendable with the Prime Minister's approval.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
تستمر التراخيص الصادرة للمؤسسات الصحية الخاصة وفقًا للأنظمة والتعليمات المعمول بها وقت صدور هذا النظام، وعلى هذه المؤسسات تكييف أوضاعها وفقًا لأحكام هذا النظام ولائحته التنفيذية خلال خمس سنوات من تاريخ نفاذ اللائحة التنفيذية، ويمكن تمديدها بموافقة رئيس مجلس الوزراء بناء على اقتراح من وزير الصحة .
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 34 explained in plain English
This is a transitional article dealing with the position of private health institutions that were licensed before the Law was issued, and it contains three provisions:
- Continuation of licenses: licenses issued to private health institutions under the laws and instructions in force when this Law was issued continue, and do not lapse merely because the Law was issued.
- Duty to adjust positions: these institutions must adjust their positions in accordance with the provisions of this Law and its Implementing Regulations within five years. The period starts from the date the Implementing Regulations take effect, not from the date the Law was issued.
- Possibility of extension: this period may be extended with the approval of the Prime Minister on the proposal of the Minister of Health.
This article completes Article 33, which provided that this Law replaces the former Law of Private Medical Institutions: while Article 33 puts the new Law in place of the old, Article 34 provides a transitional stage so that existing institutions do not suddenly stop.
What this means in practice for the owner of a previously licensed institution: he continues to work under his license, but he must review the requirements of the new Law and its Regulations and complete what he lacks within the period. The article does not state the consequence of failing to adjust after the period ends, so anyone facing this situation would do well to consult a lawyer who specializes in health regulations and administrative cases.
Practical example
A dental clinic in Riyadh obtained its license under the previous law. After the new Law was issued its license continues, but its owner must adjust the clinic's position to the provisions of the Law and its Implementing Regulations within five years of the Regulations taking effect, unless the period is extended with the approval of the Prime Minister on the proposal of the Minister of Health.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 34 of the Saudi Private Health Institutions Law
Does the license of a private hospital issued before the Law remain valid?
Yes, licenses issued under the laws and instructions in force when the Law was issued continue.
How long do existing health institutions have to adjust their positions?
Five years, starting from the date the Implementing Regulations take effect.
Can the period for adjusting positions be extended?
Yes, with the approval of the Prime Minister on the proposal of the Minister of Health.
More articles on Licensing of a Private Health Institution
- Article 4
No private health institution may be opened or operated until all conditions of the Law and its Regulations are met and the necessary licenses obtained; the license is granted for five years and is renewable.
1- لا يجوز افتتاح أي مؤسسة صحية خاصة أو تشغيلها إلا بعد استكمال جميع الشروط والمتطلبات التي ينص عليها هذا النظام ولائحته التنفيذية، بعد الحصول على التراخيص اللا
- Article 5
The article sets the fee for a license or its renewal by type of private health institution, from SAR 1,000 for a clinic to SAR 15,000 for a hospital with more than 100 beds.
يجب على طالب الترخيص لافتتاح مؤسسة صحية خاصة أو تجديده أن يدفع الرسم المقرر وفقًا لما يأتي: المؤسسة الصحية الخاصة رسم الترخيص أو تجديده المستشفى الذي يحوي خمسين
- Article 6
Private health institutions are classified when licensed or renewed according to criteria and conditions set by a specialized committee, which the Implementing Regulations designate along with the classification procedures and method.
تصنف المؤسسات الصحية الخاصة - عند الترخيص أو تجديده- وفقًا لمعايير وشروط تضعها لجنة متخصصة، وتحدد اللائحة التنفيذية هذه اللجنة، وإجراءات التصنيف، وطريقة تطبيقه.
- Article 14
Licensing a general or specialized medical complex requires at least a consultant in each licensed main specialty and a nurse for each clinic; in remote areas set by the Ministry the consultants may be reduced to one or specialists may suffice.
يشترط للترخيص لأي من المجمع الطبي العام والمجمع الطبي المتخصص أن يتوافر فيه- على الأقل- استشاري في كل من التخصصات الرئيسة المرخص بها، وأن يخصص ممرض أو ممرضة على
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.