Healthcare
South Africa — Healthcare: Average Costs
South African public hospital fees follow the Uniform Patient Fee Schedule, under which foreign nationals pay full tariffs unless means-tested into a subsidy.
VerifiedGovernment / official sourceProvincial health departments — Uniform Patient Fee Schedule (UPFS)Last reviewed: 2026-10-23
Key facts
- The UPFS applies to medical schemes, the Road Accident Fund, workers compensation, non-subsidised foreign nationals and subsidised patients not entitled to free services.
- Gauteng revised tariffs took effect on 1 April 2025.
- Western Cape rules make foreign nationals not assessed under the prescribed means test liable for the full UPFS tariffs.
- Limpopo 2025/26 circular says fully subsidised patients, including foreign nationals, are served free unless the schedule says otherwise. Medical scheme contribution averages were not found.