From accessing health care services to making smart food choices, there’s plenty to know about healthy living in Hong Kong.

Health Advice and Vaccinations

Before traveling, check your government’s health advisory for Hong Kong. These resources provide up-to-date vaccine requirements and recommendations for travelers. Hong Kong’s Department of Health also publishes guidelines for residents and visitors. The city’s healthcare system is globally recognized for its efficiency, with life expectancy among the highest in the world—83.2 years for males and 87.9 for females as of 2021 and projected to rise further by 2069¹.

Prescription Regulations

Many medications that are available over the counter elsewhere require a prescription in Hong Kong. This includes products containing nicotine, such as e-cigarettes, which are classified as poisons and require a prescription for personal use. By the end of 2026, Hong Kong will launch the Centre for Medical Products Regulation (CMPR), streamline drug approvals and reducing reliance on foreign agencies².

Healthcare System and Insurance

Hong Kong has 43 public hospitals and 12 private hospitals. The public system is highly subsidized: eligible residents pay HK$60 (US$7.70) for a general consultation and HK$100 (US$12.80) for a specialist visit. Accident & Emergency (A&E) fees for eligible persons are HK$400 (US$51), with an annual cap of HK$10,000 (US$1,280) to protect against unexpected expenses. Non-residents pay market rates, such as HK$500 (US$64) for an emergency visit³. International health insurance is strongly recommended for expatriates.

Air Pollution

Air pollution remains a concern, mainly due to vehicle emissions and industry. The Clean Air Plan for Hong Kong 2035 aims to reduce pollutants. From 2004 to 2024, roadside levels of fine particulates and nitrogen dioxide dropped by 63% and 36%, respectively. However, PM2.5 concentrations still exceed World Health Organization guidelines, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) averaging 64 in 2024⁴.

Food Safety and Street Food

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) enforces strict food safety standards. Street food is popular, but choose vendors with visible hygiene certificates and high customer turnover. The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) reports a 99.8% satisfactory rate for food samples in 2024. Common issues include improper glove use and cross-contamination. The government’s “Five Keys to Food Safety” campaign emphasizes: select safe raw materials, maintain cleanliness, separate raw and cooked foods, cook thoroughly, and store at safe temperatures⁵.

Healthcare Providers and Emergency Services

Hong Kong offers three levels of healthcare: primary (basic ailments), secondary (minor operations, emergency care, specialist services), and tertiary (complex, long-term conditions). The Hospital Authority manages public hospitals and provides a 24-hour information line (+852 2300 6555). In emergencies, dial 999. The Department of Health maintains a list of registered doctors, accessible via the Medical Council of Hong Kong⁶. Public hospital treatment is affordable for identity card holders, but market rates apply to non-residents.

Practical Tips

• Obtain a Hong Kong identity card for subsidized public healthcare.
• Consult your insurance provider before visiting private hospitals.
• Most private hospitals are on Hong Kong Island, with shuttle services available.
• Tap water is considered safe for consumption.
• For food safety, prioritize vendors with hygiene certificates and avoid stalls with poor cleanliness.

1. “Appendix A – Hong Kong’s Current Healthcare System,” Health Bureau, Accessed January 9, 2026, https://www.primaryhealthcare.gov.hk/bp/en/supplementary-documents/appendix/appendix-a/.
2. “Hong Kong Establishes Independent Drug Regulatory Authority by End 2026,” MedPath, Accessed January 9, 2026, https://trial.medpath.com/news/efdb6fe48b70f756/hong-kong-establishes-independent-drug-regulatory-authority-by-end-2026-ending-reliance-on-foreign-approvals.
3. “Public Healthcare Fees and Charges Reform,” Hospital Authority, Accessed January 9, 2026, https://www.ha.org.hk/ho/corpcomm/fncr/index-en.html.
4. “Hong Kong SAR Air Quality Index (AQI) and Air Pollution information,” IQAir, Accessed January 9, 2026, https://www.iqair.com/hong-kong.
5. “Making Street Food Safer: Survey Insights and Practical Tips,” Centre for Food Safety, Accessed January 9, 2026, https://www.cfs.gov.hk/english/multimedia/multimedia_pub/multimedia_pub_fsf_230_02.html.
6. “List of Registered Medical Practitioners,” Medical Council of Hong Kong, Accessed January 9, 2026, https://www.mchk.org.hk/english/list_register/index.html.