The tap water is not drinkable, and ticks carrying encephalitis are a high risk in the mountains around Almaty from spring to autumn. Private clinics in Almaty and Astana have English-speaking staff; public hospitals largely do not.
- Tap water is not drinkable - use bottled or filtered water, including for brushing your teeth.
- Ticks carrying encephalitis are a high risk in the mountains around Almaty from spring to autumn. Check yourself regularly and use repellent.
- There is no malaria or dengue risk in Kazakhstan, and no vaccination is required to enter except yellow fever from an affected area.
- Private clinics in Almaty and Astana have English-speaking staff; in public hospitals doctors' language skills are minimal and quality varies considerably.
- Travel insurance with medical cover and repatriation is required to enter as part of the QazETA registration and e-visa process.
Health, insurance and where to be treated
Health risks and vaccinations:
- No mandatory vaccination is required to enter the country, except an international yellow fever vaccination certificate if arriving from areas where the disease is present. Standard travel vaccinations are recommended: hepatitis A and B, tetanus, typhoid.
- Malaria and dengue risk: As of August 2026 the risk of malaria or dengue in Kazakhstan is assessed as zero; these diseases are not reported in the country in the government sources provided.
- In the forested mountain areas around Almaty (e.g. Medeu, Shymbulak, Ile-Alatau) there is a high risk from spring to autumn of ticks carrying tick-borne encephalitis. Regular body checks and the use of repellents are recommended.
- Tap water: Tap water in Kazakhstan is not drinkable. Travelers are advised to consume only bottled or filtered water, including for brushing teeth.
Healthcare and hospitals: The country has a network of private clinics and hospitals with modern equipment and English-speaking staff. Public hospitals vary considerably in quality of care and doctors' language skills there are minimal.
- Almaty:
- International SOS Clinic: 11 Luganskogo Str. (tel: +7 727 258 1911) - top international care, 24/7 emergency, English-speaking staff.
- Interteach Clinic: 275 Furmanova Str. (tel: +7 727 320 0200) - a private clinic specializing in care for expats and tourists.
- Astana:
- International SOS Clinic: 62A Kosmonavtov Str. (tel: +7 7172 476 911) - comprehensive outpatient and emergency services for foreigners.
- Interteach Clinic: 7 Kabanbay Batyr Str. (tel: +7 701 026 9454).
Travel insurance with sufficient medical coverage (including possible repatriation) is required to enter the country as part of QazETA registration and e-visas.
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