Key practical points:
• China's social insurances are five: pension, medical, work-injury, unemployment, and maternity.
• Foreigners legally employed in China are generally required to participate.
• Contributions are shared between employer and employee, with a portion deducted from your salary each month.
• Rates and ceilings vary by city, so check the specific rules for your city.
• Some countries have bilateral agreements with China that exempt certain items (such as pension and unemployment) to avoid double payment.
• When you leave China for good, in some cases you may refund or transfer your pension balance according to the rules.
• Keep records of your contributions and account details for future reference.
👷 Labour law
Social Insurance Law · Yalla China
中华人民共和国社会保险法 / Social Insurance Law
Enacted: 2010-10-28 ✅ Effective: 2011-07-01
📝 Overview
The law governing China's five social insurance schemes and the participation of legally employed foreigners in them.
This is general information only, not legal advice. For your specific case, consult a licensed lawyer.
📜 The law text / key provisions
💬 Practical reading
💬 This is a general reading/opinion for orientation — not the official legal text nor legal advice.
For you as a foreign employee, this means part of your salary is deducted monthly for social insurance, and in return you benefit especially from medical and work-injury cover while in China. Check whether your home country has a bilateral exemption agreement with China before assuming any item is waived. If you plan to leave for good, ask early about refunding or transferring your pension balance, as this varies by city and situation. This is general orientation, not formal legal advice.
📎 Official source
Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security / mohrss.gov.cn
🕒 Updated: 16 March 2026