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Essentials

Expatriate healthcare

Health insurance abroad is just as important as health insurance in your homeland. But it's likely to be different in your new country of residence. Take time to find out how expat medical care works to make sure that your health coverage is to your preferred standard. That's especially important if you plan to have a baby abroad. Look for Expatica’s practical guide to the healthcare system on the healthcare channel of each...

Expatriate healthcare

Choosing a doctor

Choosing a doctor abroad for yourself and your family is your first order of business. Use word of mouth or the internet to find a suitable doctor near you, one who can communicate with you adequately until you have a good grasp of the local language. Make sure to know whom to call outside of surgery hours. Don’t forget to ask for names of doctors provided by private health insurance for foreigners and remember to contact a local dentist and have regular checkups. Prevention is the best cure. Expatica’s A-Z listing can help you to find expatriate healthcare in your area.

Having a baby abroad

For women, having a baby abroad can bring up deep feelings of insecurity. How different is the approach to childbirth in your new country to that in your homeland? Read about giving birth in your new country of residence on Expatica’s healthcare channel or visit the Expatica forums (Belgium, France, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, UK) and find out what other expat women feel about giving birth away from home.

Overseas health insurance

Are you on a company package or do you need to take out private health insurance for foreigners? Make sure that you have checked out the expatriate health system in your new country of residence and that you have covered all of the areas which are important to you.

Ask the expert

Use Expatica’s Ask the expert section (Belgium, France, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, UK) to ask for general advice about the local health system.

Bupa Interntaional: Flexible worldwide health insurance

Worldwide Health Options is Bupa's international flexible insurance plan that allows individuals and families to mix and match options to suit their health insurance needs. [Contributed by Bupa]