Health & Fitness

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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.

Everyone should have health insurance, but finding the right coverage can be a painstaking task. Paul Wolf of Innovative Benefits Consultants guides you through the policies and the pitfalls.

04/01/2012 Practical French: I need a doctor!

Can you say doctor in French? Here is a short list of medical terms that could come in handy when you have a doctor's appointment, and health terms for every-day life in France.

03/01/2012 Editor's Guide: Healthcare in France

Here's a brief guide to our Healthcare section for France, from choosing a doctor in France to info on the French healthcare system.

12/01/2010 Healthcare & Fitness in Germany

Our guides, tips and news about keeping healthy and happy.

Visit our country sites

Expatriate healthcare

Expatriate healthcare

Expatriate healthcare

Choosing a doctor

Having a baby abroad

Overseas health insurance

Ask the expert

Healthcare - Essential Articles

18/01/2012 Private health insurance -- which policy and what counts?

04/01/2012 Practical French: I need a doctor!

03/01/2012 Editor's Guide: Healthcare in France

12/01/2010 Healthcare & Fitness in Germany