Expat health insurance in 2026: costs, coverage, and how to choose a plan

If you’re thinking about moving abroad in 2026, you may be wondering how to access healthcare. Depending on your destination and personal situation, you may require health insurance.

International expat health insurance is often a good option, as it can cover you for everything from emergencies to routine checkups, often in multiple countries. It’s also tailored to meet specific expat needs. This guide will help you understand if you need it, how to choose a plan, and how much it costs.

Back to basics: what is health insurance?

Health insurance is a type of coverage that pays for your medical costs. These might include prescriptions, doctor’s visits, surgery, and preventative care.

When you take out a health insurance plan, you reduce the risk of high out-of-pocket expenses, as you’ll be able to claim back the cost of healthcare from your provider. Furthermore, the insurer pays for some medical services directly. This means you won’t have to worry about paying anything upfront.

There are several types of health insurance and their provisions vary widely depending on the healthcare system:

• Some countries have universal or state health insurance, usually funded by taxes.
• Others have private healthcare, with providers who sell local health insurance plans. With private health insurance, you usually pay a monthly amount, known as a premium, and this covers the costs of certain medical services.
• In many countries, the healthcare system presents as a hybrid combination of both.
• International health insurance is another option – it’s suitable for expats who need coverage in multiple countries or access to a wider network of healthcare.

Different types of healthcare and health insurance

Although most healthcare systems combine a variety of public and private elements, there are four main models that they fall into. You can find a simplified explanation of how they work and a country comparison below:

Type of healthcare system	Example countries (and links to our guides to health insurance)	How the healthcare system works	Is it accessible to expats and foreigners?
Universal healthcare (public system)	Italy, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom	These systems are funded by taxes. Everyone has access to basic healthcare, but you may have to pay for some services. Private options exist.	Internationals may face coverage gaps and delays, and may need to pay a surcharge.
Social health insurance	Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Switzerland	Health insurance is mandatory, everyone has access to basic healthcare, and there is a mixture of private and public provision. In Switzerland and the Netherlands, you need private insurance.	Usually, but there may be exclusions (such as working for a foreign company or if you are an international student). In many countries, enrollment is mandatory.
National health insurance	Canada, Russia, Thailand	Individuals pay into government-run health insurance; healthcare consists of public and private provision.	Often, yes. Legal residents are usually eligible, but there may be a waiting period. You might need supplemental insurance to cover the gap.
Hybrid systems	Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, United States	These systems combine elements of various types of healthcare systems.	It varies by country – check carefully before moving.

Which country has the best healthcare for expats?

Which is the best healthcare system for expats depends on your priorities, but the following systems offer affordability, English-language support, and ease of access for foreigners:

• France – this country has an excellent quality healthcare and universal public insurance.
• Germany – the German system provides a great, affordable standard of care. Most medical professionals speak English.
• Portugal – offers universal coverage to all of its residents.
• Singapore – has efficient, high-quality, English-language services.
• Spain – public healthcare is easy to access, and the country also has reasonably priced private healthcare.

Note: this is not an exhaustive list – the best system for you depends on your destination, budget, and healthcare needs.

What to do if I do not qualify for public healthcare or local insurance?

If you’re not eligible for public or local health insurance, you should purchase a private health insurance plan. Often, a global health insurance plan can ensure your medical needs are met while you’re waiting for residency or if you’re not eligible locally.

What is international health insurance?

International health insurance is a type of coverage that’s tailored to meet expat needs. That’s because it can cover healthcare expenses in multiple countries, meaning it’s suitable for people who live outside their home country or who intend to travel regularly.

Policies generally include the following coverage:

• Emergency services
• Hospital stays
• Doctor visits
• Prescription medicines

It’s essential to check before moving that your coverage is accepted in your new country – some countries may not allow you to use an international health insurer as your main provider.

What are the benefits of global health insurance?

There are many reasons to choose a global health insurance plan rather than basic health insurance policy. These include:

• Seamless healthcare experience: Having healthcare coverage wherever you’re traveling can give you peace of mind. It’s great for digital nomads and frequent travelers, as it can be used across borders.
• High-quality healthcare: No matter where you are in the world, you’ll have access to a consistent standard of care. Also, as these policies target expats, you’ll likely be able to find specialists who speak your language.
• Emergency evacuation: If you have a medical emergency abroad and the care you need isn’t available locally, your plan should cover the costs of transporting you back to your home country or another place to receive treatment.
• Coverage options: You can choose which add-ons you need for your life abroad, including dental, vision, and alternative healthcare.

What’s the difference between international and private health insurance?

If you decide to get health insurance, you may need to decide whether to go for a local, private plan or a global one.

Both international and private health insurance cover your medical expenses, but knowing the key differences can help you make a choice:

	International health insurance	Private health insurance
Coverage area	Can cover multiple countries	Usually limited to a specific country
Who it’s for	Expats, frequent travelers, digital nomads	People living in one country
Is emergency evacuation or repatriation included?	Usually	Typically not included
What it covers	Inpatient and outpatient care, emergency services worldwide	Inpatient and outpatient care, emergency services in one country
Duration	Short or long term	Often an annual contract
Cost	More expensive	Generally more affordable than international coverage, but less than you’d pay for public healthcare in a universal system

What’s the difference between expat health insurance and travel insurance?

Both international expat health insurance and travel insurance cover medical costs abroad, but they have different purposes. It’s important to know the main differences so that you have the right coverage for the healthcare you need:

	Travel insurance	International health insurance
Best for	Holidays and short-term visits abroad	Living or working abroad for longer periods
What does it cover?	(Medical) emergencies and issues relating to your trip, such as lost luggage	Routine and emergency healthcare
How long does it last?	Usually a maximum of 30–90 days	As long as you need it
Cost	Low-cost (usually under US$100 for short trips, depending on where you’re going, for how long, and the activities it covers)	Several thousand US dollars per year

In conclusion, travel insurance is suitable for short trips, but if you’re moving long-term, it won’t cover your medical costs.

Do I need international health insurance?

There are some instances where international health insurance can be a smart choice. For example:

• If you intend to travel a lot: international policies can cover your healthcare costs in many countries. Some plans also allow you to access treatment in both your home country and abroad.
• To cover gaps in coverage when moving: if your current policy doesn’t cover you in your new country, you can use international health insurance to cover the gap between moving and getting your local plan.
• When you’re not eligible for local coverage: in some countries, foreigners do not have access to local public healthcare, so international health insurance is an alternative.
• If you’re moving to a country where public healthcare is limited in scope: international health insurance often allows you to access private care and English-speaking doctors.

Health cover for short stays

If you’re on holiday or visiting another country temporarily, travel insurance should provide enough coverage. These policies are far cheaper than full health insurance and provide cover for emergency care, cancellations, and other travel-related risks.

Furthermore, European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), and UK residents can get a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC, or a Global Health Insurance Card – GHIC for the UK). This allows you to receive emergency and necessary treatment at the same price as nationals of the country you’re in.

However, it only covers participating countries (EU, EEA, UK), so it’s not an option if you’re going elsewhere.

Medical coverage for long-term or permanent stays

If you’re relocating more permanently, you’ll need more comprehensive coverage. These are the main options:

• Employer-provided insurance: If you’re moving for work, it’s possible that your employer will sign you up for a local or international insurance plan as part of your relocation package.
• Public healthcare enrollment: Universal and social healthcare systems will usually allow you to enroll in the public system. For example, European citizens moving to another European country can use an S1 form to transfer benefits.
• Buying a local health insurance plan: In some countries, you may need to buy a private local health insurance plan.
• Purchasing international health insurance: In other circumstances, a global health insurance plan may be more suitable.

How to get international health insurance

Applying for international health insurance

Getting health insurance as an expat doesn’t have to be difficult. Many foreigners get their health insurance through their employer.

However, it’s still fairly straightforward to apply for your own policy. Here is the process, step-by-step:

How to choose the best expat health insurance

When choosing the best expat health insurance, you should consider all aspects of your lifestyle. For example:

Costs

How much is your monthly premium? You should also take into account the deductibles and co-payment amounts. You can read about these in the section below on costs.

What it covers and common exclusions

Does your policy cover you for emergency evacuation and repatriation services? Does it cover your personal health needs sufficiently?

There are some things that health insurance plans don’t cover as standard. You should consider these and find out whether you can add them to your policy. Common exclusions are:

• Pre-existing and chronic conditions
• Maternity and childbirth
• Mental healthcare
• Dental and vision
• Cosmetic procedures
• High-risk activities (such as extreme sports)

Differences between local and international coverage

Does it make sense to take out an international policy? In some cases, a local insurance plan is sufficient.

Worldwide coverage

Check the geographic scope of your policy (where it’s valid), whether you can access 24/7 support, and whether you can get help in your native language. You should also check that the network of providers includes medical professionals who speak English or your native language.

It’s a good idea to find out about the network of hospitals and clinics you can choose from to make sure that you’ll have access to healthcare near where you’ll be living.

Family-friendly benefits

Will your policy cover family members or offer any incentives to put them on the same plan?

Terms and conditions

Read the small print carefully – is there a cooling off or cancellation period? Again, check the exclusions and the policy renewal terms.

Most policies also have coverage limits, which state how much the insurer will pay out to you per year, condition, or service. Double-check that these limits are generous enough for your healthcare needs.

Bill settlement and reimbursement

How simple is claims processing? And how long does it take to receive reimbursement?

Customer service

Check online to find reviews from other expats.

The following companies offer health insurance for internationals moving abroad:

• Allianz Care
• APRIL International
• Cigna Global

You can also compare these factors on Expatica’s Health Insurance Comparison pages.

Costs of expat health insurance

Average price of an international health insurance plan

The average annual health insurance costs for an expat vary hugely based on factors such as location, medical history, age, and coverage level. You can expect to pay from a couple of thousand US dollars per year, with family plans costing more.

Furthermore, your age and medical history have an influence on the costs. Older applicants and those with pre-existing conditions may pay more.

Basic coverage vs. comprehensive plan

In addition, your policy coverage affects the price. Basic plans are cheaper, but add-ons such as dental, vision, or mental healthcare increase the premium.

Do you need coverage in the US?

Health plans that cover the US are more expensive due to higher healthcare costs. If you don’t need coverage in the US, excluding it can lower the cost of your premium.

Deductible and co-pay

You should also budget for deductibles and co-payments. A deductible is the amount you pay out-of-pocket before your health insurance kicks in, while a co-payment is a set fee for specific services. You can lower the cost of your premium by choosing a higher deductible or through co-payment schemes. However, this will increase your out-of-pocket costs if you need treatment.