Best expat health insurance in the UK 2026

In most countries, you will need to be registered for health insurance in order to access medical services. Many places have a public healthcare service that residents pay for through monthly public health insurance contributions deducted from their wages. This normally operates alongside private healthcare services that you can pay for with private health insurance.

If you are a resident overseas who pays public health insurance, you may be entitled to public healthcare. However, many expats choose to take out private health insurance so that they can access a wider range of services. Some countries only offer private healthcare, meaning that you will need to purchase a private policy unless you want to pay full treatment costs.

Unlike public health insurance which often extends to all dependent family members, private policies typically only cover the individual taking out the policy. However, you can normally purchase extended family coverage as an extra.

With public health insurance, everyone usually pays a set contribution from their wages and accesses the same services. In contrast, private policies are usually risk-based and you may pay a higher premium if you have certain medical conditions or engage in certain lifestyle choices such as smoking. Check for exclusions and opt for any add-ons if needed.

A coverage gap is the period between the healthcare coverage in your old country ending and the coverage in your new home starting. With international private medical insurance, you can set up your policy in advance of your move to avoid any coverage gap.

If you frequently travel abroad, it’s worth taking out a policy that covers you for medical emergencies and treatment in other countries. An international expat-friendly policy will offer global coverage at a good price.

Public health insurance coverage doesn’t always include all medical treatments. Common exclusions are dental care, psychotherapy and complementary treatments. You can tailor private policies to include everything you need, including alternative treatments.

Will you have to pay upfront and claim or reimbursement or will you insurer deal directly with the healthcare provider? If you need to pay and claim back, how easy is the process and how long are you likely to wait before reimbursement? These are questions you should ask before committing to a policy.