Healthcare Insurance Requirements Around The World
Starting your expat journey somewhere is never easy. Between the mountains of paperwork and cultural sensitivities, it’s easy for details to get lost. Unfortunately, selecting a medical insurance plan is often far more complicated than deciding what you personally want. Many countries have health insurance requirements for foreigners applying for visas – so in other words, it’s not just about having medical insurance, but having a plan that covers X, Y, and Z.
We know that keeping track of all these requirements is hard, so we decided to publish our own list of requirements in short. Please bear in mind that we try to keep this as up-to-date as possible, but there may be inaccuracies. Always double check official information from a country’s migration service or a specialist migration lawyer for that country.
| Country | Healthcare Insurance Requirement |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Albania | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Algeria | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Andorra | Comprehensive health insurance is required, covering medical expenses up to €30,000. |
| Angola | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Antigua and Barbuda | Applicants must provide health insurance covering all risks, including medical treatment and repatriation. |
| Argentina | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Armenia | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Australia | Applicants for long-stay visas, such as the Temporary Skill Shortage visa, must have health insurance covering medical care, hospitalization, and repatriation for the entire duration of their stay. |
| Austria | Minimum coverage of €30,000 covering all risks, including medical treatment and repatriation. However, public social insurance acceptable for visa purposes. |
| Azerbaijan | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Bahamas | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Bahrain | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Bangladesh | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Barbados | Applicants for the 12-Month Barbados Welcome Stamp must have health insurance covering medical expenses. |
| Belarus | Health insurance with a minimum coverage of €10,000 is mandatory with exceptions (CIS member states, RF citizens, and Turkmenistan citizens). |
| Belgium | Non-EU citizens require comprehensive insurance covering medical expenses up to €30,000 and repatriation. |
| Belize | Applicants for long-stay permits are required to have travel insurance with a minimum health coverage of USD $50,000. |
| Benin | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Bhutan | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Bolivia | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Applicants need insurance covering medical expenses up to €30,000. |
| Botswana | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Brazil | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Brunei | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Bulgaria | Non-EU citizens require comprehensive insurance covering medical expenses up to €30,000 and repatriation. |
| Burkina Faso | Applicants must provide health insurance covering all risks, including medical treatment and repatriation. |
| Burundi | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Cambodia | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Cameroon | Comprehensive health insurance is required, covering medical expenses and repatriation. |
| Canada | Applicants for some visas, such as the International Experience Canada (IEC) program, must have health insurance covering medical care, hospitalization, and repatriation for the entire duration of their stay. However, exact requirements vary by visa type and province. |
| Cape Verde | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Central African Republic | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Chad | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Chile | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| China | Some regions and some types of visas require expats to have medical insurance. Medical insurance is not, however, required on a state level. |
| Colombia | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Comoros | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Costa Rica | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Croatia | Non-EU citizens require comprehensive insurance covering medical expenses up to €30,000 and repatriation. Permanent residents & some others are entitled to state-provided health insurance. |
| Cuba | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Cyprus | Travel medical insurance is required with minimum coverage of €30,000, hospitalization, and repatriation. |
| Czech Republic | Non-EU citizens require comprehensive insurance covering medical expenses up to €30,000 and repatriation. |
| Democratic Republic of the Congo | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Denmark | Requires health insurance covering all medical risks with coverage of at least €30,000. |
| Djibouti | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Dominica | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Dominican Republic | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Ecuador | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Egypt | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| El Salvador | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Equatorial Guinea | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Eritrea | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Estonia | Minimum coverage of €30,000 for medical expenses. |
| Eswatini (Swaziland) | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Ethiopia | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Fiji | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Finland | Non-EU students and short-term workers require insurance, while those working longer are not required to for visa applications. Comprehensive medical insurance is still recommended, however. |
| France | Private health insurance covering entire stay duration; GHIC/EHIC may suffice for some temporary visas. |
| Gabon | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Gambia | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Georgia | Applicants must have travel and health insurance covering any medical expenses and repatriation. |
| Germany | Comprehensive health insurance covering all medical expenses. |
| Ghana | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Greece | Travel insurance with a medical component is required as long as an expat is in Greece. |
| Grenada | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Guatemala | Health insurance is recommended for long-term stays to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Guinea | Health insurance is recommended for long-term stays to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Guinea-Bissau | Health insurance is recommended for long-term stays to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Guyana | Health insurance is recommended for long-term stays to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Haiti | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Honduras | Health insurance is recommended for long-term stays to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Hungary | Comprehensive coverage for medical expenses up to €30,000 OR proof of means of subsistence that can cover healthcare services. |
| Iceland | Health insurance for at least six months from the start of your stay in Iceland with a minimum coverage of ISK 2,000,000 (USD 15,000,000) |
| India | Health insurance is recommended for long-term stays to cover medical expenses and emergencies. | Indonesia | Health insurance is recommended for long-term stays to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Iran | Only travel/medical insurance from companies that have a representative in Iran will be accepted. |
| Iraq | Health insurance is recommended for long-term stays to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Ireland | Non-EU/EEA & UK citizens require proof of medical/travel insurance upon arrival at the port of entry to present to Immigration Officers on request. |
| Israel | Health insurance is recommended for long-term stays to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Italy | Health insurance is recommended for long-term stays to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Ivory Coast | Health insurance is required for those applying for a Research or Study Visa. Otherwise, it is recommended for long-term stays to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Jamaica | Health insurance is recommended for long-term stays to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Japan | Long-term visa holders are required to enroll in the National Health Insurance system upon arrival. |
| Jordan | Health insurance is recommended for long-term stays to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Kazakhstan | Health insurance is recommended for long-term stays to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Kenya | Health insurance is recommended for long-term stays to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Kiribati | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Kosovo | Health insurance with comprehensive coverage is necessary. |
| Kuwait | A health insurance certificate is required. |
| Kyrgyzstan | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Laos | Health insurance is recommended for long-term stays to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Latvia | Proof of health insurance required when registering (temporary) residence permits in Latvia. |
| Lebanon | Comprehensive health insurance is mandatory for diplomatic/UN officials and their families. Otherwise, health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Lesotho | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Liberia | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Libya | 0 |
| Liechtenstein | Proof of health insurance covering all risks is required. |
| Lithuania | National Visa (D): Health insurance coverage of at least €30,000 is required. |
| Luxembourg | Comprehensive insurance covering all medical costs. |
| Madagascar | Foreign workers are required to register for Social Security and its benefits, including health insurance. |
| Malawi | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Malaysia | Health insurance is mandatory for certain visa categories, including the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) program. |
| Maldives | Health insurance is a pre-requisite for receiving work visas to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Mali | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Malta | Minimum €30,000 coverage for medical expenses required. |
| Marshall Islands | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Mauritania | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Mauritius | Health insurance with a minimum coverage of €30,000 is mandatory. |
| Mexico | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors, especially for temporary resident visas. Some visa categories may require proof of financial solvency, which can include health insurance coverage. |
| Micronesia | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Moldova | Health insurance with a minimum coverage of €30,000 is mandatory. |
| Monaco | Applicants must have health insurance covering medical expenses up to €30,000. |
| Mongolia | Health insurance with a minimum coverage of €30,000 is mandatory. |
| Montenegro | For long-stay visas, private health insurance covering the entire duration of the stay is required. |
| Morocco | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Mozambique | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Myanmar | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Namibia | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Nauru | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Nepal | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Netherlands | Travel insurance with a medical component is required for short-term stays. Otherwise, health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| New Zealand | Applicants for long-stay visas, such as the Essential Skills Work Visa, must have health insurance covering medical care, hospitalization, and repatriation for the entire duration of their stay. |
| Nicaragua | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Niger | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Nigeria | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| North Korea | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| North Macedonia | Adequate and valid travel medical insurance that covers the expenses which may arise during the applicant’s stay in RNM or in connection with repatriation for medical reasons, urgent medical attention and/or emergency hospital treatment. |
| Norway | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Oman | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Pakistan | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Palau | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Palestine (via Israel) | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Panama | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Papua New Guinea | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Paraguay | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Peru | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Philippines | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Poland | For national visa (D): ""Healthcare insurance valid across the European Union for an amount not lower than EUR 30,000."" Further information available on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. For temporary residence: no requirement |
| Portugal | Where insurance is required: The insurance should be valid for the entire territory of Member-States and cover the entire duration of stay or transit of the visa applicant. The insurance should be valid only for the duration of the stay and not for the duration of the visa. The insurance should cover medical expenses including those of medical repatriation medical emergency and/or hospital emergencyand de minimum required coverage is 30" |
| Qatar | Mandatory health insurance requirement for those who are required to obtain a prior entry visa before reaching border crossings. Others are required to purchase a medical insurance policy after 30 days on a visitor's visa. ""Insurance is only accepted from national insurance companies registered with the Ministry of Public Health and international insurance companies approved by the ministry."" |
| Republic of the Congo (Brazzaville) | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Romania | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Russia | Medical insurance of at least 30,000 EUR for full stay in Russia, including repatriation in case of death. Territory must be worldwide, RF, or Europe including RF. |
| Rwanda | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Saint Kitts and Nevis | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Saint Lucia | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Samoa | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| San Marino | Health coverage: form to be filled out and stamped at the Benefits Office for recognition of health coverage recognized as valid by ISS covering each event. For residents in Italy, the Italian health card or insurance policy for sickness, accident, maternity and health care risk with minimum annual coverage of 30 |
| Sao Tome and Principe | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Saudi Arabia | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Senegal | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Serbia | For Visa (D): ""Adequate and valid travel medical insurance"". For Temporary Residence: required for anyone applying on non-work grounds (i.e. study, language school, volunteering). |
| Seychelles | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Sierra Leone | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Singapore | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Slovakia | For Visa (D): ""Adequate and valid travel medical insurance"". For Temporary Residence: required to secure health insurance within 3 working days of collecting the residence card, and submit proof of this within 30 days of collecting it. This does not apply to a foreign national with temporary residence for the purpose of employment, studying, or performing professional duties by civilian units of the armed forces or a foreign national with an acknowledged status of a Slovak Living Abroad. |
| Slovenia | Travel health insurance required for long-stay visas. Travel medical insurance covering emergency medical assistance, hospitalisation and repatriation (including in case of death) should have a minimum cover should be EUR 30,000 and cover the entire Schengen Area for the entire duration of stay. |
| Solomon Islands | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Somalia | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| South Africa | For long-stay visas, private health insurance covering the entire duration of the stay is required. |
| South Korea | Long-term residents are required to enroll in the National Health Insurance system. |
| South Sudan | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Spain | For Visa (D): ""Adequate and valid travel medical insurance"". For Temporary Residence: requirement for some reasons for receiving residency, e.g. study |
| Sri Lanka | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Sudan | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Suriname | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Sweden | For Visa (D): ""Adequate and valid travel medical insurance"". For Temporary Residence: requirement for some reasons for receiving residency, e.g. study |
| Switzerland | It is necessary to take out health insurance no later than 3 months after arriving/beginning work in Switzerland. |
| Syria | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Taiwan | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Tajikistan | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Tanzania | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Thailand | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Timor-Leste (East Timor) | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Togo | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Tonga | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Trinidad and Tobago | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Tunisia | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Turkey | All applicants requierd to have medical insurance that is valid during their stay in Turkey (Türkiye). |
| Turkmenistan | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Tuvalu | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Uganda | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Ukraine | Proof of a valid medical/travel insurance policy to cover Ukraine and the period of stay (minimum of 30 000 EUR or equivalent coverage). Exception for holders of diplomatic/service passports! |
| United Arab Emirates | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| United Kingdom | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies, although foreigners can access many services via the NHS. |
| United States | While health insurance is not legally mandatory for visitors, it is highly recommended due to the high cost of medical care. |
| Uruguay | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Uzbekistan | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Vanuatu | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Vatican City | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Venezuela | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visitors to cover medical expenses and emergencies. |
| Vietnam | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visa holders, covering medical expenses and repatriation. |
| Yemen | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visa holders, covering medical expenses and repatriation. |
| Zambia | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visa holders, covering medical expenses and repatriation. |
| Zimbabwe | Health insurance is recommended for long-term visa holders, covering medical expenses and repatriation. |