15 Best Countries With Affordable Healthcare to Move to
Aspiring expats and digital nomads looking for a new place to call home must consider several things before making the big move. Access to and the cost of healthcare are major considerations that can make or break a relocation.
Whether you’re a retiree or at any other stage of your working life, having healthcare is important. Not all healthcare systems are equal, nor are they all affordable. Finding out which countries have the best, most reasonably priced healthcare can save your life and finances.
1. Brazil
The South American nation provides widespread access to medical care at no cost for citizens and legal residents. However, the public health system means long wait times for care, particularly for those living in rural areas.
There’s a paid private healthcare system that accepts international health insurance plans. Many drugs requiring a prescription in the U.S. are available over the counter and experience little by way of shortages in Brazil.
2. Colombia
Colombia’s low-cost healthcare system is easy to apply for for both citizens and expats. There’s a single public health system called EPS. Expats first need to obtain the correct visa for their situation (visitor, migrant, or resident) and apply for a resident identification card.
Once you have both documents, you can apply for EPS coverage. Private insurance can be purchased as a supplement to EPS to provide more options for selecting primary care providers and specialists and boost benefits for other types of care.
3. Costa Rica
The Costa Rican healthcare system consistently receives high rankings from the United Nations (UN) and the World Health Organization (WHO) for citizens and permanent residents. This makes Costa Rica one of the more popular destinations for expats.
All residents make small monthly payments based on income to fund the system. In return, they receive 100% coverage for inpatient and outpatient medical treatments, visits, and prescriptions. Private healthcare is also available at a reduced cost.
4. Denmark
Expats who are registered residents of Denmark are automatically covered under the public health system of care. It’s mostly free and includes hospital, primary, preventive, mental health, specialist, and long-term care.
Supplemental insurance is available to pay the copays for services like dental care and prescription medications and provides access to private healthcare providers. Denmark’s healthcare is one of the most affordable systems in the world.
5. Ecuador
Healthcare services in Ecuador are accessible at a substantial discount compared to the cost of care in the United States. Ecuador’s affordability of health insurance and healthcare services makes it highly competitive with other countries.
Ecuador’s three healthcare options include universal public health for low-income residents and a social security system for workers and their families. Reasonably priced private healthcare is available for those with the means to pay for these services.
6. Finland
One of the benefits of becoming a resident of Finland is access to completely free healthcare, with few exceptions. There’s zero charge for care provided at all levels of service.
Temporary workers from other countries are ineligible for this coverage, but it gives eligible beneficiaries a strong enough safety net in that they don’t have to worry about excessive hospital or provider bills.
7. France
France has a universal healthcare system that’s a hybrid model in which covered persons and the government pay for the cost of healthcare. The high quality of healthcare is world-renowned.
Anyone who’s considered a legal resident of France, including expats and those who’ve lived in France for three months with plans to stay for at least another three months, is eligible for health coverage.
8. Italy
Citizens automatically receive coverage from the country’s National Health Service. Expats can buy private healthinsurance or the National Health Service plan. The cost depends on the type of residency you declare.
Recipients receive mostly free healthcare, paying copays for certain prescriptions, specialist visits, and procedures. Children, low-income adults, pregnant women, and patients with chronic illnesses are exempt from out-of-pocket costs.
9. Malaysia
Malaysia has a reputation for providing quality medical care comparable to Western healthcare services. It’s a popular destination for medical tourism, remote workers, and retirees.
The public healthcare system is only available to residents, and expats must purchase private health insurance. Even with private insurance, medical costs are lower than in the U.S.
10. Mexico
Retirees and digital nomads move to Mexico for its low cost of living and affordable healthcare services. Employed expats with valid temporary visas or permanent residents can enroll in the country’s public healthcare system.
Expats working for Mexican companies are automatically enrolled in the healthcare program by their employer. If you’re retired or self-employed, you voluntarily enroll in the system and pay to receive public healthcare coverage
11. New Zealand
New Zealand citizens, permanent residents, and work visa holders approved to be there for at least two years may be eligible for free or low-cost publicly funded healthcare services.
This medical coverage in New Zealand includes public hospital care, support services for the disabled, prescription medications, maternity care, and fertility treatments.
12. Panama
Panama has a truly universal healthcare system. The country’s constitution mandates that everyone—citizens and residents, regardless of legal status—has access to low-cost or free public and private healthcare services.
Panama has three tiers of combined public and private health coverage, and the tiers can overlap depending on individual needs. Healthcare is free for children aged five and under.
13. Philippines
While the Philippines is a well-known spot for travel and medical tourism, it’s also favored among retirees and working expats. The island nation’s healthcare system and quality of care are two reasons why it attracts so many Westerners.
PhilHealth is the government-run system of public health. Expats who’ve established legal residency can apply for PhilHealth coverage with premiums based on income, or they can purchase private insurance.
14. Portugal
Expats and retirees seeking high-quality, easily accessible healthcare should add Portugal to their list of places to move. Portugal’s approach to healthcare is that it’s a right everyone is entitled to.
The National Health Service (NHS) promises healthcare to all visitors and residents, regardless of their legal or employment status, or ability to pay. Private health plans can also be purchased.
15. Spain
Expats living in Spain have ample access to healthcare through private and public healthcare options. Private healthcare is more expensive than the public model, but it offers a more in-depth level of care and faster access. Retirees can also enroll in a low-premium special agreement plan.
Spain’s impressive universal public healthcare structure covers more than 99% of the population, including residents who aren’t citizens. To receive a medical card that pays for most medical costs, you must register with the country’s national health service.
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