7 Best Health Insurance for British Citizens Living Abroad

If you’re planning to relocate or live overseas, then expat/international health insurance is essential! However, with a wide range of insurance options available, it can be difficult to make the right choice. Take a look at this article to explore the top choices, including their benefits and drawbacks, along with tables comparing the key features of each insurance plan.

So you’re about to embark on a journey abroad… Congratulations! I’m excited for you!

Living, working, or studying in a foreign country can be a thrilling adventure. You’ll be joining countless individuals who, like you, have the chance to discover the world beyond their native lands. However, as you make preparations for visa arrangements and schedule vaccinations, there’s one vital aspect you shouldn’t overlook: expat/international health insurance.

 

 

The British Health System, known as the NHS (National Health Service), is a public and universal health service available to all residents of the United Kingdom, regardless of their income or immigration status.

The NHS was created in 1948 and is mainly funded by taxation. It offers a wide range of healthcare services, including doctor consultations, inpatient treatments, prescription drugs, emergency care, maternity services and long-term care.

The NHS is based on three main principles: free access for all, based on clinical need rather than ability to pay; public funding to ensure that services are accessible to all; and services that are delivered comprehensively, from prevention to treatment.

The system is managed by the central government but also involves local health authorities and health professionals such as doctors, nurses and other clinical staff. NHS hospitals and clinics are publicly owned, although some services are provided by independent organizations but funded by the NHS.

Patients are usually required to register with a local GP, known as a General Practitioner (GP), who is the first point of contact for non-emergency healthcare. GPs refer patients to hospital specialists and services when necessary.

While the NHS is widely praised for its accessibility and comprehensive coverage, it also faces challenges such as long queues for certain treatments, lack of resources in some areas and financial pressures. However, the system remains a fundamental part of the British healthcare system and is valued for its principles of universal access and free care.

Moreover, if you make the decision to reside overseas, neither of these two plans will offer any form of health coverage under any circumstances.

Since January 1, 2021, British individuals no longer have access to the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) due to the UK’s departure from the European Union. Consequently, British citizens now need to stay informed about changes in health coverage when traveling to European countries and should thoroughly review specific guidelines and requirements before their trip.

Your health insurance from your home country will not provide coverage while you live in another country for an extended period. Additionally, if you are not a citizen of the country you plan to relocate to, you will not be covered by its public healthcare system.

 

What is expat/international health insurance?

Why do I need international medical insurance for expats/immigrants and students?

Why can’t I just make sure I’m healthy before I leave?

Can I just use travel insurance for healthcare while living abroad?

In general, travel insurance is not sufficient for long-term stays in a single country. Its primary purpose is to provide coverage for trips lasting less than 6 months, although there are options available for multiple countries if you are a tourist.

To fully grasp the difference between travel insurance and expat/international health insurance, let’s explore the details further below.

 

Difference between travel insurance & expat/international health insurance

 

Travel insurance:

• It is designed for individuals who are visiting as tourists or traveling temporarily, rather than those who are living in a new country.
• Usually offers coverage for medical emergencies that occur overseas, but often excludes routine preventative care.
• It may also provide coverage for events like lost luggage and trip cancellations, depending on the specific policy.
• In certain regions, such as the European Schengen Area, travel insurance may be a mandatory requirement for entry.
• For more information on travel insurance, we suggest reading our article that highlights the top three cost-effective travel insurance companies.

 

Expat/international/immigrant/overseas health insurance:

 

Expat/international health insurance for immigration and applying for residence permits/visa

In most countries, it is mandatory to show proof of coverage under an international health insurance plan when applying for a temporary or permanent resident visa. It’s essential to understand that travel insurance alone is generally not accepted for this purpose.

Due to the intricacies involved in immigration procedures, it is vital to ensure that the expat/international health insurance policy you are acquiring fulfills the specific requirements set by the immigration office of the country you plan to relocate to. You may find this information online, but if it is not readily available, it is advisable to directly contact the immigration office for clarification.

 

Personal experience using expat/international health insurance for immigration in Sweden (hint: it’s not always easy): When Nikki relocated from the United States to Sweden, she sought to obtain her temporary residence permit, she encountered the requirement of presenting evidence of international health insurance to the immigration authorities. She purchased a policy from one of the companies mentioned below, and it was accepted by immigration.

However, while applying for her tax identification number at the Swedish tax office, she faced a situation where the same insurance policy was deemed unacceptable, prompting her to obtain a new policy from a different company.

If you anticipate facing a similar situation, it is crucial to thoroughly examine the cancellation policies of each insurance company. By doing so, even if your current plan is rejected by immigration, you can minimize financial loss by canceling your existing policy and obtaining a new one.

 

What should I look for in an overseas healthcare plan for expatriates?

While the plan you choose will depend on the kind of coverage you need while you live as an immigrant/expat, here are some of the basic things they should include:

• Adequate yearly benefit maximums
• Flexibility in plans and prices
• Wellness care and emergency care
• Inpatient and outpatient hospital visits
• A large network of doctors and medical facilities to choose from
• Multilingual and 24/7 customer service

Here is a convenient comparison of our top three recommended insurance options for expats/immigrants. These options provide essential coverage for inpatient care, routine doctor’s visits, emergency evacuations, and 24/7 customer support.

Please be aware that additional coverage for dental and vision services may involve additional costs. If you are pregnant or planning to start a family while residing in another country, you may need to consider the more expensive plans to ensure comprehensive coverage.

It is crucial to remember that lower-cost insurance plans generally offer less coverage. Therefore, conducting comprehensive research is essential to find the ideal plan that meets your specific needs.

 

Who do these international health insurances work for?

 

For these citizens living abroad as expats or immigrants:

• Americans
• Australians
• Chinese
• Germans
• French
• Argentinians
• Swedes
• New Zealanders

And for citizens from almost every other country living abroad

 

For expats/immigrants living in:

• The United States
• Canada
• China
• Germany
• Sweden
• Spain
• Portugal
• France (European Union/Schengen Area as a whole)
• China (and Hong Kong)
• Australia
• Switzerland

And for expats living in almost any other country in the world

In other words, no matter your citizenship or which country you are moving to, most of these international health plans will work for you since they are truly global insurances.

 

Some questions to ask yourself before you buy expat/international medical insurance:

• Do you need a private room if you’re admitted to a hospital?
• Are you planning on starting a family or expanding your family?
• Do you have any pre-existing conditions or are you on any medications you need to continue while living in another country?
• Are you willing to pay a higher deductible for lower premiums?

 

Note: If you aren’t really an expat/immigrant but an international student at a school or college/university overseas, then I suggest you take a look at my article with the 3 Best and Cheapest Health Insurance for International Students and Exchanges/Study Abroad.

 

  1. Cigna Global

 

What I like:

 

What I didn’t like:

 

    2. IMGlobal

 

What I like:

• They offer a range of 5 plans for your consideration.
• If you choose to utilize their facilities outside of the United States, they provide a cash incentive and can waive up to 50% of your deductible.
• With over 29 years of experience in delivering health insurance coverage for immigrants and expatriates, they possess extensive expertise in this field.
• Their website provides an online portal, granting you round-the-clock access to emergency medical services.
• Their network comprises 17,000 physicians and facilities globally. Direct billing services are readily available.
• They provide both annual international health insurance plans and short-term plans. Coverage is extended to individuals and families of all nationalities.
• For their Bronze package, you can obtain 12-month worldwide coverage with a $250 deductible for less than $1000 annually.

 

What I didn’t like:

   3. Now Health International

True to its name, Now Health International aims to offer a seamless, affordable, and easily accessible service, and there is no better time than the present to benefit from it.

As a result, customer satisfaction takes center stage for this company. Plan information is conveyed clearly and effectively, and any inquiries or issues are promptly handled by their dedicated customer support team.

Now Health plans are carefully designed to tackle the challenges encountered by individuals living abroad, providing guidance and ensuring exceptional healthcare on a global scale.

 

What I like:

What I don’t like:

• A waiting period of 12 months is required before maternity coverage can be utilized.
• For certain procedures, the reimbursement system of the company must be used, which entails initially paying for your own care expenses.

 

  4. Allianz Worldwide Care

 

 

Here are a few of the things that I appreciate and didn’t like about Allianz. 

What I liked: 

What I didn’t like: 

• Allianz don’t have many options for plans.

 

 

     5. Safety Wing

 

What I like: 

What I didn’t like: 

• The coverage for United States, Hong Kong, and Singapore has quite high fees 
• You need to create a login and fill out a lot of information before getting a quote 
• Quotes don’t show all fees 

 

 

     6. Foyer Global Health

What I like: 

What I didn’t like: 

 

   7. Global Underwriters

Global Underwriters is a trusted insurance provider that offers outstanding choices for expatriates and immigrants. With a wealth of experience in the field, they excel in offering personalized plans for global travelers.

When it comes to expatriates, Global Underwriters presents two exceptional options: Diplomat Long Term and Diplomat International. These comprehensive plans are meticulously crafted to cater to the requirements of individuals living in foreign countries, ensuring extensive coverage and providing a sense of security.

 

What I like:

What I didn’t like: 

• The Diplomat Long Term plan is not available for residents of New York, Maryland, South Dakota, as well as citizens of Australia and Iran.
• Travel to Cuba, Iran, and Afghanistan is not covered under the Diplomat Long Term plan.
• The Diplomat International plan does not provide coverage for Covid-19 care.

 

 

3 Bonus options for Expat International Insurance plans:

 

   – GeoBlue

What I like:

• GeoBlue excels in providing a service that surpasses the highest quality standards.
• Their flexible Xplorer plan is meticulously designed for expatriates and foreign nationals residing in the US, as well as US citizens living abroad, catering to their unique needs with exceptional flexibility.
• With the Xplorer plan, you can enjoy comprehensive coverage without having to pay any deductible for standard services, and there is no limit on medical expenses.
• The Xplorer plan goes the extra mile by extending coverage to include extreme sports activities, and there are no cancellation fees associated with it.
• To enhance your plan, GeoBlue offers optional dental and vision coverage options for added convenience.
• With a range of plans to choose from, you have the freedom to select the one that best aligns with your requirements.
• GeoBlue’s customer service is available round the clock, providing assistance 24/7.
• Their plans offer comprehensive coverage, including essential services such as evacuation, health consultations, and maternity care.

 

 

What I didn’t like: 

• GeoBlue’s insurance plans are not available to residents of New York and Washington states.
• To obtain pricing information, it is necessary to contact a broker.

 

GeoBlue offers a valuable feature of unlimited telemedicine consultations at no charge for plan members who have Covid-19 related inquiries. Moreover, if clinically necessary as recommended by a physician, the company covers the expenses for Covid-19 testing and treatment.

 

   – Seven Corners Liaison Majestic

As with IMG, Seven Corners also has medical insurance for travelers, students, faculty,  and others. 

 

What I like:

What I don’t like:

• You are ineligible for a plan if your U.S. address falls within the states of Maryland, Washington, New York, South Dakota, or Colorado.
• Coverage is not available for individuals aged 60 years or older. GeoBlue does not provide coverage for travel to Iran, Syria, U.S. Virgin Islands, Gambia, Ghana, Nigeria, or Sierra Leone.
• Certain services, such as inpatient stays, rehabilitation, outpatient surgeries, and home healthcare, require precertification prior to receiving coverage.

    – Aetna (acquired by Allianz)

Aetna is committed to prioritizing the needs of their customers, delivering services tailored to meet individual requirements. With a strong emphasis on catering to expatriates and residents in various countries, Aetna offers a wide selection of personalized plans.

Through a deep understanding of their customers’ distinct situations, Aetna guarantees that their plans are meticulously crafted to deliver extensive coverage and address the specific healthcare needs of individuals residing overseas.

 

What I like: 

What I didn’t like: 

 

 

Do you consider yourself a “global citizen,” or are you a digital nomad and need medical insurance that will follow you worldwide?

If that applies to your situation, the mentioned insurance options are also well-suited for your needs. The seven international health insurance plans listed are specifically tailored for digital nomads or individuals who do not have a permanent place of residence and reside in multiple countries. These plans cater to the requirements of “global citizens” who seek comprehensive health coverage worldwide.

To provide a brief overview and facilitate comparison, here are the essential features of the seven international health insurance plans:

 

CIGNA	IMGLOBAL	AETNA	GEOBLUE	SAFETY WING	GLOBAL HEALTH FOYER	GLOBAL UNDERWRITERS
Silver – $1 million	BRONZE – $1 million	The values of the limits increase depending on the length of the insurance contract	The coverage amounts may change according to your choices	Annual benefit maximum of US $1,000,000	Personalized plans for you or your family	Maximum annual benefit of $1,000,000.00
Gold – $2 million	SILVER – $5 million	Aetna’s plans may cover cancer treatments when the patient is part of a clinical trial.		Full reimbursement for hospital & cancers treatments, ambulance, and reconstructive surgeries	Value of total coverage is something you can customize per item	Up to $1,000,000 coverage in cases of accidental death or dismemberment
Platinum – Unlimited	GOLD – FOR COVERAGE UP TO 36 MONTHS – $5 million					Value of total coverage is something you can customize per item
	GOLD – FOR COVERAGE AFTER 36 MONTHS – $5 million
	GOLD PLUS – $5 million
	PLATINUM – $8 million

 

A complete table comparing these 7 health insurances for expats…

 

	Get a Quote	Get a Quote	Get a Quote	Get a Quote	Get a Quote	Get a Quote	Get a Quote
BENEFIT	LIMIT	LIMIT	LIMIT	LIMIT	LIMIT	LIMIT	LIMIT
Benefit Information
Medical Maximum	Unlimited (for the Platinum plan)	$8,000,000	The site doesn’t specify	Unlimited	US$1,000,000 per year	The site doesn’t specify	$1,000,000
U.S. In-Network Coinsurance	You choose. From 70%(100% thereafter) to 100%	100%	No	60% for maximum coinsurance and then 100%	Yes, for higher fees	Only in emergencies	Yes
U.S. Out-of-Network Coinsurance	You choose. From 70%(100% thereafter) to 100%	90% to $5,000 (100% thereafter)	Yes, for higher fees	100%	100%	100%	100%
Mental Health Availability	No waiting period	12-month waiting period	Co-payment of $25 per visit, waived deductible	75% up to 40 visits / 60% after that	No	Waiting period of 10 months	Depends on the plan
Mental Health Benefit	Inpatient and Outpatient: $5,000 lifetime maximum to paid in full depending on the plan	Inpatient and Outpatient: $50,000 lifetime maximum	Co-payment of $250 after deductible	100% up to 60 days		International and ambulance: limit not specified
Inpatient Prescription Drugs	$500 to paid in full depending on the plan	Up to $8,000,000	Yes		Complete reimbursement	Yes	Yes
Outpatient Prescription Drugs	None, unless you buy the International Outpatient Option	Up to $8,000,000			Complete reimbursement	Yes	Yes
Evacuation and Repatriation of Remains	Paid in full	Up to $8,000,000	Yes	Up to $25,000	No	Up to 10,000 euros	Yes
Accidental Death & Dismemberment	Depends on the plan	Rider available, limit depends on age.		$50,000			Depends on the plan
Emergency Dental	Paid in full	Up to $8,000,000	Optional	1,000 per year, $ 200 per tooth	Yes, however you need to pay an extra fee on top of your plan	Depending on the plan, it’s unlimited	It has coverage in the Diplomat Long Term and Diplomat International plans
Treatment Necessary as Result of Terrorism	Up to the amount of the coverage	Rider available up to $50,000-lifetime maximum			Clause available up to maximum of $50,000 in lifetime payments
Amateur Sports	Unlimited	Rider available up to $10,000	No	Yes	No	No	No
Newborn Care
Routine Nursery Care of a Newborn Child of a Covered Pregnancy	$25,000 to $156,000 depending on the plan	$1,000 additional deductible, $50,000 lifetime maximum, $200 wellness benefit for first 12 months	Yes		Depends on the plan	Can be unlimited depending on the plan	Can be unlimited depending on the plan
Children born as a result of fertility treatment (such as IVF or surrogacy)	Only after the baby is 90 days old	Excluded	Depends on the plan		Excluded	No
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit	Check website for updated information	$250,000 maximum for first 31 days	No		Up to $250,000 for the first 31 days	No
Pre-existing Conditions
Pre-existing condition exclusion period	Conditions that are fully disclosed on the application and have not been excluded or restricted by a rider will be covered as any illness	Conditions that are fully disclosed on the application and have not been excluded or restricted by a rider will be covered as any illness	Conditions that are fully disclosed on the application and have not been excluded or restricted by a rider will be covered as any illness	Conditions that are fully disclosed on the application and have not been excluded or restricted by a rider will be covered as any illness	Conditions that are fully disclosed on the application and have not been excluded or restricted by a rider will be covered as any illness	Conditions that are fully disclosed on the application and have not been excluded or restricted by a rider will be covered as any illness	Conditions that are fully disclosed on the application and have not been excluded or restricted by a rider will be covered as any illness
Pre-existing condition look back period	Any time prior to effective date	Any time prior to effective date	Any time prior to effective date	Any time prior to effective date	Any time prior to the effective date	Any time prior to the effective date	Any time prior to the effective date
Pre-existing annual maximum once covered	Unlimited depending on the plan	Up to $8,000,000	Unlimited depending on the plan	Unlimited depending on the plan	Full reimbursement	Unlimited depending on the plan	Unlimited depending on the plan
Pre-existing lifetime maximum once covered	Unlimited depending on the plan	Up to $8,000,000	Unlimited depending on the plan	Unlimited depending on the plan	Full reimbursement	Unlimited depending on the plan	Unlimited depending on the plan

Worldwide Medical Insurance / Comparison Chart*

Part of the table courtesy of Tokio Marine HCC

*Note: this table is just for informational purposes and subject to change. It was accurate as of the time we wrote it here, but please check each company’s individual website for updated info.

 

To sum up…

These are the 7 best international health insurance for expats and immigrants:

1. Cigna
2. IMG
3. Now Health
4. Allianz
5. Safety Wing
6. Foyer Global Health
7. Global Underwriters

 

In conclusion…

Do you live abroad and need to receive or send money back home cheaply?

I have a specific article to help you make international transfers as cheaply as possible: The 5 Best Websites for International Money Transfers (send and receive money from abroad).