Are you planning to change the trajectory of your life and move to Mozambique? Are you searching for the best health insurance coverage in your new home? Continue reading below to learn all you need to know to guarantee you’re prepared for your move overseas!

There are a whole bunch of things you need to know about and prepare for before moving to a new country – getting a place to stay, finding work, learning the ropes of a new language, seeing what paperwork you need to take care of, buying flights… 

But one detail that people sometimes leave to the wayside is health insurance. 

The discoveries of natural gas in Mozambique placed the country in the list of the 10 largest reserves in the world, being the most sought after destination by investors in oil and gas in the entire region of Sub-Saharan Africa.

But before I get to your options for international health insurance as an expat in Mozambique, we’ll first chat a bit on how the Mozambican health system is structured, what the difference between travel insurance and expat insurance is, what type of coverage to look for, and much more. 

(And don’t forget to read on until the end of the article to learn more about the different types of visas you can use to start your life living, studying, and working in Mozambique!) 

 

 

How does the Mozambican health system work? 

No matter what country you’re moving to, you’ll want to be sure you understand how the health system works. Especially in a place like Mozambique, where you may be able to be covered by the public health system one day. 

Regardless of the country you move to, you need to make sure you know how the healthcare system works. Especially in a place like Mozambique, to find out if the public system has coverage for you.

Although Mozambique is a beautiful country for tourists, the country faces high levels of poverty and infrastructure issues, and the public health system is basic and limited. So, expatriates do not have the right to public health, so they need to use private health facilities, and most are in Maputo. It should be noted that most expatriates, as well as wealthier locals, choose to travel to South Africa for elective procedures.

It is therefore essential that expatriates in Mozambique invest in comprehensive international health insurance to cover the costs of private hospitalization and possible medical evacuation to South Africa for complicated or specialist care.

Private clinics in Maputo and other large cities in Mozambique have doctors who are generally expatriates, well trained, experienced and who speak good English.

Maputo Private Hospital was one of the first private hospitals in Mozambique. It is fully equipped to handle emergencies as well as obstetrics, pediatrics and radiology.

For more complex procedures or expert advice, expats often prefer to cross the border into South Africa. As a result, it is important for expatriates to ensure that their health insurance policy covers them for treatment in both countries.

Mozambique is in a malaria zone, so expatriates should take the necessary precautions. It is recommended to avoid mosquito bites using nets, candles and sprays, but the safest way to avoid malaria is medication. Antimalarial pills must be purchased before traveling to Mozambique, but some additional supplies are usually available from local pharmacies.

Vaccinations against Covid, diphtheria, hepatitis A, tetanus and typhoid fever are advised for those moving to Mozambique. Bilharzia, a parasitic infection found in fresh water, is also a danger. Tap water in Mozambique is not safe to drink, so bottled or boiled water must be used.

Mozambique has a high rate of HIV infection, so expatriates must actively take precautions to protect themselves. If there is any suspicion of exposure to HIV, antiretroviral drugs are available from hospitals and private clinics.

 

Do I need health insurance to move to Mozambique? 

If you plan to stay in Mozambique more than 90 days, you’ll need a visa. And to qualify for any kind of visa, you’ll need to show proof of health insurance. So the answer is yes, you do need health insurance as an expat in Mozambique! 

That’s why it’s quite important that you make sure you have proof of coverage like one of the options I mention on the list below 🙂 

But beyond this, an international health insurance plan will also give you some serious peace of mind. Especially when you’re in a country different from your own with new laws, structures, language, or medical costs that you may be unfamiliar with. 

That’s why being covered by an international health insurance plan will protect you from emergencies or any unexpected situations. Plus, there’s a bunch of extra benefits to having an international health insurance plan, as I’ll explain in the next question. 

 

As an immigrant in Mozambique, should I get an expat health insurance plan like those on the list below? Why can’t I just get a national Mozambican plan? 

Ultimately, the choice is yours and depends on your specific medical needs, coverage required, the length of your stay in Mozambique, and the options available for national plans. 

I’ve never had to get extra insurance for Mozambique since I’m a citizen, but based on my experience using them elsewhere, I can say that these international health plans should cover you for whatever you need while in Mozambique. Just make sure to check with your local Mozambican embassy to make sure you get a plan with the minimum coverage they require.  

With all this in mind, here are some of the reasons that you may want to choose an international health insurance plan in place of national coverage: 

• The monthly cost of international health insurance plans can be quite low (perhaps lower than a national plan) 
• International health insurance is much easier to use if you’ll just be in Mozambique for a short period of time (beyond being a requirement for travelers who are going to stay in the country for a short time anyway) 
• International health insurance is more flexible (since you can renew, extend, or cancel your policy at any time, this is a very important feature if you don’t yet know how long you’ll be in Mozambique) 
• International health insurance will cover you in other countries as well, not just in Mozambique (hence the “international” in the name) 

 

What nationalities can be covered by international health insurance plans? 

 

The health insurance companies that I’ll list below are for the following citizens that live in Mozambique as expats, immigrants, workers, or even students: 

• Americans 
• Canadians 
• Australians 
• Brazilians 
• Citizens of the European Union (Portuguese, French, German, Dutch, Spanish, Polish, Belgian, Swedish, et.) 
• Argentinians 
• British (English, Scottish, Welsh, Irish) 
• New Zealanders/Kiwis 
• And for citizens of almost any other country 

Beyond expats/immigrants that reside in Mozambique, these companies also work for residents who live in: 

• The United States 
• Canada
• Europe (European Union or the United Kingdom) 
• Japan 
• Australia 
• And for expats who live in any almost any other country in the world 

In general, as these plans and companies are international, they can be used by practically any person in any place in the world since they have global coverage! 

 

Why can’t I just use travel insurance for my move to Mozambique? What’s the difference between travel insurance and expat insurance? 

Travel insurance is truly an essential for any trip so you’ll be covered in case of emergencies or other unexpected situations…as well as any travel emergencies, like lost baggage or canceled lights. 

However, it’s important to know that travel insurance is not made for immigrants. Although you can get a travel insurance plan for longer periods of time, it’s really just made for travelers with temporary stays in another county. 

Travel insurance coverage is not valid for anyone with a long stay in a single country.  So it’s important to choose an insurance plan that specifically covers expats. And that’s what I’ll help you with in the list below.  

 

What are the 7 best (and cheapest!) health insurance companies for expats and immigrants in Mozambique? 

Finding the right health plan can be pretty stressful. To help you out, take a look at the table I put together below comparing the different insurance companies that I’ll recommend on the list below. 

This way, you can quickly see the pros and cons of each and choose the most suitable plan for you! 

After the table, you can find a more detailed description of each company, their plans, benefits, and much more. 

That said, my recommendation is to get an online quote with each of the companies I suggest below. It may take a bit of time, but at the end of the day, it can help you save lots of money! 

 

	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

 

Attention: This article and table are made for informational purposes as the information contained here is subject to changes and updates.

 

In my opinion, the best international health insurance companies for expats in Mozambique are: 

1. Cigna 
2. IMG
3. Now Health
4. GeoBlue
5. Aetna
6. Global Underwriters
7. SafetyWing
8. Foyer Global Health 

 

   1. Cigna

Cigna is a company that was founded in the United States that has a large role in Europe. It is a great choice when it comes to international health insurance. 

Having been in the market for over 60 years, Cigna is highly recognized for its insurance and has more than 170 million customers worldwide.

My partner, Nikki, had a Cigna health plan herself in order to qualify for her residence card in Sweden. 

Cigna’s plan choices are very diverse, and they even have plans made just for expats going to work in another country. 

Before your move to Mozambique, you can find family and individual plans. One nice benefit of Cigna is that you have the option to add bonus coverage to your plan based on your exact medical needs. 

You can pick from Cigna’s Silver, Platinum, or Gold plan, all of which will give you coverage in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. 

If you’re looking for a budget health insurance plan for Mozambique, a great option is Cigna’s Close Care plan. This particular plan is the cheapest that Cigna has since it only offers coverage in your country of origin and the country where you plan to reside. 

 

Pros of an international health insurance plan with Cigna: 

• 24/7 customer service available 
• Flexibility to customize plans based on exactly what you need to be covered 
• Includes coverage for Covid-19 and PCR tests 
• No sign-up required to get a quote 
• They have a digital platform to help you find hospitals and clinics near your location 
• Cigna will, for the most part, pay health providers directly (so you won’t need to request reimbursement, which can be a long and complicated process) 

 

Cons of an international health insurance plan with Cigna: 

• Some of their plans don’t cover maternity care

 

 

   2. IMG

Another company recognized for its international insurance is IMG. It has about two and a half decades of experience and 3 subsidiaries around the world.

IMG also has several types of plans to choose from, whether for individuals or for entire families, expats or travelers. You will see that they have the possibility of plans with long stays of 1 year or more, but also short term travel plans.

Their website is extremely simple to navigate, very intuitive and with filters for dates, duration of the plan, destination and much more, which facilitate the search. In addition to these filters, you can add your personal details like age and specific needs for the best coverage.

Thus, IMG will provide you with a detailed quote that allows you to compare plan and coverage options so that you are free to choose what is best for you.

But when hiring your service, be aware of the details of each plan, as some do not have coverage for certain ages and not all of their plans cover the needs of Covid-19.

 

Advantages of an international health insurance plan with IMG:

• Customer service 24 hours a day, seven days a week
• Flexibility plans for different client profiles
• More than 17,000 physicians for support

 

Disadvantages of signing up for an international health insurance plan with IMG:

• Some plans do not cover COVID-19
• No coverage for people 75+ years old

 

 

 

   3. Now Health International

As implied by its name, Now Health International is dedicated to providing an efficient, affordable, and easily accessible service. The company places a strong emphasis on building and maintaining positive customer relationships. They ensure that plan information is presented in a clear and concise manner, and any inquiries or concerns are promptly addressed by their dedicated customer support team.

Now Health plans are specifically tailored to meet the diverse challenges faced by individuals living abroad. Their objective is to provide guidance and facilitate access to high-quality healthcare services worldwide.

 

Advantages of an international health insurance plan with Now Health:

• Customized plans according to your needs
• Clear information and excellent customer service team
• Provides coverage in 194 countries and territories
• Plans with high coverage routine maternity coverage

 

Disadvantages of an international health insurance plan with Now Health:

• You must wait a 12-month grace period to use maternity coverage.
• In some procedures, it is necessary to use the company’s reimbursement system, which means that you would have to pay for your care initially

 

 

 

   4. Aetna (acquired by Allianz)

Aetna is an award-winning and benchmark in the international insurance industry. If you are looking for security and credibility at the time of your choice before your move to Nigeria, then this is a good company to consider.

Although they don’t have a wide variety of plans, their plans are flexible and allow you to add additional coverage (such as dental care). Plus, their policies can include coverage up to 5 million USD, depending on the one you choose. 

You can choose from family or individual plans, and may include coverage for repatriation and medical evacuation.

As an expat, I highly recommend the Aetna Pioneer. The plan has basic coverage of up to $1.75 million. Simply fill out a short form on the website to see an accurate quote and get detailed information on available policies.

 

Advantages of an international health insurance plan with Aetna:

• They cover maternity
• Has an app that summarizes information and easy location of services and providers
• Short, medium and long term travel plans
• 24/7 care
• Pre-travel assistance to help with questions, such as vaccinations and regular use medications

 

Disadvantages of an international health insurance plan with Aetna

• Low plan diversity
• Higher prices than other companies on the list

 

 

 

   5. Global Underwriters  

Global Underwriters is another company that is very popular when it comes to international health insurance. They also have packages that cater to immigrants, students, digital nomads, and expats.

For someone moving to Nigeria, I recommend Diplomat Long Term or Diplomat International Plan. Both have complete coverage and generally include everything an expatriate will need in their new country.

 

Advantages of an international health insurance plan with Global Underwriters:

• Up to $1 million of medical coverage in the two plans mentioned above, and $1 million in coverage in case of accidental death or dismemberment
• All day, every day of the week client assistance
• The above plans have emergency dental coverage, medical evacuations, and repatriation of remains

 

Disadvantages of an international health insurance plan with Global Underwritres:

• Diplomat Long Term does not insure travelers in Iran, Afghanistan and Cuba
• Diplomat International does not cover COVID-19
• Global Underwriters does not cover residents of Australia, Iran, South Dakota, Maryland and New York

 

 

 

   6. SafetyWing  

SafetyWing is a very popular company that enjoys great recognition in insurance for digital nomads, as it offers specific health insurance plans for remote workers and companies, expats and digital nomads. 

One of the biggest advantages of SafetyWing is that their policies are a little more accessible and easier to understand than other companies. They cover, free of charge, children from 2 to 10 years old, if their guardians buy a plan.

Each plan has a specific cost that depends on the age of the person subscribing. The cheapest plan doesn’t cover pre-existing health conditions, but it does cover up to $250,000. But you are free to add pre-existing condition coverage separately if needed.

What I love most about SafetyWing is that the company gives you 30 days of free coverage in your home country for every 90 days you use their plans abroad, like in Nigeria.

 

 

Advantages of an international health insurance plan with SafetyWing:

• Modern website, easy access to information and intuitive
• Customer service every day of the week, 24 hours a day
• 30 days of free coverage in your home country for every 90 days of coverage used abroad
• Coverage for COVID-19 and treatment recommended by medical specialists

 

Disadvantages of an international health insurance plan with Safety Wing:

• The plans are not as comprehensive and tend to have less overall coverage than some of the other options on this list;
• Website prices do not include fees and taxes that you may have to pay

 

 

 

   7. Foyer Global Health  

Foyer Global Health is a major player in international health insurance plans for travelers, expats, digital nomads and immigrants.

It has a wide variety of plans, probably the biggest you can find on the market, in addition to being a reliable company (it is part of the largest European Foyer Group).

 

Advantages of an international health insurance plan with Foyer Global Health:

• The plans provide coverage for consultations, dental treatments and even surgeries
• 24/7 online or by phone 
• Pre-travel service for vaccinations and first aid kit preparation
• Coverage is available for evacuation and repatriation

 

Disadvantages of an international health insurance plan with Foyer Global Health:

• The coverage limits are not clear

 

 

 

Bonus

 

   – GeoBlue

Also for more than two decades in the insurance market, GeoBlue offers insurance plans with international health coverage.

But GeoBlue only insures US citizens and residents. So, if you are not a US citizen or resident moving to Nigeria, you can skip straight to the next option.  

GeoBlue has health plans for different types of travelers, including immigrants. Xplorer Essential is the plan I highly recommend, as it’s made for long stays with unlimited coverage.

If you’re looking for a plan for a shorter stay, try the Voyager program. It’s very simple, you just need to fill out a form or get in touch with a broker to get a quote and receive more detailed information about the plans.

 

Advantages of a health insurance plan with GeoBlue:

• Feature application such as telemedicine
• 24-hour customer service, seven days a week
• Some plans have coverage for existing medical conditions
• All plans have unlimited coverage 

 

Disadvantages of an international health insurance plan with GeoBlue:

• Only available to US residents or US citizens
• Low plan flexibility
• You need to submit a form or contact a broker for information or a quote for plans 

 

 

 

What types of visas can you apply for to live, work, and study in Mozambique? 

 

If you’re planning to live in Mozambique, one of your top priorities will be to research and then apply for your visa.

 

Here are the types of visas most requested by expats heading to Mozambique:

 

• Work visa in Mozambique

To be eligible for a work permit, expatriates will need to obtain authorization from the Mozambican Ministry of Labor. Expats must have a confirmed job offer in hand before applying.

The hiring of foreigners is subject to a quota system. If a company is within its quota, applying for a work permit is quite straightforward and there is no need to prove that the job could not be filled by a local. However, if a company has exceeded its quota, authorization is much more difficult to obtain, and applicants will have to go to great lengths to prove to the ministry that no Mozambican could fill the role.

Work permits are renewable and valid for two years.

Expats will need a residence permit to live in Mozambique during their employment contract. To apply, they must submit the relevant documents including proof of employment in the form of a work permit and a letter from their employing company.

Spouses and children of the primary visa holder are also eligible to apply for a residence permit and must provide proof of their relationship.

Residence permits are renewable and valid for one year.

 

• study visa in Mozambique

Students from countries that require visas must apply for a visa at the Mozambican embassy in advance, carrying the following documents:

1. Passport valid for 6 months with a minimum of 3 blank pages
2. proof of yellow fever vaccination (for countries that are at high risk)
3. National Identification
4. Passport-sized photos (certified)
5. Health insurance
6. Proof of permanent residency from the relevant Authorities in the country of origin.
7. Police release from country of origin
8. Proof of ability to support yourself or proof of scholarship, if any.
9. proof of acceptance of the University of Admission and period of study
10. Duly completed visa application form
11. copy of flight confirmation/travel itinerary

 

• investment visa in Mozambique

Applicants are required to submit an Investment Project and the following requested documents at the Mozambican embassy:

1. Passport valid for 6 months with a minimum of 3 blank pages
2. proof of yellow fever vaccination (for countries that are at high risk)
3. National Identification
4. Passport-sized photos (certified)
5. Health insurance
6. Proof of permanent residency from the relevant Authorities in the country of origin.
7. Police release from country of origin
8. Proof of possession of sufficient funds during the applicant’s stay in Mozambique.
9. Medical certificate issued by the applicant’s country of residence.
10. Payment of visa processing fees.
11. copy of flight confirmation/travel itinerary

For more details, visit the Mozambican government website and find out how each procedure works.

 

In sum…

Here are the 7 best (and cheapest!) companies for health insurance for expats and immigrants living in Mozambique: 

1. Cigna
2. IMG
3. Now Health
4. Aetna
5. Global Underwriters
6. SafetyWing
7. Foyer Global Health 

 

In conclusion… 

Deciding to begin a new life overseas can be complicated…so I hope this article has helped make that process a little bit easier for you! 

If you still have any questions about getting health insurance for your move to Mozambique (or about moving overseas in general), let me know in the comments area below and I’ll get back to you! 

 

Planning your next trip?

Then don’t forget travel insurance! You don’t want to get stuck paying a ton of money and ruining your trip if you get sick or have an accident without travel insurance. Our page with The 3 Best and Cheapest Travel Insurance on the Market can help you choose the right plan and will give you some discount coupons for the biggest insurance companies!

 

 Already reserved your hotel or hostel? If not, our article with The 6 Best and Cheapest Websites to Find & Reserve Accommodation can help you out. You’ll also find some promotions and discount codes.

 

 Still haven’t booked your plane ticket and want to save big? Take a look at our page with 16 Tips to Save on Flights where you’ll also find the 4 best websites to buy your plane tickets. 

 

And finally, will you need to rent a car during your trip? Then surely our page with The 5 Best and Cheapest Websites to Compare and Rent Cars Around the World will help you choose the best rental car and find a good deal.