Are you planning to change your life and move to Ireland? And do you want to know how you can get good health coverage in your new country? Then read on below to learn all you need to know to choose the right policy and guarantee you’re covered in emergencies!
There are many things you need to do to prepare yourself for a move overseas – find lodging to stay in, search for a job, sort through all the paperwork, buy your flights, get going on learning a new language…
But one detail that people often leave to the side is dealing with their health insurance.
Ireland is a country that doesn’t have a public health system, so as an expat you’re going to want to have private health coverage (and that’s exactly what the list of international health insurance plans and companies below can help you with).
But before we get to the best international health insurance options for expats in Ireland, let’s first talk a bit about how the Irish health system is structured, the difference between travel insurance and expat insurance, why you want coverage, and more.
(And make sure you keep scrolling until the end of the article to learn more about the types of visas you can apply for to begin living, studying, or working in Ireland!)
How does the health system in Ireland work?
No matter where you live, it’s important to know how the health system works. Especially in a place like Ireland, which doesn’t have free public medical care.
Ireland does make its healthcare system available to everyone, including foreigners. But there is a cost for any services you request. A visit to the emergency room of a public hospital is, at minimum, 100 euros. And can be more based on the treatment you need. If you’re hospitalized, the daily rate is around 80 euros with a limit of 800 euros.
Beyond this, Irish healthcare is based around General Practitioner (GP) clinics, and patients are rarely referred to specialist doctors.
One common criticism of the Irish public health system is that you can’t really choose your GP as referrals are simply made to the location closest to you. This means that GP appointments and treatments can be time-consuming and do not necessarily solve your problem. GP service normally starts at around 60 euros.
That said, Ireland still does have some of the best healthcare in the world. In a 2017 ranking, Ireland was named 13th in a list of the countries with the highest-quality healthcare in the world (just behind contenders like the UK, Portugal, and France).
But when you add it all up, although the Irish medical infrastructure is available to everyone, relying on the public system can be expensive. And unless you’re a European Union citizen, unemployed, or have a Medical Card to cover expenses, private health insurance can save you a lot of money.
Why bother getting an international health insurance plan as an expat in Ireland?
Although the Irish healthcare system is open to all, it can get very expensive to pay all your medical expenses out-of-pocket. So, it’s important that you keep yourself safe with coverage like one of the recommendations that I talk about on the list below 🙂
Beyond that, international health insurance can give you peace of mind…especially when you’re in a new country with different laws, a new medical system, and high healthcare costs.
So having coverage from an international health insurance plan will protect you in emergencies and in unexpected health issues. But there are some additional benefits that you’ll get by having an international plan (which I’ll discuss in the next question).
As an immigrant in Ireland, should I get an international health plan like the ones on the list below? Or should I get an Irish health insurance plan?
At the end of the day, it’s a personal choice that will depend on specific medical and coverage necessities, the length of stay in Ireland, and the options available for national plans.
I’ve never lived in Ireland. But based on my experiences, I can say that the companies below can offer you whatever you need for health coverage.
With that in mind, here are some reasons that you may want to choose an international health insurance plan for expats rather than rely on national coverage options:
- The monthly payments for an international health insurance plan may save you money
- International health insurance is easier to get for short stays in Ireland
- International health insurance plans are more flexible (and this is important if you’re not yet sure how long you’ll stay in Ireland as you’ll have the facility to renew, extend, or cancel your policy anytime)
- International health insurance also offers you coverage in other countries, not just in Ireland (that’s where they are called “international” plans)
Who can these international health insurance companies give coverage to?
The health insurance companies that I list below work for the following citizens who live in Ireland as expats, immigrants, workers, or even students:
- Americans
- Canadians
- Australians
- Brazilians
- Citizens of the European Union (German, Portuguese, French, Dutch, Spanish, Polish, Belgium, Swedish)
- Argentinians
- British (English, Scottish, Welsh, Irish)
- Kiwis/New Zealanders
- And for citizens of just about any other country in the world
Beyond expats/immigrants that reside in Ireland, these companies also work for residents that live in:
- The United States
- Canada
- Europe (the European Union or the United Kingdom)
- Japan
- Australia
- And for expats that live in almost any other country in the world
In general, since all of these plans and companies are international, they can be used by just about any person anywhere in the world since they have global coverage!
Why can’t I just use travel insurance when I move to Ireland? What’s the difference between travel insurance and expat insurance?
Travel insurance is essential for any trip since it’ll cover not only unexpected medical care but also travel problems like lost baggage or canceled flights.
But it’s important to know that travel insurance is not the best choice for immigrants. Although it is possible to have a long-term travel insurance policy, travel insurance is made for travelers with short stays in a country. It’s not valid for someone who is going to be in one country long-term.
So it really is necessary to choose an insurance plan that is made specifically to cover expats. And this is what I’ll help you do with the list below.
What are the 7 best and cheapest insurance options for expats and immigrants in Ireland?
Finding the perfect health insurance plan can be stressful. To make this process a bit easier, take a look at the following table for a comparison of all the companies I recommend on the list below. This way, you can quickly see the pros and cons of each and make the best decision!
After the table, you’ll find a detailed description of each of these companies, their plans, the benefits, and more.
But regardless, the tip I always give for readers is to quickly get an online quote for each of the companies I recommend so you can compare yourself. It may take a bit of time, but it can save you a lot of money overall! 
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| 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 article and table were created with information that was accurate at the time of its publishing. This information is subject to changes and updates.
In my opinion, the best companies for international health insurance for expats are:
- Cigna
- IMG
- Now Health
- Aetna
- Global Underwriters
- SafetyWing
- Foyer Global Health
1. Cigna
With more than 60 years on the market, Cigna is well-known for its insurance and has more than 170 million clients globally. My partner, Nikki, even got a Cigna plan herself which she used to qualify for her residence card in Sweden.
Cigna is a company with many plans to choose from, including plans made specifically for expats (which will work for those of you going to work in Ireland).
You can find both individual and family plans. And one advantage is that you can add benefits to your plan based on the exact medical care or treatments that you need coverage for.
You can choose from the Silver, Platinum, and Gold plans (all of which cover more than 200 countries and territories around the world).
If you’re looking for cheap health insurance for Ireland, a great option is the Cigna Close Care plan. This plan is the cheapest one that Cigna has on offer because coverage is only included for your country of origin and the country you plan to reside in (Ireland, in this case).
Pros of an international health insurance plan from Cigna:
- Customer service available 24/7
- Flexibility to tailor your plan to exactly what you need
- Coverage for Covid-19 and PCR tests
- You don’t need to sign up to get a quote
- They have a digital system to help you find hospitals and clinics close to wherever you are
- They, for the most part, pay medical providers directly without you needing to use their reimbursement system
Cons of an international health insurance plan from Cigna:
- Some of their plans don’t include maternity coverage
2. IMG
You can choose from several different types of plans, including those for individuals or for families. IMG also offers specific plans for different types of travelers, including expats. Plus you can choose from long-term plans of a year or more as well as short-term plans.
Their website is intuitive and easy to navigate with filters for dates, plan length, destination, and much more. Beyond these filters, you can also add in personal details like your age and specific medical needs to see the best coverage.
This way, IMG can give you a detailed quote that allows you to compare the plans and coverage options.
Just be sure to pay attention to the fine print of each plan since some of them don’t include coverage for all age groups. And not all of them cover Covid-19 treatments either.
Pros of an international health insurance plan from IMG:
- Customer service available 24/7
- Flexibility in their plans and coverage limits
- More than 17,000 in-network doctors
Cons of an international health insurance plan from IMG:
- They don’t have coverage for expats 75 years of age and older
- Not all plans include Covid-19 coverage
Now Health International lives up to its name by striving to provide a service that is efficient, affordable, and easily accessible. The company places a strong emphasis on fostering a positive and meaningful customer relationship. They ensure that plan information is presented in a clear and concise manner, and any inquiries or concerns are promptly resolved by their dedicated customer support team.
The primary focus of Now Health plans is to cater to the unique challenges faced by individuals living abroad. They aim to provide guidance and facilitate access to top-quality healthcare services worldwide.
Table of Contents
Pros 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
Cons 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)
Although they don’t have many plans to choose from, the ones they do have are flexible and let you add in complementary coverage (like ontological care). Some plans even include coverage of up to 5 million USD.
You can choose from family or individual plans, and you can include coverage for repatriation and medical evacuation as well.
As an expat, I’d recommend the Aetna Pioneer plan. This plan includes basic coverage of up to 1.75 million USD. To get a quote and more plan details, just fill out a simple form on their website.
Pros of an international health insurance plan from Aetna:
- They cover maternity care
- They have an app to help you easily locate medical services and providers nearby
- They have plans for short-, mid-, and long-term stays overseas
- Customer service available 24/7
- They include pre-trip support to answer questions on topics like vaccines and regularly-used medications
Cons of an international health insurance plan from Aetna:
- Not many plans to choose from
- Cost of plans is slightly higher than the others on this list
Global Underwriters is yet another well-known and popular company for insurance. They have insurance options for immigrants, students, digital nomads, and expats with plans to start a life elsewhere in the world.
For anyone looking to move to Ireland, I’d recommend the Diplomat Long Term or the Diplomat International Plan. Both offer very complete coverage and in general include everything that an expat may need in their new home.
Pros of an international health insurance plan from Global Underwriters:
- Up to 1 million USD in medical coverage available on the plans recommended above with an extra 1 million USD in coverage for accidental death and dismemberment
- Customer service available 24/7
- Plans recommended above include emergency dental, medical evacuation, and repatriation of mortal remains
Cons of an international health insurance plan from Global Underwriters:
- The Diplomat Long Term plan won’t cover travelers to Iran, Afghanistan, or Cuba
- The Diplomat International plan doesn’t include Covid-19 coverage
- Global Underwriters doesn’t offer plans to residents of Australia, Iran, South Dakota, Maryland, or New York
6. SafetyWing
One nice benefit is that children aged 2-10 are covered for free if their caretakers have a plan.
Plan pricing varies based on the age of the travelers. The cheapest plan available doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions, though it does have up to 250,000 USD in coverage. But you can also add on pre-existing condition coverage if you need it.
What I like most about SafetyWing is that they give you 30 days of free coverage in your home country for every 90 days you use your plan overseas (such as in Ireland).
Pros of an international health insurance plan from SafetyWing:
- Modern, intuitive, and easy-to-use website
- Customer service available 24/7
- 30 days of free coverage in your country of origin for every 90 days of coverage you have overseas
- They include Covid-19 coverage and coverage for treatments recommended by medical specialists
Cons of an international health insurance plan from SafetyWing:
- The plans may not have quite as much coverage as some of the other options on this list
- The prices you see on the website don’t include taxes and fees
Foyer Global Health is a reputable name in international health insurance for travelers, expats, digital nomads, and immigrants.
It’s a company that has perhaps the biggest diversity in plans you’ll see on the market. Plus it’s a company you can trust since they are part of the larger European Foyer Group.
Pros of an international health insurance plan from Foyer Global Health:
- All of their plans have coverage for dental surgeries, appointments, and treatments
- Customer service by email or phone available 24/7
- They offer pre-trip support and preparation on vaccinations and first aid kits
- Option to add evacuation and repatriation coverage
Cons of an international health insurance plan from Foyer Global Health:
- Their coverage limits aren’t very clear
Bonus
– GeoBlue
But GeoBlue is only available to citizens and residents of the United States. So if you aren’t a U.S. citizen or U.S. resident moving to Ireland, skip this option.
GeoBlue has plans for all different types of travelers, including immigrants. The Xplorer Essential plan is the one I normally recommend since it’s made for long stays overseas and has unlimited coverage.
If you’re looking for a shorter plan, try GeoBlue’s Voyager plan. You can get a quote and more detailed info on the plan by reaching out to an insurance broker on their website.
Pros of an international health insurance plan from GeoBlue:
- Telemedicine available
- Customer service available 24/7
- Some plans offer coverage for pre-existing conditions
- Some of their plans have unlimited coverage
Cons of an international health insurance plan from GeoBlue:
- Plans only available to residents of the U.S. or American citizens
- Plans aren’t very flexible
- You’ll need to fill out a form or contact a broker to get more info or a plan quote
Types of visas you can apply for to live, work, and study in Ireland
If you’re planning to live in Ireland, then one of your top priorities will be to apply for your visa.
If you’re an immigrant coming to the country to work, your employer will probably help you with the move (including with the visa application and even with finding a new place to live).
But regardless, it’s still important to look carefully at the different visas you may qualify for, the documents you’ll need to apply, and how long applications take to process. If other family members will be moving with you, you’ll also have to see what type of visas they may need.
Ireland has many different types of visas you can choose from. These include:
- Tourist visa
- Stamp 0 for short stays
- Stamp 1 Work Permit
- Stamp 1A Trainee Visa
- Stamp 2 Student Visa (with permission to work)
- Stamp 2A Student Visa (without permission to work)
- Stamp 3 Long Stay Visa (without permission to work)
- Stamp 4 Long Stay Visa
- Stamp 1G for students with plans to enter the labor market
- Stamp 5 Permanent Residence (for those who have legally stayed in the country for 8 years)
- Stamp 6 for dual citizens
Be sure to reach out to the Irish embassy or the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) if you have any questions.
Here’s some more info on the 2 types of visas most commonly requested by new immigrants to Ireland.
Irish work visas
As I mentioned before, Ireland has quite a few types of work visas, given that it’s a country with many opportunities for expats. So, we’ll begin with this type of visa.
Beyond your basic documents, to apply for a visa you’ll need to have a work proposal from an Irish company.
There are two types of work visas in Ireland: Stamp 1, and Stamp 1A.
The first is tied directly to your job. In other words, you do not have permission to work in other positions or get involved in other types of work unless The Ministry of Justice and Equality approves a break in your contract.
This type of visa is that can be applied for by citizens of countries outside of the European Union who already have a Work Permit, Green Card, or another type of permission to do business in Ireland…and who have residence permission or work permits as a dependent of their spouse.
Stamp 1A is for trainees, though it is more limited than Stamp 1. The holder of this visa must work full-time in paid accounting training with an Irish company for a specific length of time.
Beyond these two types of work visas, you can also get permission to work as a student with Stamp 2. I’ll talk more about that one below.
Irish student visas
To enter Ireland as a student, you have two types of visas to look into based on the type of studies and exchange you’ll be doing.
Stamp 2 is for expats from Switzerland or those who don’t have European Union citizenship and who take university or language courses for a minimum of 6 months. An immigrant can take out this visa for up to 7 years in Ireland.
But for language students, the maximum period of the visa is 8 months. However, this can be renovated 2 times for a max stay of 2 years.
To qualify, a student must attend classes regularly. And they’ll have permission to work up to 20 hours per week during the school semesters, and up to 40 hours per week during school holidays.
You’ll need the following documents to apply:
- A letter from your educational institution certified by the Irish government with a minimum course load of 15 hours of classes per week
- Private health insurance from a company that covers Ireland
- Proof of payment for your course
- Proof of 3,000 euros in an Irish bank account
- Bank account statement
- Proof of your residence address
- Proof that your institution offers Learner Protection
- 300 euros to apply for your Irish Residence Permit (IRP)
Stamp 2A also requires enrollment in a course, but it does not allow a student to work full- or part-time. This visa is available to immigrants who don’t hold EU or Swiss citizenship, and who study at institutions recognized by the Department of Education and Science. It allows a stay of a maximum of 6 months
In sum…
Here are the 7 best and cheapest health insurance companies for expats and immigrants moving to Ireland:
- Cigna
- IMG
- Now Health
- Aetna
- Global Underwriters
- SafetyWing
- Foyer Global Health
In conclusion…
Deciding to begin life abroad can be complicated…but I hope that this article has helped alleviate some of your doubts!
If you still have any questions or concerns about getting health insurance for your move to Ireland (or about moving overseas in general), just let me know in the comments area below and I’ll get back to you!