Thinking about moving to Nigeria? Don’t know much about the different health plans you can choose from in that country? Read this article and I’ll tell you all the information you need to be safe if you need doctors in your new country!

Several concerns surround our thoughts when the topic is precautions before going to another country – having a place to stay, looking for jobs, understanding how the country works, buying tickets, learning a different language…

Sometimes people forget that worrying about health insurance is just as important as all of the above. After all, it is about your health.

As the second largest economy in Africa, Nigeria is also one of the most industrialized countries on the continent and is constantly developing.

In addition to talking about some alternatives for international health insurance for expatriates in Nigeria, we will also comment on how the health system in Nigeria works, the differences between travel insurance and expatriate insurance, which of the various coverages you can need and other information.

(Be sure to read all the way to the end to learn about Nigerian visa types and how you can start living or working in Nigeria!)

 

 

 

How does the health system work in Nigeria?

Public health in the country is responsible for three levels of government, but there are also private service providers, which few Nigerians have access to, traditional medicine and alternative medicine, which has been growing a lot over the years.

The federal government is limited to coordinating university hospitals and medical centers, while state governments manage several general hospitals and, for local governments, the role of organizing dispensaries remains.

In 1999, the Nigerian government created the National Health Insurance Plan, which encompasses civil servants, the organized private sector and the informal sector, as well as children under five and people with permanent disabilities. As of 2004, around 1.5% of Nigerian citizens were covered by health insurance.

In Nigeria, government spending on the health system is only 25.15% of the money spent across the country, ranking extremely low among countries that consider the level of compliance with Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

 

The Nigerian health system has a shortage of doctors as professionals are not well paid. Furthermore, it is an underfunded system. Because of this and other factors, it is essential that you insure yourself with international health insurance when going to Nigeria.

 

Do expats need health insurance in Nigeria?

Yea! Anyone who wants to spend more than 90 days in Nigeria, regardless of their motivation, must present, when applying for a visa, proof of having taken out health insurance.

So in case you intend to move to Nigeria. I recommend that you insure yourself with one of the companies recommended below 🙂

Bureaucracies and obligations can be annoying at times, but with a contracted international health plan you are much more relaxed. Especially considering that you will be in a completely different country, with laws, culture and sometimes even a language completely different from yours.

That is why, having international health coverage will make you much safer for any situation that you are not expecting or emergencies. In addition to security, international plans have other benefits, which I will mention below.

 

As an immigrant in Nigeria, should I get an international health insurance plan like the ones recommended in the list below? Or should I get a national plan?

The choice may vary depending on one’s medical needs and the coverage each person will need during their stay in Nigeria.

International health plans need to meet all their coverage requirements in Nigeria. If you choose one of them, don’t forget to check with the Nigerian government embassy what the minimum insurance requirements are for staying in the country.

Having never lived in Nigeria, I cannot recommend or speak about the national plans that are available.
With that in mind, here are some of the reasons why you might prefer international health insurance over public coverage:

• Most likely international health insurance will have cheaper monthly fees than national ones;
• You can choose how long your plan lasts;
• In international health insurance, you can cancel or extend it whenever you want;
• International insurance offers coverage in other countries, not just in a single one (which is why they are considered “international”).

 

 

 

Who do these international health insurance policies cover?

All international health insurance companies listed just below are for citizens living in Nigeria as workers, immigrants, expatriates or students from the following home countries:

• USA
• Canada
• Australia
• Brazil
• European Union (Portugal, France, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, Poland, Belgium, Sweden) 
• Argentina
• United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland) 
• New Zealand
• In addition to citizens of other countries 

 

In addition to working for expatriates/immigrants residing in Nigeria, these companies also provide services for residents living in:

• USA;
• Canada; 
• Europe (European Union and United Kingdom); 
• Japan;
• Australia;
• And any other country in the world!

As they are international plans, they can be used by people of any nationality and anywhere in the world, as they have worldwide coverage!

 

Why can’t I get travel insurance when I move to Nigeria? What is the difference between travel insurance and expatriate insurance? 

Travel insurance is a necessity on any trip as it not only covers medical emergencies but general issues on your trip such as lost luggage.

It should be noted that travel insurance is not ideal for expatriates and immigrants, as although it is possible to apply for longer travel insurance, it is still only done for those who want a temporary stay in the country and not for those who intend to stay long term.

Furthermore, travel insurance does not usually meet the requirements required by law to live in Nigeria.

In the end, it will be necessary to choose a health insurance plan that specifically covers expats. This is where the list below will help you.

 

What are the 7 best health insurances for expatriates and immigrants in Nigeria?

Finding the right health plan can be a headache. For this reason, we have prepared a comparison table of the best companies. That way, you’ll be able to see the pros and cons of each one faster, in addition to deciding the best one for you!

After the table, there are more detailed descriptions of each company, with their benefits, plans and more!

In addition to all that has been said, the best advice I can give you is: get a quote from each company before making your final decision. It may take a little longer, but in the end you’ll save a lot 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 are:

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

The company has a wide range of plans to choose from, including expat-specific plans (which work if you’re moving to Nigeria!), as well as individual and family plans.

An advantage of Cigna’s plans is that you have the ability to add benefits to your contract according to your specific needs and the type of medical care you need covered.

You can choose from the Silver, Platinum or Gold plan, which has coverage in over 200 countries and territories worldwide.

If you are looking for a cheaper insurance plan for Nigeria, the best alternative is the Close Care plan. This particular plan is the cheapest that Cigna has, as coverage is only for your country of origin and the country where you intend to reside (Nigeria, in this case).

 

Advantages of an international health insurance plan with Cigna:

• 24/7 service
• Flexibility if you need to make changes to the plan
• Coverage for COVID-19 or PCR tests
• No registration required to make quotes
• It has its own digital system to find hospitals and clinics with care close to you
• Cigna, for the most part, pays healthcare providers directly, with no need for a reimbursement system.

 

Disadvantages of an international health insurance plan with Cigna:

• Some plans don’t cover maternity

 

 

 

   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 the name implies, Now Health International is dedicated to delivering a service that is efficient, affordable, and easily accessible. The company places a strong emphasis on fostering positive customer relationships. They prioritize providing clear and concise information about their plans and promptly addressing any inquiries or concerns through their dedicated customer support team.

Now Health plans are meticulously designed to cater to the unique challenges faced by individuals living abroad. Their objective is to provide guidance and facilitate access to top-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.

They don’t have a wide range of plans, but they do have flexibilities that let you add additional coverage (such as dental care). The plans include coverage of up to 5 million dollars, depending on the case.

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. 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

 

 

 

   6. 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

 

 

 

   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 

 

 

Types of Nigerian Visa

There are some basic documents to apply for any type of visa to go to Nigeria, they are:

1. Valid passport
2. Completed and signed form
3. Representation authorization
4. Two recent 3×4 photos
5. Letter informing the destination and itinerary of the trip
6. Proof of profession with certified copy
7. Bank statement for the last three months
8. Copy of round-trip tickets
9. Hotel reservation confirmation
10. Vaccination card with yellow fever vaccine
11. The main visa types used in Nigeria are five.

The tourist visa is relatively easy to obtain. It is only valid for 90 days. To apply for this type of visa, it is necessary to answer the online questionnaire that is released after payment of a fee. Some documents can be sent by post, while others need to be delivered directly to the Nigerian embassy in your home country.

As this is a temporary visa, you will most likely need to show copies of your round-trip tickets and proof of your hotel reservation. An interview at the Nigerian Embassy may be required if requested.
The business visa is valid for 90 days and cannot be extended. Its application process is very similar to that of a tourist visa, but here you will need to present a letter of invitation from a Nigerian company.

 

The work or residence visa is used to enter the country, and must be replaced by a residence permit upon arrival in the country.

In the work permit visa, expatriates request a temporary work request, valid for 90 days. It is necessary to already have contact with the contracting company. In addition, the employer itself can help with the process of applying for a work visa or residence permit.

The visa subject to regularization is very similar to the work visa, being used for those who wish to work in Nigeria, with a validity period of 90 days.

After entering the country, if you wish to spend more than 90 days in Nigeria, you must apply for a residence permit that combines an expatriate residence permit and a foreigner card (CERPAC), which will be valid for two years and can be renewed.

 

In a nutshell… 

These are the 7 best health insurance companies for expats and immigrants moving to Nigeria: 

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

 

Finally…

Moving to a new country, even if it’s a dream, is something difficult… I hope this article has cleared all your doubts and facilitated, at least a little, the process! If you still have questions about insurance for your move to Nigeria (or any other country abroad), leave a comment and I’ll get back to you ASAP!

 

Planning your next trip?

Already reserved your hotel or hostel? If not, we recommend Booking.com. They have a huge selection of hotels and hostels all over the world. Plus, in most cases, you can cancel your reservation without any costs up to a few days before the check-in date! 

Still haven’t booked your plane ticket and want to save big? Take a look at Momondo. It’s a flight aggregator that combines several other ticket search websites to make it easier for you to compare prices and make sure you are getting the best deal. 

 

And finally, will you need to rent a car during your trip? Then check out Rentalcar.com to search and compare car rental companies from all over the world in a single website. Then, you can find the cheapest price for the best car!