The Best Countries for Expat Healthcare
Whether you’re looking to move overseas to advance your career, live with your family, or retire, getting access to quality healthcare is one of the most important things you’ll need to consider. This makes choosing the country with the best healthcare for expats absolutely necessary when making your plans to move abroad.
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To help you make this crucial decision, this Pacific Prime blog will take you through the top 5 countries with the best healthcare for expats. After reading this, you’ll be able to decide which is the best country for expat healthcare!
France
France, the world’s fashion capital, is known for its best healthcare for expats. The country has world-class health facilities and medical professionals. The ‘Protection Universelle Maladie’ or PUMA law allows anyone residing in the country access to public healthcare. In order to qualify as a resident, you need to have lived in the country for at least three consecutive months and be a permanent resident.
However, public healthcare in France is free, it is inexpensive compared to the service provided by private healthcare facilities. If you are looking for a country with universal healthcare for expats, then consider France. Read more about living abroad in France to get a comprehensive understanding of what life is like in Paris and other amazing locations.
PUMA Healthcare in France
France’s healthcare system is based on the ‘Protection Universelle Maladie’ (PUMA) law, which ensures that every resident of the country, regardless of their nationality or income level, has access to public healthcare services. To qualify as a resident, one must have lived in the country for at least three consecutive months and hold permanent residency.
Compared to private healthcare facilities, public healthcare in France is not only free but also cost-effective. So if you are searching for a country that offers universal healthcare for expats, France should be on your radar. To gain a comprehensive understanding of life in France, particularly in Paris and other exciting locations, consider reading more about living abroad in France.
Mexico
Mexico’s healthcare system is excellent for expats for one simple reason – medical practitioners are well-trained, diligent, and able to speak English fluently. Most healthcare providers in Mexico receive at least part of their healthcare training in English-speaking countries like the US and Canada. For expats, there’s nothing worse than visiting a doctor and not understanding what they are saying to you.
Mexico’s healthcare system – what expats need to know
Like many other countries, Mexico has a robust public healthcare system and a luxurious private healthcare sector.
Public hospitals
Public hospitals in Mexico offer exceptional healthcare services compared to hospitals in other developing countries. However, the country’s private healthcare facilities are far superior to public healthcare facilities.
Private hospitals
Most expats prefer private hospitals in Mexico as many of them are catered to attract medical tourists, mostly from the US. With this, they offer some of the best facilities, English-speaking staff, and healthcare services in the world. Some of the best private hospitals in the country include:
- Hospital Angeles, Tijuana, Mexico
- CIMA Hospital, Monterrey, Mexico
- Hospital Star Medica, Ciudad Juárez, Mexico
Keep in mind that the top private hospitals in Mexico are accompanied by expensive medical bills. With this, we’d also recommend expats secure expat medical insurance while staying in the country.
Thailand
Thailand’s healthcare and wellness tourism industry has experienced significant growth in recent years, owing to its exceptional healthcare system. The country offers a perfect blend of modern hospitals and traditional wellness centers to promote physical, psychological, and spiritual well-being.
Thailand’s private hospitals are notably cheaper than other countries that provide world-class healthcare services. Moreover, the burgeoning healthcare tourism industry has led many hospitals to tailor their services to expats from different countries, making Thailand one of the best countries for expats seeking healthcare services.
For example, Bumrungrad International Hospital is extremely popular among western expats but also specializes in serving patients from wealthy Middle-East countries like Qatar, Dubai, and Saudi Arabia. On the other hand, the award-winning Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital offers healthcare services to expats in the downtown Sukhumvit area and specializes in catering to Japanese patients.
Compared to other countries that provide world-standard healthcare services, Thailand’s private hospitals are much cheaper. In addition, the booming healthcare tourism industry has also led many hospitals to cater their services to expats from many different countries, making Thailand one of the best countries for expats.
Dubai
Dubai’s healthcare system matches the needs of expats because of the sheer number of healthcare options available. As mentioned, expats prefer private healthcare thanks to their shorter queues, better facilities, and English-speaking staff. In Dubai, private hospitals outnumber their state-owned counterparts by a considerable margin and the country’s rapid advancement in the medical sector has made it an ideal location for expats looking to live in the Emirates.
Apart from the wide availability of private healthcare, Dubai is also at the cutting edge of innovative medical technology. From automated reminders for patients to take medicines to online health assessments and diagnoses, you’ll most likely benefit from the latest healthcare innovations in Dubai. So, as long as you have the best health insurance plan for an expat, you will be treated with the utmost care by experienced and well-reputed medical professionals.
Singapore
No matter which medical publication you’re reading, you’ll find Singapore near the top of every ranking list for the best healthcare system in the world. The Lion City’s public healthcare system is extremely strong and far better than any other country in the region.
Singapore’s private hospitals also excel in delivering the most high-quality healthcare services to clients from around the globe. Getting hospitalized at any of the best hospitals in the city can make you feel like you’re staying at a luxury resort. These hospitals have earned the nickname “5-star hospitals.” They include:
However, the growth and development of these hospitals come at a cost. Singapore’s improved healthcare services are reflected in the growing cost of healthcare. According to Pacific Prime’s Cost of Health Insurance Report 2022 (COHI), the cost of international private medical insurance in Singapore is the third most expensive in the world, followed by the USA and Hong Kong.
That being said, no matter which country you’re planning to move to, medical expenses can be extremely costly. For this reason, we’d recommend any expat planning to live abroad to get global health insurance. Check out the best places to live in Singapore to learn more about this country and why expats, digital nomads, and retirees flock here!
Secure the best medical insurance for expats today!
Finding the best insurance plan for your budget and medical needs in a foreign country can be a big challenge. That’s why you should consult an insurance broker like Pacific Prime. We are an international broker with offices located in all five countries mentioned above. If you’d like to learn more about international health insurance, feel free to contact our team of experts or visit our website for a no-obligation, free quote today!
In his free time, Phuwit enjoys reading and playing badminton. He also loves a good cup of coffee.
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What are the best ways to find and connect with local healthcare providers who speak your language in a new country? What are some strategies for expats to ensure continuity of care when moving between countries with different healthcare systems?
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