The Best Countries for Expat Healthcare
Whether you’re looking to move overseas to advance your career, live with your family, or retire, 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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Are you an expat looking for adequate healthcare abroad while staying insured? 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.
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. Below, we’ll discuss the public and private hospitals in Mexico.
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. The public hospitals offer exceptional healthcare but at the cost of English-speaking staff, which is what private hospitals offer in addition to even greater quality care.
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.
Examples of Notable Hospitals in Thailand
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 expat patients in the downtown Sukhumvit area. 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 outstanding 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 “5-star hospitals” 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.
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!
Conclusion
As you can see, each country offers their share of healthcare options for expats. Additionally, while public hospitals have their benefits, some drawbacks may include the lack of medical staff who can communicate in English, which can be problematic for expats seeking healthcare internationally.
This area, despite the price increase, is where private hospitals shine. In addition to multilingual staff, private hospitals also offer even greater quality medical care as well as amenities and facilities. Since healthcare abroad can be expensive, securing health insurance is highly recommended.
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!
If you enjoyed this article, you may also be interested in our guide to International Hospitals for Expats – Top Care Abroad or Global Travel Safety: Insurance and Country-Specific Guidance
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are private hospitals preferred among expats?
Even though public hospitals offer good medical care, they can often be overcrowded and the language barrier due to the lack of multilingual medical staff may be problematic for expats. Because of multilingual medical staff, expats prefer private hospitals to their public counterparts.
Is travel insurance mandatory in Thailand?
While not mandatory, travel insurance is strongly recommended for expats traveling to Thailand. This is because, in addition to offering financial protection in the event of medical emergencies, travel insurance also covers trip cancellations and delays as well as luggage and item loss.
What happens if I don’t have health insurance in Dubai?
Expats who do not have health insurance in Dubai are considered offenders under the Dubai Health Insurance Law and will be subject to a fine of no less than AED 500 (approximately USD $136) and no more than AED 150,000 (approximately USD $40,838). Fines can double with repeated offenses.
He graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Arts, Media & Communication major (concentration: Creative Content) from Mahidol University International College (MUIC). During the compulsory major elective period in the summer of 2021 and voluntarily during the summer of 2022, he also interned as a video and photo editor at Mbrella Films.
He has experience working as an English Content Writer at a real estate buying/renting/selling platform in Thonglor. There, he crafted company blog posts on a multitude of topics. Topics include market trends, legal issues and disputes in property businesses, financial guides, expat guides, home insurance, home decoration and maintenance, and weekly real estate news quick-recaps. Occasionally, as part of the blog-writing process, he would also translate existing Thai blogs to English.
In his free time, Guy enjoys doing scriptwriting and storytelling for comic strips, watching movies, and listening to music (particularly film scores).
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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?
To find local healthcare providers who speak your language in a new country, expats can use online platforms like Doctolib, Zocdoc, or WhatClinic, which often allow searches by language preference. Expats can also seek recommendations through expat communities, forums, or embassies for trusted providers. To ensure continuity of care when moving between countries with different healthcare systems, expats should maintain detailed medical records, establish an international health insurance plan, and research the healthcare system of their destination country to identify suitable providers in advance.
For expert advice on international health insurance tailored to your needs, contact us at Pacific Prime. We’re here to help make your transition seamless!
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