Health Insurance in Europe: A Guide for Expats
Expats who need health insurance in Europe can choose between state-subsidized insurance or private health insurance in most countries. Some expats prefer a combination of both. If you want private insurance, consider leading health providers Cigna, GeoBlue, or Bupa.
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Are you an expat moving to Europe soon who isn’t sure how health insurance works there? Are you not quite settled on which European country would have the right insurance options for your needs? Are you interested in some general facts about health and wellness in Europe?
This Pacific Prime blog post is for you! We will introduce how health insurance works in Europe, what the different healthcare systems are like, who the leading international health insurance providers are in Europe, and what it’s like caring for your health in Europe.
Please contact our insurance experts after reading this article, and we’ll answer any questions you have, help you compare insurance quotes, and direct you to the best providers in Europe.
European Health Insurance for Expats and Immigrants
The structure of health insurance in Europe is overseen by each country. Many European nations have universal healthcare with some form of government-run public insurance system. Expats and immigrants may qualify for these insurance schemes, or they may need private insurance.
It is essential for expatriates, digital nomads, and foreign retirees to research the healthcare system of their country in Europe so they know their options ahead of time.
As an example, in France, expats and immigrants do qualify to participate in the state medical insurance. This is great since not all countries grant insurance benefits to foreigners.
However, state insurance does not cover 100% of medical fees, so many French expats choose to take out an additional private insurance plan as well.
You should learn all your options before your big move!
How Health Insurance Works in Europe for Expatriates
Expatriates living in Europe typically either sign up for government-subsidized insurance through the local universal healthcare system or expats purchase a private insurance plan. If you qualify for state insurance, premiums are automatically contributed from your paycheck to the government.
This can be connected to social security, though it depends on the country.
State Subsidized Health Insurance
If you use subsidized health insurance in your European country, you usually have access to healthcare in any public clinic or hospital. After your services are provided, you may have no charge, or you may have a small copay due at the time of service.
For many individuals, this type of universal health insurance is sufficient to cover their needs and the needs of their families. If you have more serious health conditions, however, your medical services may need additional financial coverage than is offered through this basic plan.
Private Health Insurance
Expats and foreigners living in Europe who want more financial protection may consider securing a private health insurance plan. These plans can provide more comprehensive benefits than the state offers, and you may get additional coverage for services like maternity, dental, and outpatient care.
If this is the route you want, you can:
Step 1: Find the right provider and plan through the aid of an insurance broker.
Step 2: Once you’ve established coverage, you can seek medical treatment from a medical professional of your choosing within the network of your insurance provider.
Step 3: After getting care, you may or may not need to pay a copay fee on the day of treatment.
Step 4: Some insurance providers will take care of your medical fees directly and others will require you to pay the bills and submit a claim for reimbursements later on.
The European Countries with the Best Medical Insurance
Some of the European countries with the best health insurance for expats are Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Finland, Belgium, France, Ireland, Spain, and Czechia.
The above list of countries is according to Yahoo!Finance.
You can find private health insurance in almost any European country, and many have superb universal healthcare systems in place.
Leading Insurance Providers in Europe for Foreigners
Among the leading private health insurance providers in Europe are Cigna Global, GeoBlue, and Bupa. Foreigners and expats should consider their plans carefully. You can also seek advice from an insurance broker who partners with each of these providers.
Get a quote online for any of these plans or message an insurance broker directly!
Cigna Global
Cigna Global offers international health insurance to expats living in more than 200 markets and territories around the world. Cigna has 1.5 million health professionals and 24/7 customer support workers who speak more than 50 languages. Individuals, families, and businesses can get Cigna coverage.
Cigna has four core international health insurance plans for expats in Europe:
- Silver: This plan has the core medical benefits all expats need, and it has an annual limit of USD $1,000,000.
- Gold: This plan has more expansive coverage than Silver, and it has an annual limit of USD $2,000,000.
- Platinum: This plan has the most comprehensive coverage and an unlimited annual limit.
- Close Care: This is an affordable option for expats who only want international health insurance for the country they are living in and the country of their nationality
GeoBlue
GeoBlue offers long-term and short-term insurance options for medical coverage abroad. Travel and health insurance plans may be for individuals or groups, such as families, missionaries, multinational corporations, faculty, or students. GeoBlue also has an extensive provider network for its members.
GeoBlue has two long-term health insurance plans for expats in Europe:
- Xplorer Essential: This is perfect for expats from the U.S. who don’t want coverage in the U.S.
- Xplorer Premier: This is one of the best deals for expats from the U.S. who do want coverage in the U.S. The benefits package varies between the coverage you get in the U.S. with what you get outside of it.
Bupa Global
Bupa Global offers private international medical insurance for individuals, families, groups, and businesses. Health insurance plans available through Bupa depend on where you reside. The insurance company has a large direct billing network and lifetime renewal.
Bupa has four health insurance plans for expats in Europe:
- Major Medical: This plan is designed to cover sudden unexpected emergencies and major medical expenses.
- Select: This is a basic plan with regional coverage instead of worldwide.
- Premier: This plan has more coverage than Select and covers health screenings and wellness checks after a ten-month waiting period.
- Elite: This is Bupa’s most comprehensive plan and it covers medical evacuation, repatriation, and complementary therapies as well as its other benefits.
How Healthcare Works in Europe
The way healthcare works in most European countries is by providing quality healthcare services to everyone who needs it, when they need it, without causing them financial hardship. That is the goal of universal healthcare. The way this is instituted is different in every country.
To better understand the healthcare system specific to the European country you’ll be living in, please take this link to select your European country.
Here are a few quick links to some of the most popular expat destinations:
How the European Union (EU) Affects Healthcare Policies
The European Union (EU) has the power to pass laws that affect healthcare policies and health standards. This means that the EU can make laws about food safety, consumer rights, anti-smoking regulations, and more.
European Health Insurance Card: Explained for Expats
The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is a free card that gives foreigners access to medically necessary healthcare while they are in Europe for a short stay. The care these foreigners receive will be charged at the same rate as a medically insured local.
The EHIC is not the same thing as travel insurance or long-term health insurance. It also does not cover foreigners who are traveling to the country for the express purpose of seeking medical treatment.
The European Health Insurance Card is for temporary travel only, so if you are an expat who will be living in Europe, this card will not work for you. You will need to secure long-term health insurance as a resident.
Facts for Expats: European Healthcare and Insurance
We will discuss different facts and information for expats in Europe, regarding things like pharmacies, health and wellness attitudes, whether healthcare is free or not, when to go to a clinic, and what to do in a medical emergency.
1. The Role of Pharmacies in Europe
In Europe, pharmacies may be your first go-to source if you get a minor ailment, and most cities have pharmacies open 24/7. This is different from the United States where going to the doctor is your first step.
European pharmacists have enough experience to prescribe medications for simple health conditions, such as:
- Fever
- Cold
- Stomach Problems
- Cough
- Joint Pain
- Muscle Pain
- And more!
Also, you may need to get a prescription for a medication available for over-the-counter purchase in other countries.
2. Attitudes Toward Health and Wellness in Europe
Many Europeans embrace healthy dietary and exercise habits. Europeans engage in daily movement through walking and cycling more often than the average North American individual. Europeans also eat a lot of local, seasonal produce and avoid processed and genetically modified foods.
Europeans also make a lot more time for relaxation and mental health care than people in the U.S., habits well worth adopting when you move there!
3. Is Healthcare in Europe Free?
Most countries in Europe have a universal healthcare system. Foreigners may think this makes healthcare “free,” but that is false. Everyone in society still has to contribute to the healthcare system.
In some instances, expats and immigrants won’t qualify for these European coverage plans. If that is true for you, you’ll need to purchase a private health insurance plan for you and your dependents.
4. Top Clinics and Hospitals
Europe has phenomenal clinics and hospitals. If you develop a health problem that is not an emergency, you’ll want to seek treatment in a clinic. Such a visit can be free, or you may need to pay a small fee. If you are charged, you can seek reimbursement by filing a claim.
5. Medical Emergency Protocols in Europe
Expats and travelers in Europe who develop a serious or life-threatening health condition should go to the nearest hospital immediately. You can call for an ambulance if you are unable to drive yourself. Europe’s emergency number is “112.” Certain European countries also use “911.”
Always carry your international health insurance card with you, or your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) if you have one. You may end up paying the full expense of your medical treatment upfront out of pocket, but if you save your receipt, you can request reimbursement from your provider afterward.
Travel Medical Insurance for European Expats
If your Europe trip is less than 12 months, you may want to purchase a travel medical insurance plan instead of a long-term health insurance plan. These plans include extensive medical emergency benefits and can be purchased for a single trip or for multiple trips within a one-year period.
Pacific Prime partners with some of the best travel medical insurance providers, and we are happy to assist you as you learn how to compare travel insurance plans effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is health insurance free for people in Europe?
Health insurance is not free in Europe. Most countries have a universal healthcare system, which means every person contributes to the state-run health insurance scheme and then can seek medical treatment in any public facility. Copays may be small or non-existent, but care is not free.
Can Americans seek medical treatment in Europe?
European countries will provide care for Americans who are touring Europe and get sick or injured. If you have a European Health Insurance Card, you can get care at the same price as a locally insured European as well.
Does U.S. Medicare cover me in Europe?
U.S. Medicare insurance does not cover Americans in Europe. Medicare is designed to provide coverage in the United States and its territories only. You will need to secure travel insurance or expat health insurance.
Conclusion
We’ve now talked all about how health insurance works in Europe for expats and immigrants, what the healthcare systems are like in Europe, and some options where you can see coverage.
If you found value in this article, you’ll also want to read our posts Insurance for Visitors: Protecting Your Health While Abroad and Canadian Health Insurance: Understanding Your Options.
You’ll also want to discover the best places to live in Europe before you move!
Use our free resources to compare insurance quotes online from the top international providers, and let us know what questions you have about your favorite plans!
Serena earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of British Columbia, Canada. As such, she is an avid advocate of mental health and is fascinated by all things psychology (especially if it’s cognitive psychology!).
Her previous work experience includes teaching toddlers to read, writing for a travel/wellness online magazine, and then a business news blog. These combined experiences give her the skills and insights she needs to explain complex ideas in a succinct way. Being the daughter of an immigrant and a traveler herself, she is passionate about educating expats and digital nomads on travel and international health insurance.
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