French Guiana Health Insurance for Expats

International Health Insurance for Expats in French Guiana

Expats visiting or moving to French Guiana should secure a private health insurance policy for their time in the country. Private health insurance coverage through an international health insurance plan can offer protection from costly medical bills along with global portability. 

Are you an expat or traveler going to French Guiana? Are you curious about your health insurance options in the country? The insurance experts at Pacific Prime have prepared this comprehensive guide for all foreign visitors in the South American country. 

We will discuss the country’s healthcare system, international health insurance providers, and more. We will also share safety resources for expats and travelers in French Guiana. Keep reading to learn more, or click here for a free health insurance quote!

Recommended International Health Insurance Plans for Expatriates Living in French Guiana

Cigna Global Insurance Plan

• Worldwide Coverage (excluding the US)
• Access to Cigna's trusted network of hospitals and doctors
• Numerous Deductible Options
• 24/7 Customer Support
• 4 Core Insurance Plans

Plan Details Get a Quote

Allianz Care Health Insurance

• World-leading Health Insurance Provider for Expats
• Extensive Network With Over 1.9 Million Medical Providers
• Quick and Efficient Claims Process
• Maximum Plan benefit up to USD $5,000,000

Plan Details Get a Quote

The Healthcare System in French Guiana

The healthcare system in French Guiana is made up of a centralized public sector and a private sector. Since French Guiana is a region of France, the healthcare system models that of mainland France and is generally of good quality, though not comparable to the US or Canadian systems. 

Most healthcare facilities in French Guiana are in urban areas, leaving rural areas in the country with a lack of accessible healthcare. Expats in rural French Guiana will find themselves far away from hospitals or clinics. 

Due to the country’s small size, some specialized medical services will not be available to expats or travellers. You may have to evacuate to the United States or another larger country for further treatment. Medical evacuation coverage is helpful for this risk. 

French Guiana Public Hospitals and Clinics

French Guiana’s public hospital offers primary, secondary, and tertiary care for expats, visitors, and locals alike. The largest full-service hospital in the country is in the public sector and is located in the capital of Cayenne. 

Andrée-Rosemon Hospital

Address: 3 Avenue Alexis Blaise (formerly Av. des Flamboyants) Cayenne 97306 French Guiana

Phone: +594 594 39 50 50

Located in the capital of French Guiana, Cayenne, the Andrée-Rosemon Hospital is the largest full-service hospital in the country with 800 beds. The Andrée-Rosemon Hospital provides the following specialties and facilities:

• Cardiology
• Anti-rabies center
• Dermatology
• Endocrinology
• Pediatric palliative care
• Obstetrics and gynecology
• Maternity care
• Laboratory services
• Adult and child psychiatry
• Emergency care
• And more 

Kourou Hospital Center

Address: 5974+73V, Ave Des Iles, Kourou 97310, French Guiana

Phone: +33 5 94 32 76 76

The Korou Hospital Center is a public hospital that provides both primary and specialized care to locals and expats in the Korou basin. They have around 100 beds in their facility and provide the following specialties and facilities: 

• Emergency services
• Obstetrics and gynecology
• General medicine
• Diabetology and endocrinology
• Medical imaging 
• Pediatrics
• Surgery
• Neonatology

French Guiana Private Hospitals and Clinics

Private hospitals in French Guiana are smaller than some public hospitals, but they offer shorter waiting times for expats. If you need to be seen more quickly for your medical services, private healthcare facilities are the best choice for you. 

Saint Paul Private Hospital

Address: 2068 Route de la Madeleine Cayenne 97, 300, French Guiana

Phone: +594 594 39 03 00

A part of the Guyane Santé group, the Saint Paul Private Hospital is a private hospital that provides various levels of care to expats and locals in the capital of the country. The Hospital provides the following specialties and facilities:

• Cardiology
• Geriatrics
• Ophthalmology
• Radiology
• Nephrology and dialysis
• Gynecology
• Digestive surgery
• Phsiotherapy
• Plastic surgery
• Occupational therapy 
• And more

Saint Adrien Private Hospital - Geriatrics

Address: Cayenne 97300, French Guiana

Phone: +594 594 39 02 00

A part of the Guyane Santé group, the Saint Adrien Private Hospital is a geriatric hospital and provides follow-up care and rehabilitation services to the elderly. They’ve provided multidisciplinary geriatric medicine services since the fall of 2019. 

Saint Gabriel Private Hospital

Address: 1453, 97300 Rte de Baduel, French Guiana

Phone: +594 594 39 03 00

A part of the Guyane Santé group, the Saint Gabriel Private Hospital offers a variety of medical services, including outpatient surgery and midwife consultations. The Saint Gabriel Hospital also provides primary emergency care to expats and locals.

Health Insurance Options in French Guiana for Expats 

Expats staying in French Guiana have the option of either securing their own private health insurance policy or applying for the public health insurance. They can only apply for the public health insurance, L’Assurance Maladie, if they are staying in French Guiana long term. 

Public Insurance in French Guiana for Expats

Since French Guiana is a region of France, citizens and residents of the country are eligible for the national public health insurance L’Assurance Maladie. This insurance is overseen by France’s Social Security. 

Expats can apply for the public health insurance plan if they are staying in French Guiana for over three months. This public health insurance covers around 70% to 80% of the medical bill cost. 

This public health insurance can cover the following services: 

• Inpatient care
• Outpatient care
• Maternity care
• Home care
• Mental health care
• Basic dental care
• Prescription drugs
• Medical transportation 

To extend coverage and to cover the remaining 30% to 20% of medical bill costs, many French citizens and long-term residents buy private health insurance plans. 

Private Insurance in French Guiana for Expats

Private health insurance can help cover the cost of healthcare services in French Guiana and grant expats access to the different private hospitals and clinics in the country. Without private health insurance, expats are left to pay for their healthcare out of pocket, which can add up quickly. 

Private health insurance can cover a variety of healthcare services, such as: 

• Inpatient and day patient treatment
• Surgical costs
• Physician visits
• Mental health treatment 
• Vaccinations
• Prescription drugs
• Medical evacuation and repatriation
• Repatriation of remains
• Dental and vision coverage
• Maternity coverage

Medical evacuation coverage is of special importance for expats in French Guiana, as the local medical facilities may not have the staff or resources available for certain medical emergencies or illnesses. 

Medical evacuation coverage can cover the cost of transporting you to a different medical facility for treatment in a neighboring country with a better quality medical system. This coverage is important because medical evacuation transportation can be incredibly expensive. 

Expats in French Guiana have the option of securing a private health insurance policy through an international or local insurance provider. International insurance providers offer the benefit of globally portable coverage, so you can visit neighboring Latin American countries and stay protected.

Best International Health Insurance Providers in French Guiana

The best private insurance providers for expats in French Guiana are offered by international health insurance providers Allianz, April International, AXA, Cigna Global, and Bupa. We will share a brief overview and highlight these providers’ plans in the following sections.

If you’d like to learn even more about the top international health insurance providers, check out our article guide here!

Allianz Health Insurance in French Guiana

Allianz offers comprehensive insurance plans in French Guiana to fit a variety of expats’ needs. Riders are available to be purchased and attached to basic policies that Allianz provides. These riders can offer coverage for accidents and other risks that expats may face abroad. 

The plans offered by Allianz include the Care, Care Plus, and Care Pro plans. While each of these plans may differ in coverage limits and benefits, they share similar benefits as listed below:

• Inpatient treatment
• Surgical costs
• Cancer treatment
• Diagnostic services
• Medical evacuation coverage

Plan Details Get a Quote

April International Health Insurance in French Guiana

April International is a leading international insurance provider that offers affordable, comprehensive coverage to expats in French Guiana.

They offer their health benefits to expats in different tiers of coverage through their Emergency Plan, Formule Basic, Essential Plan, Comfort, and Premium Plan.

April International offers a variety of benefits in its plans, including:

• Inpatient treatment
• Outpatient treatment
• Emergency repatriation
• Emergency medical evacuation
• Maternity, dental, and vision coverage

Plan Details Get a Quote

AXA Health Insurance in French Guiana

AXA is a leading international health insurance provider that insures expat individuals and families in French Guiana. Its health insurance plans are offered in five coverage tiers: Foundation, Standard, Comprehensive, Prestige, and Prestige Plus.

Each of these plans includes comprehensive inpatient coverage, with annual limits ranging from USD $160,000 to $8,000,000. Exact coverage benefits will vary from plan to plan.  

The core benefits included in all five plans are:

• Hospitalization and surgery
• Emergency medical coverage
• Medical evacuation and repatriation
• Cancer treatment
• Diagnostic scans

Plan Details Get a Quote

Cigna Global Health Insurance in French Guiana

Cigna provides flexible insurance plans to expats in French Guiana and across the world. They offer their members 24/7 access to a customer care team and access to any of French Guiana’s private healthcare facilities. Their plans are customizable and comprehensive. 

Cigna has a Silver, Gold, and Platinum plan with different levels of coverage. All three of these plans share several common key coverage benefits:

• Hospitalization
• Inpatient and outpatient services
• Cancer treatment
• Medical evacuation and repatriation
• Accidental death or total permanent disability compensation

Plan Details Get a Quote

Bupa Global Health Insurance in French Guiana

Bupa Global is a top international insurance provider for expats in French Guiana looking for comprehensive and customizable coverage. Bupa Global allows its members to seek second medical opinions if needed and requires no referrals for specialist visits.

Bupa Global offers three international health insurance plans in the islands: Bupa Select, Bupa Premier, and Bupa Elite. Bupa Select offers the most basic and affordable coverage, while Bupa Elite offers the most comprehensive coverage with an annual limit of around USD $4,761,300. 

Bupa Global covers the following benefits in its plans:

• Inpatient treatment
• Cancer treatment
• Private hospital room coverage
• Medical evacuation coverage
• Health checks and screenings

Plan Details Get a Quote

Facts to Consider When Picking Insurance in French Guiana

You should consider your budget, how long your trip is, and what your coverage needs are when choosing a health insurance plan for French Guiana. Considering these factors is an important step to finding the right private health insurance plan for you. 

1. Your Budget: You should understand how much you can afford in monthly or yearly premiums, but this doesn’t mean you should try to find the cheapest coverage possible. You should ensure that your health and finances will be adequately protected through the coverage limit you purchase.
2. The Length of Your Trip: How long your trip to French Guiana is will determine how long you will need to purchase coverage, and whether you will need a travel insurance plan that will last only a few months or something more comprehensive, like an international health insurance plan.
3. Your Coverage Needs: Do you plan on needing outpatient care for your time in French Guiana? Or preventative care? Take the time to determine where you may need additional medical support to ensure you have the right coverage for your health needs.

Health and Safety Tips for Expats and Travelers in French Guiana

Expats and travelers can stay safe in French Guiana by avoiding petty crime, vaccinating against poliovirus and staying up to date with your vaccines, and avoiding bug bites. We will discuss these safety tips more below: 

• Vaccinate Against Poliovirus: In April 2025, the CDC issued a warning for rising global poliovirus cases in certain countries, including French Guiana. Make sure you are up to date on your poliovirus vaccine before you visit the country. 
• Stay Up to Date with Other Vaccines: Expats should ensure they are up to date on their routine vaccines before their trip to French Guiana. They are recommended to vaccinate against rabies, hepatitis A and B, measles, typhoid, and yellow fever. 
• Avoid and Prevent Petty Crime: You can help protect yourself against petty crime by avoiding isolated areas after dark, driving with your windows closed and doors locked, and avoiding wearing expensive jewelry. Petty street crime is more common in major cities in French Guiana. 
• Avoid Bug Bites: Expats can avoid bug bites by using recommended mosquito repellents (containing 20% or more DEET), wearing long loose clothing, and sleeping under mosquito nets. The zika virus, dengue, and leishmaniasis are prevalent in French Guiana, so preventing bug bites is essential.

Emergency Resources in French Guiana

Expats can dial 112 for emergency services in French Guiana. Ambulance services in French Guiana are not widely available, and ambulances may not have high-quality medical equipment. Only one hospital in French Guiana, the Andrée-Rosemon Hospital, has intensive care and a trauma center. 

Other important emergency numbers in French Guiana are:

• Emergency Medical Services: 17
• Police: 17
• Fire Department: 18

Conclusion: Compare Plans and Quotes Now

Private health insurance is the best option for expats in French Guiana looking to stay protected abroad. For those expats who plan to stay in French Guiana long term and can qualify for public health insurance, private health insurance is still a valuable option to supplement their coverage. 

Expats can purchase private health insurance through international health insurance providers. Pacific Prime is partnered with a wide variety of reputable international health insurance providers, and can help you find the best fit for your needs. 

As a global health insurance broker who specializes in expat health insurance, Pacific Prime can offer a wealth of professional expertise and services. Our tailor-made policies suit every budget and health care need for expats and travellers across the world.

Contact Pacific Prime to discuss, free of charge, a range of French Guiana health insurance services available for you, your loved ones, or your group. To get a no-obligation, free price comparison quote, visit our website today!

Frequently Asked Questions: 

Is healthcare free for expats in French Guiana?

Expats staying in French Guiana short-term are not eligible for free healthcare. For expats planning on staying in French Guiana as long-term residents, they may be able to qualify for subsidized healthcare in the country through the public health insurance plan. 

Am I covered in French Guiana with my EHIC or GHIC?

Anyone with a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) is covered in France and all of their regions, including French Guiana. Your EHIC will allow you to receive medical care at a heavily subsidized rate in French Guiana. 

What is the healthcare system like in French Guiana?

The healthcare system in French Guiana has a public and a private sector, with several public and private hospitals, health care centers, and clinics. The standard of the healthcare system in French Guiana is similar to mainland France. 

Is French Guiana a safe country for expats?

French Guiana is a generally safe country for expats to visit and live in. Some of the few safety issues in the country are petty crime in larger cities, diseases from bug bites like Leishmaniasis, and poliovirus on the rise.