Guernsey Health Insurance for Expats

International Health Insurance for Expats in Guernsey

Expats visiting Guernsey should secure international health insurance in order to protect themselves against medical emergencies. Expats staying long-term in the country may qualify for coverage from the public health insurance scheme, but the scheme doesn’t cover all medical costs.

Are you an expat moving to or visiting Guernsey? You’ll want to know how Guernsey’s healthcare system operates and health insurance options for the island. The insurance experts at Pacific Prime have created this guide to answer all your questions. 

We will discuss the island’s healthcare system, international health insurance providers, and more. Read to learn more, or click here for a free health insurance quote!

Recommended International Health Insurance Plans for Expatriates Living in Guernsey

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 Guernsey

The Guernsey healthcare system is separate from the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK, and is run by the Committee for Health & Social Care. The island’s social security system provides a specialist health insurance scheme for residents who make income-related insurance contributions. 

The healthcare system in Guernsey is mostly private. Primary care, dental care, and emergency medical services are privately funded in Guernsey, and secondary care is funded by the specialist health insurance scheme. 

The Medical Specialist Group (MSG) works with the Committee for Health & Social Care to provide specialized and emergency care through the specialist health insurance scheme. Doctors in this group can offer free services as long as patients have a referral through a general physician. 

Guernsey Hospitals and Clinics

Princess Elizabeth Hospital
Address: CCXR+4VW, Rue Mignot, St Martin, Guernsey GY4 6UU, Guernsey
Phone: +44 1481 220000

Opened in 1949, the Princess Elizabeth Hospital (PEH) is the only acute hospital in Guernsey. PEH is composed of 12 different wards and various departments, and provides diagnostic facilities and acute medical wards.

Queens Road Medical Practice
Address: The Grange, St Peter Port, Guernsey GY1 1RH
Phone: 01481 724184

The Queens Road Medical Practice provides primary care services to residents and foreigners in Guernsey and provides an assortment of doctors and nurses. Different services offered at the practice include: 

• Allergy services
• Ear care 
• Sexual health
• Children’s health
• Women’s health
• Diabetic checks
• Mental health care
• Preventative care
• Dermatology
• Sports and exercise medicine

Health Insurance Options in Guernsey for Expats 

Expats in Guernsey have the option of either securing private health insurance for their time in the country or opting into the specialist health insurance scheme if they are staying long-term and making income-related insurance contributions.

Public Insurance in Guernsey for Expats

Expats staying long-term and making income-related insurance contributions in Guernsey are eligible for the specialist health insurance scheme. This scheme provides specialist services at no cost, as long as you have a referral from your general physician. 

This scheme also covers the following services: 

• Consultations, treatment, operations, and procedures from specialists 
• Specialist medical care in pregnancy and childbirth
• Services of practice nurses and operating theater assistants
• A second medical opinion from another specialist 
• Outpatient, inpatient, and post-discharge physiotherapy treatment provided by the Guernsey Physiotherapy Group 

All specialists must be registered with the Guernsey Medical Specialist Group (MSG) in order for their services to be covered by the scheme.

The specialist health insurance scheme will not cover the following:  

• Primary care
• Treatment by a general physician at the Accident and Emergency Department at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital 
• Treatment provided by a general physician to long-term residential in-patients
• Ambulance charges
• Dentistry and anaesthesia during dental operations
• Osteopathy, chiropody, homeopathy, and complementary medicine procedures  
• Hearing tests and sight tests, unless part of a specialist medical procedure
• Screening programmes
• Contraceptive procedures, including sterilisation, unless there is a clinical need 
• Consultations and surgery for weight loss or purely cosmetic reasons
• Consultations and treatment for in vitro fertilization (IVF)
• Provision of spectacles and contact lenses

Private Insurance in Guernsey for Expats

Private health insurance can help cover the cost of healthcare services in Guernsey and grant expats access to private hospitals and clinics. 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

Even if expats qualify for the public health insurance scheme in Guernsey, they will still have to pay for primary care, dental care, and emergency care. These costs can add up quickly over time, which makes private health insurance a valuable supplemental coverage. 

Medical evacuation coverage is important for expats in Guernsey, as complex medical cases may be sent to larger medical facilities in the UK or France. Medical evacuation covers the cost of transporting you to a different medical facility for treatment, whether by air ambulance or seacraft. 

Expats in Guernsey can secure 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 various European countries and stay protected. 

Best International Health Insurance Providers in Guernsey

The best private insurance providers for expats in Guernsey 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 Guernsey

Allianz offers comprehensive insurance plans in Guernsey 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 costs
• Diagnostics and laboratory tests
• Surgeries
• Ambulances transport
• Cancer treatment

Plan Details Get a Quote

April International Health Insurance in Guernsey

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

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 evacuation
• Maternity coverage
• Vision and dental coverage

Plan Details Get a Quote

AXA Health Insurance in Guernsey

AXA is a leading international health insurance provider that insures expat individuals and families in Guernsey. 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:

• Inpatient hospital charges and surgeries
• Emergency care
• Medical evacuation and repatriation
• A range of cancer treatments
• Ambulance transport
• CT, PET, and MRI scans

Plan Details Get a Quote

Cigna Global Health Insurance in Guernsey

Cigna provides flexible insurance plans to expats in Guernsey and across the world. They offer their members 24/7 access to a customer care team and access to any of Guernsey’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 Guernsey

Bupa Global is a top international insurance provider for expats in Guernsey 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 Guernsey

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

Conclusion: Compare Plans and Quotes Now

Private health insurance in Guernsey can help supplement the coverage provided by the specialist health insurance scheme and cover the cost of primary, dental, and emergency care. It can also provide medical evacuation coverage if you need to be transported off the island for medical treatment. 

Expats can find coverage for medical emergencies through international health insurance plans. Pacific Prime is partnered with a wide variety of 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 Guernsey 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!

If you enjoyed this article, check out our others on similar topics like health insurance in Guam and the Isle of Man!

Frequently Asked Questions: 

Is healthcare free for expats in Guernsey?

Specialist healthcare services are free for expats who are covered by the specialist health insurance scheme, but primary, dental, and emergency care services are not free. Additionally, if you are not contributing to Guernsey’s social security, you will not be covered by this scheme. 

How can expats access the healthcare system in Guernsey?

Expats can access the healthcare system in Guernsey by visiting a general physician at any clinic or hospital. To receive any specialized care, patients must first visit a general physician to get a referral for the care. If you need emergency services, visit the Princess Elizabeth Hospital. 

Does Guernsey’s public health insurance cover primary care?

Guernsey’s public health insurance scheme does not cover primary care. The country’s public health insurance only covers specialist care that you have been referred to by a general physician. In order to offset the cost of primary care, you will need a private health insurance plan.