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ActiveQuote Global Reach, Dunleavy Drive Cardiff South Wales CF11 0SN 0800 862 0373

International health insurance

Compare international health insurance providers

  • Receive private healthcare when abroad
  • Access to high quality medical facilities
  • Protect your family and their health
  • Receive private healthcare when abroad
  • Access to high quality medical facilities
  • Protect your family and their health

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What is international health insurance?

If you live or work abroad, international health insurance will provide private healthcare cover for you and your family. It’s a different type of cover to travel insurance, which only provides cover for short holidays or business trips. Whereas international health insurance provides an extensive level of private healthcare cover for anyone who has chosen to relocate from their home country.

How does international health insurance work?

By choosing the right international health insurance, you can ensure that your healthcare costs are covered while you live or work abroad.

Upon falling ill or suffering an injury, policyholders can choose how and where they receive medical care, from the hospital they are treated in to the doctor who delivers their care. Many policies also include access to 24-hour telephone support, providing peace of mind and assisting customers with problems and claims when they arise.

There are various levels of cover to suit your needs and budget. Typically, insurers offer three levels of cover: standard, comprehensive and fully comprehensive. Standard cover is the most affordable option; this usually includes inpatient and day patient treatments, recovery and emergency medical evacuation in serious circumstances.

Comprehensive cover includes all of the above as well as outpatient treatment, specialist consultations and access to alternative therapies, while fully comprehensive cover adds extra benefits such as routine dental treatment, maternity care and annual health checks.

What affects my international health insurance?

Factors affecting international health insurance include the insured's age, overall health, coverage area (especially if including the U.S. due to higher medical costs), choice of plan (basic to fully comprehensive), deductible levels, and optional benefits like dental, vision, or maternity care. Lifestyle choices and pre-existing conditions also influence premiums and coverage scope. Selecting the right plan involves balancing these factors with your healthcare needs and budget.

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Do I need international health insurance?

If you’re planning to move abroad, international health insurance should be one of your top priorities. As well as ensuring that you receive adequate care in the country you relocate to, this type of cover will prevent you and your family from being faced with extortionate medical bills should one of you need treatment.

Moving abroad permanently means that you’ll likely no longer be entitled to receive free healthcare via the NHS, depending on your circumstances. Healthcare systems around the world vary, and work differently depending on where you are.

Regardless of which country you move to, access to free or subsidised healthcare isn’t automatic for foreign nationals. You may face expensive medical fees, extensive waiting lists or a basic level of treatment that fails to meet your personal requirements. All of this can be avoided with the right international health insurance policy.

What are the benefits of international health insurance

International health insurance offers comprehensive medical coverage worldwide. Most common benefits include:
Access to a broad network of hospitals and doctors globally,

  • Coverage for emergency medical treatments,
  • Flexibility in choosing where to receive care,
  • Medical evacuation and repatriation.

Moreover, it provides peace of mind by ensuring that medical care is covered, regardless of where you are in the world.

How much international health insurance cover do I need?

The amount of international health insurance coverage you need depends on several factors, including your health status, the countries you'll be living in or visiting (as medical costs vary significantly by location), whether you want coverage for the USA (which has higher medical costs), the level of hospital accommodation you prefer, and whether you want additional benefits like dental, vision, or maternity care. Consider your personal needs, potential medical costs in your destination, and any specific health concerns to determine the right coverage level for you.

What is not included:

International health insurance typically excludes coverage for pre-existing conditions (though some plans may cover them after a waiting period), cosmetic surgery, elective procedures not medically necessary, fertility treatments, routine dental and vision care (unless additional coverage is purchased), and injuries from high-risk activities or sports. It's crucial to read the policy details for specific exclusions and limitations, as these can vary significantly between providers and plans.

How much does international health insurance cost?

The cost of international health insurance depends on a variety of factors, including your age, medical history, the type of cover you’re looking for and the country you are moving to. For example, healthcare tends to be more expensive in the United States than it is in Europe. As a result, international health insurance is likely to be more expensive for someone moving to the US than it will be for someone moving to France or Spain.

 

How do I compare international health insurance?

At ActiveQuote, we work in partnership with trusted names including Gocompare and MoneySavingExpert, to offer free, impartial advice on the best international health insurance policy to suit your needs.


To find the right policy at the right price for your circumstances, you can compare international health insurance using ActiveQuote’s free online comparison tool.

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