Expat Health Insurance & Healthcare Guide

If you're moving to Greece, it's important to understand the health insurance requirements when seeking a short or long-term visa, the quality of healthcare outside of Athens including in Greek Islands, vaccines for Greece and more.

If you're a global nomad heading to Croatia or an expat living there, understanding the quality and cost of healthcare and medical services in Croatia is important. Additionally, information about COVID-19 testing requirements for entry into Croatia and local testing sites.

Medical care in Estonia is no up to Western standards, but is best in Tallinn, Tartu and Parnu. Our Estonia Healthcare Guide covers health insurance, finding an English-speaking doctor, best hospitals and more.

If you're planning to move to Bermuda or spend a year there, it's important to understand the healthcare system, doctors, hospitals and emergency care. Here are 11 tips about healthcare and health insurance in Bermuda.

An overview of healthcare and health insurance in Barbados including finding a doctor, emergency medical care and transport, medical evacuation, expat health insurance options, recommended vaccinations, common diseases in Barbados, quality of hospitals and medical care, having a baby in Barbados and more.

An expat in Bocas del Toro talks about the lack of emergency medical services on the island, traveling to Panama City for medical emergencies, the cost of health insurance in Panama and more. Continue Reading

An expat living in a small town outside of Loja, Ecuador talks about private vs. public healthcare, health insurance, pharmacies and more. Continue Reading

A dual citizen, who is a retired nurse, spends half her time in the US and half in Candelaria de la Frontera near Santa Ana, El Salvador. She appreciates the low cost of medical care in El Salvador, both public and private. Continue Reading

An retired expat in Ireland offers a candid comparison of the public healthcare system vs. the private healthcare system in Galway. He's 70 with a heart condition and recalls an emergency visit to the public hospital where he was left on a trolley for 30 hours after breaking his collar bone and ribs. He says that private health insurance is a must. And, he says that he sometimes returns to his home country of Germany for medical care. Continue Reading

An expat living in Krabi, Thailand talks about local hospitals, private vs. public healthcare, the expat health insurance requirement and much more. Continue Reading

What's the difference between Social Health Insurance and National Health Insurance in Japan? Are there some English-speaking doctors in good hospitals in Tokyo? What's a typical doctor visit like? An expat in Tokyo answers these questions and more. Continue Reading

What would happen if you lived in Mexico with private health insurance and were hit by a taxi? One expat tells her harrowing story and how she survived both the accident AND being treated at a public hospital. Continue Reading

An expat talks about public and private healthcare in Paysandu, Uruguay. Common prescriptions are available at the local pharmacy. And, they would probably return home to have a serious medical condition treated, because specialist are limited. Continue Reading

An expat talks about healthcare in Paysandu, Uruguay. COMEPA hospital is the best local hospital, but some people go to the British Hospital in Montevideo. Continue Reading

This is an excellent report about the specific health care conditions in Ngombo, Sri Lanka. Information about hospitals, medicines and the best health insurance is included. Continue Reading

An expat mom who gave birth to two children at St. James Hospital in Sliema, Malta talks about choosing the hospital, doctors and more. She explained that mothers are very well respected in Maltese culture. Continue Reading

An expat whose wife had a baby in Barbados describes talks about choosing a hospital (Bayview), finding a doctor, having a Caesarean and more. Their baby needed to be transferred from Bayview to QEH to use a CPAP machine, which made life a bit complicated for a few days. But, both mom and baby were released and healthy. Continue Reading

An expat in Olongapo talks about having a baby in the Philippines - having a c-section, needing to pay doctors in pesos and getting advice from other expats. Continue Reading

An expat mom who had a baby in Italy talks about finding a doctor willing to assist with a homebirth, the birth and follow-up care. Continue Reading

An expat mom talks about what it was like giving birth to her son at a public hospital in Salzburg, Austria. The care was wonderful, but she had some advice for other soon-to-be expat moms in Salzburg. Continue Reading

An expat talks about having a baby in Calamba, Philippines. They spent time finding an OBGYN that they liked. His wife gave birth via C-section at a clinic near their house where their OBGYN worked. Continue Reading

A dad in the UAE talks about he and his wife's experiences having two babies in the UAE. The first was in Dubai and the second in Abu Dhabi at a government run hospital. He offers great insight into the positive and negatives of both experiences. Continue Reading

An expat married to a Filipino woman describes his wife's experiences giving birth to their two children in Davao, Philippines. They chose a simple clinic with a hospital as a backup plan. He explained that in the Philippines hospital births are almost always c-sections. Continue Reading

An expat dad in Monteria, Colombia describes he and his wife's experiences having to babies in Monteria. He offers very helpful tips about what to expect and bring to the hospital. Continue Reading

I had a beautiful baby boy in an Army Medical Center on an Army base on the northern island of Japan. I was late arriving at the hospital, so only local anesthesia! It was so fast, I didn't have time to hurt! The care was wonderful. I went home the next day, feeling fine, and so happy! Continue Reading