Looking to relocate soon? As you research destinations with sunny weather, affordable real estate, and a vibrant local culture, don’t forget to consider this high-priority, albeit less sexy, factor: the cost of healthcare. Otherwise, it could end up costing more than your rent.
On October 1, Switzerland-based medical consulting firm SIP Medical Family Office released its second annual SIP Health Cost Index, a roundup of the average private healthcare costs in the 60 most popular countries for expats. For the 2026 study, SIP used three profiles (a 35-year-old British male, a 50-year-old American female, and a 24-year-old Indian female) and healthcare premiums from seven international private medical insurers: Cigna Global, William Russell, Now Health International, AXA Global Healthcare, April International, International Medical Group, and Global Health. The study does not factor in the quality nor cost of public healthcare options in these countries (which are not always available to expats, especially for temporary residents who don’t pay local taxes).
If you’re thinking about moving abroad and researching private healthcare options around the world, here’s what to know.
Do I need health insurance to move abroad?
Not every expat needs to purchase healthcare in order to move abroad. Some countries require proof of medical coverage as part of the relocation application process, such as Italy’s Elective Residence visa for retirees and Taiwan’s two-year digital nomad visa. Conversely, some visas include healthcare as a perk. Panama’s Pensionado Visa, for example, offers a 15% discount on hospital treatments that aren’t covered by insurance. Countries such as Norway, Portugal, and Canada offer universal healthcare to permanent residents, while some short-term talent visas, such as the UK’s Global Talent visa, include healthcare.
“Healthcare is increasingly moving from being a secondary consideration to becoming a strategic factor in where individuals and families choose to live, work, and retire,” Kevin Bürchler, the CEO of SIP Medical Family Office, tells Condé Nast Traveler. “Unexpected costs, difficulties accessing specialists, or differences in medical standards can quickly become major concerns.”
Which countries have the most expensive healthcare?
For the second consecutive year, the United States ranked highest on SIP’s list as the country with the most expensive private healthcare, with an average annual premium of $23,987. The next four also ranked the same as in 2025, in order of: Hong Kong at $19,353, Singapore at $17,613, China at $15,235, and the UK at $14,987. According to SIP, all five destinations share robust private healthcare systems, expensive treatments, and strong consumer demand for advanced care.
