Last updated on October 9th, 2025 at 03:21 pm
Moving abroad or settling in a new country as an expat is exciting—but staying healthy overseas requires more than travel insurance. As people age or start families, they need robust, global health insurance that covers routine care, hospitalization, mental health, and more. In this updated guide, we review the best expat health insurance providers for 2025—based on Trustpilot ratings, coverage options, price, and customer experience. Whether you’re retiring overseas or raising kids abroad, this post helps you find a plan built for long-term living, not just a short trip.
Digital Nomad Health Plans
🌍 Finding the Best Global Health Insurance for Expats (2025)
Living abroad or spending extended time overseas is an incredible experience — but one of the most important things you’ll ever invest in is global health insurance. Unlike short-term travel insurance, which covers temporary trips, expat or global health insurance provides ongoing protection for everyday life abroad — doctor visits, hospitalization, prescriptions, and even routine checkups.
Whether you’re working remotely in Bali, retiring in Portugal, or building a new life in Thailand, having the right coverage gives you peace of mind and financial security anywhere in the world.
✈️ Travel Insurance vs. Global Health Insurance
Travel Insurance is is best for short-term vacations or temporary stays abroad. It covers emergencies like trip cancellations, lost luggage, and unexpected medical issues.
If you’re taking a 2-week trip or backpacking for a month, that’s the type of plan you want. (👉 Check my post on Best Travel Insurance for more details.)
Global Health Insurance, on the other hand, is for expats, digital nomads, or anyone living abroad long-term. It provides comprehensive healthcare coverage similar to what you’d expect from a domestic health plan — including hospital stays, surgeries, wellness checkups, and even chronic condition management in some policies.
🥇 Why SafetyWing Complete Is My Top Pick for Expats in 2025
After researching multiple international health insurers, SafetyWing’s Complete Plan stands out as the most flexible, and traveler-friendly option for long-term coverage abroad.
Unlike many competitors, you can buy or renew your SafetyWing plan while abroad — no need to return home. It’s designed for digital nomads, remote workers, and expats who live freely across borders.
Here’s why I recommend SafetyWing Complete:
- ✅ $1.5 million coverage limit per year
- ✅ Includes routine and emergency care
- ✅ Cancer treatment, mental health, and wellness therapy
- ✅ Coverage in 180+ countries (optional U.S. add-on)
- ✅ Flexible monthly billing — cancel anytime
- ✅ 24/7 human support — live chat responses in under a minute
💰 Price: $232.50/month (ages 40–49)
🔗 Get a SafetyWing Complete quote here
If you don’t need full medical coverage, you can also choose the Essential Plan, which covers emergencies, hospital stays, and evacuation for $92.40 per 4 weeks.
Both are excellent — but for anyone living abroad more than a few months, the Complete plan offers true long-term protection and peace of mind.
🌐 2. Cigna Global Health Insurance (Silver Plan)
Cigna Global is one of the world’s most recognized names in international health coverage. Their Silver Plan is the perfect middle-tier choice for expats seeking strong inpatient protection, private-room hospital care, and extensive global support — all at a competitive rate.
🌍 Key Benefits
- Coverage Limit: $1,000,000 per person annually
- Inpatient & Daypatient Care: Paid in full (private room included)
- Cancer Care: Paid in full, up to plan maximum
- Advanced Medical Imaging: Up to $10,000.
- Rehabilitation: Up to $5,000
- Emergency Room (A&E): Up to $500 per visit
- Deductible: $375 coverage for physiotherapy, occupational therapy, cognitive and speech therapies, cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation, up to 30 days.
💰 Monthly Cost (Example): USD $268.84 (Silver Plan, individual, worldwide excl. USA)
🧭 Who This Plan Is Best For
- Mid-career expats and retirees who want stability and service from a major international provider
- Professionals living abroad long-term who prioritize inpatient care and cancer protection
- Expats who value 24/7 telehealth access and global hospital flexibility
- Individuals who may later upgrade to Gold or Platinum tiers for broader outpatient or maternity coverage
🔗 Learn More
You can customize and compare plan tiers directly from Cigna Global’s official website for the latest details and pricing.
👉 Explore Cigna Global Health Plans
🩺 3. IMG Global Medical Insurance (Bronze Plan)
IMG Global has been a trusted name in international health insurance for decades, offering worldwide coverage for expats, travelers, and global citizens. Their Global Medical Bronze Plan is a strong entry-level option for those seeking comprehensive medical protection without paying for unnecessary extras.
🌍 Key Benefits
- Coverage Limit: Up to $1,000,000 per person per year
- Medical Evacuation: Up to $50,000 per person
- Dental Coverage: ✅ Included
- Urgent Care: ✅ Included
- Deductible: $250 (can adjust)
- Coinsurance: 100% international coverage 100% within U.S. PPO network 80% for out-of-network in U.S. (then 100% after $5,000)
- Pre-existing Conditions: ❌ Excluded
💰 Monthly Cost (Example): USD $318.30 (Bronze Plan, Individual)
This plan’s strength lies in its hospital and emergency coverage worldwide. It’s not as flexible or budget-friendly as SafetyWing Complete, but it offers the reassurance of a long-standing global insurer with decades of credibility.
🔗 Learn More: You can view the official brochure and sample contract directly from IMG Global’s website for the most up-to-date pricing and terms.
👉 Explore IMG Global Medical Insurance
⚕️ 4. Allianz Care (Core Plan)
Allianz Care offers several “Core” health insurance plans under its Care, Care Plus, and Care Pro tiers. The “Core” (“Care”) plan is their semi-private/basic option. It provides high coverage limits, inpatient support, and emergency outpatient benefits, but less “extras” out of the box than premium tiers.
For a 46-year-old example, the “Core” plan with a $2,500,000 USD max and $0 deductible costs roughly $257/month (depending on region and underwriting). This makes it a strong option for those needing serious protection but willing to add extra modules if they need outpatient, dental, or maternity coverage.
🧩 Key Features & Benefits
- Maximum annual benefit: Up to US$2,500,000
- In-patient / Day-care hospital treatment: Covered (semi-private room level)
- Emergency outpatient treatment: Included, typically up to ~$338 USD in some tiers for emergency out-patient situations.
- Diagnostic tests & surgery: Covered for in-patient and day-care settings (including pre-hospital and post-hospital tests)
- Medical evacuation and repatriation: Included when necessary and treatment isn’t available locally.
- Optional add-ons: Outpatient care, dental, maternity, and other extras that are not included in the base plan.
- No deductible for Core by default (depending on region) for many Core plan versions – or you can pick one if you want to lower premiums.
🔗 Learn More
To get precise details for your area, deductibles, and add-ons, check the official Allianz Care site:
Allianz Care – International Healthcare Plans
Final Thoughts: Choosing the Best Global Health Insurance for Expats
Choosing the right global health insurance ultimately depends on your lifestyle, age, and how long you plan to live abroad. For younger nomads or remote workers, the SafetyWing Complete plan offers great flexibility and affordability with solid worldwide protection. Meanwhile, options like IMG Global, Cigna Global, and Allianz Care cater more to long-term expats or retirees who need higher coverage limits, direct billing networks, and comprehensive medical benefits. No matter where you settle — whether it’s Thailand, Portugal, or beyond — having a reliable global policy ensures peace of mind knowing you’re protected wherever life takes you.
