Compare International Health Insurance Quotes from the leading providers

Why consider International health insurance?

  • Get Comprehensive Private Medical Cover Whilst Living Abroad
  • Avoid Local Medical Charges
  • Access Top Private Hospitals Globally
  • See Top Overseas Specialists
  • Get Cover for Evacuation and Repatriation
  • Protect Your Employees While Overseas
  • Provides Continued Care If You Move Countries
  • Get 24/7 UK Medical Support and Claims Assistance

International Health Insurance at a glance

International Health Insurance

International Health Insurance, or Global Health Insurance as it’s sometimes called, is designed for people who are living, working, or relocating abroad for the long term.

Unlike standard travel insurance, International Health Insurance provides full overseas medical protection including hospital stays, specialist consultations and full diagnostic cover, rather than short term and emergency cover only.

✅ Covers you for illness, injury, and ongoing treatment abroad, not just emergencies
✅ Plans are portable, so your cover continues even if you move to another country
✅ Most plans include inpatient and outpatient care, cancer treatment, telemedicine, mental health, and medical evacuation
✅ Premiums vary depending on your age, location, level of cover, and optional extras

Scroll down for a comparison of pricing, customer reviews and typical cover for each major international health insurance provider.

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Do I Need International Health Insurance If I Have a GHIC or EHIC?

A Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) can help with emergency treatment when visiting the EU, but it will not cover you for:

  • Full Private Healthcare
  • Routine or Ongoing Medical Treatment
  • Medical Evacuation or Repatriation

If you’re moving abroad permanently, working overseas, or staying long term, you should consider international health insurance to protect yourself properly.

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What Happens to My NHS Entitlement If I Move Abroad?

International Health Insurance

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), around 77,000 British citizens emigrated in the year ending December 2024, joining the millions of Brits now living abroad. However, if you move overseas permanently, you’ll no longer be automatically entitled to NHS healthcare, as it’s a residence-based system designed for those who live in the UK and pay National Insurance.

The only exception applies if you’re working abroad temporarily, usually within Europe and remain covered by UK benefits such as the state pension. In all other cases, NHS cover stops once you become a non-resident.

What Are My Healthcare Options When Living Overseas?

Healthcare standards and costs vary dramatically around the world.
In some countries, such as Spain, there are state-run systems similar to the NHS, but you’ll typically need to make local social security or National Insurance contributions to qualify.

In other countries, foreign nationals must pay full medical costs out of pocket, and free or subsidised treatment isn’t available.

Gaining access to public healthcare often requires permanent residency, which can take years to secure. That’s why many UK expats choose to take out international health insurance, ensuring immediate access to quality care without potentially hefty self-fund costs.

International Health Insurance - Whats Covered?

Usually as standard

  • Inpatient and hospital treatment for illness or injury
  • Outpatient consultations, scans, and diagnostic tests
  • Cancer treatment including chemotherapy and radiotherapy
  • Emergency medical evacuation and repatriation back to the UK if needed
  • Cover for ongoing and chronic conditions
  • Virtual GP or telemedicine services for quick medical advice
  • 24/7 multilingual medical assistance and claims support
  • Second medical opinion service for reassurance on diagnoses or treatment

Optional

  • Dental and optical care
  • Maternity and newborn cover
  • Routine health checks and vaccinations
  • Mental health and wellbeing support
  • Physiotherapy, rehabilitation, or complementary therapies
  • Cover including or excluding the USA (to manage costs)
  • Wellness and preventive care benefits

Exclusions

  • Pre-existing conditions not declared or accepted by the insurer
  • Cosmetic or elective surgery
  • Fertility and infertility treatments
  • Routine pregnancy and childbirth (unless maternity cover is added)
  • Treatment arising from high-risk or extreme sports
  • Long-term care or custodial nursing
  • HIV/AIDS treatment unless specified
  • Claims made during waiting periods or outside your area of cover

International Health Insurance Comparison

Who are the leading providers?

Provider Customer Rating Typical Cost Range Typical Cover Key Benefits
Allianz Care ★★★★☆
4.2/5 (Trustpilot)
From £1,000 basic
to £5,500+ comprehensive
Inpatient Treatment Outpatient Treatment Cancer Care Medical Evacuation and Repatriation Worldwide Cover Designed for Expats Digital Claims Global Hospital Network 24/7 Support
APRIL International ★★★★☆
4.3/5 (Trustpilot)
From £700 basic
to £4,000+ comprehensive
Inpatient Treatment Outpatient Treatment Short Term and Long Term Plans Worldwide Cover 24/7 Multilingual Support Direct Billing Flexible Plan Options Optional Extras
AXA Global Healthcare ★★★★½
4.6/5 (Feefo)
From £1,100 basic
to £4,800+ comprehensive
Inpatient Treatment Outpatient Treatment Cancer Care Medical Evacuation and Repatriation Worldwide Cover Virtual GP Consultations Mental Health Support Digital Claims Service Dental Add-on Options
Bupa Global ★★★★½
4.5/5 (Trustpilot)
From £1,200 basic
to £5,000+ comprehensive
Inpatient Treatment Outpatient Treatment Cancer Treatment Worldwide Cover Extensive Private Network Virtual and Telephone Consultations Direct Billing Comprehensive Family Cover
Cigna Global ★★★★☆
4.1/5 (Trustpilot)
From £900 basic
to £4,500+ comprehensive
Inpatient Treatment Outpatient Treatment Dental and Vision Care Wellbeing and Preventative Care Build Your Own Plan Direct Billing Second Medical Opinion Global Access to Care
Now Health International ★★★★☆
4.4/5 (Trustpilot)
From £950 basic
to £4,200+ comprehensive
Inpatient Treatment Outpatient Treatment Medical Evacuation and Repatriation Worldwide Cover Fast Digital Claims Quick Approvals Telemedicine Family Cover Options
William Russell ★★★★☆
4.4/5 (Feefo)
From £800 basic
to £3,800+ comprehensive
Inpatient Treatment Outpatient Treatment Medical Evacuation and Repatriation Family Cover Flexible Plan Design Direct Billing Strong UK Support Trusted by Expats

Typical annual cost estimates based on 2025 UK expat data. Customer review ratings as of October 2025. Sources: Trustpilot, Feefo, and provider pricing guides.

How Much Does International Health Insurance Cost?

Factors Affecting The Cost Include

Your Age and Location

Premiums tend to rise with age, as the likelihood of medical treatment increases. Your country or region of residence also plays a part, for example, medical costs in the USA, Hong Kong or Singapore are significantly higher than in parts of Europe or Asia.

Level of Cover

Most insurers offer different tiers of cover, from basic inpatient-only plans to comprehensive packages that include outpatient, dental, maternity and wellness benefits. The more areas of treatment you include, the higher the premium but you’ll also enjoy greater protection and peace of mind.

Area of Cover

You can often choose whether to include or exclude the USA from your policy. Because medical care in the States is among the most expensive in the world, excluding it can substantially reduce your premium while still keeping emergency cover in place.

Optional Benefits

Adding optional extras such as maternity, dental, optical or mental health cover can increase your premium, but ensures your plan fits your lifestyle. These benefits are especially valuable for families, frequent travellers, or anyone planning to start a family abroad.

Policy Excess or Deductible

Choosing a higher excess (the amount you agree to pay towards a claim) is a simple way to lower your monthly premium. If you’re comfortable covering smaller medical costs yourself, this can make comprehensive cover more affordable.

Individual or Family Cover

If you’re taking out a policy for your partner or family, you’ll pay more overall but family policies often work out cheaper than buying individual cover for each person. Many insurers also offer discounts for adding dependants or combining benefits under one plan.

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Frequently Asked Questions | International Health Insurance

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