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.
No matter the country, medical inflation is evident across the board. The average cost of private healthcare “consumption” rose 18% from last year, driven by factors such as industry advancements, aging demographics, regulatory changes, and rising demand for preventative care. That said, there are some nuances: According to SIP, countries with more healthcare cost regulations saw less premium increases, and vice versa. As such, on the high end, the US and Saudi Arabia saw a 33% jump, while at the low end, Japan rose by 3% and Greece by 6%.
For expats and families looking to relocate, understanding this data could provide valuable insight into previously unconsidered relocation costs. Affluent families are moving more, and demand for advanced private healthcare is following suit.
SIP notes that the most desirable countries for wealthy expats (such as the Bahamas, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates) also have some of the most expensive private healthcare systems. It’s a cause-and-effect relationship: An influx of wealthy residents can increase demand for advanced hospitals, treatments, and care, which can then spur investments and drive provider (and ultimately insurance) costs.
Morocco is one of the least expensive countries for private healthcare, at an average of $7,609 per year.
Unsplash
Malta, one of the most popular countries for American expats, was ranked as one the least expensive countries for private healthcare.
GettyPrivate healthcare trends for 2026
Overall, Asia is among the priciest, while Africa is the least expensive. Not all European countries saw an outsized increase in private healthcare costs, but both the Middle East and South America are becoming increasingly costly.
Of all regions, North America had the largest cost discrepancy: The United States ranked at the top, but Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Grenada clustered in the middle of the 60-country ranking.
“Understanding the healthcare system before relocating, rather than when medical attention becomes necessary, can make an enormous difference,” says Bürchler.
To see the countries with the least and most expensive private healthcare premium costs, see the SIP Medical Family Office’s rankings below, based on the average annual healthcare premiums of seven major international private medical insurers:
The 10 most expensive countries
- United States ($23,987)
- Hong Kong ($19,353)
- Singapore ($17,613)
- China ($15,235)
- United Kingdom ($14,987)
- United Arab Emirates, Dubai ($12,142)
- Mexico ($11,770)
- Brazil ($11,739)
- Bahamas ($11,399)
- Thailand ($11,215)
The 10 least expensive countries
- Nigeria ($8,022)
- Egypt ($7,936)
- Sweden ($7,863)
- Mauritius ($7,745)
- Kenya ($7,712)
- Norway ($7,653)
- Netherlands ($7,642)
- Morocco ($7,609)
- Malta ($7,591)
- Romania ($7,519)