Health Insurance Requirements Around the World

Is health insurance required? Yes. The UK Government’s guidance on living in Albania states that health insurance is compulsory for all citizens and residents, and the official residence permit checklist lists proof of health insurance in Albania for family reunification, au pair and pensioner permits. Insurance can be obtained from Albanian or international providers.

Medical documents: Au pair applicants must provide a medical report on their psychological condition, certified in their country of origin. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required only if you arrive from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission.

Healthcare for expats: Residents with a residence permit and a job are entitled to the same state healthcare as Albanian nationals; you must register at your local health centre and can apply for a health card through e-Albania. Medical and dental facilities, including emergency care, are very poor, particularly outside Tirana, and few staff in state hospitals speak English.

Official sources: UK Government guidance (Living in Albania); e-Albania government portal (Albanian State Police residence permit checklist); UK Foreign Office travel advice (Albania health)

Is health insurance required? Yes, for all residence authorisations. Applicants must prove and maintain cover for sickness, incapacity and old age valid in Andorra for the whole period of the authorisation; minors and people over sixty need only show sickness cover.

Medical documents: Applicants must consent to a medical examination, and dependent children under sixteen need a vaccination record and a medical certificate.

Healthcare for expats: The European Health Insurance Card and Global Health Insurance Card are not valid in Andorra, so visitors should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.

Official sources: Government of Andorra (residence authorisation fact sheet); UK Foreign Office travel advice (Andorra health)

Is health insurance required? Yes, for all residence permits. Third-country nationals applying for an Austrian residence permit must hold health insurance that covers all risks and pays out in Austria; compulsory Austrian insurance through employment is always sufficient, and private insurance is accepted only if it gives the same level of cover as statutory insurance. Travel health insurance alone is not sufficient.

Medical documents: None required by official sources.

Healthcare for expats: Residents employed in Austria are covered by compulsory statutory insurance. Visitors need a Global Health Insurance Card for medically necessary state healthcare, which does not cover private clinics or additional standard costs, and travellers may be asked to show proof of travel insurance at the border.

Official sources: Austrian Federal Government (oesterreich.gv.at, residence permit requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice (Austria entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice (Austria health)

Is health insurance required? Yes. Foreign citizens temporarily staying or temporarily residing in Belarus must hold medical insurance valid for the whole stay with cover of at least EUR 10,000, shown when applying for a visa or on arrival. Policies from Belarusian insurers are accepted, as are foreign policies with a translation into Russian or Belarusian; citizens of Russia and certain CIS countries are exempt.

Medical documents: None required by official sources.

Healthcare for expats: The standard of healthcare is below that of the UK. Insurance covering local treatment and medical evacuation is advised.

Official sources: Embassy of the Republic of Belarus in Egypt (Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, medical insurance); UK Foreign Office travel advice (Belarus entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice (Belarus health)

Is health insurance required? Yes, for some residence routes. For example, applicants for the single permit (combined work and residence permit) must provide proof of health insurance covering all risks for themselves and their family, which the employer can guarantee. No minimum amount is set on the official page.

Medical documents: Single permit applicants need a medical certificate from an approved doctor stating that they do not suffer from a disease that may endanger public health.

Healthcare for expats: Residents must register with a health insurance fund (mutuelle or ziekenfonds) to access the Belgian healthcare system. Non-emergency medical consultations and prescriptions carry a fee.

Official sources: Embassy of Belgium in Taipei, Belgian Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs (employee single permit); UK Foreign Office, Living in Belgium guidance; UK Foreign Office travel advice

Is health insurance required? Yes, for temporary residence. Applicants must provide evidence of health insurance secured in Bosnia and Herzegovina, such as an insurance policy, a health card or paid travel health insurance; no minimum amount is set on the official page.

Medical documents: First-time temporary residence applicants need a medical certificate, issued no more than three months before the application, confirming they have no disease that threatens public health; it is not normally required for extensions.

Healthcare for expats: Medical and dental facilities are limited, particularly outside Sarajevo and major towns. The UK Global Health Insurance Card and European Health Insurance Card do not cover Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Official sources: Service for Foreigners’ Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina (temporary residence); UK Foreign Office travel advice

Is health insurance required? Yes, for long-stay (type D) visas. Applicants must hold a health insurance policy for the whole period of stay, issued by an insurer licensed in the European Union, with minimum cover of EUR 30,000 including emergency medical care, emergency hospital treatment and all repatriation costs.

Medical documents: None required for the type D visa in general; medical documents are needed only for specific grounds, such as a visa for medical treatment or certain family member applications based on serious health reasons.

Healthcare for expats: Most Bulgarian hospitals are basic compared with those in the UK, and specialised equipment and treatment may be limited, while private clinics are generally well equipped and not expensive by UK standards. Agree a price in advance when using private services, as tourists have sometimes been overcharged.

Official sources: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria (type D visa requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice

Is health insurance required? Yes, for residence. Third-country nationals are granted temporary stay only if they have health insurance, and digital nomads must show travel or private health insurance covering Croatia for the whole planned stay. Foreign nationals with permanent stay, and those with temporary stay unless a treaty or law states otherwise, must be covered by Croatian compulsory health insurance; visa applicants need travel medical insurance of at least EUR 30,000.

Medical documents: None required: the general conditions for temporary stay list no medical certificate or examination.

Healthcare for expats: Foreign employees of employers based in Croatia are insured through their employment under the compulsory health insurance scheme, administered by the Croatian Health Insurance Fund (HZZO).

Official sources: Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Croatia (temporary stay of third-country nationals); Government of Croatia, gov.hr (mandatory health insurance); Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of Croatia (travel medical insurance for visas)

Is health insurance required? Yes, for residence permits. Applicants for permits such as the highly qualified worker permit must submit a full medical insurance certificate, students must show health insurance, and health insurance is also required for a long-term residence permit. Cyprus is not in the Schengen area, and anyone wishing to stay beyond the 90-day visa-free limit is advised to check with the Cyprus High Commission.

Medical documents: A medical examination certificate is required with applications such as the highly qualified worker permit, and students must undergo a medical check and submit medical certificates after registering with the police on arrival.

Healthcare for expats: The official sources read do not describe how foreign residents join the state health system. The Foreign Office notes that UK visitors need a GHIC or EHIC for medically necessary state healthcare, which does not cover private clinics or repatriation and is not an alternative to insurance.

Official sources: European Commission, EU Immigration Portal (highly qualified worker in Cyprus); European Commission, EU Immigration Portal (student in Cyprus); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? Yes, for long-stay visas and residence permits. Anyone staying longer than 90 days must hold insurance covering comprehensive medical care for the whole stay, with a limit of at least EUR 400,000 per insured event and no cost sharing, from an insurer authorised in the Czech Republic; applicants at an embassy may cover the first 90 days with travel medical insurance for necessary and urgent care. People who participate in Czech public health insurance, such as employees, are exempt.

Medical documents: None required: the official insurance requirements list no medical certificate, and the Foreign Office entry page lists none.

Healthcare for expats: Employees and others who contribute to Czech public health insurance are covered by the public system, while other long-stay foreigners rely on comprehensive commercial insurance. Policies concluded abroad need a certified Czech translation, and they must not exclude accidents caused by alcohol or drug misuse.

Official sources: Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic, information portal for foreigners (medical insurance); Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic (insurance during a stay longer than 90 days, archived); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? Yes, for short-stay visas only. Applicants for Schengen short-stay visas must hold travel medical insurance of at least EUR 30,000, valid throughout the Schengen area for the whole stay and covering urgent medical treatment, emergency hospital treatment and medical repatriation. No requirement is published for residence permits; for example, the requirements for a work permit under the Pay Limit Scheme do not include health insurance.

Medical documents: None required: the work permit requirements read list no medical certificate, and the Foreign Office entry page sets no vaccination requirement.

Healthcare for expats: Anyone working legally in Denmark is covered by the Danish public health insurance scheme and, once registered with a family doctor (GP), receives a yellow health insurance card; children are covered with their parents until the age of 15. Most examinations and treatments are free, but you must register and obtain the card.

Official sources: EU Visa Code, Regulation (EC) No 810/2009, Article 15 (EUR-Lex); Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration, New to Denmark (Pay Limit Scheme); Life in Denmark, Danish public authorities (health insurance card)

Is health insurance required? Yes, for some residence permits. Applicants for a temporary residence permit for study must hold a health insurance contract meeting the requirements of section 120 of the Aliens Act, confirmed by signing the application; the Police and Border Guard Board’s page for employment residence permits does not list the same requirement.

Medical documents: None required: the official residence permit pages list no medical certificate or test, although employment applicants must have the health needed for the job.

Healthcare for expats: Foreigners living in Estonia on a residence permit are covered by the state Health Insurance Fund if they work and social tax is paid for them, if they are treated as equivalent to insured persons, or if they sign a voluntary contract with the Fund; people staying temporarily are covered only if they are employed and social tax is paid. Short-term UK visitors need a Global Health Insurance Card or European Health Insurance Card for medically necessary state healthcare, and these do not cover private treatment or medical repatriation.

Official sources: Estonian Police and Border Guard Board (residence permit for study); Estonian Health Insurance Fund (Tervisekassa); UK Foreign Office travel advice

Is health insurance required? Yes, for student residence permits. Students must take out private insurance covering medical and medicine expenses, with an excess of no more than EUR 300: cover of at least EUR 120,000 for medical expenses for studies lasting under two years, or at least EUR 40,000 for medicine expenses for studies of two years or more. Holders of a Kela card, European Health Insurance Card or UK Global Health Insurance Card valid after the move do not need this insurance, and ordinary travel insurance limited to trips of 90 days does not qualify for stays of over a year.

Medical documents: None required: official sources list no vaccination certificate or medical test for entry or residence.

Healthcare for expats: People who move to Finland permanently, or who work there earning at least EUR 800.02 a month, can usually qualify for Kela social security from the day they move, and those with a municipality of residence in Finland can use public healthcare. Short-term UK visitors need a Global Health Insurance Card for medically necessary state healthcare, which does not cover private treatment or medical repatriation.

Official sources: Finnish Immigration Service (insurance for students); Kela, Social Insurance Institution of Finland (moving to Finland); UK Foreign Office travel advice

Is health insurance required? Yes, for the long-stay visitor route. Long-stay visa applicants must prove medical cover in France, and holders of the visitor residence permit must show health insurance covering the whole of their stay in France. No minimum amount of cover is published on the official pages.

Medical documents: No vaccinations or medical certificate are listed for the visa application. After arrival, holders must validate their long-stay visa (VLS-TS) online within three months, and the French Office for Immigration and Integration (OFII) may call them for a medical check-up.

Healthcare for expats: State healthcare in France is not free: residents pay part of their medical costs, and a top-up policy (mutuelle) covers all or part of what the state does not. Foreign residents who have lived in France for at least three months can apply to join the state system (PUMa) through their local CPAM office, and those who are not employed may have to pay into PUMa themselves; a temporary social security number follows one to three months after registration.

Official sources: France-Visas, official French Government visa website (arrival in France and long-stay visas); Prefecture of Alpes-Maritimes (visitor residence permit document list); UK Government guidance: Healthcare in France

Read the ExpatInsure guide to living in France

Is health insurance required? Yes, for visitors; no requirement is published for residence permits. All visitors must hold health and accident insurance with cover of at least GEL 30,000 for the whole stay, including the arrival and departure dates, from a Georgian or foreign insurer; holders of diplomatic or official passports are exempt. People who plan to work or study must apply for a residence permit at a Public Service Hall after arrival, and official guidance does not list health insurance as a condition.

Medical documents: None required: official sources list no vaccination certificate or medical test for entry or residence.

Healthcare for expats: Foreign nationals cannot register for the national healthcare system, and the UK has no reciprocal healthcare agreement with Georgia, so treatment must be paid for as it is provided. Medical facilities in Tbilisi are available but can be expensive, and facilities outside Tbilisi are limited.

Official sources: UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Government (Living in Georgia guidance); Embassy of Greece in Tbilisi (mandatory health insurance for tourists from January 2026)

Is health insurance required? Yes, for national visas and residence permits. Health insurance is generally compulsory for residents, who must insure with a company licensed to do business in Germany; statutory health insurance always counts as sufficient, while private insurance must offer broadly the same protection, be valid for the whole visa period, cover outpatient and inpatient treatment and not be restricted to emergencies or impose major exclusions or limits. Schengen travel health insurance does not as a rule suffice for stays longer than 90 days.

Medical documents: No vaccination, medical certificate or medical test requirement is published for national visas.

Healthcare for expats: Around 90% of residents join a statutory health insurer and around 10% a private one; employees are in many cases obliged to join the statutory system, while self-employed people generally need private insurance. Contributions are paid monthly (deducted from salary for employees), and patients may still pay part of the cost, for example EUR 10 a day in hospital and up to EUR 10 per prescription medicine.

Official sources: German Federal Foreign Office (health insurance for national visas); UK Government guidance: Healthcare in Germany

Read the ExpatInsure guide to living in Germany

Is health insurance required? Yes, for national long-stay (D) visas. Applicants must hold insurance covering medical repatriation, urgent medical care and emergency hospital care for at least the duration of the visa; no minimum amount is published.

Medical documents: National visa applicants must provide a medical certificate from a recognised state or private institution showing they do not suffer from a disease that may pose a risk to public health.

Healthcare for expats: Treatment and facilities are generally good on the mainland but may be limited on the islands, where some have serious shortages of ambulances, and nursing and aftercare in the state sector is not to the usual UK standard. Short-term UK visitors need a Global Health Insurance Card or European Health Insurance Card for medically necessary state healthcare, which does not cover private treatment or medical repatriation.

Official sources: Embassy of Greece in Washington (national visas); UK Foreign Office travel advice

Is health insurance required? Yes, for residence permits. Applicants for a Hungarian residence permit, including the general temporary residence permit and the White Card for digital nomads, must prove access to comprehensive health insurance covering all healthcare services, or show they can pay for such services; Hungarian social security cover or access under an international agreement also meets the rule. No minimum amount is set for residence permits.

Medical documents: No medical certificate or medical examination is listed by the immigration authority for residence permits, and the UK Foreign Office lists no vaccination certificate requirement for entry.

Healthcare for expats: Residents who are employed pay social security contributions through their employer, self-employed people arrange voluntary contributions through the tax office, and residents who pay no contributions and are not dependants must take out private health insurance. Most state healthcare is then free once you hold a TAJ healthcare card and are registered with a contracted GP, although you usually pay part of the cost of medicines and medical appliances.

Official sources: National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing of Hungary (temporary residence permit); National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing of Hungary (White Card for digital nomads); UK Government guidance (healthcare in Hungary)

Is health insurance required? Yes, for residence permits. All applicants for a residence permit, including work and study permits, must submit a certificate of health insurance valid in Iceland, with minimum cover of ISK 2,000,000, lasting at least three months from registration of their legal domicile in Iceland. After that period, permit holders are covered by Icelandic Health Insurance.

Medical documents: The UK Foreign Office lists no vaccination certificate requirement for entry. The Directorate of Immigration’s help pages refer to a medical examination for residence permits, but the published pages we read do not state who must take it or what it covers.

Healthcare for expats: Since 1 August 2026, people must wait three months after their residence permit is issued and their legal domicile is registered in the Iceland National Registry before Icelandic Health Insurance covers them. Until then, the private insurance required for the permit must cover their healthcare.

Official sources: Directorate of Immigration, via Island.is (residence permit based on work: requirements); Directorate of Immigration, via Island.is (when do I enter the Icelandic health insurance system); UK Foreign Office travel advice

Is health insurance required? Yes, for some immigration permissions. Non-EEA students, people of independent means (Stamp 0), spouses and partners joining Irish citizens (Stamp 1G) and several other categories must show medical insurance covering accidents, illness and hospital stays when they first register, valid for 12 months or the length of their stay; most employment permit holders are not asked for it. Students and graduates renewing their permission must hold private medical insurance, as travel insurance is not accepted at renewal; British nationals need no residence permit under the Common Travel Area.

Medical documents: None required. The UK Foreign Office lists no vaccination certificate or medical test for entry, and the immigration registration requirements list none.

Healthcare for expats: Everyone ordinarily resident in Ireland, meaning they have lived there or intend to live there for at least one year, is entitled to public health services. Without a medical card or GP visit card, you pay for GP visits and may have to pay public hospital charges.

Official sources: Immigration Service Delivery, Department of Justice (required documents for first registration); Immigration Service Delivery, Department of Justice (private medical insurance for students); Citizens Information Board (entitlement to public health services)

Is health insurance required? Yes, for the elective residence visa, but the cover required is set by each Italian consulate rather than in one published national standard. For example, the Consulate General in Chicago asks for overseas health insurance covering 100% of all medical expenses, while the Embassy in Panama asks for insurance valid in the Schengen area for the whole visa, with at least EUR 30,000 each for illness, accidents and repatriation, no deductible and an insurer with a representative office in Europe.

Medical documents: None required: the consulate pages read list no vaccinations, medical certificate or medical examination.

Healthcare for expats: Residents who are not working or paying social security contributions may be able to register voluntarily with the national health system at their local health authority (ASL), which sets the annual fee; otherwise they need private health insurance. Registered patients pay a co-payment (the ‘ticket’) for specialist referrals, diagnostic tests and prescription medicines unless exempt.

Official sources: Consulate General of Italy in Chicago (elective residence visa); Embassy of Italy in Panama (elective residence visa); UK Government guidance: Healthcare in Italy

Read the ExpatInsure guide to living in Italy

Is health insurance required? Yes, for temporary residence permits. Anyone staying longer than 90 days must apply to the Ministry of Internal Affairs for a residence permit, and health insurance is listed among the required documents for every temporary residence purpose (employment, family reunification, pre-university education, and higher education and research) and for renewals. No minimum level of cover is published.

Medical documents: A vaccination certificate is required only if you come from a country where a state of epidemic has been declared. No general medical certificate is listed.

Healthcare for expats: The public health system is poorly funded, hospitals lack specialist equipment and medicines are widely in short supply; a small cash payment is required for public treatment. Private clinics are of better quality than the public system.

Official sources: Ministry of Internal Affairs, Kosovo (temporary residence permit for foreigners); UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? Yes, for work residence permits. Third-country nationals coming to work in Latvia must hold health insurance of at least EUR 42,600 covering medical expenses and repatriation to their country of origin, valid for no less than the expected period of stay. Short-stay Schengen visas require the standard travel medical insurance.

Medical documents: After arrival and receipt of the residence permit, workers must provide a radiologist’s report on an X-ray or fluoroscopic examination carried out in Latvia. No vaccination certificate is required.

Healthcare for expats: Foreign residents can use the state system if they are employed or self-employed and make social security contributions; those who cannot register as residents are not eligible for state healthcare. Patients register with a GP using their Latvian residence ID card and pay patient fees, which are capped at around EUR 570 a year.

Official sources: European Commission EU Immigration Portal (employed worker, Latvia); UK Government guidance (healthcare in Latvia); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? Yes, for everyone who lives or works in Liechtenstein. Residents and people employed in Liechtenstein must take out compulsory health care insurance with a government-recognised Liechtenstein health insurance fund within three months of moving to the country or starting work; anyone who does not register is assigned to a fund by the Office of Public Health.

Medical documents: None required: the official sources consulted list no vaccination certificate or medical test for entry or residence.

Healthcare for expats: Foreign residents are covered through the compulsory Liechtenstein health insurance funds rather than a separate state service. Visitors from the UK can use a GHIC or EHIC for medically necessary state healthcare, but it does not cover private clinics, non-urgent treatment or medical repatriation.

Official sources: National Administration of Liechtenstein, Office of Public Health (mandatory health insurance); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? Yes. Foreigners who receive a national (D) visa, or who apply for the issue, change or extension of a temporary residence permit, must hold health insurance of at least EUR 5,792 valid for the whole stay, covering basic medical assistance and medical return travel home; the policy may be issued by an insurer of any state but must be written in Lithuanian, English, German, French or Russian. Legally employed foreigners who pay Lithuanian social insurance contributions, and their minor family members, are exempt.

Medical documents: None required on the official pages consulted.

Healthcare for expats: Foreigners with permanent residence are covered by Lithuania’s compulsory health insurance, as are temporary residence permit holders who work in Lithuania or have worked there for at least six months and are registered as unemployed.

Official sources: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania (health insurance for entry); National Health Insurance Fund of Lithuania (compulsory health insurance participants); UK Foreign Office travel advice

Read the ExpatInsure guide to living in Lithuania

Is health insurance required? Yes, for some residence routes. Third-country nationals applying for a temporary authorisation to stay for private reasons must provide proof of comprehensive health insurance valid in Luxembourg, while employees and self-employed people working in Luxembourg must be affiliated to the national social security scheme through the Centre commun de la sécurité sociale (CCSS). No minimum level of cover is published.

Medical documents: Third-country nationals must undergo a medical check for foreigners in Luxembourg as soon as possible after arrival, including an examination by a physician and tuberculosis screening; the Health Inspection then issues the medical certificate needed for the residence permit application.

Healthcare for expats: Employers register their employees with the CCSS, self-employed people register themselves, and voluntary affiliation is possible under certain conditions, particularly where co-insurance through a family member is not possible. Visitors from the UK can use a GHIC or EHIC for medically necessary state healthcare, but it does not cover private clinics, non-urgent treatment or medical repatriation.

Official sources: Guichet.lu, Government of Luxembourg (stay for private reasons); Caisse nationale de santé, CNS (affiliation); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? Yes, for single permits (combined work and residence permits) for third-country nationals. Applicants must provide a health insurance policy with a minimum coverage limit of EUR 100,000, covering outpatient and hospital treatment in Malta and, if necessary, in other European countries, valid for the entire first year of the residence permit. No rule on the insurer is published.

Medical documents: Most non-EU work permit applicants must complete health screening in Malta with a doctor from the authorised list: all applicants must be protected against diphtheria, tetanus and polio, a chest X-ray for tuberculosis is required for those born in or who have lived for six months or more in a high-risk country, and hepatitis B and measles, mumps and rubella requirements apply to certain professions (MMR also applies to all female applicants). The health screening approval email must be included with the single permit application.

Healthcare for expats: Employed and self-employed people who pay Maltese social security contributions are entitled to free state healthcare. Proof of healthcare cover is needed before registering as a resident, and most dental care is private and usually not free.

Official sources: Identity Malta Agency, single permit new application checklist; Malta Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Unit (health screening for work permits); UK Government guidance, Healthcare in Malta

Is health insurance required? Yes, for most visas and some residence routes. Applicants for most short-stay (C) and long-stay (D) visas, including employment, business, study and family reunification visas, must hold travel medical insurance valid throughout Moldova for the whole stay, covering emergency treatment, emergency hospitalisation, medical repatriation and death, with cover of not less than EUR 30,000. For example, applicants for temporary residence through family reunification must provide medical insurance valid for at least three months, and extensions require a policy bought from the National Health Insurance Company.

Medical documents: None required: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa requirements and the family reunification residence document lists include no medical certificate, and the UK Foreign Office lists no vaccination requirement for entry.

Healthcare for expats: State medical facilities are generally poor and private clinics and hospitals offer a better standard of care. Most providers expect cash or card payment at the time of treatment, so accessible funds and insurance covering treatment, medical evacuation and repatriation are advised.

Official sources: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Moldova (types of visas and requirements); General Inspectorate for Migration of Moldova (family reunification documents); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence permits. The Government of Monaco’s requirements for a first residence permit cover accommodation, sufficient financial resources and a criminal record extract, and the French long-stay visa that non-EEA nationals need first does not list health insurance either; for short visa-free visits, border guards may ask to see proof of travel insurance.

Medical documents: None required: neither the residence permit requirements nor the long-stay visa document list includes a medical certificate or vaccination.

Healthcare for expats: Monaco is not an EU member, and the EHIC and GHIC are not accepted there. Accessible funds and insurance covering local treatment and medical evacuation are advised.

Official sources: Government of Monaco, MonServicePublic (how to apply for a residence permit); France-Visas, French Government (long-stay visas for Monaco); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? Yes, for temporary residence permits. Holding health insurance is one of the general conditions for being granted temporary residence in Montenegro, alongside proof of financial support and accommodation; the Government of Montenegro does not publish a minimum level of cover, a required duration or a rule on the insurer.

Medical documents: None required: no general medical certificate is listed for temporary residence (only a certificate from the treating health institution for residence for medical treatment), and the UK Foreign Office lists no vaccination requirement for entry.

Healthcare for expats: British nationals can obtain free emergency treatment at state-run facilities under a reciprocal arrangement, by applying to the Montenegrin Health Insurance Fund for a certificate of entitlement with a valid British passport and a GHIC. Without that certificate you must pay for treatment and the bills cannot be reimbursed, and the GHIC is not a substitute for insurance covering local treatment and medical evacuation.

Official sources: Government of Montenegro (temporary residence); UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? Yes, for everyone who lives or works in the Netherlands. You must take out Dutch standard health insurance with a Dutch insurer within four months of arriving, even if you already hold a medical insurance policy from another country, and cover runs from the day you arrive; the main exception is where your employer is outside the Netherlands. Some students must also take out Dutch insurance, depending on their country of origin and other activities.

Medical documents: Most people moving to the Netherlands must take a tuberculosis (TB) test after arrival, unless they hold the nationality of a country on the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) exemption list, took a TB test in the Netherlands less than six months ago, or are aged 11 or younger. No vaccination requirement is published.

Healthcare for expats: Residents join the Dutch system through compulsory standard insurance bought from a health insurer, which covers the basic package including GP, hospital and pharmacy costs; children must be registered from four months old and pay no premium until they are 18. Care received between arrival and the start of the policy is not reimbursed, and people who do not take out insurance in time may be fined.

Official sources: Government of the Netherlands (health insurance for new residents); Government of the Netherlands (compulsory health insurance); Immigration and Naturalisation Service, IND (requirements that apply to everyone)

Read the ExpatInsure guide to living in Netherlands

Is health insurance required? Yes. Under the Law on Foreigners, visa applicants must hold medical or travel insurance covering repatriation for medical reasons, urgent care, emergency hospital treatment and death during the stay, and a visa is refused without proof of it; foreigners applying for temporary residence must also hold medical insurance. No minimum level of cover is set in the law.

Medical documents: None required by official sources consulted; neither the Law on Foreigners (in the parts reviewed) nor the UK Foreign Office lists vaccinations or medical certificates.

Healthcare for expats: British nationals are entitled to free emergency treatment under a reciprocal agreement, but you may need to pay before receiving some treatment. The Foreign Office advises holding adequate insurance.

Official sources: Law on Foreigners of North Macedonia (consolidated English text, 2023, published on UNHCR Refworld); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? Yes, for visitor visas. Applicants for a Schengen visitor visa must hold travel insurance of at least EUR 30,000, valid throughout the Schengen area for the whole stay and covering emergency hospital care and repatriation for illness, injury or death. The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration does not publish the same rule for residence permits.

Medical documents: If you come from a country with a high incidence of tuberculosis and will stay in Norway for more than three months, you must be tested for tuberculosis as soon as possible after arrival, through the municipality where you live.

Healthcare for expats: As a general rule, anyone who lives lawfully in Norway for at least 12 months, or who works in Norway, is a member of the National Insurance Scheme from the date of entry. Without membership you have no rights under the National Insurance Act.

Official sources: Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) (travel insurance for visitor visas); Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) (tuberculosis testing); Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration (Nav) (National Insurance Scheme membership)

Is health insurance required? Yes, for long-stay (national D) visas and residence permits. National visa applicants must hold travel medical insurance of at least EUR 30,000, valid for the whole planned stay and covering urgent medical help, emergency hospital treatment, return travel for medical reasons and death; an insurer with no office in the EU, EFTA or EEA must meet additional publication and audit conditions. Residence permit applicants must show health insurance valid on the day the permit is decided, such as cover with the National Health Fund (NFZ), registration with the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS), or a private or foreign policy that covers medical and hospital care in Poland.

Medical documents: None required.

Healthcare for expats: Public medical facilities are similar to those in the UK and private facilities are less expensive than in the UK. Foreign residents can be covered by the state system through NFZ, either through employment and ZUS contributions or by a voluntary NFZ agreement.

Official sources: Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (travel medical insurance for national visa applicants); Greater Poland Voivodeship Office, Poznań (health insurance for residence permits); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? Yes, for residence visas. Applicants for a residence visa, such as the D7 for retirees and people living on their own income, must provide travel insurance covering medical expenses, urgent medical care and repatriation, valid for the first months of the stay; the consular checklist asks for at least six months. Citizens of Portuguese-speaking (CPLP) countries are exempt, and Schengen short-stay visas need cover of at least EUR 30,000.

Medical documents: None required for the D7 visa.

Healthcare for expats: Once you hold a valid residence permit, a tax number (NIF) and a Portuguese address, you can register with the National Health Service (SNS) and receive a user number (número de utente). Many expats keep private cover alongside it for faster access to specialists.

Official sources: Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (D7 visa checklist); gov.pt (healthcare for migrants)

Read the ExpatInsure guide to living in Portugal

Is health insurance required? Yes, for long-stay visas and some residence routes. For example, family members applying for a long-stay visa must show health insurance covering the whole visa validity period, students must hold medical insurance for the validity of the visa, and applicants for long-term residence must show proof of health insurance.

Medical documents: Some routes require a medical certificate: EU Blue Card applicants must show they are medically able to work, and family members applying for a temporary residence permit must show they are not suffering from diseases.

Healthcare for expats: Long-term residents receive equal treatment with Romanian citizens for access to health care. Visitors from the UK need a GHIC or EHIC for medically necessary state healthcare, which does not cover private healthcare or medical repatriation.

Official sources: European Commission, EU Immigration Portal (family member, Romania); European Commission, EU Immigration Portal (highly qualified worker, Romania); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? Yes, for some residence permits. Foreign applicants for elective residence permits, atypical residence under the facilitated tax regime and pensioners’ atypical residence must hold a health insurance policy; international students must provide private health insurance with at least EUR 30,000 of annual cover valid in San Marino, recognised by the Ufficio Prestazioni Economiche.

Medical documents: None required.

Healthcare for expats: The state Social Security Institute (ISS) provides healthcare to San Marino citizens and residents, including hospital and community services at the state hospital. The UK European and Global Health Insurance Cards (EHIC and GHIC) are not accepted in San Marino.

Official sources: San Marino Department of Foreign Affairs (residence permits and residences); Istituto per la Sicurezza Sociale (ISS), San Marino; UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? Yes, for permanent residence. Applicants must provide proof of health insurance, such as a European Health Insurance Card or other proof of insurance in their home country, a health insurance policy, a guarantee, a valid Serbian health insurance card, or proof of funds sufficient to cover emergency medical care. The official guidance read does not set a health insurance requirement for temporary residence.

Medical documents: None required. No vaccination certificates or medical tests are listed for entry.

Healthcare for expats: Public health insurance is compulsory for foreigners who work in Serbia, with contributions paid by the employer or, for the self-employed, by the individual. The UK has a reciprocal healthcare agreement with Serbia covering free emergency treatment, but you may need to pay cash for other treatment.

Official sources: Welcome to Serbia (Government of Serbia portal for foreigners) – permanent residence; Welcome to Serbia – healthcare and health insurance; UK Foreign Office travel advice

Is health insurance required? Yes, for residence. Third-country nationals granted residence must submit a document confirming health insurance to the foreign police within 30 days of receiving their residence document. The source read does not set a minimum level of cover.

Medical documents: Temporary residence holders must also submit, within 30 days of receiving the residence document, a medical opinion no more than 30 days old confirming that they do not suffer from any disease that threatens public health.

Healthcare for expats: Medically necessary state healthcare is available to visitors with a UK Global Health Insurance Card or European Health Insurance Card, but this does not cover private healthcare, medical repatriation or treatment ruled non-urgent.

Official sources: Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic (residence of foreigners); UK Foreign Office travel advice

Is health insurance required? Yes, for temporary residence. Applicants must hold adequate health insurance, either compulsory health insurance through employment in Slovenia or a policy that applies in Slovenia, covers at least emergency medical care and is valid from the application until the end of the intended stay (or until work begins). The authorities check that emergency care is covered but do not set a minimum sum.

Medical documents: None required. The official guidance read lists no vaccinations or medical certificates.

Healthcare for expats: Foreign nationals employed in Slovenia must be registered in compulsory health insurance by their employer from their first day of work. Visitors with a UK Global Health Insurance Card or European Health Insurance Card can get medically necessary state healthcare, but not private treatment or medical repatriation.

Official sources: Info Point for Foreigners (Government of the Republic of Slovenia); UK Foreign Office travel advice

Is health insurance required? Yes, for the main long-stay residence routes. Applicants for the non-lucrative residence visa must hold public or private health insurance with an insurer authorised to operate in Spain, covering all the risks covered by the Spanish public health system (a registered S1 form is also accepted). International teleworkers (the digital nomad route) must hold public or private insurance with cover comparable to the Spanish National Health System; travel insurance, reimbursement-only policies and policies with co-payments or waiting periods are not accepted, and the requirement falls away if the teleworker will register with Spanish Social Security.

Medical documents: Non-lucrative visa applicants need a medical certificate, issued within three months before the application, confirming they do not suffer from any disease that could have serious public health consequences under the International Health Regulations 2005. No medical certificate is listed for the international teleworker residence route.

Healthcare for expats: Proof of healthcare cover is required before you can register as a resident. People who are not working and have no S1 can join the state system through the Convenio Especial, a monthly pay-in scheme open after at least one year on the padron (local town hall register), applied for through the regional health authority; members pay the full cost of prescriptions, and those resident for less than a year need private health insurance. After five years, permanent residents can access state healthcare on the same basis as Spanish citizens.

Official sources: Consulate General of Spain in London (non-lucrative residence visa); Spanish Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, Large Companies Unit (international teleworker documentation); UK Government guidance: Healthcare in Spain

Read the ExpatInsure guide to living in Spain

Is health insurance required? Yes, for some permits. Students admitted to studies lasting less than one year must have, or have applied for, comprehensive health insurance valid for the whole stay, covering emergency and other medical care, hospitalisation, emergency dental care and medical transport home; family members staying less than one year who are not in the population register must also be insured. People who will live in Sweden for one year or more should instead register in the Swedish Population Register, which gives access to health, medical and dental care.

Medical documents: None required on the official pages consulted.

Healthcare for expats: Once registered in the Swedish Population Register, foreign residents have access to health, medical and dental care in the regional system. Most people from outside the EU, EEA or Switzerland who are not covered by such registration or by EU social insurance have to pay the full cost of healthcare themselves.

Official sources: Swedish Migration Agency (residence permit for higher education, important to know); Swedish Tax Agency (moving to Sweden and population registration); 1177, Sweden’s regional health service (healthcare if you come from another country)

Read the ExpatInsure guide to living in Sweden

Is health insurance required? Yes, for all residents. Anyone settling in Switzerland must take out basic health insurance with an insurer approved under the Health Insurance Act within three months of taking up residence; cover then applies retrospectively, and anyone who does not register is assigned an insurer by the cantonal authority. Limited exemptions apply, for example to some diplomats and to people who come only for medical treatment.

Medical documents: None required. No vaccination certificates or medical tests are listed for entry or residence in the sources read.

Healthcare for expats: Approved health insurers must accept all applicants for basic cover without exclusions or waiting periods; premiums vary by insurer and canton. Late registration means cover only from enrolment and a premium surcharge unless the delay is justified.

Official sources: Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) – compulsory health insurance for residents; UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice

Is health insurance required? Yes, for residence permits. Applicants for short-term and long-term residence permits must submit valid health insurance, and for short-term permits it must cover the whole permit period requested. Accepted proof is a certificate under a bilateral social security agreement, a Social Security Institution (SGK) provision document, proof of an application to join SGK general health insurance, or a private health insurance policy (first page showing the policy number).

Medical documents: None required for most applicants; the official residence permit document list includes no vaccination or tuberculosis test. Only those applying to stay for medical treatment must provide a physician’s report on the treatment.

Healthcare for expats: Foreign residents can meet the insurance rule by applying to join the state SGK general health insurance scheme. The European Health Insurance Card and Global Health Insurance Card are not valid in Turkey.

Official sources: Presidency of Migration Management, e-Ikamet (short-term residence permit documents); Presidency of Migration Management, e-Ikamet (long-term residence permit documents); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? Yes, for temporary residence permits. Applicants for a temporary residence permit must present a valid health insurance policy to the State Migration Service; the official service description sets no minimum cover, duration or insurer rule.

Medical documents: No medical requirement is published in the official sources reviewed.

Healthcare for expats: State medical facilities are generally poor, and private clinics and hospitals offer a better standard but do not always meet western standards. In an emergency you are likely to be taken to a state hospital unless you can show comprehensive medical insurance cover.

Official sources: Lviv City Council Administrative Services Centre (temporary residence permit, State Migration Service procedure); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? No, private health insurance is not required, but most visa applicants must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) as part of their application. The surcharge applies to visas of more than six months applied for from outside the UK, and to applications of any length made inside the UK, and must be paid even if you hold private medical insurance; it costs GBP 1,035 a year, or GBP 776 a year for students, their dependants, Youth Mobility Scheme visa holders and applicants under 18. Visitors, Health and Care Worker visa applicants and their dependants, and applicants for indefinite leave are among those exempt.

Medical documents: You need a tuberculosis (TB) test from an approved clinic if you are coming to the UK for six months or more and have lived in a listed country for six months or more, within the last six months; the certificate is valid for six months from the date of the X-ray. No vaccination requirement is published.

Healthcare for expats: Once the surcharge is paid, you can use the NHS free of charge from the date your visa starts. You still pay for certain services, including prescriptions, dental treatment, eye tests and assisted conception, and visitors and others exempt from the surcharge pay for NHS care when they use it.

Official sources: GOV.UK (Immigration Health Surcharge); GOV.UK (who needs to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge); GOV.UK (tuberculosis tests for visa applicants)

Read the ExpatInsure guide to living in United Kingdom

Is health insurance required? Yes, for visitors who need a Schengen visa. Vatican City is entered through Italy, so visitors who need a Schengen visa must hold travel medical insurance covering emergency medical care, hospital treatment and repatriation, with cover of at least EUR 30,000, valid throughout the Schengen area for the whole stay. No separate residence insurance rule is published.

Medical documents: None required; official sources list no vaccinations or medical certificates.

Healthcare for expats: Visitors use the Italian health system: UK visitors need a Global Health Insurance Card (or a European Health Insurance Card) for medically necessary state treatment, which does not cover private clinics or non-urgent treatment and is not an alternative to travel insurance. Prescription medicines are not free in Italy.

Official sources: EU Visa Code, Regulation (EC) No 810/2009, Article 15 (EUR-Lex); European Commission, Migration and Home Affairs (applying for a Schengen visa); UK Foreign Office travel advice, Italy (health)

Is health insurance required? Yes, for some visas. For example, applicants for the Golden Residency Visa must hold valid health insurance in Bahrain when the residence permit is issued and submit a copy of the insurance certificate. No general rule for other residence permits was found on current official pages.

Medical documents: All expatriates applying for a work permit must pass a medical examination at an approved centre in their home country and a further check after arrival, including a chest X-ray and blood tests for HIV, hepatitis B and C and syphilis; dependant visas do not need a medical examination. Golden Residency applicants in some categories need a medical report, less than three months old, showing they are free from contagious diseases, and a yellow fever certificate is required if you arrive from a risk country.

Healthcare for expats: You will be charged for emergency medical treatment. Insurance or accessible funds to cover treatment, medical evacuation and repatriation are advised.

Official sources: Bahrain National Portal (Golden Residency Visa); Bahrain Ministry of Health (expatriate medical check-up); UK Foreign Office travel advice (Bahrain health)

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence or work permits. The UK Government’s guidance for UK nationals living in Egypt advises holding appropriate health insurance to cover healthcare costs but sets no compulsory policy or minimum cover; residence permits are applied for once in Egypt.

Medical documents: A work permit requires proof of a clean bill of health, including an HIV test. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you are arriving from a country listed as a yellow fever transmission risk.

Healthcare for expats: Egypt has no reciprocal health agreement with the UK. Most emergency treatment in public hospitals is free, but follow-up treatment may be charged and can be expensive, and access to specialised psychiatric treatment is limited outside major cities.

Official sources: UK Government (Living in Egypt guidance); UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice

Is health insurance required? Yes, for all visas. Since 21 May 2024, visa applicants must hold Iranian travel insurance, issued by Iran Insurance Company and emailed to the applicant after the visa is issued; no minimum cover is published. No separate rule is published for residence or work permits.

Medical documents: You must have a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you are arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission, and a polio vaccination certificate if you are arriving from a polio-affected country.

Healthcare for expats: Medical facilities are generally reasonable in the major cities but poor in remote areas. The UK Foreign Office advises holding insurance that covers local treatment and unexpected medical evacuation.

Official sources: Consulate General of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Mumbai (Ministry of Foreign Affairs); UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence or work permits.

Medical documents: Unless you are travelling on a visit visa, you must have a blood test for HIV and hepatitis within 10 days of arrival and repeat it every 90 days while you are in Iraq.

Healthcare for expats: The UK Foreign Office does not describe the standard or cost of medical care in Iraq, but publishes a list of medical providers where some staff speak English and advises holding insurance that covers local treatment and unexpected medical evacuation.

Official sources: UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice

Is health insurance required? Yes, for foreign workers. Employers of foreign workers must provide private medical insurance throughout the employment period, and may deduct part of its cost from the worker’s wages within set limits; this insurance usually excludes pre-existing conditions and covers only injuries that are not work-related. No requirement is published for other residence routes.

Medical documents: No requirement is published. The UK Foreign Office entry page sets no vaccination certificate or medical test requirement and refers travellers to TravelHealthPro.

Healthcare for expats: Healthcare in Israel is not free and medical treatment can be expensive. Hospitals will insist on payment and may take legal action to stop you leaving until bills are paid; anyone needing emergency care receives it unconditionally but is billed if they lack proper insurance.

Official sources: Population and Immigration Authority of Israel (foreign workers’ rights booklet); UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence or work permits. Official sources describe medical tests for residence but do not set a health insurance rule.

Medical documents: Anyone staying in Jordan for more than 30 days must have an HIV test (the health certificate costs JOD 20). Residence applicants must also provide blood tests and further medical certificates once in Jordan, and residence is refused to people with certain infectious diseases, such as HIV, tuberculosis and hepatitis.

Healthcare for expats: Medical facilities outside Amman and Aqaba are basic, and in an emergency you should seek treatment in Amman or Aqaba. Insurance covering local treatment and medical evacuation is advised.

Official sources: UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); Embassy of Spain in Amman (documents and procedures); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published in the official sources we could read. Work and residence visas are applied for through the Kuwaiti Embassy and require further documents from the employer; the UK Foreign Office notes that the Kuwaiti government controls medical fees and has increased them for foreign residents and visitors.

Medical documents: No medical documents are listed in the official sources we could read for entry; residence medical requirements should be confirmed with the Kuwaiti Embassy.

Healthcare for expats: There is a state medical service with local clinics and several good hospitals, as well as private facilities, but private medical fees are high. Residents are advised to check whether their employer provides private medical insurance, and otherwise to take out personal medical insurance for themselves and their dependants.

Official sources: UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? No general requirement is published. For example, the work permit file for domestic workers must include insurance for the foreign worker through an insurance company, but the official document lists for permanent residence and the six-month residence visa do not mention insurance.

Medical documents: Domestic workers must undergo medical laboratory tests for the work permit. No vaccination certificate or other medical document is listed for the other residence categories checked.

Healthcare for expats: Doctors are generally well qualified, though nursing standards vary, and the economic crisis has affected care, although private hospitals in Beirut have stabilised. Care can be expensive, and most hospitals insist on significant cash deposits before admitting patients, including in emergencies.

Official sources: General Directorate of General Security, Lebanon (domestic workers); General Directorate of General Security, Lebanon (permanent residence); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? Yes, on entry. At Omani border control you must be able to show proof of travel health insurance. No requirement is published for residence or work permits in the official sources reviewed.

Medical documents: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you arrive from Rwanda, Tanzania or a country listed as a transmission risk. No other medical documents are listed by the official sources consulted.

Healthcare for expats: The quality of healthcare facilities is similar to the UK, but British nationals must use the private healthcare system. Visitors who cannot settle medical charges may be stopped from leaving the country until the debt is paid.

Official sources: UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence or work permits. No official Palestinian or other government source we could find sets a health insurance rule for foreigners living in the West Bank or Gaza, and entry and stay are controlled by the Israeli authorities.

Medical documents: No official source lists medical documents for entry or residence; the UK Foreign Office refers travellers to TravelHealthPro for vaccination and certificate requirements.

Healthcare for expats: Healthcare in Israel and Palestine is not free and treatment can be expensive. Hospitals insist on payment and may take legal action to stop you leaving until bills are paid, so adequate health insurance that covers local treatment and medical evacuation is advised.

Official sources: UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? Yes, for visitors. Visitors who need a visa before arrival must buy health insurance, and visitors entering on a visa on arrival must buy it to stay beyond 30 days; the policy must cover emergency treatment of up to QAR 150,000 in Qatar for the whole stay and must come from an insurer registered with or approved by the Ministry of Public Health. No official page on health insurance for residents could be verified.

Medical documents: Travellers must hold a yellow fever vaccination certificate if arriving from a country with a risk of transmission, and a polio vaccination certificate in some circumstances.

Healthcare for expats: Healthcare facilities are similar to those in the UK, but visitors must pay for medical treatment.

Official sources: Qatar Ministry of Public Health (visitors’ health insurance); UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? Yes, for residents. Under the Cooperative Health Insurance Law, the sponsor of every non-Saudi resident must provide health insurance for that resident, and private-sector employers must extend cover to employees and their family members covered by the law. Visitors are also covered: a tourist e-visa includes health insurance of up to SAR 100,000, but an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) or electronic visa waiver does not.

Medical documents: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you are arriving from a country listed as a transmission risk. Hajj and Umrah pilgrims and seasonal workers must hold a certificate of quadrivalent meningococcal vaccination.

Healthcare for expats: Healthcare facilities in the major cities are of a high standard, and most towns have a health centre or basic hospital.

Official sources: Saudipedia (Saudi national encyclopaedia); UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice

Is health insurance required? Yes, for residents. In Dubai every resident, including dependants and domestic workers, must be covered, and the sponsor is legally responsible for providing at least the essential benefits plan. Since 1 January 2025, employers in the other emirates must also provide health insurance before a residence visa is issued or renewed.

Medical documents: Every residence visa applicant must pass a medical fitness test showing they are free of communicable diseases such as HIV and tuberculosis; some occupations, such as domestic workers and food handlers, are also tested for hepatitis B and syphilis.

Healthcare for expats: Employer plans often provide basic cover only, and dependants may need their own plan, so check what your sponsor’s policy includes.

Official sources: Dubai Health Authority; Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation; UAE Government portal (health conditions for residence visas)

Read the ExpatInsure guide to living in Dubai

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence or work permits. All visitors must obtain a visa in advance through a Yemeni embassy, and those staying more than 14 days must register their passport with the immigration authorities, but no official source sets a health insurance rule.

Medical documents: No medical certificates or vaccination certificates are listed by official sources for entry.

Healthcare for expats: Medical facilities are poor, particularly away from the main towns and cities. The UK Foreign Office advises holding health insurance that covers local treatment, medical evacuation and repatriation, and having access to funds to pay for treatment.

Official sources: UK Foreign Office travel advice, Yemen (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice, Yemen (health)

Is health insurance required? Yes, for some visas. The Algerian Consulate General in London states that travel insurance is mandatory for visa applicants from a list of countries (including Australia, Canada, France, Germany and Spain), starting on the first day of the visa’s validity; British and Irish citizens are exempt. For example, the Embassy in The Hague requires business visa applicants to hold cover of at least EUR 30,000 for medical expenses and repatriation for the whole validity of the visa.

Medical documents: No medical certificate is listed. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required only if you arrive from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission.

Healthcare for expats: Facilities at private clinics are usually better than those in government hospitals. You should have insurance or accessible funds to cover medical treatment and repatriation.

Official sources: Consulate General of Algeria in London (entry visas); Embassy of Algeria in The Hague (business visa); UK Foreign Office travel advice (Algeria health)

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence visas. The Angolan Consulate General’s checklist for the residence visa does not list health insurance.

Medical documents: Residence visa applicants need a medical certificate from a health centre stating that they have no infectious or contagious disease (translated into Portuguese, notarised and authenticated), and an international vaccination certificate.

Healthcare for expats: There are several competent private clinics in Luanda, but they charge high fees in advance, and healthcare outside Luanda is very limited. Insurance or accessible funds to cover treatment, medical evacuation and repatriation are advised.

Official sources: Consulate General of Angola in the United Kingdom (residence visa checklist); UK Foreign Office travel advice (Angola health)

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence or work permits. A visa is required to enter Benin, but the official sources checked do not require health insurance.

Medical documents: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required to enter Benin.

Healthcare for expats: Medical facilities are poor, particularly in rural areas, and emergency facilities are extremely limited. Serious treatment requires medical evacuation, so the Foreign Office advises insurance covering local treatment and evacuation, and access to funds.

Official sources: UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence or work permits. The Government of Botswana’s residence permit requirements do not list health insurance.

Medical documents: All residence permit applicants must provide a medical report of a full physical examination, and a yellow fever certificate is required to enter if arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission.

Healthcare for expats: Healthcare is usually good in major towns but limited in rural areas. Private hospitals will not treat patients who cannot pay, outpatient treatment must be paid up front, and public hospitals only take emergency patients with full insurance.

Official sources: Government of Botswana (residence permit application); UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice

Is health insurance required? Yes, for visas. For example, the Embassy of Burkina Faso in the United States requires transit, short-stay and long-stay visa applicants to provide a health insurance certificate covering the period of their stay; no minimum amount is set.

Medical documents: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required to pass border control, and the embassy also requires visa applicants to provide a medical certificate stating they are not suffering from a contagious disease.

Healthcare for expats: Medical facilities are very limited, and serious medical treatment requires evacuation to Europe. The UK Foreign Office currently advises against all travel to Burkina Faso.

Official sources: Embassy of Burkina Faso in the United States (visa conditions); UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence or work permits. A visa is required to visit Burundi, but the official sources checked do not require health insurance.

Medical documents: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required to enter Burundi.

Healthcare for expats: There is a lack of adequate medical facilities outside Bujumbura, where a small number of hospitals treat serious accidents. Serious cases may need medical evacuation to Kenya or Rwanda, so the Foreign Office advises insurance covering evacuation.

Official sources: UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for visas.

Medical documents: A copy of your yellow fever vaccination booklet must be uploaded with your e-visa application.

Healthcare for expats: Medical facilities are below UK standards and emergency care is extremely limited. Serious treatment usually means evacuation to Europe, so international health insurance that includes medical evacuation is strongly recommended.

Official sources: Embassy of Cameroon in Germany (visa formalities); UK Foreign Office travel advice

Is health insurance required? Yes, for students. Under Cabo Verde’s law on the entry, stay and exit of foreigners (Law 66/VIII/2014), higher education students must hold health insurance; the law does not set the same rule for other residence routes, and no minimum cover is set.

Medical documents: Residence visa applicants must present a health certificate and an international vaccination certificate, residence permit applications must include health documents, and applicants may be required to undergo a medical examination. A yellow fever certificate is required on entry if arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission.

Healthcare for expats: Health care is very basic and limited, and some medicines are in short supply or unavailable. The UK Global Health Insurance Card is not accepted, and evacuation from Brava and Santo Antao is very difficult because those islands have no working airports.

Official sources: Government of Cabo Verde, Law 66/VIII/2014 on the entry, stay and exit of foreigners (via SNIAC); UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence or work permits. A visa is required to visit, but the official sources checked do not require health insurance.

Medical documents: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required to pass border control.

Healthcare for expats: There are very few healthcare facilities, facilities in Bangui are very basic, and emergency services are unlikely to respond outside Bangui. The Foreign Office advises insurance that includes medical evacuation by air ambulance.

Official sources: UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for visas or residence. The visa requirements published by the Embassy of Chad in Germany do not include health or travel insurance; a visa is needed to visit Chad, and anyone staying more than 72 hours must register with the police.

Medical documents: Proof of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter Chad. No other medical documents are listed.

Healthcare for expats: Medical facilities in Chad are poor, and even in N’Djamena hospitals are stretched and sometimes affected by strikes. The Foreign Office advises holding insurance that covers local treatment and medical evacuation, together with accessible funds for treatment and repatriation.

Official sources: Embassy of the Republic of Chad in Germany (visa information, PDF); UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for visas or residence. A visa is required to enter Comoros and can be bought on arrival at Hahaya airport and other points of entry for EUR 30.

Medical documents: No medical documents are listed on the Foreign Office entry requirements page, which refers travellers to TravelHealthPro for vaccination requirements.

Healthcare for expats: Medical facilities on all three islands are basic and most are private, and disruptions to electricity and water supplies can affect hospitals. The Foreign Office advises insurance that covers local treatment and unexpected medical evacuation, together with accessible funds for treatment and repatriation.

Official sources: UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence or work permits. A visa is required to visit the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Foreign Office suggests a long-term visa for long stays.

Medical documents: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required to enter, and a polio vaccination certificate may be required in some circumstances. Travellers may also encounter health screening such as temperature checks at airports, linked to Ebola.

Healthcare for expats: Medical care is extremely limited: in Kinshasa the Centre Privé d’Urgence clinic can deal with basic problems and stabilise patients after most serious accidents, but outside Kinshasa Western-standard facilities are almost non-existent. Medical evacuation to South Africa or elsewhere could be necessary, and there is no general emergency number, so an ambulance must be requested directly from a hospital.

Official sources: UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence or work permits. A visa is required to enter Djibouti; a tourist visa can be bought on arrival, paid in US dollars, with evidence of an onward journey.

Medical documents: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you arrive from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission.

Healthcare for expats: Medical facilities in Djibouti are limited. The Foreign Office advises insurance that covers local treatment and unexpected medical evacuation, together with accessible funds for treatment and repatriation.

Official sources: UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence or work permits. Long-term visitors must obtain a residence permit, valid for one year, from the Ministry of National Security, but no official source states a health insurance requirement for it.

Medical documents: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required to enter Equatorial Guinea. You may also have to complete a health questionnaire about any recent travel to Ebola-affected countries.

Healthcare for expats: Medical facilities are generally poor, apart from the La Paz hospital in Malabo, and emergency facilities are extremely limited. Serious treatment is likely to mean evacuation to Europe, so cover for medical evacuation and repatriation is important.

Official sources: UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence or work permits. A visa is required to enter Eritrea, but no official source states a health insurance requirement.

Medical documents: Depending on your circumstances, a yellow fever vaccination certificate may be required; the UK Foreign Office advises checking TravelHealthPro’s Eritrea guide at least eight weeks before travel.

Healthcare for expats: There are three public hospitals in Asmara, but public hospitals in other towns are often poorly equipped and facilities in rural areas are even more limited. Insurance that covers local treatment and medical evacuation is advised.

Official sources: UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence or work permits. Anyone wishing to stay longer than 60 days must apply for a temporary residence permit, but no official source states a health insurance requirement for it.

Medical documents: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you are arriving from a country listed as a yellow fever transmission risk. You may need to complete a health form if travelling by air, and you will be asked health-related questions at land borders.

Healthcare for expats: Basic healthcare is available, but there are shortages of common medicines, and serious emergencies or specialised treatment are likely to require travel to South Africa. Local private hospitals can arrange evacuation only if you are fully insured or can produce funds in advance.

Official sources: UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence or work permits. Foreign nationals must hold a valid Ethiopian visa or residence permit throughout their stay, but no official source states a health insurance requirement.

Medical documents: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you are arriving from a country listed as a yellow fever transmission risk. Travellers from some countries may have to complete a health declaration form.

Healthcare for expats: Only private hospitals in Addis Ababa offer a reasonable standard of basic care for minor health problems; outside the capital, medical facilities are extremely poor and ambulance services are limited. Insurance that covers local treatment and medical evacuation is advised.

Official sources: German Embassy in Addis Ababa (staying in Ethiopia); UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence or work permits. Business visitors need a letter of invitation from a person or company in Gabon, but no official source states a health insurance requirement.

Medical documents: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required to enter Gabon.

Healthcare for expats: Medical facilities are limited, particularly in rural areas, and emergency help can be limited. The UK Foreign Office advises holding adequate health insurance and accessible funds to cover treatment, medical evacuation and repatriation.

Official sources: UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence or work permits. A residence permit is needed for longer stays, but no official source states a health insurance requirement.

Medical documents: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you are arriving from a country listed as a yellow fever transmission risk.

Healthcare for expats: Medical facilities in The Gambia are very limited, private clinics will only treat fee-paying patients, and the cost of medical evacuation can be very high.

Official sources: UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence or work permits. Foreign nationals who live in Ghana, or stay at least 90 days in a calendar year, must register with the National Identification Authority and obtain a non-citizen Ghana card, but no official source states a health insurance requirement.

Medical documents: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required to enter Ghana, and proof of vaccination must be uploaded with a visa application.

Healthcare for expats: Medical facilities are poor outside towns, and serious medical treatment will require medical evacuation. The UK Foreign Office advises holding adequate health insurance and accessible funds to cover treatment and repatriation.

Official sources: UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for visas, residence or work permits.

Medical documents: You must have a yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter if you are arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission, and e-visa applicants must upload a yellow fever vaccination certificate with their application.

Healthcare for expats: Medical facilities are poor, and equipment is basic and often not sterile; serious treatment requires medical evacuation to Europe. The UK Foreign Office advises holding health insurance that covers treatment, evacuation and repatriation.

Official sources: UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for visas, residence or work permits.

Medical documents: You must have a yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter Guinea-Bissau.

Healthcare for expats: Medical facilities are extremely limited and hospitals are not fully operational. Medicines are available only from pharmacies, which do not have accreditation with UK insurers, so you should check refund arrangements with your insurer beforehand; the UK Foreign Office advises holding insurance that covers local treatment and unexpected medical evacuation.

Official sources: UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence or work permits. The official list of documents for a provisional residence permit (titre provisoire de séjour) does not include health insurance, and the UK Foreign Office entry requirements set no insurance rule for entry.

Medical documents: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required to enter Côte d’Ivoire. Travellers arriving from countries affected by Ebola should expect health screening and may be monitored for up to 21 days after arrival.

Healthcare for expats: Medical facilities in Abidjan are of a reasonable standard but can be expensive, emergency facilities are limited to a few major hospitals, and facilities outside Abidjan are rudimentary. Serious treatment could require medical evacuation, so cover for evacuation as well as local treatment is advised.

Official sources: Ivorian Government public services portal (provisional residence permit); UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? Yes, for visitors and residents in different ways. From 5 October 2026 most travellers visiting Kenya for less than 12 months must buy Kenyan Government-provided travel health insurance (valid for 90 days, multiple entries), and foreign travel insurance is not accepted in its place; holders of Kenyan residence status are exempt. Every person resident in Kenya, including foreign residents with a Foreign Resident Certificate, is required to register with the Social Health Authority.

Medical documents: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required only if you arrive from a country listed as a yellow fever transmission risk. Travellers arriving from Uganda, Ethiopia or the Democratic Republic of the Congo may face Ebola screening.

Healthcare for expats: Foreign residents register with the Social Health Authority using their Foreign Resident Certificate (Alien ID). The UK Foreign Office advises insurance covering local treatment and unexpected medical evacuation.

Official sources: UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); Social Health Authority, Kenya (registration); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence or work permits. Visitors may stay up to 90 days without a visa and must also meet South Africa’s entry requirements, as all travel is through South Africa.

Medical documents: Residence permit applications require a completed medical form. No vaccination certificate is listed in the official sources checked.

Healthcare for expats: Lesotho has basic medical facilities, with district hospitals in most districts outside Maseru. Most foreign visitors use healthcare facilities in Bloemfontein, South Africa, a 90-minute drive from Maseru.

Official sources: Government of Lesotho (non-citizens service delivery charter); UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence or work permits. Visitors need a visa, and longer stays require a Liberian residence permit; the UK Foreign Office entry requirements set no insurance rule.

Medical documents: A yellow fever vaccination certificate must be provided as part of the visa application. Travellers arriving in Liberia may face heightened health screening.

Healthcare for expats: Hospitals and medical facilities are poorly equipped, blood supplies are unreliable and unsafe, quality medication is scarce, and there is no effective accident and emergency or ambulance service anywhere in the country. Most providers accept cash only, so insurance covering treatment, medical evacuation and repatriation is advised.

Official sources: UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence or work permits. Visas for residence and work are issued on the basis of a Ministry of Labour permit for the admission of foreign workers; the UK Foreign Office advises against travel and sets out no insurance rule.

Medical documents: No vaccination is required for visitors, but vaccination is necessary for foreign nationals living and working in Libya; the specific vaccines are not listed in the source.

Healthcare for expats: Healthcare is generally below UK standards, with private clinics in Tripoli and acute shortages of skilled staff and medical supplies. Treatment may mean evacuation to Malta or mainland Europe, and air ambulance providers may not be allowed to operate within Libya.

Official sources: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Serbia (visas and travel advisory, Libya); UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for visas. For example, the Embassy of Madagascar in Germany’s document list for the long-stay investor visa does not include health or travel insurance, although the embassy may request additional documents.

Medical documents: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you are arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission, and a polio vaccination may be required in some circumstances. Travellers arriving from cholera-affected countries may be asked to take an anti-cholera drug at the airport.

Healthcare for expats: Hospitals in Antananarivo are limited and can only handle routine operations; for complex surgery patients are flown to Mauritius, South Africa or Réunion. Insurance covering local treatment and medical evacuation, or accessible funds for treatment and repatriation, is advised.

Official sources: Embassy of the Republic of Madagascar in Germany (investor visa document list); UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence or work permits. The Malawi Department of Immigration pages for the Temporary Employment Permit and Temporary Residence Permit refer only to an application form and supporting documents, and the UK Foreign Office lists no insurance requirement for entry.

Medical documents: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you are arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission, and a polio vaccination may be required in some circumstances. Arriving passengers must complete a Traveller Health Check form.

Healthcare for expats: Medical facilities throughout Malawi cannot provide the same standard of care as in the UK, rural facilities are basic and emergency services are limited. Many facilities require payment in advance, so accessible funds and insurance covering treatment, medical evacuation and repatriation are advised.

Official sources: Malawi Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services (Temporary Employment Permit); UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence or work permits. The UK Foreign Office lists no insurance requirement for entry, and no official Malian source stating residence permit requirements was found.

Medical documents: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required to enter Mali.

Healthcare for expats: Medical facilities in Mali are very limited and emergency response capacity is restricted, so you may need to arrange your own transport to a clinic or hospital. Insurance covering medical evacuation, and funds for treatment and repatriation, are advised; the UK Foreign Office currently advises against all travel to Mali.

Official sources: UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence or work permits. The UK Foreign Office lists no insurance requirement for entry, and no official Mauritanian source stating residence permit requirements was found.

Medical documents: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you are arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission.

Healthcare for expats: Medical facilities are extremely limited, especially outside Nouakchott and Nouadhibou. Clinics in the two main cities charge for treatment, sometimes in euros or US dollars, and may not accept foreign insurance cards, so accessible funds and insurance covering treatment, medical evacuation and repatriation are advised.

Official sources: UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? Yes, for the Premium Visa. Applicants must hold travel and health insurance for the intended period of stay, for both first applications and renewals, and for applicants already in Mauritius the length of the Premium Visa is aligned with the validity of the health insurance. No minimum level of cover is published, and no official insurance rule was found for other permits.

Medical documents: None required for the Premium Visa, whose holders must follow the Ministry of Health and Wellness sanitary protocols. On entry, travellers arriving from a country where malaria is common may be asked for a blood sample.

Healthcare for expats: Good private healthcare is available but can be expensive, and ambulance quality and response times vary. Complex cases may need transfer to Réunion or South Africa, so insurance covering local treatment and medical evacuation is advised.

Official sources: Economic Development Board Mauritius (Premium Visa FAQs); UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for visas, residence or work permits. The Embassy of Mozambique’s lists of documents for visit, business, tourist, work and residence visas do not include health insurance.

Medical documents: Work visa applicants must provide a clean bill of health, valid for three months. Anyone who has been in a yellow fever endemic country must present a yellow fever vaccination certificate at the embassy and at the border, and a polio vaccination certificate may be required in certain circumstances.

Healthcare for expats: Hospital facilities are of a lower standard than in the UK, especially in the north of the country, and serious illness or injury may require medical evacuation to South Africa or the UK. Insurance that covers local treatment and emergency evacuation is advised.

Official sources: Embassy of the Republic of Mozambique in Washington, DC (visa requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? Yes, for the Digital Nomad Visa. Applicants must provide proof of medical insurance and/or comprehensive travel insurance for a stay of up to six months; no minimum level of cover is published. No insurance requirement is published for employment, study or permanent residence permits.

Medical documents: Initial applications for employment, study and permanent residence permits must include a completed medical report (form 3-1/0003) and a radiological report (form 3-1/0004). A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you arrive from a country listed as a transmission risk.

Healthcare for expats: There are good medical facilities in Windhoek, but private hospitals may insist on payment before treatment even if you are insured. Some travel insurance policies are not recognised by some Namibian hospitals, so check that your cover will be accepted.

Official sources: Namibia Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security (permit requirements); Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (Digital Nomad Visa); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence or work permits. The UK Foreign Office states that a visa is needed to enter Niger but lists no insurance requirement.

Medical documents: All travellers must have a yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter Niger. No other medical documents are listed by the official sources consulted.

Healthcare for expats: Medical facilities are poor, even in Niamey, and serious medical treatment would require evacuation to Europe. Insurance that covers local treatment and unexpected medical evacuation is advised.

Official sources: UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? Yes, under national law rather than as a visa condition. The National Health Insurance Authority Act 2022 requires the Authority to ensure that health insurance is mandatory for every Nigerian and legal resident, but no official guidance is published on how this applies to foreign residents.

Medical documents: All travellers must have a yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter Nigeria; infants aged eight months or younger and adults aged 61 or older are exempt. International travellers must also complete an online Nigeria Health Declaration Form before travel.

Healthcare for expats: Medical standards differ from the UK: local hospitals may be crowded and short of supplies and equipment, and there is no national ambulance service. You will have to pay for treatment at public hospitals, and private hospitals cost more.

Official sources: National Health Insurance Authority, Nigeria (NHIA Act); UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence or work permits. A visa is needed to enter, and the UK Foreign Office entry requirements page sets no health insurance rule for entry.

Medical documents: All travellers must hold a yellow fever vaccination certificate to pass border control. Arrivals may also face enhanced health screening because of the Ebola outbreak in the neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Healthcare for expats: Medical facilities are limited, particularly in rural areas, and medical evacuation is likely to be necessary for all but the most basic treatment. Insurance should specifically include the very high cost of evacuation by air ambulance.

Official sources: UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence or work permits. The general permit information from Rwanda’s Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration does not mention health insurance.

Medical documents: Travellers arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission must hold a yellow fever vaccination certificate, and health screening is in place at Kigali International Airport.

Healthcare for expats: Only limited medical facilities are available. After a serious accident or illness you may need to be evacuated by air ambulance to Kenya or South Africa, so insurance that covers medical evacuation is advised.

Official sources: Rwanda Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration (permit general information); UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence or work permits. The UK Foreign Office entry requirements do not mention health insurance for entry.

Medical documents: You must hold a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you are arriving from a country listed as a yellow fever transmission risk.

Healthcare for expats: Medical facilities are limited, and many health conditions need evacuation to Europe, South Africa, Ghana or Gabon for treatment. Insurance that covers local treatment and unexpected medical evacuation is advised.

Official sources: UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence or work permits. Visitors may stay up to three months without a visa; those staying longer must register with the local authorities, who issue a Carte d’étranger, and the UK Foreign Office does not mention health insurance for either step.

Medical documents: You must hold a yellow fever vaccination certificate, including if you have transited through the airport of a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission; babies aged nine months and under are exempt.

Healthcare for expats: Medical facilities in Dakar are reasonable but are limited in the rest of Senegal. Insurance that covers local treatment and unexpected medical evacuation is advised.

Official sources: UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence or work permits. Residence permit holders must instead lodge a bank guarantee of at least SCR 20,000, which the authorities may draw on for costs including care and treatment, and visitors may be asked on arrival to show proof of travel insurance covering potential health costs.

Medical documents: You must hold a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you are arriving from a country listed as a transmission risk. No medical certificate is listed for the residence permit.

Healthcare for expats: Residence permit holders are not entitled to free medical services, and residents from overseas pay for some treatment, including medication and prescriptions. Victoria Hospital on Mahé has an accident and emergency department, and there are local health centres and many private clinics, mostly offering GP services.

Official sources: Seychelles Immigration and Civil Status Department (residence permit); UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice

Is health insurance required? Yes, for study visas. Applicants must show proof of medical cover with a medical scheme registered under South Africa’s Medical Schemes Act, renewed annually for the whole period of study. No equivalent rule for other visas was found in the official sources read.

Medical documents: You must hold a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you are arriving from a country listed as a transmission risk. Study visa applicants must also submit a medical report on the prescribed form (DHA-811), no more than six months old.

Healthcare for expats: Private medical care is of a very high standard but can be expensive. Public medical care varies across the country, and standards of treatment and hygiene may not match those in the UK.

Official sources: Embassy of South Africa, Washington DC (Department of International Relations and Cooperation) – study visa requirements; UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence or work permits. A visa is needed to enter, and the UK Foreign Office entry requirements do not mention health insurance.

Medical documents: You must hold a yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter South Sudan.

Healthcare for expats: Health facilities are extremely limited throughout the country, and many medical issues require evacuation to neighbouring hubs. Insurance and funds to cover treatment, medical evacuation and repatriation are advised.

Official sources: UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence or work permits. A visa is needed to enter, and the UK Foreign Office entry requirements do not mention health insurance.

Medical documents: You must hold a yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter Sudan.

Healthcare for expats: Medical facilities are limited, and the current conflict has severely affected health services, many of which may be unavailable. Medical evacuation is likely to be necessary for all but the most basic treatment.

Official sources: UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice

Is health insurance required? Yes, for visitors on entry. All visitors to mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar, except residents, must hold the mandatory Tanzanian Government-provided inbound travel insurance, even if they have their own policy, and may be refused entry without it. The official residence permit guidelines (Classes A, B and C) do not list health insurance among the required documents.

Medical documents: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you are arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission, and all travellers must complete the Travellers Health Surveillance Form. The residence permit guidelines do not require a general medical certificate.

Healthcare for expats: Medical facilities are limited, especially outside Dar es Salaam, so insurance that covers local treatment and unexpected medical evacuation is advised.

Official sources: UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); Tanzania Immigration Department e-Services (residence permit guidelines); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence or work permits. The UK Foreign Office entry page sets no health insurance requirement to enter Togo.

Medical documents: You must have a certificate proving yellow fever vaccination to enter Togo.

Healthcare for expats: Medical facilities are poor and emergency facilities are extremely limited; serious treatment may require medical evacuation, so insurance that covers local treatment and evacuation is advised.

Official sources: UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence or work permits. The UK Foreign Office entry page covers only visits of up to 90 days without a visa and sets no insurance requirement, and refers residence and work questions to the Tunisian Embassy.

Medical documents: No medical requirement is published in the official sources reviewed; the UK Foreign Office entry page names no required vaccination.

Healthcare for expats: There is no provision for free medical attention for foreign nationals in Tunisia. All doctors’ fees, medication and treatment in private clinics must be paid on the spot and sometimes in advance, and these costs can be high.

Official sources: UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence or work permits. For example, the official document list for the Class G2 entry permit for employed foreign nationals includes police and tax clearance, an appointment letter and qualifications, but not health insurance.

Medical documents: None required: the Immigration Directorate announced on 2 October 2026 that a yellow fever vaccination certificate is no longer mandatory for entry into Uganda, and the G2 permit list includes no medical certificate.

Healthcare for expats: Medical facilities are limited, especially outside Kampala, and many popular tourist attractions have poor medical facilities. If you are seriously ill or have an accident you may need an air ambulance, so insurance that covers medical evacuation is advised.

Official sources: National Citizenship and Immigration Control, Uganda (Class G2 entry permit); National Citizenship and Immigration Control, Uganda (yellow fever notice); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? Yes. Under the National Health Insurance (General) Regulations, 2019, a foreigner who enters Zambia without valid health insurance must apply for health insurance at the port of entry through a National Health Insurance Management Authority agent. Established residents must register with the National Health Insurance Scheme, and employers must register their employees.

Medical documents: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you arrive from a country listed as a yellow fever transmission risk. No other medical certificates are listed.

Healthcare for expats: Registered members of the National Health Insurance Scheme, including employees and self-employed established residents, contribute 1 per cent of basic salary or declared income, with employers paying a further 1 per cent. Medical facilities are of a lower standard than in the UK, rural facilities are basic and emergency services are limited, so cover for medical evacuation is advised.

Official sources: National Health Insurance Management Authority (NHIMA), National Health Insurance (General) Regulations, 2019 (Statutory Instrument No. 63 of 2019); UK Foreign Office travel advice, Zambia (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice, Zambia (health)

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence or work permits. Visitors need a visa, usually issued on arrival for 30 days, and anyone staying longer, working or studying must apply for the relevant permit through the Department of Immigration; the UK Government nevertheless advises residents who cannot register for healthcare to hold private healthcare cover for Zimbabwe.

Medical documents: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you arrive from a country listed as a yellow fever transmission risk. No other medical certificates are listed by official sources.

Healthcare for expats: Zimbabwe and the UK have no reciprocal healthcare agreement, and many employers provide medical aid as part of a salary package. Care is variable and can be very poor outside the major cities, with shortages of drugs and trained staff; private clinics will not treat patients until they pay, often in large amounts of cash (sometimes only US dollars), and cover for treatment in South Africa is recommended.

Official sources: UK Government, Living in Zimbabwe guidance; UK Foreign Office travel advice, Zimbabwe (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice, Zimbabwe (health)

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for visas or residence. Official sources do not set any health insurance rule for entry or residence in Afghanistan.

Medical documents: No vaccination or medical certificate is listed as required on entry; however, the Afghan authorities may ask for a certificate proving polio vaccination when you depart.

Healthcare for expats: Only very limited medical facilities are available, and there is no guarantee that local health practitioners will be available. Ambulances sent by hospitals may require payment or evidence of insurance before treating you, so insurance that covers local treatment and medical evacuation is advised.

Official sources: UK Foreign Office travel advice (Afghanistan entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice (Afghanistan health)

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence permits. The Armenian Government’s list of documents for temporary and permanent residence permits does not include health insurance.

Medical documents: Applicants for temporary and permanent residence permits must submit a health certificate.

Healthcare for expats: Public medical facilities in Yerevan are generally sufficient for minor or straightforward ailments, but public healthcare outside Yerevan is likely to be basic. Private hospitals are of a good standard but can be expensive.

Official sources: National Services Gateway of Armenia (temporary and permanent residence); UK Foreign Office travel advice (Armenia health)

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence permits. The State Migration Service’s list of documents for a temporary residence permit does not include health insurance.

Medical documents: Temporary residence permit applicants must provide a certificate confirming they do not carry dangerous infectious diseases, such as HIV and hepatitis B and C.

Healthcare for expats: Medical facilities outside Baku are very limited, and even in Baku serious illness or injury may require evacuation to Turkey or Western Europe. Insurance that covers local treatment and medical evacuation is advised.

Official sources: State Migration Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan (temporary residence permit); UK Foreign Office travel advice (Azerbaijan health)

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for visas, residence or work permits. Official sources do not set a health insurance rule; people working in Bangladesh must obtain a work permit.

Medical documents: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you arrive from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission, and a polio vaccination certificate may be required in certain circumstances.

Healthcare for expats: Medical facilities are poor, and routine tests and X-rays are unreliable. Insurance and access to funds for local treatment and medical evacuation are advised.

Official sources: UK Foreign Office travel advice (Bangladesh entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice (Bangladesh health)

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence or work permits. The Department of Immigration’s work permit document list does not include health insurance, and visas for business or other non-tourism purposes are arranged through the sponsoring organisation in Bhutan.

Medical documents: Work permit applicants need a medical fitness certificate from a government-certified medical officer in Bhutan; the official medical examination form includes a chest X-ray, blood tests (including HIV, hepatitis B and C, syphilis and malaria) and a drug test.

Healthcare for expats: Healthcare facilities vary in quality, and complex treatment is not available locally, so patients may need evacuation to India or Thailand. The Foreign Office advises insurance that includes emergency helicopter evacuation and repatriation.

Official sources: Department of Immigration, Bhutan (issuance and renewal of work permit); Ministry of Health, Bhutan (Form D: Medical Examination for Non-Immigrant Work Permit); UK Foreign Office travel advice

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence or work permits. Work, study and business stays require the appropriate visa or work permit from the Brunei authorities, but the official sources checked do not require health insurance.

Medical documents: New foreign workers must have a comprehensive medical examination, including blood tests for communicable diseases and a chest X-ray, in their home country before arriving in Brunei, and renewing workers are also screened. A yellow fever certificate is required if arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission, a polio vaccination may be required in some circumstances, and all arrivals must complete a Health Declaration Form.

Healthcare for expats: Standards of healthcare are generally acceptable, though basic hospital supplies can occasionally run low; the main hospitals are the government RIPAS hospital and the private Jerudong Park Medical Centre. Complications may require medical evacuation to Singapore.

Official sources: Ministry of Health, Brunei Darussalam (foreign worker health screening); UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for visas or work permits. The Royal Embassy of Cambodia in Washington states that foreign nationals are not required, but are recommended, to show health insurance on entry.

Medical documents: A yellow fever certificate is required if arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission; no other medical documents are listed.

Healthcare for expats: The Foreign Office advises checking that local facilities can provide the care you may need and holding insurance that covers local treatment and unexpected medical evacuation.

Official sources: Royal Embassy of Cambodia in Washington, D.C. (frequently asked questions); UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice

Is health insurance required? Yes, for employees. Employers must register foreign employees for social insurance, including basic medical insurance, within 30 days of the employee obtaining an employment permit, with both employer and employee paying contributions (as set out, for example, by the Beijing Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau). No insurance requirement is published for other visas.

Medical documents: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you arrive from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission. Travellers may be screened on arrival or during their stay, usually by temperature scanning and less often by swabs, blood tests or medical examinations.

Healthcare for expats: Employed foreigners are covered through the Chinese basic medical insurance scheme. Healthcare in China is not free and can be very expensive, so the Foreign Office advises insurance that covers healthcare, medical evacuation and repatriation.

Official sources: Beijing Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau (social insurance for foreigners); UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for visas, residence or work permits. Foreigners staying more than 180 days without an Overseas Citizenship of India card must register with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office within 14 days of arrival, but no health insurance condition is published for this.

Medical documents: You must have a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you are arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission, and a polio vaccination certificate if you are arriving from a polio-affected country. All international passengers must complete a self-declaration form up to 24 hours before arrival.

Healthcare for expats: Government and more expensive private medical care is available in major cities, but specialised treatment may not be available outside them and facilities in remote areas differ from UK standards. Hospitals usually require a family member or paid caregiver to stay with the patient.

Official sources: UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for the residence visas checked. For example, the immigration authority’s requirements for the E33 Special Residency Visa and the E33E retiree visa for people aged 55 and over list financial guarantees and bank statements, but not health insurance.

Medical documents: You need a yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter if you are arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission. The E33 and E33E visa requirements do not list a medical certificate.

Healthcare for expats: The standard of local medical care can be poor and some medical tests cannot be performed reliably, while good medical care can be expensive. Medical evacuation can cost tens of thousands of pounds, so the UK Foreign Office advises holding insurance that covers it.

Official sources: Directorate General of Immigration of Indonesia (E33E Retiree Special Residency Visa); UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice

Is health insurance required? Yes, in the form of public insurance: foreign residents with permission to stay three months or more must join National Health Insurance unless they are covered by an employer’s scheme. Private insurance is a visa condition only for particular statuses; for example, the six-month Designated Activities (digital nomad) status requires private medical insurance covering death, injury and illness, with at least JPY 10 million of medical cover, for the whole stay.

Medical documents: Nationals of the Philippines, Nepal and Viet Nam applying to stay as mid- to long-term residents must submit a TB Clearance Certificate from an approved panel clinic (based on a chest X-ray, valid for 180 days); the same rule applies to Indonesian nationals from 4 January 2027, with Myanmar and China to follow on dates not yet set. No other medical documents are published for visas.

Healthcare for expats: Foreign nationals registered as residents with permission to stay for three months or more must join National Health Insurance at their local municipal office, unless they are covered by an employer’s health insurance; patients aged 6 to 69 then pay 30% of treatment costs. Medical facilities are of a high quality but treatment is expensive, and those without Japanese health insurance should expect to pay the whole cost.

Official sources: Immigration Services Agency of Japan (Designated Activities, digital nomad); Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (Japan Pre-Entry Tuberculosis Screening); Osaka City Government (National Health Insurance)

Read the ExpatInsure guide to living in Japan

Is health insurance required? Yes, for temporary residence permits. Applicants for a temporary residence permit, including citizens of Eurasian Economic Union countries, must hold a valid health insurance policy covering primary healthcare and emergency inpatient care, under the Law on Migration. No minimum sum is published.

Medical documents: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required only if you arrive from a country listed as a yellow fever transmission risk. No other medical documents are listed in the sources checked.

Healthcare for expats: Medical facilities are not as advanced as in the UK and medical staff do not typically speak English. Funds or insurance to cover treatment, air ambulance evacuation and repatriation are advised.

Official sources: Astana International Financial Centre (health insurance for temporary residence permits); UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence or work permits in the official sources we could read. The UK Foreign Office entry requirements set no insurance rule for visitors, who may stay up to 30 days in each 60-day period without a visa.

Medical documents: No medical documents are listed in the official sources we could read. Visitors must register within 5 days of entry.

Healthcare for expats: Medical care is not of UK standard: facilities are often badly equipped and unhygienic, drugs are in limited supply, and you may need to pay cash for medication. There is no reciprocal healthcare agreement with the UK, so insurance covering treatment and medical evacuation is advised.

Official sources: UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence or work permits. The official document lists for the Business Visa for Work (LA-B2) and the foreign labour work permit do not include health insurance.

Medical documents: Work permit applicants must provide a health certificate (certification of health) for the foreign worker. No vaccination certificate is listed in the sources checked.

Healthcare for expats: Medical care can be basic, and outside the capital there are no reliable facilities for medical emergencies. You may be asked to pay in advance for an ambulance and treatment, and medical evacuation is difficult to organise and very expensive.

Official sources: Lao Trade Portal, Government of Lao PDR (Permit for Foreign Labour to Work in Lao); Lao Trade Portal, Government of Lao PDR (Business Visa for Work, LA-B2); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? Yes, for some passes. Student pass applicants at universities and private higher education institutions must hold a health insurance policy recognised in Malaysia with at least 12 months of cover, and school-level students and dependants need a policy valid in Malaysia for at least one year. Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) participants must provide proof of health insurance when renewing their pass after the programme’s maximum years; no minimum cover is published.

Medical documents: MM2H participants and their dependants must undergo a compulsory medical check-up at a panel clinic or hospital appointed by the Ministry, and must provide their latest medical report at renewal. Students must undergo a post-arrival medical examination within seven days of arriving, and Sarawak applicants also need a health report from their home country.

Healthcare for expats: Government and private hospitals charge for all services, and private care is expensive. The UK Foreign Office advises having accessible funds to cover the cost of medical treatment abroad and repatriation.

Official sources: Malaysia My Second Home, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (requirements and regulations); Immigration Department of Malaysia (student pass); UK Foreign Office travel advice

Is health insurance required? Yes, for work permits. Employers must obtain work permit health cover or insurance for each foreign employee from a service provider registered with the Ministry, submit it with the work permit application, and renew and resubmit it if it expires; work permit fees can only be paid for a period covered by valid insurance. No minimum level of cover is published, and no insurance requirement is listed for entry.

Medical documents: Work permit applicants need a medical report from a registered health service in their home country, no more than 45 days old, and a fitness-to-work medical carried out through a health service registered with the Ministry of Health in the Maldives; a permit may be refused on health grounds. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you are arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission.

Healthcare for expats: Medical facilities are limited and the only fully equipped hospitals are in Malé and Hulhumalé; many resort islands are several hours from emergency treatment. Insurance covering local treatment and medical evacuation is advised.

Official sources: Maldives Ministry of Economic Development and Trade (Regulation on Foreign Employment 2021/R-16); UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence permits. For example, the Immigration Agency of Mongolia’s document list for the G (immigrant) residence permit includes a health reference letter but not health insurance, and the UK Foreign Office lists no insurance requirement for entry.

Medical documents: Applicants for the G residence permit must provide a reference letter on mental health, communicable disease and HIV. No vaccination certificate is listed for entry.

Healthcare for expats: Outside Ulaanbaatar the standard of healthcare is limited and doctors may not speak English. Hospitals require payment of 80 per cent of the treatment cost in advance, so insurance covering full medical expenses, air ambulance and repatriation is advised.

Official sources: Immigration Agency of Mongolia (G residence permit); UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for visas. The official eVisa requirements do not include health or travel insurance, and we have found no official statement of insurance rules for longer-term residence.

Medical documents: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you arrive from a country listed as a yellow fever transmission risk. No other medical documents are listed.

Healthcare for expats: Outside Yangon and Mandalay competent care is hard to find, and services are not to UK standards; treatment usually requires cash payment up front. Serious illness or injury may require transfer to a neighbouring country, most likely Thailand.

Official sources: Ministry of Hotels and Tourism, Myanmar (eVisa); UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence or work permits. On arrival, border officials may ask to see travel insurance that covers healthcare costs, including repatriation.

Medical documents: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you arrive from a country listed as a transmission risk, and a polio vaccination certificate if you arrive from certain countries with a polio transmission risk.

Healthcare for expats: Healthcare is poor in most places outside the Kathmandu Valley and Pokhara, and treatment at western travellers’ clinics is expensive. Rapid helicopter evacuation from remote areas can be difficult and typically costs GBP 1,000 to GBP 2,000 or more per flying hour.

Official sources: UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for visas or residence. The UK Foreign Office states that a visa is needed and that independent travellers need a sponsor and permission from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, but lists no insurance rule.

Medical documents: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you arrive from a country listed as a transmission risk. No other medical documents are listed by the official sources consulted.

Healthcare for expats: Health facilities are poor, standards of clinical hygiene in hospitals are low and anaesthetics are sometimes unavailable. Evacuation is likely to be necessary for serious illness or injury, and the Foreign Office advises avoiding surgery if at all possible.

Official sources: UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for visas, residence or work permits. The UK Foreign Office states that a visa must be obtained in advance but lists no insurance rule.

Medical documents: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you arrive from a country listed as a transmission risk, and a polio vaccination certificate may be required in some circumstances.

Healthcare for expats: The standard of local medical facilities is lower than in the UK, especially in remote areas. Private medical care is expensive but available in all major cities.

Official sources: UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? No general requirement is published; for example, the Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV) Human Touch option, for retirees who need medical or clinical care, requires a health insurance policy accepted in the Philippines. No minimum level of cover is published, and the standard SRRV options do not list health insurance as a requirement.

Medical documents: SRRV applicants must submit an original medical clearance, valid for up to six months from its date of issue. No medical requirement is published for other visas on the official pages read.

Healthcare for expats: Foreign retirees holding an SRRV, and other foreign residents holding an Alien Certificate of Registration Identity Card (ACR I-Card), may voluntarily join the national health insurer, PhilHealth, for an annual premium. Medical care may not meet UK standards, particularly in rural and remote areas, and private hospital care is expensive, with intensive care costing more than GBP 1,000 a day.

Official sources: Philippine Consulate General, New York (Special Resident Retiree’s Visa); PhilHealth (coverage for foreign nationals); UK Foreign Office travel advice

Read the ExpatInsure guide to living in Philippines

Is health insurance required? Yes, for some work passes. Employers must buy and maintain medical insurance for each Work Permit and S Pass holder, covering inpatient care and day surgery with an annual claim limit of at least SGD 60,000 (each sub-limit must also meet that figure), and the cost cannot be passed on to the worker; for Work Permit holders the cover must last the full validity of the permit. For Employment Pass holders there is no such rule: employers can choose whether to provide medical insurance.

Medical documents: Work Permit holders must pass a medical examination, screening for tuberculosis, HIV, syphilis and malaria, before the permit is issued (usually within two weeks of arrival). No medical examination requirement is published on the official pages read for S Pass or Employment Pass holders.

Healthcare for expats: The national MediShield Life scheme protects Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents, so foreign pass holders rely on employer or private cover. Healthcare in Singapore is of a high quality but expensive, and English is widely spoken in public and private hospitals.

Official sources: Ministry of Manpower (Work Permit medical insurance requirements); Ministry of Manpower (S Pass medical insurance requirements); Ministry of Manpower (Employment Pass key facts)

Read the ExpatInsure guide to living in Singapore

Is health insurance required? Yes, in the form of public insurance: no private insurance requirement is published for visas, but foreign residents who stay in Korea for six months or longer must enrol in the National Health Insurance. Those with overseas insurance may be exempted only if they apply, and failure to enrol or pay premiums can limit visa extensions.

Medical documents: No general medical requirement is published on the official pages that could be read.

Healthcare for expats: Since April 2024, foreign residents generally must have lived in Korea for at least six months before becoming eligible for National Health Insurance, although some dependants and holders of D-2 (student), D-4-3, E-9, F-5 and F-6 visas are eligible immediately. Medical and dental care is usually of a good standard but can be expensive, staff may not speak English, and hospitals may ask you to bring a guardian to assist you during a stay.

Official sources: Korea.net, official website of the Republic of Korea (mandatory health insurance for foreign residents); Korea.net, official website of the Republic of Korea (six-month stay rule from April 2024); UK Foreign Office travel advice

Read the ExpatInsure guide to living in South Korea

Is health insurance required? Yes, for some residence visas. For example, holders of the My Dream Home residence visa must hold a valid medical insurance policy that applies in Sri Lanka. No general health insurance requirement is published for other visas, and none is listed for entry on an Electronic Travel Authorisation.

Medical documents: You must hold a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you are arriving from a country listed as a transmission risk.

Healthcare for expats: Emergency treatment is not readily available outside the main cities, and patients may have to be brought to Colombo. Treatment in private hospitals can be expensive, and repatriation options in an emergency are limited and very costly.

Official sources: Department of Immigration and Emigration, Sri Lanka (My Dream Home Visa Programme); UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice

Is health insurance required? Yes, for residents. Foreign nationals holding a resident certificate must join the National Health Insurance programme once they have lived in Taiwan for six months (one trip abroad of up to 30 days is allowed in that period), and employed foreign nationals must be enrolled by their employer from their first day of work. Spouses and children of foreign professionals can be enrolled as dependants through the employer.

Medical documents: Some resident visa categories require a health certificate; for example, applicants for a resident visa for religious work must submit one issued within three months by a hospital designated by Taiwan’s Centers for Disease Control, or by a foreign hospital with authentication by a Taiwan overseas mission.

Healthcare for expats: Health and dental facilities offer a range of routine, emergency and outpatient services, and some have English-speaking staff. Hospitals operate on a pay-as-you-use basis.

Official sources: National Health Insurance Administration, Ministry of Health and Welfare; Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (resident visas for religious work); UK Foreign Office travel advice

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence or work permits. The official sources reviewed do not set a health insurance rule for visas or residence in Tajikistan.

Medical documents: If you plan to stay for more than 90 days, you must show a medical certificate showing that you are HIV-free or take a test; the UK Foreign Office advises against taking the test in Tajikistan because of concerns about local medical facilities.

Healthcare for expats: The quality of medical care is generally poor, facilities outside Dushanbe are basic and in some places almost non-existent, and you may need to pay cash for medication. There is no reciprocal healthcare agreement with the UK, so insurance that covers local treatment and medical evacuation is advised.

Official sources: UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? Yes, for the long-stay retirement visas. Applicants for the Non-Immigrant O-A and O-X visas must hold health insurance for the whole stay, with at least THB 40,000 of outpatient and THB 400,000 of inpatient cover a year, and must submit the official insurance certificate. Other visas do not set the same rule.

Medical documents: O-X applicants need a medical certificate, no more than three months old, showing they are free of prohibited diseases (including tuberculosis, leprosy and third-stage syphilis); O-A applicants need a health certificate.

Healthcare for expats: Private hospitals are of a high standard but expensive, and usually require a guarantee of payment before treatment. Public hospitals can fall short of that standard, particularly outside Bangkok.

Official sources: Royal Thai Consulate-General, Chicago (O-A and O-X visas); UK Foreign Office travel advice

Read the ExpatInsure guide to living in Thailand

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence or work permits. The Migration Service residence permit application lists proof of means of support and accommodation, a residence visa and a criminal record certificate, but not health insurance.

Medical documents: None required: the residence permit application lists no medical certificate, and the UK Foreign Office page sets no vaccination requirement of its own.

Healthcare for expats: Medical services are limited, particularly outside Dili, and emergency services are unreliable. In a medical emergency you are likely to need evacuation to Australia or Singapore, which is difficult because few airlines serve Timor-Leste.

Official sources: Serviço de Migração, Timor-Leste (Application for Residence Permit); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence or work permits. Visits for purposes other than tourism need a letter of invitation from a sponsoring organisation, and you must register with the State Migration Service within three days of arrival.

Medical documents: No medical requirement is published in the official sources reviewed.

Healthcare for expats: The quality of medical care is poor and much more expensive than in the UK; anything other than basic or emergency treatment, particularly outside Ashgabat, is usually best avoided, so insurance that covers local treatment and medical evacuation is advised.

Official sources: UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence or work permits. You can visit without a visa for tourism or business for up to 30 days; for other purposes or longer stays, the UK Foreign Office refers you to the Uzbek Embassy.

Medical documents: No medical requirement is published in the official sources reviewed.

Healthcare for expats: The quality of medical care is generally poor, most hospitals are badly equipped with limited supplies of medicines, and treatment should be limited to essential emergency care. Serious cases are usually referred to hospitals in Europe or New Delhi, and there is no reciprocal healthcare agreement with the UK.

Official sources: UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? Yes, for employees on qualifying labour contracts. Foreign nationals working in Vietnam under a labour contract with a Vietnamese employer must join the state compulsory health insurance scheme once their contract reaches the minimum length; Vietnam Social Security guidance states three months, and recent amendments to the insurance laws refer to contracts of 12 months or more, so check the current threshold with your employer. Staff transferred within their own company are exempt.

Medical documents: No vaccination or medical certificates are listed for entry, although you may be asked to complete a health declaration, which may include proof of vaccinations.

Healthcare for expats: Foreign employees in the compulsory scheme are members of Vietnam’s state health insurance. The UK Foreign Office gives no detail on standards of care but advises full medical cover that includes evacuation, as medical bills can be expensive.

Official sources: Vietnam Social Security (government agency), FAQ on foreign workers and health insurance; Government of Viet Nam online newspaper (internal transferees exempt); UK Foreign Office travel advice, Vietnam (entry requirements and health)

Is health insurance required? Yes, for many temporary visas. Holders of visas subject to condition 8501 must maintain adequate arrangements for health insurance while in Australia, and student visa holders are required to hold Overseas Student Health Cover; Overseas Visitors Health Cover commonly provides the minimum recommended cover for other visitors. Where evidence of insurance is required for a visa grant, the policy must be held with an Australian registered private health insurer.

Medical documents: Most visa applicants must meet the health requirement and may have to undergo health examinations, which a Medical Officer of the Commonwealth reviews; the requirement is designed in particular to protect the community from active tuberculosis.

Healthcare for expats: Visitors on temporary visas are generally not eligible for Medicare, and most who are not eligible must pay all costs, including in public hospitals. Visitors from countries with a reciprocal health care agreement, including the UK, New Zealand and Ireland, may receive Medicare for immediately necessary treatment, but this does not extend to students; people with, or who have applied for, permanent residence are generally eligible for Medicare.

Official sources: Department of Home Affairs (adequate health insurance for visa holders); Department of Home Affairs (health requirement); Australian Government private health insurance information site (overseas visitors and students)

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence or work permits. Visitors may stay up to four months without a visa; longer stays need a visa or permit from the Fiji Immigration Department, and the published long-term work permit checklist does not include health insurance.

Medical documents: Long-term work permit applicants must submit a medical report for themselves and for an accompanying spouse and children. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you are arriving from a country listed as a yellow fever transmission risk.

Healthcare for expats: Healthcare facilities are limited in range and availability, and hospitals usually ask for immediate cash payment; there is no reciprocal healthcare agreement between the UK and Fiji. In serious emergencies, people are often evacuated to another country for treatment.

Official sources: Fiji Ministry of Immigration (long-term work permit checklist); UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence or work permits. The official work visa application does not ask for health insurance, but applicants must declare that they will pay for any healthcare or medical assistance they need if they are not entitled to free healthcare in Kiribati.

Medical documents: Work visa applicants must supply medical certificates if required, and applicants with a relevant medical condition must show an acceptable standard of health. No vaccination certificate is listed in the sources checked.

Healthcare for expats: Medical facilities at the general hospital in Tarawa are modest and clinics elsewhere are generally staffed by nurse practitioners. Any non-basic treatment usually means medical evacuation, so insurance covering air ambulance evacuation, treatment abroad and repatriation is advised.

Official sources: Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, Kiribati (work visa application form); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence or work permits. The Division of Immigration’s document lists for employment, business and student visas do not include health insurance, although non-government contractors applying for an employment visa must show a labour bond or a valid labour insurance policy; requirements for the residence visa are provided on request by the Division of Immigration.

Medical documents: Employment visa applicants need a medical clearance certificate dated within the last three months, and business and student visa applicants need a health certificate. On entry, children aged four and under must show proof of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination.

Healthcare for expats: Medical facilities are very limited, so comprehensive insurance covering all medical costs, including medical evacuation, is advised. Bring enough prescription medicine, as local supplies may be limited.

Official sources: Division of Immigration, Republic of the Marshall Islands (live and work permits); UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence or work permits. The Federated States of Micronesia immigration law sets no health insurance requirement for entry permits or non-resident workers, and the UK Foreign Office lists no insurance requirement for entry; stays of more than 30 days need an entry permit from the national Immigration Office.

Medical documents: None required: no vaccination certificate or medical examination is listed, although the immigration law allows entry or a permit to be refused to anyone carrying a serious communicable disease.

Healthcare for expats: Medical facilities are limited but adequate for uncomplicated treatment; more serious cases may need medical evacuation to Guam or Australia, which can be very expensive. Insurance covering local treatment and medical evacuation, or accessible funds, is advised.

Official sources: Code of the Federated States of Micronesia, Title 50 (Immigration), FSM Legal Information System; UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for visas, residence or work permits. The Nauru Government’s visa requirements page lists only an application form, a passport copy and an employer’s letter.

Medical documents: None required by official sources consulted; the Nauru Government and the UK Foreign Office list no yellow fever or other medical certificates for entry.

Healthcare for expats: Medical facilities in Nauru are very basic, and medical evacuation to Australia by air ambulance may be needed. Insurance that covers local treatment and unexpected evacuation is advised.

Official sources: Government of the Republic of Nauru (visa requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? Yes, for some visas. For example, Parent Boost Visitor Visa holders must hold and maintain health insurance while in New Zealand, with at least NZD 250,000 a year for emergency care (including repatriation and return of remains) and NZD 100,000 a year for cancer treatment. Immigration New Zealand states that health insurance is a key requirement for certain visas whose holders are not eligible for publicly funded healthcare, but it does not set a single rule for all visas.

Medical documents: Depending on the visa type, the length of the intended stay and your country of origin, you may need a medical examination, a chest X-ray or both; Immigration New Zealand uses general, limited and chest X-ray medical certificates. Children under 11 and pregnant women generally do not need a chest X-ray.

Healthcare for expats: Access to publicly funded healthcare depends on the visa held, and visa applications may be refused if expected healthcare costs would be too high. British nationals living in the UK and on a short-term visit are eligible for urgent treatment under the reciprocal healthcare agreement, but this does not extend to routine, non-emergency treatment or prescriptions.

Official sources: Immigration New Zealand (Parent Boost Visitor Visa FAQs); Immigration New Zealand (who needs an X-ray or medical examination); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for visas, residence or work permits. British visitors receive a 30-day tourist visa on arrival, and anyone likely to seek a longer stay should contact the Bureau of Immigration before travelling.

Medical documents: None required by official sources consulted.

Healthcare for expats: Health facilities are adequate for routine care; Belau National Hospital in Koror is the only national hospital and has a hyperbaric chamber for diving accidents. Doctors and medical centres often expect immediate cash payment, and emergency or serious treatment may require medical evacuation.

Official sources: UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for visas or entry permits. The official medical and character requirements of Papua New Guinea’s Immigration and Citizenship Authority do not mention health insurance.

Medical documents: Depending on the purpose and length of the stay, applicants may need a medical examination report from an approved doctor or hospital, plus a chest X-ray and an HIV test for applicants over 16. Travellers arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission must hold a yellow fever vaccination certificate.

Healthcare for expats: Medical facilities are very basic, and hospitals often run out of basic drugs and supplies and suffer power shortages. Serious cases may need evacuation by air ambulance to Australia, so insurance that includes medical evacuation is advised.

Official sources: Papua New Guinea Immigration and Citizenship Authority (medical and character requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for visas or permits. The Samoa Immigration permit requirements for temporary residence (business, investment and employment) do not include health insurance, and visitors can stay up to 60 days without a visa.

Medical documents: Everyone over 16 who plans to stay for one year or more needs a medical report on the official form (MPMC102), and temporary residence applicants must attach medical and police reports. Travellers arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission must hold a yellow fever vaccination certificate.

Healthcare for expats: In a medical emergency, evacuation to Australia, New Zealand or Hawaii is likely to be the only option for treatment, so insurance that covers medical evacuation is advised.

Official sources: Samoa Immigration (permit requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence or work permits. Applicants for a long-term employment visa must submit a medical report, but the official document list does not include health insurance.

Medical documents: You must hold a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you are arriving from a country listed as a transmission risk. Long-term employment visa applicants must provide a medical report; the official page does not specify the tests it must include.

Healthcare for expats: Healthcare facilities are very basic, hospital facilities are limited and medical supplies are not always available. You should have funds or insurance to cover treatment and medical evacuation.

Official sources: Solomon Islands Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration – Immigration Division (long-term employment visa); UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence or work permits. For example, the official document list for the employment visa does not include health insurance, but the employment contract must contain a repatriation clause placing repatriation costs on the employer (otherwise a bond of TOP 1,000 per person may be required).

Medical documents: Employment visa applicants must provide a medical report issued by a licensed doctor within the past six months.

Healthcare for expats: Health facilities are basic, the range of medicines is limited and modern equipment is in short supply. Medical evacuation is required for most non-basic medical problems.

Official sources: Embassy of the Kingdom of Tonga, Beijing (employment visa); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence or work permits. The Immigration Regulations 2014 do not require health insurance, but applicants must hold an onward ticket or pay a bond to cover the cost of repatriation.

Medical documents: Applicants to stay longer than one year must complete a medical examination (Form 7) and a radiological examination (Form 8), and must show they are of good health and character.

Healthcare for expats: Medical facilities are generally adequate for routine treatment, but the only hospital is on Funafuti and nurses serve the outer islands. More serious or complicated problems may require medical evacuation to Fiji or Australia.

Official sources: Tuvalu Immigration Regulations 2014 (official legislation text on PacLII); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence permits. For example, the official investor residence permit document list does not include health insurance, but applicants must show a bank deposit held in trust covering a one-way return ticket.

Medical documents: Investor residence permit applicants must complete the prescribed medical report for each foreign applicant.

Healthcare for expats: Medical facilities are basic and limited, though clinics in Port Vila offer primary care, some with Australian-trained doctors. More serious cases require evacuation to Australia or New Zealand.

Official sources: Vanuatu Investment Promotion Authority (obtaining a residence permit); Vanuatu Department of Immigration and Passport Services (live in Vanuatu); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? Yes, for some visas. Applicants for the Nomad Digital Residence must provide a certificate showing medical insurance for the whole of their intended stay. No rule is published for other residence routes.

Medical documents: No medical certificate is listed. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required only if you arrive from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission.

Healthcare for expats: The main government hospital can cope with many types of treatment, but serious cases may need emergency evacuation. Treatment can be expensive, and private facilities may require payment in advance.

Official sources: High Commission for Antigua and Barbuda in the United Kingdom (Nomad Digital Residence); UK Foreign Office travel advice (Antigua and Barbuda entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice (Antigua and Barbuda health)

Is health insurance required? Yes, for some visas. Applicants for the Bahamas Extended Access Travel Stay (BEATS) remote work programme must provide proof of medical insurance for themselves and all dependants. No insurance rule is published for work permits or permanent residence.

Medical documents: Applicants for a work permit or permanent residence must provide an original medical certificate dated no more than 30 days before the application. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you arrive from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission.

Healthcare for expats: Medical treatment is of a good standard but can be expensive, and emergency facilities are limited on all the Family Islands. Serious cases are transferred by air ambulance to Nassau, Freeport or Miami.

Official sources: Bahamas Immigration Department (new work permit); The Bahamas Extended Access Travel Stay (BEATS) programme; UK Foreign Office travel advice (Bahamas health)

Is health insurance required? Yes, for some visas. Applicants for the Barbados Welcome Stamp, a twelve-month remote work visa, must provide evidence of valid health insurance, which may be obtained locally. No rule is published for other residence routes.

Medical documents: No medical certificate is listed. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you arrive from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission.

Healthcare for expats: The healthcare system is not as extensive as in the UK; the Queen Elizabeth Hospital can cope with many types of treatment, but serious cases may need emergency evacuation. Treatment can be expensive, and private clinics may require payment in advance and may not accept travel insurance as payment.

Official sources: Invest Barbados (Welcome Stamp); UK Foreign Office travel advice (Barbados entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice (Barbados health)

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence or work permits. The Belize Immigration Department’s permanent residence document list does not include health insurance.

Medical documents: Permanent residence applicants and dependants aged 16 and over must each submit a Residence Medical Examination Form completed by a licensed medical practitioner in Belize, and HIV, VDRL (syphilis) and tuberculosis test results must be submitted for the applicant, spouse and children aged 12 and over.

Healthcare for expats: Medical facilities are limited and the availability of prescription medicine is unreliable. Serious medical cases are normally evacuated to the United States at the patient’s expense, so insurance covering medical evacuation is advised.

Official sources: Belize Immigration and Nationality Department (permanent residence requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice

Is health insurance required? Yes, for the parent and grandparent Super Visa. Applicants must show private health insurance from a Canadian insurance company, or from a company outside Canada approved by the minister, that covers health care, hospitalisation and repatriation with at least CAD 100,000 of cover, is valid for at least one year from the date of entry and for each entry, and is paid in full or in instalments with a deposit (quotes are not accepted). No national insurance requirement for other visas is published in the sources read.

Medical documents: Super Visa applicants must take an immigration medical exam, as must temporary residents staying more than six months who have lived in or travelled to a designated country for six months or more in a row in the year before coming. Shorter stays generally need no exam unless you will work in certain jobs, such as health care, school, child-care or in-home caregiving work.

Healthcare for expats: Newcomers apply for a health card from their province or territory, each of which runs its own plan, and in some provinces there is a waiting period of up to three months before public coverage starts, so private health insurance is advised for that period. In most cases public insurance does not cover prescription medicine or most dental services.

Official sources: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (Super Visa documents); Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (medical exams for temporary residents); Government of Canada (health care for newcomers)

Read the ExpatInsure guide to living in Canada

Is health insurance required? Yes, for all travellers on entry. Every traveller must hold travel insurance covering medical expenses, or a medical expenses policy with cover in Cuba, bought in the country of departure; anyone who exceptionally arrives without it may buy a policy from a Cuban insurer at the airport, port or marina. No separate insurance rule is published for residence.

Medical documents: Applicants for permanent residence must submit legalised results of a chest X-ray, serological tests and AIDS (HIV) tests, no more than six months old. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you arrive from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission.

Healthcare for expats: Medical facilities in Havana are better than elsewhere, and clinics treating foreigners are more likely to stock basic supplies, but the ambulance service is limited and generally unreliable. You or your insurer will need to pay in foreign currency, most likely US dollars, before any treatment, and Visa or Mastercard payments cannot be made.

Official sources: Embassy of Cuba in Canada (consular services); UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? Yes, for some visas. For example, valid medical insurance is a prerequisite for approval of the Work in Nature (WIN) Visa, the insurer must confirm that it will approve claims made in Dominica, and a family application must cover all members. Visitors do not need a visa and are granted a six-month stay on arrival, with extensions arranged through the Immigration Division.

Medical documents: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you arrive from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission. No medical certificate is listed for the WIN Visa.

Healthcare for expats: The government hospital, the Dominica China Friendship Hospital in Roseau, can cope with many types of treatment, but serious cases may require emergency evacuation. Private treatment can be expensive, and private clinics may ask for payment up front rather than accepting insurance documents.

Official sources: Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica, Work in Nature programme (FAQ); UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence permits. The Directorate General of Migration’s requirements for temporary and permanent residence do not include health insurance, although temporary residence applicants must provide a guarantee (warranty) policy from an insurer authorised by the Directorate. Visitors may stay for 30 days for tourism without a visa, extendable to 120 days on payment.

Medical documents: Applicants for temporary and permanent residence must undergo medical examinations at an institution authorised by the Directorate General of Migration. A yellow fever certificate may be required depending on your circumstances.

Healthcare for expats: Public medical facilities are generally limited, while private hospitals offer good standards of care but can be expensive. Visitors who cannot pay their hospital bills are stopped from leaving the country until the debt is paid.

Official sources: Dirección General de Migración (temporary residence); Dirección General de Migración (permanent residence); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence or work permits. The Ministry of Labour’s work permit guidelines list documents such as a police clearance certificate, proof of sufficient funds and National Insurance Scheme registration, but do not list health insurance.

Medical documents: You need a yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter if you are arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission. The work permit guidelines do not list a medical certificate or medical test.

Healthcare for expats: The main government hospital can cope with many types of treatment, but serious cases may need emergency evacuation, and medical treatment can be expensive. The UK Foreign Office advises holding health insurance and accessible funds to cover treatment and evacuation.

Official sources: Ministry of Labour, Government of Grenada (work permit guidelines); UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence or work permits.

Medical documents: You need a yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter if you are arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission.

Healthcare for expats: Medical services are extremely limited, easily overwhelmed and offer a poor standard of care, and doctors and hospitals generally expect immediate cash payment, which must be settled in full before leaving hospital even if you are insured. In a life-threatening emergency you may need to pay for a very expensive air ambulance evacuation.

Official sources: UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence or work permits. The Ministry of Labour and Social Security work permit document list does not include health insurance, and the UK Foreign Office entry requirements set no insurance rule for visitors.

Medical documents: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required only if you arrive from a country listed as a yellow fever transmission risk. The official work permit document list does not include a medical certificate.

Healthcare for expats: The standard of both private and government-operated medical facilities varies and may not meet UK standards. Treatment can be expensive, and doctors and hospitals expect immediate cash payment.

Official sources: Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Jamaica (work permits); UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? No. The Mexican consulates’ requirements for a temporary resident visa ask for proof of financial means but not health insurance.

Medical documents: None required.

Healthcare for expats: Medical services can be limited outside state capitals and large cities, and some hospitals expect payment up front. Residents with a CURP number can apply to the national social security institute’s (IMSS) voluntary family health scheme, but it excludes many pre-existing conditions and has waiting periods, so most expats rely on private cover.

Official sources: Consulate of Mexico in Washington (temporary resident visa); IMSS (Seguro de Salud para la Familia); UK Foreign Office travel advice

Read the ExpatInsure guide to living in Mexico

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence or work permits. The UK Foreign Office entry requirements page sets no health insurance rule for entry, and longer stays need an extension from the Immigration Department.

Medical documents: Travellers arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission must hold a yellow fever vaccination certificate. No other medical documents are listed.

Healthcare for expats: The two main government hospitals, Joseph N France General Hospital on St Kitts and Alexandra Hospital on Nevis, can provide many forms of treatment, but serious cases may require emergency evacuation. Medical treatment is expensive, and private facilities may not accept travel insurance, so check first.

Official sources: UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence or work permits. Visitors can stay up to six weeks without a visa; longer stays require an application to the Immigration Department in Castries, and the UK Foreign Office sets out no health insurance rule for entry.

Medical documents: Travellers arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission must hold a yellow fever vaccination certificate. No other medical documents are listed.

Healthcare for expats: The main government hospital can cope with many types of treatment, but serious cases may mean emergency evacuation, and treatment can be expensive. Some private clinics do not accept travel insurance as payment, and the Tapion Hospital does not accept travel or foreign medical insurance, so check payment policies before treatment.

Official sources: UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence or work permits. The official residency permit requirements do not list health insurance.

Medical documents: Residency permit applicants (other than OECS nationals) must provide a medical certificate (a doctor’s report of health). Travellers arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission must hold a yellow fever vaccination certificate.

Healthcare for expats: The main government hospital can cope with many types of treatment, but serious cases may need emergency evacuation, so insurance that covers local treatment and medical evacuation is advised.

Official sources: Consulate of St Vincent and the Grenadines (residency permit requirements, PDF); UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence or work permits. The official work permit service page lists documents such as a passport, job letter, company registration, justification for employment and contract details, but not health insurance, and the UK Foreign Office entry page sets no insurance requirement to enter.

Medical documents: None listed: neither the official work permit service page nor the UK Foreign Office entry page mentions a medical certificate or required vaccination.

Healthcare for expats: Medical facilities can be limited in some areas; private clinics can treat most ordinary problems, but medical evacuation may be necessary in more serious cases.

Official sources: Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, ttconnect (work permit); UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? No, there is no general health insurance requirement for US visas, but named categories set one: for example, J-1 exchange visitors and their accompanying spouses and dependants must hold sickness and accident insurance for the whole programme. The J-1 minimums are USD 100,000 of medical benefits per accident or illness, USD 25,000 for repatriation of remains and USD 50,000 for medical evacuation, with a deductible of no more than USD 500, and the insurer must meet set financial-strength ratings or other approved standards. Wilful failure to keep the cover can lead to termination of the exchange visitor’s programme.

Medical documents: Immigrant visa applicants must have a medical examination by an approved panel physician outside the United States, which includes a chest X-ray (not usually required for children under 15), and must have the vaccinations required for immigration purposes. No medical examination requirement for temporary visitors is stated in the sources read.

Healthcare for expats: There is no state health system for most visa holders, and medical treatment is expensive; some hospitals ask non-US residents to pay a deposit on admission. Holders of valid non-immigrant visas can buy Marketplace coverage but generally cannot get Marketplace savings, and Medicaid is generally limited to permanent residents and certain other groups, usually after a five-year wait.

Official sources: US Code of Federal Regulations, 22 CFR 62.14 (exchange visitor insurance); US Department of State (immigrant visa medical examination); HealthCare.gov, US federal government (coverage for lawfully present immigrants)

Read the ExpatInsure guide to living in United States

Is health insurance required? Yes, for transitory residence. Applicants entering for tourism, business, study, work and similar temporary purposes must declare under oath that they hold health insurance valid for their entire stay, covering medical emergencies, hospitalisation, outpatient care and medical repatriation. No minimum amount is published.

Medical documents: None required by official sources. The Foreign Office notes that you may need a yellow fever certificate for onward travel to some other countries.

Healthcare for expats: Non-urgent care in public health facilities is not free for foreigners without permanent residence, and access depends on holding health insurance or paying in advance. Medical facilities are good but can be expensive, and public hospitals tend to be crowded.

Official sources: Argentine Ministry of Foreign Affairs (sworn declaration of purpose of entry and medical cover); UK Foreign Office travel advice (Argentina health)

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for visas. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa requirements, including for student and specific-purpose visas, do not list health insurance.

Medical documents: All visa applicants must provide a yellow fever vaccination certificate or other health certification where applicable, and a yellow fever certificate is required to enter Bolivia if arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission.

Healthcare for expats: The public healthcare system does not meet UK standards and may be overstretched, emergency assistance is limited in remote areas, and patients must pay up front to receive treatment. Altitude sickness is a risk in places including La Paz.

Official sources: Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia (visa requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence or work permits in the official sources that could be read. Visitors may enter without a visa for up to 90 days for tourism, with extensions handled by the Federal Police.

Medical documents: None required on entry according to the Foreign Office, which refers travellers to TravelHealthPro for medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations.

Healthcare for expats: Foreign nationals are entitled to emergency medical treatment in public hospitals, which tend to be overcrowded, with long waits for a bed and shortages of medication. Private hospitals will not accept patients unless they can show enough money or insurance to cover treatment.

Official sources: UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence permits. For example, the National Migration Service’s requirements for the student temporary residence permit do not include health insurance, and visitors may stay for up to 90 days without a visa.

Medical documents: None required: the student temporary residence permit requirements list no medical certificate or test.

Healthcare for expats: Foreign residents can join the national health fund (FONASA), including while their residence application is pending or with an employment contract and work permit, and employed workers pay a health contribution of 7% of pay to FONASA or a private ISAPRE. There are good health facilities in Santiago and other major cities, but private clinics and hospitals are expensive, and Easter Island has only one hospital with limited facilities.

Official sources: National Migration Service of Chile (student temporary residence); Superintendency of Health of Chile (joining FONASA); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? Yes, for most visitor (V) visas. Applicants for V visas including tourism, student, medical treatment, digital nomad, rentista, working holiday and service provider visas must hold a health insurance policy with cover in Colombia for the whole planned stay, protecting against accident, illness, maternity, disability, hospitalisation, death and repatriation. Holders of visas that authorise work must instead comply with Colombian social security rules, and visitors may enter for up to 90 days for business or tourism without a visa.

Medical documents: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you arrive from certain countries with a risk of transmission, and may be requested when travelling to certain high-risk areas within Colombia, so travellers are advised to carry it at all times.

Healthcare for expats: Private clinics in large cities and state capitals provide good care for routine and complex treatment, but public facilities and those in smaller cities are generally ill equipped and poorly funded. In remote areas ambulance services are unreliable and public hospitals often lack adequate medical supplies.

Official sources: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Colombia (Resolution 5477 of 2022 on visas, PDF); UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? Yes, for residence. Under the General Law on Migration and Foreigners, temporary and permanent residents must be insured with the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS) continuously and must prove that cover to renew their residence card or extend their stay, with any exceptions set by regulation. Visitors may stay for up to 180 days without a visa, at the discretion of the immigration officer.

Medical documents: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you arrive from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission. No other medical documents are listed.

Healthcare for expats: Residents are covered through the CCSS state system. Medical care in Costa Rica is generally of a high standard, although ambulance services in remote areas may vary, and visitors receive only initial emergency treatment free of charge.

Official sources: General Law on Migration and Foreigners No. 8764, Title VI (Defensoría de los Habitantes de Costa Rica, PDF); UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? Yes, for some visas. Applicants for the temporary residence visas for retirees (jubilado) and for people living on their own income (rentista) must hold Ecuadorian or foreign health insurance valid for the same period as the visa, and a policy from a foreign insurer must state that it provides cover in Ecuador. No minimum level of cover is published, and other residence routes (for example the agreement-based residence visa) do not list the same rule.

Medical documents: None required: the official residence visa requirements list no medical certificate or test. For vaccinations, the UK Foreign Office refers travellers to TravelHealthPro’s Ecuador guide. Visitors to the Galapagos Islands must hold travel health insurance.

Healthcare for expats: The Ecuadorean public healthcare system provides the same level of care to locals and foreigners free of charge, but it faces delays in obtaining appointments and limited access to medicines. Private treatment can be very expensive, private hospitals require a credit card guarantee for admission, and standards and access to specialised treatment may be limited outside major cities.

Official sources: Ecuadorian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility (temporary residence visa for retirees); Ecuadorian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility (temporary residence visa for people with own income); UK Foreign Office travel advice

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence or work permits. The Directorate General of Migration and Foreigners’ published requirements for temporary residence (for example for study, commercial representatives, and extensions of temporary residence with authorisation to work) do not include health insurance.

Medical documents: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required to enter El Salvador if you are arriving from a country listed as a yellow fever transmission risk. The residence requirements checked list no medical certificate or test.

Healthcare for expats: Medical facilities outside San Salvador are usually basic, and state-run hospitals are generally understaffed, underfunded and ill-equipped, so private clinics and hospitals should be used whenever possible. Some hospitals may be reluctant to treat you until they know you have medical insurance.

Official sources: Directorate General of Migration and Foreigners, El Salvador (temporary residence for commercial representatives); UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice

Is health insurance required? Yes, for some residence permits. Under the Guatemalan Migration Institute’s residence regulation, a migrant worker seeking temporary residence while employed by an international non-governmental organisation or an international organisation must show a health insurance contract, and must show that the insurance continues when renewing. No minimum cover is set, and the regulation does not require health insurance for other temporary or permanent residence categories, including pensioners and investors.

Medical documents: You need a yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter if you are arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission. The residence regulation does not require a medical certificate for any residence category.

Healthcare for expats: The UK Foreign Office does not describe the standard or cost of care in Guatemala, but publishes a list of English-speaking doctors and advises holding insurance that covers local treatment and unexpected medical evacuation.

Official sources: Guatemalan Migration Institute (Instituto Guatemalteco de Migración), Residence Regulation, Agreement IGM-016-2025; UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence or work permits. The official work permit application form does not ask for health insurance.

Medical documents: You need a yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter if you are arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission. The work permit application form does not ask for a medical certificate or medical test.

Healthcare for expats: Medical facilities are very limited, even in Georgetown, and standards of medical practice are low. The UK Foreign Office advises arranging evacuation for any serious or invasive treatment if possible, and holding insurance that covers treatment and evacuation.

Official sources: Ministry of Home Affairs of Guyana (work permit application form, published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs); UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence permits. The official requirements for residence as a pensioner, for example, include a medical certificate and proof of a stable foreign pension of at least USD 1,500 a month, but do not include health insurance.

Medical documents: Pensioner residence applicants must submit a medical certificate issued by a medical professional on Honduran Medical Association (Colegio Médico de Honduras) paper, dated within six months before the application. No yellow fever certificate is required to enter, although you may need one for onward travel to some other countries.

Healthcare for expats: State-funded hospitals are underfunded and medicines are in short supply. The UK Foreign Office advises using private clinics where possible, although these are only available in major towns, and carrying evidence of your insurance at all times.

Official sources: Secretariat of State for Governance, Justice and Decentralisation of Honduras (pensioner residence requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence or work permits. The UK Foreign Office lists no insurance requirement for entry, and British visitors can stay for up to 90 days without a visa.

Medical documents: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you arrive from a country listed as a transmission risk. No other medical documents are listed by the official sources consulted.

Healthcare for expats: Public hospitals are not well equipped, except for some in Managua, although emergency treatment in a public hospital is normally free. Private hospitals usually take payment up front and in cash, and only a few accept major credit cards.

Official sources: UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence permits. For example, the official checklist for the pensioner (retiree) residence permit from Panama’s National Migration Service does not list health insurance.

Medical documents: Pensioner residence applicants must provide a health certificate. Travellers arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission must hold a yellow fever vaccination certificate.

Healthcare for expats: Panama City has some good private hospitals and clinics, but medical facilities outside the capital are limited. Travel insurance that covers local treatment and medical evacuation is advised.

Official sources: National Migration Service of Panama (pensioner residence requirements, PDF); UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence permits. For example, the official checklist from Paraguay’s Directorate General of Migration for permanent residence for foreign investors does not list health insurance.

Medical documents: Residence applicants must provide a health certificate stating that they are in good physical and mental health and free of infectious diseases, issued by a doctor licensed by Paraguay’s Ministry of Health and endorsed by that ministry. Travellers arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission must hold a yellow fever vaccination certificate.

Healthcare for expats: There are some good private medical facilities, but only in the major cities; elsewhere facilities may not meet UK standards and some medicines may not be available. Hospitals and doctors expect immediate payment.

Official sources: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Paraguay, Consulate in Montevideo (Directorate General of Migration checklist, investor residence); UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence or work permits. The UK Foreign Office entry requirements page sets no health insurance rule for entry.

Medical documents: No medical documents are listed for entry; the UK Foreign Office refers travellers to TravelHealthPro for vaccination requirements.

Healthcare for expats: Medical treatment is not easily available and is harder to access outside Lima. Emergency services in Lima are private and must be paid for, so travel insurance covering local treatment and medical evacuation is advised.

Official sources: UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice (health)

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence or work permits. Visitors may stay up to 90 days for tourism without a visa after paying an entry fee of USD 54, and those staying longer must obtain a visa; the UK Foreign Office entry requirements do not mention health insurance.

Medical documents: You must hold a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you are arriving from a country listed as a transmission risk.

Healthcare for expats: Medical facilities are severely limited. Not all facilities accept payment from insurers, so you may need to pay in advance and claim the cost back.

Official sources: UK Foreign Office travel advice (entry requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence permits. The general rule requiring all foreign entrants to hold health cover or medical insurance (Article 1 of Decree No. 55/023) was repealed by Decree No. 176/023 of 16 June 2023, and the official residence application requirements do not list health insurance.

Medical documents: Applicants for temporary and permanent residence must present a valid health card (carné de salud) and a vaccination certificate, issued by public or private healthcare providers authorised by the Ministry of Public Health; for temporary residence the vaccination certificate must come from a vaccination centre in Uruguay.

Healthcare for expats: Medical and dental treatment is expensive in Uruguay, so insurance that covers local treatment and medical evacuation is advised.

Official sources: IMPO, Decree No. 176/023 (official gazette); Government of Uruguay, gub.uy (permanent legal residence); Government of Uruguay, gub.uy (temporary legal residence)

Is health insurance required? No requirement is published for residence or work permits. Visitors arriving by air can stay up to 90 days on a tourist card, and anyone travelling to work, study or for other non-tourist purposes must obtain a visa in advance, but no official source sets a health insurance rule for these visas.

Medical documents: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required to enter Venezuela from Brazil. Some Venezuelan consulates also ask visa applicants for a medical certificate from a health authority; for example, the consulate in Austria requires one stating that the applicant has shown no symptoms of, and had no contact with, Ebola in the 21 days before travel.

Healthcare for expats: Medical facilities vary widely in quality: public facilities are poor, with frequent shortages of medicines and funding, and private clinics are also vulnerable to acute shortages of supplies and medicines. The UK Foreign Office advises bringing enough medication for your whole stay and holding insurance that covers local treatment and medical evacuation.

Official sources: UK Foreign Office travel advice, Venezuela (entry requirements); Consulate of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in Austria (tourist visa requirements); UK Foreign Office travel advice, Venezuela (health)