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Canada is recognised for its high-quality healthcare system, modern medical facilities and excellent standards of care. However, access to public healthcare in Canada is not immediate or fully available for all expats and foreign residents.
For this reason, choosing the right health insurance in Canada is essential when relocating for work, study, family life or retirement.
Whether you are moving to Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal or Calgary, international health insurance can help expats access private healthcare services, manage medical expenses and stay protected throughout their time abroad.
Many expatriates in Canada choose international health insurance because it provides flexible healthcare cover both in Canada and internationally, including access to private medical care, emergency assistance and worldwide protection.
Yes. Health insurance is highly recommended for expats living in Canada, even though the country has a publicly funded healthcare system.
Healthcare coverage in Canada is managed at provincial level, and eligibility rules vary depending on the province, immigration status and length of stay.
Many newly arrived expats face waiting periods before becoming eligible for public healthcare. Temporary residents, international workers, visitors and some foreign students may not have immediate access to provincial healthcare plans.
Without suitable insurance, expats may face significant healthcare costs for:
hospital treatment,
emergency care,
specialist consultations,
ambulance services,
prescription medication,
dental treatment,
medical evacuation.
International health insurance helps expats avoid unexpected medical expenses while ensuring rapid access to quality healthcare services across Canada.
Canada’s healthcare system is publicly funded and provides medically necessary healthcare services to eligible residents through provincial healthcare plans.
Each province manages its own healthcare programme, which means healthcare access and waiting periods can vary between regions such as Ontario, British Columbia or Quebec.
Public healthcare generally covers:
visits to doctors,
hospital care,
medically necessary treatment.
However, many services are not fully included, such as:
dental care,
prescription medication outside hospitals,
vision care,
private hospital rooms,
some specialist services.
In addition, waiting times for non-emergency procedures and specialist appointments can sometimes be long.
This is why many expats choose private or international health insurance in Canada to access broader healthcare protection and faster medical care.
International health insurance often includes:
private healthcare access,
worldwide medical cover,
emergency medical evacuation,
direct billing networks,
multilingual assistance,
cover during international travel.
Expats moving to Canada often wonder whether provincial healthcare is sufficient or whether international health insurance is also necessary.
International health insurance is designed for globally mobile individuals who need flexible healthcare protection both inside and outside Canada.
It is particularly suitable for:
expatriates on temporary assignments,
international professionals,
remote workers and digital nomads,
retirees abroad,
internationally mobile families.
International health insurance may provide:
worldwide medical cover,
private healthcare access,
specialist treatment,
emergency evacuation and repatriation,
cover outside Canada,
continuity of insurance when relocating internationally.
For expats who travel frequently or may move again in the future, international health insurance provides valuable flexibility.
Provincial healthcare plans mainly cover medically necessary healthcare services within the province of residence.
However:
access may involve waiting periods,
some temporary residents may not qualify immediately,
many healthcare expenses remain partially uncovered,
protection abroad is usually limited.
As a result, many expats supplement public healthcare with international or private health insurance.
Canada offers excellent healthcare standards, but navigating provincial healthcare systems can be complex for foreigners.
Many expats choose international health insurance because it helps them:
access healthcare immediately after arrival,
avoid gaps in healthcare coverage,
reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses,
benefit from private healthcare services,
remain covered during international travel,
receive support in English and other languages.
International health insurance also provides reassurance for expatriates relocating with children or planning long-term international mobility.
When selecting health insurance in Canada, expats should choose comprehensive cover adapted to their residency status, family situation and travel needs.
A good international health insurance plan may include:
hospitalisation and surgery,
GP and specialist consultations,
emergency medical care,
prescription medication,
maternity care,
preventive healthcare,
mental health support,
dental and optical options,
medical evacuation and repatriation.
The level of healthcare cover required will depend on your province of residence, visa category and duration of stay in Canada.
Although Canada’s public healthcare system covers many essential services, healthcare can still become expensive for uninsured expats and temporary residents.
Foreign residents without suitable insurance may face high costs for:
emergency treatment,
ambulance transport,
prescription drugs,
dental care,
specialist consultations,
private hospital accommodation.
Comprehensive health insurance helps expats manage healthcare costs while ensuring fast access to quality medical treatment across Canada.
Examples of reimbursements with MyHealth International COMFORT in relation to the cost of care in Canada in the private sector*.
*Reasonable costs in the private sector, APRIL International data 01/2026
Both at the public and private levels, the Canadian medical system provides patients with an exceptional quality of care. Newsweek's famous annual ranking of the world's best hospitals lists no less than 10 institutions in the country among its top 100 (including the Toronto General Hospital, ranked 7th, the Montreal General Hospital, and the Vancouver General Hospital).
The main difficulty for policyholders lies in the choice of a care path. As general practitioners or family doctors become increasingly rare, people often have to turn to either walk-in clinics (a modality that is growing more and more in Canada) or hospital services for a consultation. As a result, public hospitals are often overwhelmed by the demand, and waiting times are getting longer for both emergency and scheduled care. Private institutions, on the other hand, are able to guarantee speedier care.
Health insurance is strongly recommended for expats in Canada. While public healthcare exists, many foreign residents are not immediately eligible for provincial healthcare plans and may need private or international health insurance.
Some foreigners can access public healthcare in Canada depending on their immigration status and province of residence. However, waiting periods and eligibility conditions often apply.
Many expats choose private or international health insurance in Canada to cover services not included in provincial healthcare plans and to avoid gaps in coverage after arrival.
Local healthcare mainly covers medically necessary services within Canada, while international health insurance offers broader protection including worldwide cover, private healthcare access and medical evacuation.
Healthcare costs in Canada can be high for uninsured foreigners. Emergency care, hospital stays and specialist treatment may generate substantial out-of-pocket expenses.
The best health insurance for expats in Canada depends on residency status, healthcare needs and travel habits. Many expatriates prefer international health insurance because it offers flexible worldwide healthcare cover and access to private medical services.
It only takes a few steps to join and start benefitting from your international health insurance cover!
1. Find the cover that suits your situation from a range of options
2. Request a quote online and sign it electronically
3. Download the Easy Claim app and benefit from a wide range of features to help manage your plan with ease, wherever you are!
4. Get a call back or chat with one of our dedicated advisers at any time.
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