Should you choose a local or international health insurance plan?
As an expat, when the question comes to what kind of medical coverage you want for yourself, your family, or even your company, one of the decisions you’ll need to make is whether you want to take out a local private health plan or an international health insurance plan.
Deciding what kind of insurance plan best suits you will be heavily based on your personal situation; how healthy you are, the quality of the local healthcare system and hospitals, whether you’re settled in your country of residence or move frequently, and whether you travel frequently among other factors.
Choosing the right health insurance plan can be a daunting task, especially if you are moving to a new country. One of the most important decisions you will have to make is whether to opt for a local or international health insurance plan. Both options have their advantages and disadvantages, and it's important to understand the differences between the two before making a decision.
Here are some of the things you may want to consider when comparing local and international health insurance plans.
How much your insurance plan costs
In general, expats living abroad may not have access to the full range of benefits a public healthcare system offer, so you will have to take out some kind of private health insurance policy to cover the costs of healthcare. The biggest concern is the overall price of your plan, and whether or not the benefits it offers makes it worthwhile.
Benefit limits on your health plan
Local health insurance plans tend to include stricter limits on covered benefits than international health insurance plans. For example, there may be a sublimit on coverage for cancer treatment which could leave you paying a fair amount of money out-of-pocket once all is said and done, whereas an international plan would cover the treatment in its entirety up to the annual limit.
Renewability
One of the large differences between local and international health insurance policies is the age you can continue renewing your policy up until. Many local private health plans will have a cap on the age you can continue to renew your policy, usually around the age of 65-70.
Considering that people tend to develop more health conditions as they grow older, not being able to renew your insurance can be a serious problem when you’re going to be needing it most. International health insurance plans on the other hand are almost always lifetime guaranteed renewable, so you will always be able to renew your plan for as long as you need it.
Cover outside of where you live
One of the things you’ll have to ask yourself is whether or not you need coverage outside of where you’re living, which could be important for expatriates, or those who travel frequently for business or vacations.
As the names imply, a local plan will only provide you coverage in that country, while an international plan will typically offer coverage either worldwide, or worldwide excluding the USA (although they will usually provide 30 days of cover for emergencies even outside your area of cover).
If you are on a local medical plan, you can always take out travel insurance to cover any emergencies, or a short-term international health plan for longer travels abroad such as sabbaticals or extended business trips and vacations. However, it is important to note that in some cases where serious medical treatment is needed, a travel plan may focus on transporting you back to your country of residence, after which the travel insurance company will no longer have to cover your treatment in your home country.
International health insurance plans, whether long- or short-term, will include coverage for emergency medical evacuation and assistance, which includes evacuating you to a place where you can receive quality medical care, medical referrals and second opinions, tele-medicine consultations and more.
Do you need to take your health insurance with you when moving?
If you’re an expat who frequently moves countries due to your job, or if you plan to move back to your home country at some point in the future, then one thing you will want to consider is how you will be covered when you move.
If you’re on a local plan, then you will have to take out a new plan once you’ve moved. This can be an issue if you’ve developed a medical condition or suffered a serious illness, as the insurer in your new home may treat it as a pre-existing condition and exclude it from coverage.
The majority of international health insurance plans are globally portable, so you can take them with you when you move with no breaks in coverage, and no need to go through the underwriting process again which means you’re not in danger of being refused coverage for pre-existing conditions.
Finding the right international health insurance policy for you
Choosing between a local and international health insurance plan ultimately depends on your personal situation, budget, and preferences.
It's important to carefully consider the factors outlined in this article before making a decision. Whether you choose a local or international health insurance plan, having adequate coverage is essential for your peace of mind and wellbeing while living abroad.
Whether you’re about to expatriate to a new country, or already living abroad, our expert advisors are always ready to help you find the right plan. You can browse any of our range of plans and get quotes online.
April International, your trusted partner for international health insurance
Choosing between a local and an international health insurance plan is one of the most important decisions you'll make as an expat and it's one where the right partner makes all the difference. With over 40 years of experience supporting expatriates worldwide, April International is the reference insurer for comprehensive, flexible international coverage. Unlike local plans, which often come with strict benefit limits, age caps on renewability, and no coverage outside your country of residence, April International's long-term international health insurance is designed to grow with your expat journey. Whether you're moving for work, relocating frequently, or settling abroad long-term, your plan travels with you, with no breaks in coverage, no new underwriting, and no risk of exclusions for pre-existing conditions. From routine care and hospitalisation to dental, optical, and emergency medical evacuation, you get a fully modular policy tailored to your profile, budget, and destination.
FAQ: Local vs. International Health
Insurance for Expats
What is the main difference between a local and an international health insurance plan for expats?
What is the main difference between a local and an international health insurance plan for expats?
A local health insurance plan covers you only within the country where you reside and is subject to that country's private insurance market rules, including age caps on renewability (typically 65–70 years old and retired people) and stricter benefit sublimits . An international health insurance plan, by contrast, offers globally portable coverage, meaning it travels with you when you move countries, includes worldwide emergency medical evacuation, and is almost always lifetime guaranteed renewable. For expats who relocate frequently or want long-term security, an international plan provides significantly broader and more flexible protection.
Can I keep my health insurance if I move to another country as an expat?
Can I keep my health insurance if I move to another country as an expat?
Yes, but only if you hold an international health insurance plan. Most international plans are globally portable: you can transfer your coverage to your new country of residence without restarting the underwriting process, which means pre-existing conditions you developed under your current policy remain covered. With a local plan, moving abroad means taking out a brand-new policy, and any health conditions acquired in the meantime may be classified as pre-existing and excluded by the new insurer.
Is international health insurance worth the cost compared to a local plan?
Is international health insurance worth the cost compared to a local plan?
It depends on your lifestyle and long-term plans, but international health insurance often delivers greater value for expats due to higher and more comprehensive benefit limits. For instance, while a local plan may impose sublimits on expensive treatments like cancer care, leaving you with significant out-of-pocket costs, an international plan typically covers such treatments up to the full annual limit . Additional benefits like emergency medical evacuation, telemedicine, second medical opinions, and worldwide coverage (including 30-day emergency cover outside your zone) make international plans especially suited to mobile expats or those living in countries with limited local healthcare infrastructure.
