{"id":1005,"date":"2025-01-17T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-01-17T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/expatsi.devstudio.work\/?p=1005"},"modified":"2025-10-24T07:47:18","modified_gmt":"2025-10-24T07:47:18","slug":"14-countries-with-better-healthcare-than-the-united-states-slideshow","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/expatsi.devstudio.work\/?p=1005","title":{"rendered":"24 Countries with Better Healthcare Than the United States"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite Americans who claim it\u2019s the greatest country on earth, the United States is not exceptional when it comes to healthcare. It is, however, the most expensive.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to a 2023 report from the Commonwealth Fund, U.S. healthcare ranks highest worldwide in terms of costs, spending <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.commonwealthfund.org\/publications\/issue-briefs\/2023\/jan\/us-health-care-global-perspective-2022\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">nearly 18 percent of GDP<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on health outcomes. Despite that, the country topped the list for infant mortality among high-income countries, recording <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ajmc.com\/view\/us-has-highest-infant-maternal-mortality-rates-despite-the-most-health-care-spending\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5.4 deaths<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> per 1000 live births in 2020\u2014more than triple that of Norway. The United States also recorded maternal mortality rates 3x those of other high-income countries in 2020, logging <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ajmc.com\/view\/us-has-highest-infant-maternal-mortality-rates-despite-the-most-health-care-spending\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">23.8 maternal deaths<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> per 100,000 live births.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Perhaps that&#8217;s because, u<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">nlike other developed nations like <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lamoncloa.gob.es\/lang\/en\/espana\/stpv\/spaintoday2015\/health\/Paginas\/index.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Spain<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the U.S. doesn\u2019t view public healthcare as a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/howmanytimeshasthehousevotedtorepealobamacare.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">human right<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. It allows a significant portion of its population to go uninsured, according to the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.commonwealthfund.org\/publications\/issue-briefs\/2023\/jan\/us-health-care-global-perspective-2022\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Commonwealth Fund<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, or even <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amjmed.com\/article\/S0002-9343(09)00404-5\/fulltext\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">file bankruptcy<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> after receiving life-saving medical care. Most other Americans see their health insurance tied to an employer. This can limit job mobility if they get sick or see quality healthcare <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/legalaidatwork.org\/factsheet\/health-insurance-employment\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">eliminated by said employer<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Does it have to be this way? Is the United States health system really the best that its citizens can hope for? Nations like <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/expatsi.com\/costa-rica\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Costa Rica<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> offer universal healthcare and high standards of care for their citizens\u2014would any of them welcome US expats? Could these countries offer better medical treatment, greater life expectancy, and lower costs for medical insurance?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The short answer is \u201cyes.\u201d In some cases, countries have much better outcomes than the United States, and in others, countries have marginally worse outcomes but <em>much<\/em> more affordable, accessible care. Read on to learn about 24 countries with better healthcare than the US that you could immigrate to:<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Mexico<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_13567\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13567\" style=\"width: 1600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13567\" src=\"https:\/\/expatsi.devstudio.work\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Shutterstock_healthcare-slideshow-mexico-jpg.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-13567\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo Credit: Shutterstock.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Advantages: transparent pricing, universal healthcare, affordable private insurance<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/expatsi.com\/mexico\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Mexico\u2019s<\/a> healthcare system consists of both public and private institutions which are well equipped to address various needs from basic emergencies to complex surgery. Furthermore, their public health programs provide citizens with universal access to<a href=\"https:\/\/academic.oup.com\/heapol\/article\/31\/1\/28\/2363261?login=false#87358751\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"> a wide range of services<\/a> including vaccinations for children, diabetes management for adults, and prenatal checkups for expectant mothers, among many others.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/expatsi.com\/healthcare\/10-faqs-about-healthcare-in-mexico-for-expats\/\">Mexico is known to have transparent pricing when it comes to healthcare<\/a>, which makes its out-of-pocket costs relatively easy to predict. In general, cash (or credit card) payment must be made for care received. As with most healthcare systems, medications can be purchased at a pharmacy <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC1003314\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">without a prescription<\/a>. Prices are typically lower than what you might find in other countries due to the <a href=\"https:\/\/expatsi.com\/healthcare\/mexico-healthcare-report\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">transparent pricing system in Mexico<\/a>, making it more financially feasible for those who are able to purchase their medicine there. <\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Germany<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_13564\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13564\" style=\"width: 1600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13564\" src=\"https:\/\/expatsi.devstudio.work\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Shutterstock_healthcare-slideshow-germany-jpg.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-13564\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo Credit: Shutterstock.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Advantages: universal healthcare, pre-existing conditions covered, nominal fees, EHIC qualified<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/expatsi.com\/germany\/\">Germany\u2019s<\/a> public healthcare system gets its funding from general wage contributions and supplemental contributions, shared among employers and workers. Nongovernmental insurers known as sickness funds manage insurance administration duties. These sickness funds provide a range of deductibles, with copays applied to inpatient services and drugs. While it maintains broad regulatory power, the federal government doesn\u2019t directly control healthcare delivery.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Health insurance is compulsory for all residents here, regardless of employment. Germany&#8217;s big draw in its insurance scheme lies in out-of-pocket spending caps, preventing residents from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/sections\/health-shots\/2022\/12\/14\/1142601526\/lessons-from-germany-to-help-solve-the-u-s-medical-debt-crisis\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">getting crushed by medical debt<\/a>. Expats can participate in the statutory plan if they\u2019re formally employed by a company in Germany or pay into the system directly. Otherwise, you\u2019ll need to have comprehensive health insurance in place before arriving here.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Another benefit of Germany&#8217;s universal health: you cannot be turned down for pre-existing conditions within the public system. Being a member of the European Union gives additional flexibility to its residents, too: the <a href=\"https:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/social\/main.jsp?catId=559&amp;langId=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">European Health Insurance Card<\/a> (EHIC) grants access to medically necessary, state-provided healthcare throughout the EU under the same conditions and cost as people insured in that country. You&#8217;ll see this &#8220;EHIC qualified&#8221; phrase show up often in the &#8220;Advantages&#8221; sections of these countries.<\/p>\n<h2>Finland<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_13562\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13562\" style=\"width: 1600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13562\" src=\"https:\/\/expatsi.devstudio.work\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Shutterstock_healthcare-slideshow-finland-jpg.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-13562\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo Credit: Shutterstock.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Advantages: universal healthcare, EHIC qualified, low out-of-pocket max<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/expatsi.com\/finland\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Finland&#8217;s<\/a> healthcare system is based on public healthcare services to which everyone residing in the country is entitled. This national health insurance plan is part of the social security system and implemented by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kela.fi\/from-other-countries-to-finland-medical-care\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Kela<\/a>, the Social Insurance Institution of Finland. In addition, numerous private healthcare services operate in the country.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Public healthcare is extended to all residents of a Finnish municipality and those who carry a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jyu.fi\/en\/workwithus\/international-staff-guide\/living\/eu-nordic\/health-care\/public-health-care-for-temporary-foreign-residents\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">certificate of entitlement for medical care<\/a>. Those who aren\u2019t covered by these options may choose to pay out of pocket for their medical care in both public and private systems. Emergency care is provided free of charge to all, regardless of residency status or ability to pay.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Along with the <a href=\"https:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/social\/main.jsp?catId=559&amp;langId=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">EHIC<\/a> benefit afforded to all EU nations, Finland also <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kela.fi\/from-other-countries-to-finland-medical-care\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">reimburses residents<\/a> for some private healthcare costs, medicine purchases, and medical-related travel expenses. Prescription drug costs max out around <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kela.fi\/medicine-expenses-annual-maximum-limit-on-out-of-pocket-costs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">$650 USD annually<\/a>, limiting resident costs on their healthcare.<\/p>\n<h2>Costa Rica<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_13561\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13561\" style=\"width: 1600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13561\" src=\"https:\/\/expatsi.devstudio.work\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Shutterstock_healthcare-slideshow-Costa-Rica.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-13561\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo Credit: Shutterstock.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Advantages: universal healthcare after 18 months, top-tier medical care, no out-of-pocket fees<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/expatsi.com\/costa-rica\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Costa Rica<\/a> operates the best healthcare system in Latin America; thanks to the high quality and low costs, the country has even become a popular <a href=\"https:\/\/costarica.org\/living\/medical\/#:~:text=Medical%20Tourism%20Costa%20Rica%20is,here%20is%20very%2C%20very%20good.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">medical tourism<\/a> destination. Hospital facilities can be found across the country, but the most specialized are located in the Central Valley Region. Despite the high quality of care offered by public hospitals, they can be overcrowded and it\u2019s not uncommon for patients to face long waiting periods and delays in procedures. For this reason, many expats prefer to use the private system instead, allowing them to <a href=\"https:\/\/cr.usembassy.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/248\/medical-practitioners-list.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">select their GP and preferred hospital<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/expatsi.com\/cost-of-living\/cost-to-live-in-costa-rica\/\">Costa Rica<\/a> uses a universal healthcare system. Registration within the public system (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ccss.sa.cr\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">the <em>Caja<\/em><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) is part of the residency process; expats pay 7-11% of their income into this option each month, either direct or through their employer. This monthly payment is the only fee for public health medical treatment; all other costs are covered. Self-employed and retired residents pay into the independent worker plan (<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">asegurado voluntario<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). This monthly contribution covers spouses and dependents, as well. <\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Switzerland<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_13572\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13572\" style=\"width: 1600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13572\" src=\"https:\/\/expatsi.devstudio.work\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Shutterstock_healthcare-slideshow-Switzerland-jpg.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-13572\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo Credit: Shutterstock.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Advantages: universal healthcare, pre-existing conditions covered, lower out-of-pocket max, EHIC qualified<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/expatsi.com\/switzerland\/\">Switzerland<\/a> operates a decentralized public healthcare system, requiring all residents to purchase insurance from private nonprofit insurers within three months of their arrival.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> According to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.commonwealthfund.org\/international-health-policy-center\/countries\/switzerland\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Commonwealth Fund<\/a>, each of the 26 Swiss cantons (states) oversee their area\u2019s health systems. Insurance plans are not sponsored by employers. These mandatory insurance plans cover GP and specialist visits, hospitalization, preventive care, maternity, and more. Deductibles and coinsurance requirements vary from canton to canton.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Standardized costs can be hard to predict in a country with 26 healthcare systems. Patients pay the full costs of most medical services up to their deductible, plus a 10% coinsurance and possible copayment. Insurance policies apply to individuals, requiring separate coverage for adults and dependents. While costs can vary per canton, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.commonwealthfund.org\/international-health-policy-center\/countries\/switzerland\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">standard minimum deductibles<\/a> for the public health insurance plans are <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u20a3300 ($334 USD) for adults and \u20a30 for kids. <\/span><\/p>\n<p>While the Swiss healthcare system may be more complicated than other countries here, it still took the top spot for <a href=\"https:\/\/freopp.org\/switzerland-1-in-the-2022-world-index-of-healthcare-innovation-619dedce4862\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">best healthcare system in the world<\/a> in 2022. It uses the <a href=\"https:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/social\/main.jsp?catId=559&amp;langId=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">EHIC<\/a> to make travel around the EU easier, covers pre-existing conditions. At $<a href=\"https:\/\/www.commonwealthfund.org\/international-health-policy-center\/countries\/switzerland\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">2645 USD<\/a> out-of-pocket maximum for individuals, Switzerland comes in far under the Obamacare plans&#8217; out-of-pocket maximums of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthcare.gov\/glossary\/out-of-pocket-maximum-limit\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">$9100 USD<\/a> for individuals.<\/p>\n<h2>Panama<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_13569\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13569\" style=\"width: 1600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13569\" src=\"https:\/\/expatsi.devstudio.work\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Shutterstock_healthcare-slideshow-Panama-jpg.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-13569\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo Credit: Shutterstock.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Advantages: great <a href=\"https:\/\/expatsi.com\/visas-residency-citizenship\/where-should-you-retire-for-end-of-life-care\/\">end-of-life care<\/a>, top-tier hospital, transparent rates, discounts for retirees<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/expatsi.com\/panama\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Panama<\/a> offers several healthcare options that are more affordable than the U.S. health system. The government provides public and subsidized healthcare to some residents, while private insurance companies offer a variety of plans. For those who don\u2019t have access to either of these options, the country also has an extensive network of medical clinics and hospitals that provide health services at reasonable out-of-pocket rates. If you have a <em>pensionado<\/em> visa or you\u2019re of retirement age (55 for women and 60 for men), you can get discounts on those rates, too.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As a couple of examples of how care varies from the U.S., visit the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hospitalnacional.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hospital Nacional<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pacificasalud.com\/home\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hospital Punta Pac\u00edfica<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> websites. There&#8217;s even a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hopkinsmedicine.org\/international\/health-care-consulting\/our-clients\/americas\/hospital_punta_pacifica.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Johns Hopkins facility<\/a> in Panama City, the U.S. gold standard in medical treatment. You\u2019ll see transparent rate charts for gallbladder surgery, hip replacement, and maternity care. Most doctors in Panama trained in the United States, too, so their English skills should be solid. You can even make your appointments on WhatsApp. <\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Spain<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_13571\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13571\" style=\"width: 1600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13571\" src=\"https:\/\/expatsi.devstudio.work\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Shutterstock_healthcare-slideshow-Spain-jpg.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-13571\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo Credit: Shutterstock.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Advantages: public healthcare access, pre-existing conditions covered under public plan, EHIC qualified<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a title=\"Should I Move to Spain?\" href=\"https:\/\/expatsi.com\/spain\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Spain\u2019s<\/a> population enjoys good quality healthcare, with public health initiatives providing an extra layer of security to those who need it most. Admission into <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.schengenvisainfo.com\/europe-health-insurance\/spain-health-insurance\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Sistema Nacional de Salud<\/a><\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SNS<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">)<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Spain\u2019s public healthcare system, can take several months for expats who aren\u2019t employed locally, making private insurance a draw for new residents.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Spain\u2019s healthcare pricing is pretty direct, making out-of-pocket costs lower than the U.S. and relatively easy to predict. In fact, most medical services (ER visits, GP consults, hospitalization) are fully covered under the national health system. Private insurance may cover the expenses not included within SNS or for those who don\u2019t pay into the public option. Some medications can be purchased at a pharmacy without a prescription, although there are restrictions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>As with Germany and Switzerland above, pre-existing conditions are covered by Spain&#8217;s public health system. It also offers the <a href=\"https:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/social\/main.jsp?catId=559&amp;langId=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">EHIC<\/a> as part of the European Union, so your Spanish healthcare would cover you in the rest of those countries. Spain&#8217;s public healthcare <a href=\"https:\/\/www.schengenvisainfo.com\/europe-health-insurance\/spain-health-insurance\/#:~:text=Spain%20provides%20a%20national%20healthcare,of%20%E2%82%AC157%20(%24172).\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">costs<\/a> about $65 USD\/month for people under 65, while retirees pay about $172 USD\/month.<\/p>\n<h2>Greece<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_13565\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13565\" style=\"width: 1600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13565\" src=\"https:\/\/expatsi.devstudio.work\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Shutterstock_healthcare-slideshow-Greece-jpg.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-13565\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo Credit: Shutterstock.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Advantages: universal healthcare free to unemployed, little or no out-of-pocket fees, EHIC qualified<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a title=\"Should I Move to Greece?\" href=\"https:\/\/expatsi.com\/greece\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Greece<\/a> operates a National Health System (ESY) which aims to deliver free and equitable health services to all. Its system uses a combination of public and private health service providers, with most expats using the private system. National health standards are generally high, though these can vary between the Greek mainland and surrounding islands.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Primary healthcare \u2014 including hospital outpatient, surgeries, and rural health centers \u2014 gets administered through ESY. Expat residents gain access to the free public system if they contribute to the Social Insurance Institute (IKA), a public company overseeing Greece\u2019s social security. Both employed and retired expats can use the public system by paying into the IKA, though self-employed expats follow another plan.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>With its universal healthcare plan offering <a href=\"https:\/\/getgoldenvisa.com\/healthcare-in-greece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">minor out-of-pocket fees<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/social\/main.jsp?catId=559&amp;langId=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">EHIC<\/a> participation, Greece extends a welcome invitation to the European Union.<\/p>\n<h2>The Netherlands<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_13568\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13568\" style=\"width: 1600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13568\" src=\"https:\/\/expatsi.devstudio.work\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Shutterstock_healthcare-slideshow-Netherlands-jpg.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-13568\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo Credit: Shutterstock.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Advantages: comprehensive healthcare for all, long-term care funded by gov&#8217;t, EHIC qualified&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a title=\"Should I Move to The Netherlands?\" href=\"https:\/\/expatsi.com\/the-netherlands\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Netherlands<\/a> uses a combination of public and private healthcare coverage to treat all residents. Here, the government funds all long-term health treatments, while private insurers manage short-term care needs. Short-term care, in this case, usually encompasses GP visits, hospitalizations, specialists, most prescriptions, maternity care, and ambulance services.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All legal residents in the Netherlands are required to carry private health insurance, which starts around <a href=\"https:\/\/wise.com\/us\/blog\/healthcare-system-in-the-netherlands#netherlands-health-care-costs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">$110 USD\/month<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.commonwealthfund.org\/international-health-policy-center\/countries\/netherlands\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">$500 USD deductible<\/a>. The Dutch government regulates the private market, ensuring minimum coverages, standards of care, and deductibles.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Portugal<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_13570\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13570\" style=\"width: 1600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13570\" src=\"https:\/\/expatsi.devstudio.work\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Shutterstock_healthcare-slideshow-Portugal.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-13570\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo Credit: Shutterstock.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Advantages: universal healthcare covers most needs, transparent fees, EHIC qualified<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Overall, <a title=\"Should I Move to Portugal?\" href=\"https:\/\/expatsi.com\/portugal\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Portugal\u2019s<\/a> population enjoys good quality health care, with public health initiatives providing an extra layer of security to those who need it the most. Private insurance is encouraged in addition to the public option, as the public system has long wait times for elective procedures. Private insurance would also allow you to choose your physician.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Portugal\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sns24.gov.pt\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">universal health system<\/a> covers all medical procedures, aside from dental care and cosmetic surgery. Public hospitals can be found throughout the country, while each municipality uses local health centers known as <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">centros de sa\u00fade<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to provide primary medical care. You may have some service fees due at doctor visits and diagnostic exams; these are capped at $1,100 USD per year and can be deducted from your taxes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>With its universal coverage, transparent fee schedule, and <a href=\"https:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/social\/main.jsp?catId=559&amp;langId=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">EHIC<\/a> participation within the EU, Portugal offers tremendous value to expats who make it their home.<\/p>\n<h2>France<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_13563\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13563\" style=\"width: 1600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13563\" src=\"https:\/\/expatsi.devstudio.work\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Shutterstock_healthcare-slideshow-France-jpg.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-13563\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo Credit: Shutterstock.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Advantages: 70% of costs covered, transparent pricing, available after 3 months, EHIC qualified<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/expatsi.com\/france\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">France\u2019s<\/a> population enjoys good quality healthcare, with public health initiatives providing an extra layer of security to those who need it the most. It operates on a copayment system for the public option, covering up to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.commonwealthfund.org\/international-health-policy-center\/countries\/france\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">70% of your medical costs<\/a>. Most people purchase <i>protection mutuelle<\/i>, or supplemental insurance, to cover the additional medical costs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can apply for a <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">carte vitale<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, France\u2019s national insurance card, after your first three months here. With its transparent pricing, English-speaking healthcare professionals and <a href=\"https:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/social\/main.jsp?catId=559&amp;langId=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">EHIC<\/a> participation, France offers a welcome place to study, work, or retire.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>United Kingdom<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_13573\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13573\" style=\"width: 1600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13573\" src=\"https:\/\/expatsi.devstudio.work\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Shutterstock_healthcare-slideshow-United-Kingdom-jpg.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-13573\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo Credit: Shutterstock.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Advantages: universal healthcare after 6 months, most care is $0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a title=\"Should I Move to the United Kingdom?\" href=\"https:\/\/expatsi.com\/united-kingdom\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The United Kingdom<\/a> was the first healthcare system to be funded by general taxation. Free care is given based on need, rather than ability to pay fees or insurance. Thus, most medical care costs $0 at time of service. EHIC isn&#8217;t really used in the UK post-Brexit, though they do offer a <a title=\"Apply for GHIC | NHS.uk\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/using-the-nhs\/healthcare-abroad\/apply-for-a-free-uk-global-health-insurance-card-ghic\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">replacement<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Public healthcare is free to all UK residents under the NHS system.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This offer extends to non-residents, too, so long as they did not specifically travel for free healthcare. Once you\u2019re a resident here, you\u2019ll register with the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">NHS<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Expats can access the NHS system after living in the UK for six months and paying the immigration health surcharge of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/healthcare-immigration-application\/how-much-pay\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u00a3624 per year<\/a> ($810 USD) with your visa.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Italy<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_13566\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13566\" style=\"width: 1600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13566\" src=\"https:\/\/expatsi.devstudio.work\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Shutterstock_healthcare-slideshow-Italy-jpg.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-13566\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo Credit: Shutterstock.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Advantages: universal healthcare after 90 days, nominal fees, no deductibles, EHIC qualified<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a title=\"Should I Move to Italy?\" href=\"https:\/\/expatsi.com\/italy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Italy<\/a> provides universal coverage through its National Health Service, <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Servizio Sanitario Nazionale<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (SSN). SSN has offered urgent and essential medical service to undocumented people since 1998, while Italian citizens and legal residents have benefited from this system since 1978. Healthcare delivery is decentralized across 100 local health units, providing services ranging from primary care to mental health.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All legal residents in Italy have a right to public healthcare. Anyone staying in the country beyond 90 days is required to have coverage. Roughly 10% of the population carries additional private insurance, which may provide quicker care access, choice of specialists, and better amenities for elective procedures.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>According to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.commonwealthfund.org\/international-health-policy-center\/countries\/italy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Commonwealth Fund<\/a>, Italy&#8217;s public insurance scheme doesn&#8217;t apply deductibles or charge fees for services like GP visits and hospital stays. Add in the country&#8217;s <a title=\"Should I Move to Italy?\" href=\"https:\/\/expatsi.com\/italy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">EHIC<\/a> participation, and you&#8217;ll find a health system that takes care of its residents, citizen and expat alike.<\/p>\n<h2>Austria<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_13560\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13560\" style=\"width: 1600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13560\" src=\"https:\/\/expatsi.devstudio.work\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Shutterstock_healthcare-slideshow-Austria-jpg.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-13560\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo Credit: Shutterstock.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Advantages: universal healthcare after 6 months, low service fees, EHIC qualified<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/expatsi.com\/austria\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Austria\u2019s<\/a> renowned public healthcare plan receives its funding through federal tax revenues. Payment into a health insurance scheme, public or private, is required for citizens and expats. Care is extended to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.academics.com\/guide\/health-insurance-austria\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">all legal residents<\/a>, mostly for free or nominal costs at time of service. Austria\u2019s Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care, and Consumer Protection oversees both public and private schemes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Austria\u2019s universal public scheme covers healthcare, accidents, and pensions; it&#8217;s available to new residents after 6 months. Private health insurance is available, too, which may provide quicker care access, choice of specialists, and better amenities for elective procedures. The vast majority of residents use the public health option. The country&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/social\/main.jsp?catId=559&amp;langId=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">EHIC<\/a> participation and low service fees make this an attractive place for expats to work and retire abroad.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The United States is an immensely popular destination; it\u2019s the land of opportunity for more than 50 million immigrants. For some American citizens, those opportunities are overshadowed by the high cost of healthcare and medical insurance.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re struggling, we want to reveal something that you might not know you have\u2014options. As a population, U.S. citizens<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/business\/2022\/12\/23\/american-emigrants\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> don\u2019t really move abroad like other countries<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Our tendency to stay within our home country limits our perspective on how life could be different beyond our borders. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If the U.S. healthcare system doesn\u2019t work well for you right now, we hope you can find another health system that will.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Chile<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_15003\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-15003\" style=\"width: 1600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-15003\" src=\"https:\/\/expatsi.devstudio.work\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Shutterstock_chile-jpg.webp\" alt=\"Santiago, Chile skyline with mountain range in the distance\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-15003\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo Credit: Shutterstock.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chile\u2019s public and private healthcare systems serve complementary roles for tax-paying residents. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fondo Nacional de Salud<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (FONASA) administers the public side, focusing on preventative care and treatment. Private insurers called <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Instituciones de Salud Previsional<\/span><\/i> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(ISAPREs) focus on specialized medical needs as well as primary care. Either choice collects a 7% payroll deduction, though ISAPREs may levy additional premiums. Anyone working in Chile is automatically subscribed to health insurance.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Thailand<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_13263\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13263\" style=\"width: 1600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13263\" src=\"https:\/\/expatsi.devstudio.work\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/THAILAND-slideshow-2020-jpg.webp\" alt=\"Night picture of Bangkok's skyline\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-13263\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo Credit: Twenty20.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medical care is cheaper here\u2014about 20% of the US cost\u2014making the country a medical tourism destination. Universal healthcare expands health access to nearly everyone here, though expats prefer private insurance for their medical needs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thai citizens and employees qualify for the universal health plan, funded by tax revenues and requiring no out-of-pocket costs in most cases. Thailand also has a surplus of specialists compared to general physicians, making this a destination for medical tourism.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Croatia<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_13055\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13055\" style=\"width: 1600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13055\" src=\"https:\/\/expatsi.devstudio.work\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/croatia-3-slideshow-2020-jpg.webp\" alt=\"Sunny picture of traditional structures in Croatia\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-13055\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo Credit: Twenty20.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Croatia\u2019s universal healthcare system provides a mandatory public system that all residents and citizens pay into monthly. Known as <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">obvezno<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, this public health insurance scheme is administered by the Croatian Health Insurance Fund (HZZO). Croatia\u2019s system centers around solidarity and reciprocity: residents contribute according to their ability and receive basic care according to their needs.&nbsp;<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Digital nomads are exempt from Croatia\u2019s mandatory state coverage.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Australia<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_15170\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-15170\" style=\"width: 1600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-15170\" src=\"https:\/\/expatsi.devstudio.work\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Shutterstock_sydney-opera-house-australia-jpg.webp\" alt=\"Sydney Opera House and downtown Sydney, Australia\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-15170\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo Credit: Shutterstock.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Australia uses a universal, publicly funded healthcare system known as Australian Medicare. It\u2019s funded by a 2% income tax and government levy, with higher income households paying more money to the system. The public healthcare system serves all Australian citizens and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.april-international.com\/en\/long-term-international-health-insurance\/guide\/how-to-get-permanent-residence-in-australia\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">permanent residents<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, along with expats on a work permit. Over half of residents purchase private health insurance to supplement the public health plan.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Brazil<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_13628\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13628\" style=\"width: 1600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13628\" src=\"https:\/\/expatsi.devstudio.work\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Brazil_healthcare_report_Shutterstock.png\" alt=\"Healthcare in Brazil report, Christ the Redeemer looms over Rio de Janeiro\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-13628\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo Credit: Shutterstock.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Brazil considers healthcare a constitutional right, offering universal coverage to everyone within its borders, regardless of legal status. Their public health system, known as <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sistema \u00danico de Sa\u00fade<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (SUS), covers comprehensive services in primary, specialty, mental health, and hospitalization. There\u2019s no application process to delay care access. Common conditions like diabetes get free medication, while prescription drugs requiring payment see discounts up to 90%.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Belize<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_13771\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13771\" style=\"width: 1600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13771\" src=\"https:\/\/expatsi.devstudio.work\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Shutterstock_socialsecurity_belize.png\" alt=\"Woman feeds seagulls from a pier at Ambergris Caye, Belize\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-13771\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo Credit: Shutterstock.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All residents, including expats, are entitled to medical services from the public health facilities. Its private health system is generally of higher quality, offering modern facilities and shorter wait times than the public system. Most physicians in Belize speak English and Spanish. Dental care here is both high quality and affordable, creating a destination for medical tourism.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Uruguay<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_13275\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13275\" style=\"width: 1600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13275\" src=\"https:\/\/expatsi.devstudio.work\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/URUGUAY-slideshow-2020-jpg.webp\" alt=\"Woman rides her bike across the bay from Montevideo, Uruguay\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-13275\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo Credit: Twenty20.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The most popular medical plan for expats in Uruguay is the <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">mutualista<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Much like an HMO in the U.S, the <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">mutualista<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a subscription to a private hospital and its clinics. Membership costs about $100 USD per month and covers the bulk of your medical care: routine visits, emergencies, tests, surgeries, and more. Instead of applying a deductible, you\u2019d pay a small copay.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Canada<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_13920\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13920\" style=\"width: 1600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13920\" src=\"https:\/\/expatsi.devstudio.work\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Shutterstock_Canada_taxes-jpg.webp\" alt=\"e-bikes lined up along a street in metro Canada\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-13920\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo Credit: Shutterstock.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Canada uses a universal, publicly funded healthcare system known as Canadian Medicare. The public healthcare system serves all Canadian citizens and permanent residents, along with refugees and expats on a work permit. Primary care, specialist, and hospitalizations are generally delivered at no cost. Low-income people like seniors, children, and those with severe disabilities have low or zero copays.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>New Zealand<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_13175\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13175\" style=\"width: 1600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-13175 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/expatsi.devstudio.work\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/NEW-ZEALAND-slideshow-2020-jpg.webp\" alt=\"Red cable car rides down a hill outside Wellington, New Zealand\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-13175\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo Credit: Twenty20.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">New Zealand uses a universal, publicly funded healthcare system that covers citizens, permanent residents, and expats on extended work visas. New Zealand\u2019s public healthcare system uses copays but no deductible. Copays for GP and other doctor visits usually range from $10 &#8211; $34 USD, and there\u2019s no fee for hospitalization.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Estonia<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_13076\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13076\" style=\"width: 1600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13076\" src=\"https:\/\/expatsi.devstudio.work\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/ESTONIA-slideshow-2020-jpg.webp\" alt=\"A church steeple rises above traditional houses in Tallinn, Estonia\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-13076\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo Credit: Twenty20.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Estonia built its healthcare system on twin principles of solidarity and equal treatment. Solidarity sees employed insured residents paying into the system for the unemployed, with contributions based on income instead of personal health risk. Equal treatment guarantees that all insured residents receive the care they need. As a result, Estonia boasts <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cia.gov\/the-world-factbook\/field\/maternal-mortality-ratio\/country-comparison\/\">lower maternal mortality rates<\/a> than the U.S., according to the CIA.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Despite Americans who claim it\u2019s the greatest country on earth, the United States is not exceptional when it comes to healthcare. It is, however, the most expensive. According to a 2023 report from the Commonwealth Fund, U.S. healthcare ranks highest worldwide in terms of costs, spending nearly 18 percent of GDP on health outcomes. Despite [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1016,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[64],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1005","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-healthcare"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/expatsi.devstudio.work\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1005","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/expatsi.devstudio.work\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/expatsi.devstudio.work\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/expatsi.devstudio.work\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/expatsi.devstudio.work\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1005"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/expatsi.devstudio.work\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1005\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1015,"href":"https:\/\/expatsi.devstudio.work\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1005\/revisions\/1015"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/expatsi.devstudio.work\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1016"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/expatsi.devstudio.work\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1005"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/expatsi.devstudio.work\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1005"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/expatsi.devstudio.work\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1005"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}