Print

International medical insurance schemes are designed for people who are living or working outside their country of residence for at least six months of the year. Schemes are either sold to individuals directly or are offered to employees by their employers. Insurance should be flexible enough to enable the insured to take the cover with them as they move from one country to another.

Typically structured over a 12-month period insurance covers acute medical treatment for illness or injury. In addition, many products offer, either as part of the standard benefit or an optional extra, a range of other benefits including; cover for GP consultations, routine and emergency dental treatment, optical cover, home nursing, evacuation cover, personal accident insurance, and critical illness.

Often expatriate employers provide a private medical insurance as part of an employee benefit package. If you want to take it by your own, be aware that it can be very expensive.