The best international health insurance plan for most expats is a flexible, mid-to-high tier plan from a large insurer such as Cigna Global, Allianz Care or Bupa Global. The right choice depends on where you live, whether you need cover in the United States, your age, your health history and your budget.
This guide compares seven well-known providers, with indicative costs, key benefits and the checks to make before you buy. It is general information, not insurance advice. Prices and plan details change, and every figure here is an estimate, not a quote. Always get a written quote and read the policy wording.
Quick Answer: Which Plan Suits Which Expat?
- Most flexible all-rounder: Cigna Global.
- Families and employer-style cover: Allianz Care.
- Premium service and high limits: Bupa Global.
- US citizens and US-linked expats: GeoBlue.
- Private-hospital focus: AXA Global Healthcare.
- Value-focused cover: William Russell.
- Tighter budgets: IMG Global Medical.
How These Seven Were Chosen
I looked at current broker comparisons and insurer product pages, and I shortlisted providers that appear consistently across them. I focused on five points: plan range, worldwide reach, cover for serious illness, flexibility on deductibles and outpatient care, and suitability for long-term residents.
These are not independent test results. Many comparison sites earn commission from insurers, so treat any ranking, including this one, as a starting point. Rankings also change by country and age.
The Seven Plans at a Glance
| Insurer | Plan levels | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Cigna Global | Silver, Gold, Platinum, Close Care | Flexibility |
| Allianz Care | Care Base up to Care Pro | Families, groups |
| Bupa Global | Major Medical to Ultimate | Premium cover |
| GeoBlue | Xplorer range | US-linked expats |
| AXA Global Healthcare | Foundation to Prestige Plus | Private care |
| William Russell | Bronze, SilverLite, Silver, Gold | Value |
| IMG Global Medical | Bronze to Platinum | Budget |
Plan names and tiers change, and some are sold only in certain regions. Check each insurer’s current range before you decide.
What Does International Health Insurance Cost?
Costs vary enormously, and published figures disagree. Broker guides generally show these rough monthly bands for a single adult in their 30s or 40s, excluding the United States:
| Cover level | Rough monthly cost (US$) |
|---|---|
| Basic, mostly hospital | 100–250 |
| Mid-range, with outpatient | 250–450 |
| Comprehensive, high limits | 450–800+ |
These are broad planning ranges from broker commentary, not insurer quotes. Your price depends on:
- Age. Premiums rise steeply with age.
- Where you live. Local medical costs matter.
- United States cover. Adding it can raise premiums sharply, often by two to three times.
- Deductible and co-insurance. Taking more risk lowers the premium.
- Extras. Outpatient, maternity, dental and vision cost more.
- Family size. Some insurers give child discounts or cover children free on some tiers.
1. Cigna Global
Cigna Global is often named the strongest all-rounder because its plans are modular. You pick a base tier, then add outpatient, dental, vision and evacuation options.
Plans and limits: According to Cigna’s product summary, Silver has a US$1 million annual maximum, Gold US$2 million and Platinum has no overall maximum. Broker sources also list a lower-cost Close Care plan. Maternity benefits are generally limited or unavailable on lower tiers.
Strengths: Wide choice of deductibles, broad eligibility and a large global network.
Watch-outs: Premiums rise quickly as you add options, and benefits differ by region. Learn more at Cigna Global.
2. Allianz Care
Allianz Care is widely used by multinational employers and suits families and professionals who want a steady, well-known provider. Its range runs from a lower base tier to a higher-limit Pro tier, and the plans offer optional add-ons.
Strengths: Broad plan range, 24/7 support and strong brand stability. Some insurers have reported that company-negotiated rates can be lower than individual retail rates.
Watch-outs: Optional riders can raise the cost quickly, and annual limits vary by plan, so check the exact figures in the benefit table. See Allianz Care.
3. Bupa Global
Bupa Global targets people who want premium service and high limits. Its Global Health Plans include Major Medical, Select, Premier, Elite and Ultimate, with published annual limits from roughly £1 million to £3 million, and no overall annual limit on Ultimate.
Strengths: High limits, extensive cover and a concierge-style service on higher tiers. It can suit people who already hold a Bupa policy in another country, though you should ask whether any portability credit applies.
Watch-outs: It is often among the most expensive options, and the range is structured differently from rivals. Major Medical, for example, is a hospital-led design, not simply a lower tier. Visit Bupa Global.
4. GeoBlue
GeoBlue is built around the Blue Cross Blue Shield network and is designed for people with strong US ties, such as US citizens living abroad or those who travel back to the United States.
Strengths: Good access to US care, a familiar US claims experience and worldwide cover that can include the United States.
Watch-outs: Its focus is narrower than global-only insurers, and eligibility is usually tied to US connections, so confirm you qualify. Premiums that include the US are typically higher. See GeoBlue.
5. AXA Global Healthcare
AXA Global Healthcare focuses on private medical care and is popular with professionals and families who want access to private hospitals and specialists. Broker summaries describe a range from Foundation through to Prestige Plus, with higher tiers adding more outpatient and wellness benefits.
Strengths: Clear tiered structure and a strong private-care orientation.
Watch-outs: Entry-level tiers may have much lower limits than headline plans, so check the annual maximum and the inner limits for areas such as mental health. Visit AXA Global Healthcare.
6. William Russell
William Russell is often recommended to expats who want solid cover at a lower price. Its plans are Bronze, SilverLite, Silver and Gold, and one broker summary lists annual limits of about US$1.5 million to US$5 million across the range.
Strengths: Value-oriented pricing and straightforward tiers.
Watch-outs: Lower tiers have tighter outpatient and maternity benefits, and its provider network is smaller than the biggest players. Check direct-billing options where you live. See William Russell.
7. IMG Global Medical
IMG Global Medical is a common choice for budget-minded long stays, with plan levels from Bronze to Platinum and flexible deductibles. It is a way to lower premiums if you accept more out-of-pocket risk.
Strengths: Lower entry premiums and customisable options.
Watch-outs: Cheaper plans can be less robust for complex or chronic conditions, and some options are closer to travel medical cover than full residency plans. Check eligibility for long-term residents. Visit IMG.
What to Check Before You Buy
- Coverage area. “Worldwide excluding the US” is much cheaper than “worldwide including the US”.
- Annual limit and inner limits. A big headline limit can hide small caps on mental health, maternity or cancer drugs.
- Deductible and co-insurance. Calculate your worst-case annual out-of-pocket cost.
- Outpatient cover. Many base plans cover hospital care only.
- Pre-existing conditions. Insurers handle them in different ways. Some exclude them, some apply a moratorium and some use full medical underwriting. Disclose everything honestly, because a claim can be refused if you do not.
- Waiting periods. Maternity often has a waiting period of 10 months or more.
- Direct billing. Ask whether hospitals near you bill the insurer directly.
- Evacuation and repatriation. Confirm that these are included.
- Renewal terms. Premiums often rise yearly and as you age.
Check Your Destination’s Rules First
Some countries require specific insurance for a visa or residence permit, and a plan that meets a visa condition in one country may not satisfy another. Always check the destination’s official immigration website before buying.
For example, in Australia, many temporary visa holders must hold adequate private health cover, and the tax system treats hospital insurance differently for higher earners. See our Melbourne relocation guide for how this works, and ask your insurer whether a plan meets local requirements.
How to Compare and Buy
- Decide where you will live and whether you need US cover.
- Set your budget and the most you could pay in a bad year.
- Get quotes from at least three insurers, ideally on matching deductibles.
- Compare inner limits and exclusions, not just the premium.
- Read the policy wording and the definition of pre-existing conditions.
- Ask a regulated broker if you have a complex case, and ask how they are paid.
- Check the cooling-off period and renewal terms before you pay.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the best international health insurance for expats?
There is no single best plan. Cigna Global, Allianz Care and Bupa Global are commonly shortlisted, while GeoBlue suits US-linked expats and IMG or William Russell suit tighter budgets. Match the plan to your country, age and health needs.
2. How much does expat health insurance cost?
Broker guides suggest roughly US$100 to US$800 or more a month for a single adult, depending on cover level, age and location. Adding the United States can raise this sharply. Get quotes for exact prices.
3. Does it cover pre-existing conditions?
Often not automatically. Insurers may exclude them, apply a moratorium or assess them through medical underwriting. Disclose your history fully, and ask how each insurer treats it.
4. Is travel insurance the same as expat health insurance?
No. Travel medical plans, including nomad-style products, are designed for short or intermediate trips and often have lower limits and tighter conditions. Long-term residents usually need a full international plan.
5. Do I need cover that includes the United States?
Only if you live in or expect to visit the US. US medical costs are very high, so cover that includes it costs much more. If you will visit occasionally, ask about limited US cover or travel-trip add-ons.
6. Can I change insurers later?
Yes, but switching can be harder as you age or develop conditions, because a new insurer may exclude them. Think about long-term stability when you choose.
7. Will insurance satisfy my visa requirements?
Not necessarily. Each country sets its own rules. Check the official immigration site and ask the insurer to confirm in writing that a plan meets the requirement.
Conclusion
The best international health insurance is the plan that matches where you live, how much risk you can carry and what you actually need to be covered. For most expats, a flexible mid-tier plan from a large insurer is a sensible starting point, with GeoBlue for US ties and IMG or William Russell for tighter budgets. Get several quotes, compare limits and exclusions as well as price, disclose your health history honestly, and check destination rules before you pay. Treat every cost in this guide as a rough guide rather than a quote.