Taiwan – Doctors

How does Taiwan’s healthcare system work, and are expats covered?

Taiwan runs a single-payer healthcare model, meaning a single public body — the government — oversees healthcare provision for the entire population. This universal arrangement was launched in 1995 with the establishment of the National Health Insurance (NHI) programme. Unlike a fully state-run system such as the UK’s NHS, where most care is delivered by government-employed staff, Taiwan’s NHI funds treatment that is delivered predominantly by private providers.

Although both public and private facilities across the country can be accessed through the NHI framework, the private sector accounts for the bulk of actual care delivery, meaning all residents enjoy access to a high standard of medical attention. In broad structural terms, this model resembles social insurance systems found elsewhere — comparable in principle to Australia’s Medicare or France’s Assurance Maladie — where contributions fund access to an extensive network of providers.

NHI is a compulsory social insurance scheme: every Taiwanese citizen with household registration, and every foreign national residing in Taiwan under an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC), irrespective of age, gender, or employment circumstances, is required to enrol. The programme now covers more than 99% of Taiwan’s citizens and residents.

Foreign nationals who take up employment in Taiwan and obtain an ARC under the Act for the Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals must enrol in NHI from their first day of work. Foreign residents holding a resident certificate but not engaged in employment must join the programme after completing a full six months of residence — either six uninterrupted months, or six months of actual time in Taiwan with no single overseas absence exceeding 30 days.

Those who are not employed but who can register as a dependent through a qualifying relative — such as a spouse, parent, or child — may join via that relative’s insurance registration organisation once six months of continuous residence have been completed. Residents who have neither a fixed employer nor an eligible family member through whom dependency can be claimed must, after six consecutive months of residence, enrol through the local administrative office in their area.

The authoritative source for NHI eligibility rules is the National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA), which operates under the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW). Regulations may be updated, so it is always advisable to confirm your specific eligibility status directly with the NHIA.

How do you locate and register with a doctor in Taiwan?

In contrast to systems that require residents to register with a single named GP — as in the UK or the Netherlands — Taiwan’s NHI operates on an open-access basis. There are no catchment area restrictions and no obligation to sign up with a specific doctor in advance. Once you hold an NHI card, you may walk into any NHI-contracted clinic or hospital and receive treatment, making primary care genuinely straightforward to access without prior registration formalities.

Once enrolled, you will be issued a National Health Insurance (NHI) card. Together with your ARC, this card grants you access to medical services at NHI-contracted hospitals and clinics throughout Taiwan. Acting as a smart gateway to the entire NHI network, the card simply needs to be presented at the reception desk of any contracted facility.

The enrolment process varies according to your circumstances:

1. Employed expats: A foreign worker must be enrolled in NHI from the very first day of employment and is therefore not subject to the six-month waiting period. Your employer is responsible for registering you and for contributing the employer’s share of your insurance premium.
2. Students: International students must register for NHI during their time in Taiwan. A student becomes eligible to enrol after receiving an ARC and having resided in Taiwan for six consecutive months, counted from whichever is later — the ARC issue date or the date of entry. Registration is ordinarily handled through the university’s international office.
3. Self-employed or without a fixed employer: Those without a fixed employer or family members through whom dependency can be claimed must, after six months of consecutive residence, enrol through the local administrative office in their area of residence.
4. Dependents of foreign professionals: Spouses, minor children, and physically or mentally disabled adult children who cannot live independently, and who hold a resident certificate in Taiwan, must join the NHI programme immediately upon receiving their resident certificates.
5. Receive your NHI card: The NHI card is provided free of charge to first-time applicants and will be issued through your employer, school, or district office, depending on how you enrolled.
6. Attend a clinic: Present your ARC and NHI card at any NHI-contracted clinic or hospital. No prior registration with a particular doctor is required — you are free to attend any contracted facility across Taiwan.

To find NHI-contracted facilities in your vicinity, use the searchable directory on the NHIA’s official website. For the most current registration guidance, contact the NHIA or your nearest district (borough) office directly.

How do you pay for a doctor’s appointment in Taiwan?

The NHI system is primarily funded through two mechanisms: monthly insurance premiums and co-payments, which are fixed sums paid at the point of receiving care. Both apply to all residents unless they qualify for vulnerable-person status. Expats enrolled in NHI pay on exactly the same basis as Taiwanese residents.

The NHI contribution rate stands at 5.17% of the insured salary, divided among the employee (30%), the employer (60%), and the government (10%). For most employed expats, this means contributions are automatically deducted from payroll and supplemented by the employer — the amount leaving your salary each month is relatively modest. Consult the NHIA’s premium calculation page for the most current figures, as rates are periodically revised.

In addition to monthly premiums, a co-payment is due at each visit. As of 2024, the co-payment schedule for outpatient visits at NHI-contracted facilities is as follows:

Under Taiwan’s NHI, patients are required to pay co-payments for medical services, encompassing hospital visits, outpatient care, prescription medications, and a range of medical procedures. The system strongly incentivises starting at a local clinic and using referrals to access higher-level facilities, as doing so substantially reduces what you pay at each appointment. Always confirm the current co-payment schedule with the NHIA, since amounts are subject to periodic review.

For individuals classified as vulnerable, NHI care is provided without charge. Depending on a person’s financial circumstances, both premiums and co-payments may be subsidised or waived entirely.

Do you need private health insurance to see a doctor in Taiwan?

Taiwan’s NHI is the public system designed to provide broad, standardised healthcare access, generally with co-payments. Private health insurance in Taiwan is entirely optional and is typically used to supplement NHI coverage, address specific gaps, raise benefit limits, or offer greater flexibility depending on the policy chosen.

There is no blanket visa requirement for private health insurance for long-term residents who are enrolled — or in the process of enrolling — in NHI. That said, private coverage becomes particularly relevant in two situations. First, during the initial six-month waiting period before NHI eligibility commences, you will not have public coverage for most types of care. Residents in Taiwan ordinarily rely on NHI for everyday medical needs, but foreign residents and students frequently need a supplementary plan to cover any gap period before NHI eligibility begins. Many universities require international students to hold a private policy throughout that first semester.

While there are a number of private hospitals in Taiwan, treatment at such facilities is generally not covered by NHI. Consequently, patients will need to pay out of pocket or rely on an international healthcare policy. This is an important consideration for those who prefer the amenities or accessibility of private hospitals, particularly for specialist treatment.

Many expats choose private coverage to benefit from shorter waiting times, access to English-speaking doctors, and services not included under NHI — such as certain elective procedures, premium room upgrades during hospitalisation, or dental and optical care beyond the limits covered by NHI.

Short-term visitors on tourist or visitor visas are not eligible for NHI and should always arrange comprehensive travel or international health insurance prior to arrival. For current visa and residency insurance requirements, consult the National Immigration Agency of Taiwan.

How do you transfer your medical records to a doctor in Taiwan?

Taiwan has no formal government-administered process for importing foreign medical records, so the most practical approach is to request a summary of your records from your existing doctor or healthcare provider before leaving your home country. Ask for a printed or digital patient summary covering your medical history, current diagnoses, ongoing medications, allergies, and any recent test or examination results.

While there is no official requirement for translated documents, having key records rendered into Mandarin Chinese will make them considerably more useful to Taiwanese clinicians, the majority of whom work primarily in Chinese. Professional medical translation services are available in major cities, and some hospitals with international patient departments can provide assistance. At a minimum, ensure that all medication names are listed using their international non-proprietary (generic) names, so they can be matched to equivalent products available in Taiwan.

Once you are enrolled in NHI and have attended a clinic or hospital, your health information begins to be recorded within Taiwan’s own digital health infrastructure. The NHI MediCloud System enables physicians to retrieve a patient’s medical records from other hospitals and facilities rapidly, preventing duplication of medication and tests. After your first visit, any subsequent doctor within the NHI network can access your Taiwan-based clinical history in real time.

When delivering clinical treatments or issuing prescriptions, doctors can use the NHI MediCloud System to query 12 categories of patient medical records, including western and traditional Chinese medication records, examination records and results, surgical records, dental care records, drug allergy records, specific medication records for controlled substances, rehabilitation records, discharge summaries, and vaccination records.

The NHIA also offers a personal health record service called “My Health Bank”, through which patients can view laboratory test results and examination reports via a mobile phone or desktop application. You can register for My Health Bank using your NHI card and Citizen Digital Certificate through the NHIA website. This service provides expats with a convenient personal record of all care received within the NHI system — particularly useful for those who move between providers or travel frequently.

What should expats know about language barriers when seeking an English-speaking doctor?

The working language of Taiwan’s healthcare system is Mandarin Chinese. In major urban centres — particularly Taipei, Taichung, Kaohsiung, and Hsinchu — it is relatively common to encounter doctors with a working command of English, especially those who received part of their training overseas. In smaller cities, towns, and rural districts, English-speaking medical staff are considerably less common, and expats in such areas may face more pronounced communication challenges.

Perhaps the most straightforward option for long-term residents is to seek out hospitals that have established dedicated clinics staffed by English-speaking personnel. When urgent care is needed, most such facilities can arrange a prompt appointment. Major teaching hospitals in Taipei — including National Taiwan University Hospital, Mackay Memorial Hospital, and Taipei Veterans General Hospital — operate dedicated international or expat patient services, frequently with English-speaking staff available.

It is possible to receive NHI-related consultations in English. The reverse side of the NHI card carries a helpline number for enquiries: 0800-030-598, or by mobile phone: 02-412-8678. This NHIA hotline can help with questions about the system and direct you towards services available in your area.

The American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) maintains a publicly accessible list of English-speaking doctors and clinics, which serves as a useful starting point regardless of nationality. Embassies and representative offices from other countries often maintain comparable directories. Expat community groups and online forums — particularly those based in Taipei — also serve as a practical crowd-sourced resource for personal recommendations. Where language barriers remain a concern, larger hospitals can sometimes arrange interpretation services or have bilingual nursing staff available; it is always worth phoning ahead to confirm what is on offer.

What do expats need to know about prescriptions and medication in Taiwan?

Prescriptions in Taiwan are issued by licensed doctors and dispensed either through hospital pharmacies or independent community pharmacies. The system is fully integrated with NHI: when a doctor prescribes a medication covered by the NHI formulary, the patient pays only a small co-payment at the pharmacy. Medications not on the NHI formulary must be paid for in full out of pocket.

Medications you bring from abroad will not automatically be re-prescribed without assessment. A doctor in Taiwan will generally wish to evaluate your condition before issuing a local prescription, even for treatments you have been on for a long time. It is therefore important to arrive with an adequate supply of any essential medication to bridge the period between your arrival and establishing care with a local doctor. Bring supporting documentation — such as prescription labels or a letter from your GP — clearly showing the drug name, dosage, and indication. Use the international generic name wherever possible, as brand names can differ significantly between countries.

The NHI PharmaCloud System, completed in 2013, allows contracted medical institutions to query a patient’s medication records for the preceding six months in real time. By furnishing reference information to prescribing doctors and to pharmacy staff advising on medication use, this system improves care quality and reduces unnecessary duplication of medical resources. Once you have received at least one NHI prescription, any subsequent prescribing doctor will be able to review your medication history — an important safety mechanism.

Controlled substances — including opioid analgesics, benzodiazepines, and certain stimulants — are subject to stringent regulations in Taiwan. Bringing such drugs into the country requires advance authorisation from the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Consult the MOHW website and contact the relevant authority in your country of departure well in advance of travel. For the current prescription co-payment amounts and the NHI drug formulary, refer to the NHIA’s official website, as co-payment thresholds and covered drug lists are subject to periodic revision.

Frequently asked questions

What should I do in a medical emergency in Taiwan?

Dial 119 for an ambulance or go directly to the emergency department (急診, jí zhěn) of the nearest hospital. Emergency treatment is available to everyone, regardless of NHI enrolment status. If you hold an NHI card, it will be used to process your treatment. If you are not yet enrolled, you will receive care first and be billed afterwards — keep your travel or private insurance details accessible to help manage any costs that arise.

Will pre-existing conditions be covered by Taiwan’s NHI?

Yes. NHI does not impose exclusions for pre-existing conditions. Once enrolled, you are entitled to exactly the same coverage as any other insured person, irrespective of your medical history. This is one of the most notable strengths of Taiwan’s system when compared with many private insurance models.

How long does it take to get my NHI card after enrolling?

If you are enrolling through an employer, your employer submits the application and the card is ordinarily issued within a few weeks. In the meantime, you can still access NHI-contracted facilities using your ARC, and the card will be sent to you by post. If you enrol through a district office, timelines may differ — ask the office for a specific estimate at the time of your application.

What happens to my NHI coverage if I change jobs or become unemployed?

Taiwan residents who are unemployed or between jobs must maintain NHI enrolment by transferring their registration to reflect their current circumstances. When leaving an employer, you must transfer your NHI registration — either to a new employer, to your household as a dependent, or to the local district office. There is normally a short window within which to complete this transfer; failure to act in time can result in a lapse in coverage and a fine. Contact the NHIA or your district office promptly whenever your employment situation changes.

Can I use NHI from my first day in Taiwan?

Foreign nationals who take up employment in Taiwan under a valid work permit must enrol in NHI from the first day of employment — meaning NHI coverage begins immediately if you start a job on day one. If you are not employed, a six-month qualifying residency period must be completed before you become eligible. During that intervening period, it is essential to maintain private or travel health insurance.

Does NHI cover dental and mental health treatment?

NHI provides comprehensive coverage for routine outpatient and inpatient medical care and examinations, including dental treatment, with a small co-payment charged at the time of service. Basic dental procedures — such as check-ups, fillings, and extractions — are covered. Cosmetic or advanced restorative dental work is generally excluded. Mental health services are covered under NHI, though the availability of providers and waiting times can vary considerably by region. Check with the NHIA for the current scope of covered services.

Is there a referral system, and do I have to use it?

Taiwan does not operate a mandatory GP gatekeeping system — you may visit any level of facility without a referral. However, as the co-payment table above illustrates, attending a large medical centre or regional hospital without a referral incurs significantly higher co-payments. Starting with a local clinic and obtaining a referral when escalation is necessary is strongly advisable, both on financial grounds and for the practical benefit of better-coordinated care between providers.

What if my visa or ARC expires — does my NHI end automatically?

If you depart Taiwan and your ARC expires or is cancelled, your NHI enrolment will cease. If you intend to renew your residency, ensure that your ARC is renewed before it lapses in order to maintain uninterrupted coverage. Should you return to Taiwan in the future with an invalid ARC, you will need to reside in Taiwan once again for a full six months — with no single overseas trip of 30 days or more during that period — before becoming eligible to re-enrol in NHI.