Going Skiing? Check Your Insurance!
As the Winter Olympics draw attention to the many winter sports on offer, insurers are warning clients to read their health and travel policies carefully before taking part. Some policies do not cover extreme sports or, in this post-Covid age, remote working.
Off-piste skiing is regarded as high risk — understandably, as deaths have been reported this month following skiers heading off-piste. Insurers also point out that holidaying in remote mountain areas may mean limited access to medical facilities, longer emergency response times, and higher evacuation costs.
At Multitrip.com, Christian Bennett told the press:
“With many UK skiers hitting the slopes this ski season, ensure you’re physically capable and prepared. Also, don’t overdo it on your first couple of days while your body is still acclimatising to the higher altitude. Ease in gently.
Winter sports carry significant risks, and the high proportion of medical injury claims underscores the importance of having comprehensive travel insurance in place. It’s not just about being prepared for extreme situations like needing to be airlifted off a mountain, even an ankle stress fracture can end up costing thousands in medical fees.”
Insurance spokespeople recommend speaking to your provider about tailored cover if you intend to undertake winter sports, as many insurers offer bespoke policies. Check carefully for exclusions relating to remote locations or specific activities.
China: Increasing Attraction for Health Tourism
Expats have recently reported positive experiences with Chinese healthcare, indicating growing interest in the country’s state medical system as a destination for medical tourism. Patient numbers are up 74% since 2022, reflecting China’s aim to position itself as a major market contender. Around 1.3 million patients have attended Chinese hospitals since 2022, and the medical tourism market is projected to rise from $1.2bn in 2025 to $3.4bn by 2035.
Relatively few of these patients are Western; Vietnamese and Russian visitors form a significant part of the sector. Concerns have also been expressed by some Chinese nationals. “Foreigners coming here to enjoy the benefits of Chinese taxpayers isn’t fair,” is representative of some of the comments on medical tourism reports, although under Chinese law, the national medical system is allowed to treat around 10% of their capacity for international clients.
Citizens Advice Bureau Reports on Healthcare in Spain
The Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) in Spain issued its most recent report in January 2026, warning that long-term residence does not automatically guarantee access to the Spanish healthcare system.
The CAB says that entitlement is “filtered” and “interpreted” through the INSS (Spanish Social Security system) and highlights the following key issues:
The “5-Year” Misconception: Although many expats believe that five or more years of residency (permanent residency) automatically grants healthcare access, the CAB stresses that this is not legally guaranteed. Access depends on how the INSS interprets your situation, not simply your length of residence.
Gap Between Law And Practice: While legislation is intended to create a residence-based universal healthcare system, the CAB says the INSS often applies administrative filters in practice, leading to inconsistent outcomes.
Inconsistency In Approvals: Two residents with identical circumstances may receive different decisions. Some may be accepted while others are rejected, even if both are permanent residents.
Recommendation For Non-Workers: Residents who are not employed, not pensioners, and not otherwise covered (for example via an S1 form) should apply for healthcare as residents — often referred to as personas sin recursos.
Importance Of Documentation: The process requires thorough documentation to prove legal and habitual residence.
Five-year permanent residence guidance applies mainly to EU/EEA/UK nationals and is based on administrative interpretation.
Non-EU residents may face stricter documentation requirements and do not automatically gain entitlement based solely on duration of residence.
The CAB advises:
“Always confirm your residency documentation, registration with INSS, and whether your country exports healthcare before relying on any guidance.”
EUDI Wallet
The European Commission and the Netcompany-Intrasoft Syctales (NiScy) consortium, responsible for developing the EUDI (EU Digital ID) healthcare wallet, report that respondents to a recent survey appear enthusiastic about using the app.
The EUDI Wallet is a secure mobile application that allows EU citizens, residents, and businesses to store, share, and verify digital identities and documents across Europe. While it has broader fiscal applications — such as storing a digital driving licence — it can also be used for healthcare purposes, including presenting medical records, prescriptions, and health insurance cards (EHIC).
When surveyed about healthcare-related uses, retirees identified high-value features such as e-prescriptions, proof of pensioner or disability status, and payments.
You can find out more about the EUDI Wallet at ec.europa.eu.
Health Insurance: Czechia
If you are an expat resident in Czechia and lose your job but remain in the country as a registered job-seeker, your public health insurance premiums will be fully covered by the Czech state from January this year.
This was confirmed by the Ministry of Health at the end of 2025 and closes a loophole in health legislation that had left thousands of expat workers facing high private premiums once their employment contracts ended.