Guide

Caymans – Health Insurance

All residents of the Cayman Islands — expats included — are legally required to hold health insurance, irrespective of their visa category or employment situation. The law sets the Standard Health Insurance Contract (SHIC), obtained through a locally authorised insurer,

Brunei – Health Insurance

A landmark policy shift in 2025 made health insurance compulsory for the majority of foreign nationals residing in Brunei. Although the country maintains a high-quality, government-funded public healthcare network, expats are now broadly required to hold private medical cover as

Bulgaria – Health Insurance

All legal residents of Bulgaria — expats included — are required by law to hold health insurance. The public healthcare framework is administered by the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) and operates through compulsory income-based contributions. Although the public system

Brazil – Health Insurance

While private health insurance is not a legal requirement for expats residing in Brazil, taking out cover is very strongly advised. Brazil operates a public healthcare system called the Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS), which delivers free, universal care to

Belize – Health Insurance

Belize imposes no blanket obligation on expats to hold private health insurance, though all legal residents and employees are required to enrol with the Social Security Board (SSB). The public healthcare system delivers affordable basic care but falls short in

Barbados – Health Insurance

Barbados runs a two-tier healthcare system comprising a publicly funded national health service accessed through the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) and a private sector that offers quicker, more tailored care. While health insurance is not a blanket requirement for every

Belgium – Health Insurance

All residents in Belgium — expats included — are legally obliged to hold health insurance. Rather than operating as a free national health service, the Belgian system is built on a social insurance model: residents enrol with a public health

Bahamas – Health Insurance

For most expats living in the Bahamas, private health insurance is not a strict legal obligation — but it is very strongly recommended. The country has a public National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme that provides primary care to legal residents

Bahrain – Health Insurance

All expatriates residing and working in Bahrain are legally required to hold health insurance. The national SEHATI programme — established under Health Insurance Law No. 23 of 2018 — obliges employers to finance a basic insurance package for expatriate staff,

Australia – Health Insurance

Australia operates a publicly funded healthcare scheme known as Medicare, which delivers free or subsidised treatment to those who qualify — chiefly Australian citizens, permanent residents, and citizens of New Zealand. The majority of people holding temporary visas cannot access