Many countries offer high-quality universal healthcare to legal residents, funded through taxes rather than being truly "free." Top destinations for expats with accessible public systems include Spain, Portugal, France, Germany, Canada, and Costa Rica, where residency, tax, or small co-payments often grant access.
Many of the world's top destinations for expats provide universal healthcare, including Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. These countries ensure that residents and sometimes long-term visitors can access essential medical services without facing financial hardship.
Instead, it relies on a combination of private insurance, employer-provided plans, and government programs like Medicaid and Medicare to support vulnerable populations. Only one country offers healthcare that is free for everyone, Brazil, because the nation's Constitution defines healthcare as a universal right.
Getting medical help abroad
You are responsible for all hospital and medical costs. In many locations, payment or a deposit is required before any services are provided. If you or a U.S. citizen you're traveling with gets seriously ill or injured while abroad, we can: Help you find local doctors or hospitals.
While many countries have excellent healthcare systems, Taiwan, South Korea, and Australia stand out for their comprehensive healthcare, affordability, and high-quality medical services.
North America offers some of the easiest relocation options for US citizens, with familiar culture, short travel distances, and well-established expat communities. Canada and Costa Rica stand out as top choices, each offering residency pathways for investors, retirees, and families.
Ecuador, Colombia, and Peru deliver some of the lowest costs of living and most accessible pension visas in Latin America, where a typical $2,000 monthly Social Security check can comfortably cover housing, healthcare, and everyday expenses.
If you have moved outside the United States permanently, you should decide whether to keep Medicare Parts A and B. Remember, you can have Medicare while you live abroad, but it will usually not cover the care you receive. Most people qualify for premium-free Part A, meaning you will pay nothing for coverage.
Yes, Americans can get healthcare in Canada, but it's not free; they must pay for services out-of-pocket or have private travel insurance, as Canada's public system (Medicare) only covers citizens and permanent residents. While emergency care is provided, visitors are billed, so purchasing travel health insurance before visiting is crucial to cover costs, which can be significant for non-residents.
According to the latest 2025 CEOWORLD Health Care Index, Taiwan once again ranks as the country with the best healthcare in the world, maintaining its top position with an overall score of 78.72. South Korea (77.7) and Australia (74.11) remain in second and third place, respectively.
The pros and cons of universal health care
On average, life expectancy at birth and healthy life expectancy was significantly higher (p < 0.001) in countries that have achieved UHC (HALE 68.92 ± 4.04 and LEAB 78.07 ± 4.13) than in countries that are yet to achieve UHC (HALE 58.23 ± 7.66 and LEAB 66.77 ± 8.59).
Be aware that you will likely have to pay out of pocket for any medical treatment, even if your insurance company provides international health care coverage. A visit to the emergency room can be free or cost only a nominal fee, or it can be expensive, depending on where you are and what treatment you need.
Top 10 Countries with Free Healthcare
Yes, you can generally collect U.S. Social Security benefits while living in most other countries, especially if you're a U.S. citizen, though restrictions apply for non-citizens and some countries have sanctions (like Cuba, North Korea) or specific rules, requiring you to use the SSA's Payments Abroad Screening Tool to check your eligibility and report your foreign residence to avoid benefit suspension. U.S. citizens can usually receive payments indefinitely, but non-citizens might need to be physically in the U.S. for certain periods, and you'll still need to meet eligibility credits and potentially handle foreign taxes.
In most situations, Medicare won't pay for health care or supplies you get outside the U.S. The term “outside the U.S.” means anywhere other than the 50 states of the U.S., the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands.
France, Portugal, Spain, Costa Rica, and Panama all offer high-quality healthcare that expats say rivals U.S. care, but at a fraction of the cost. Private healthcare is affordable and widely available in these countries, while residents can also access low-cost public systems.
To get free healthcare in Portugal, expats and legal residents must register with the National Health Service (SNS) and obtain a social security number, which is typically required for employment. Once registered, individuals can access public health services, which are generally free at the point of use.
The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan has you covered worldwide. If you need medical care outside the U.S, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands you can rest assured that the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan offers worldwide coverage.