Health insurance for digital nomads, expats and remote workers abroad
If you work remotely from another country, or move abroad for a job, your health cover at home may stop working the day you leave. Three kinds of insurance fill the gap, and they are often confused. This guide explains what each one covers, how to choose, and how the main providers compare.
Updated 8 October 2026. Written by the Big World Jobs team from the providers' own pages and from regulators, listed at the end.
In short
- Travel medical insurance pays for emergencies and new illness during a trip, so you can get treated and get home. It rarely covers long-term or routine care (Allianz Care).
- Nomad insurance is travel medical insurance designed for long stays: monthly, renewable, can be bought abroad.
- International (expat) health insurance is full health cover for people who live abroad: routine care, specialists, often maternity and chronic conditions, usually on an annual contract.
- Public systems work by residence. Moving abroad usually means joining the local system, if you can, or buying private cover.
Which one fits you?
| Your situation | What usually fits | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Travelling for a few weeks or months, home base unchanged | Travel medical insurance | Covers the unexpected; your home cover handles the rest |
| Moving between countries for months or years (digital nomad) | Nomad insurance, or international health insurance if you need routine care | Monthly, renewable, worldwide; nomad plans exclude routine and existing conditions |
| Settled in one foreign country, working remotely | Local public system if you are eligible, or international or local private health insurance | You need routine care, not only emergencies |
| Employed abroad through an employer of record | The statutory cover of your employment, plus any private insurance the employer adds | Your employment contract decides it: see our employer of record guide |
| Short stay in another EU country, with an EU health card | Your EHIC, plus travel insurance for what it does not cover | The EHIC gives public care that cannot wait, not private care or repatriation |
About the EU: the European Health Insurance Card gives temporary visitors access to necessary public care on the same terms as residents, but it does not cover private care, planned treatment or the cost of bringing you home (Your Europe).
Main providers compared
| Provider | Product type | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| SafetyWing (partner) | Nomad Insurance Essential (travel medical) and Complete (full health) | Essential from USD 62.72 per 4 weeks, can be bought abroad; Complete USD 177.50 per month for ages 18 to 39, 12-month commitment |
| World Nomads | Trip-based travel insurance, single or annual multi-trip | Can be bought abroad; 150+ activities covered; underwriter varies by region |
| Genki | Genki Traveler (travel health) and Genki Native (long-term international health) | German company, built for nomads |
| Cigna Global | International health insurance | For people living, working, retiring or studying abroad |
| IMG | Patriot plans (travel medical) and Global Medical (international health) | Global Medical is annually renewable cover for expats |
| Allianz Care | International private medical insurance | Annual or 3 to 12-month cover, including routine checks |
From each provider's own pages, read on 8 October 2026. Prices depend on age, countries and options: get a quote for your case.
Seven questions to ask before you buy
- Does it cover my home country, and for how long? Nomad plans often limit it.
- Does it cover the US? US care is expensive, and many plans exclude it or charge extra.
- Are my existing conditions excluded? On nomad plans they almost always are.
- Is routine care included, or only emergencies?
- What are the limits? Overall, evacuation, and per category.
- Is there a deductible or co-payment, and do I need pre-approval for treatment?
- Can I buy it while already abroad, and is there a waiting period?
A common choice: SafetyWing
SafetyWing is popular with remote workers because Essential is sold month by month, can be bought after you leave home and costs less than most annual plans. Its limits and exclusions are real, so read our SafetyWing review before you decide.
Partner link. Big World Jobs may be paid if you sign up. Nothing changes in the price.
If your employer abroad hires you properly
If a foreign company employs you through an employer of record, you are covered by your country's statutory system like any local employee, and some employers add private insurance on top. If you are a contractor, insurance is your own responsibility, and the cost belongs in your rate. Our guide to the employer of record explains the difference.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best travel insurance for digital nomads?
It depends on what you need. Nomad plans such as SafetyWing Essential are cheap, monthly and can be bought abroad, but cover emergencies only. If you need routine care, compare international health plans such as SafetyWing Complete, Cigna Global, IMG Global Medical, Allianz Care or Genki Native.
Which health insurance company is best for expats?
There is no single best. Large international insurers such as Cigna Global, Allianz Care and IMG sell annual expat plans with routine care, and SafetyWing Complete and Genki Native are built for people on the move. Compare limits, exclusions, US cover and home-country cover for your case.
Do you need health insurance overseas?
Usually yes. Your home cover may not work abroad, and public systems in your new country may only cover residents. Many countries also require proof of insurance for a visa.
What medical conditions are not covered by travel insurance?
Pre-existing conditions, routine check-ups, chronic illness management, elective treatment and often pregnancy, mental health and dental care beyond emergencies. Read each plan's exclusions list.
What is the difference between travel insurance and international health insurance?
Travel insurance covers emergencies during a trip of limited length and focuses on getting you treated and home. International health insurance is for living abroad and covers routine and emergency care, like a health plan.
Is SafetyWing nomad insurance good?
For emergencies and unexpected illness while travelling, it is affordable and flexible: monthly, buyable abroad, no deductible. It excludes pre-existing conditions, routine care, mental health and cancer, and limits home-country cover.
Does the EHIC replace travel insurance?
No. It gives access to necessary public care in other EU countries on the same terms as residents, but not private care, planned treatment or repatriation. Travel insurance covers those gaps.
Related guides
- SafetyWing review: Nomad Insurance Essential and Complete explained
- Employer of record: how a company abroad can hire you legally
- How to get paid from abroad without losing money on the exchange
Looking for the job first?
Browse remote jobs, start from the country you can work in, or see handpicked roles that hire across borders.
Sources, read on 8 October 2026: Allianz Care, international health vs travel insurance; Your Europe, EHIC; SafetyWing, Nomad Insurance; SafetyWing, Nomad Insurance Complete; World Nomads; Genki; Cigna Global; IMG; Allianz Care. Fees, prices and terms change: check the provider's current page before you sign up.