Get to know the authorHealthcare is among the most important factors in determining quality of life. US expats with their hearts set on Europe, however, are in luck. The standard of care in Europe is excellent overall, with the continent home to 11 of the top 20 health systems in the world.
But which countries offer the very best healthcare in Europe?
Below, we’ll walk you through some of the top healthcare options in Europe. Read on to learn which countries offer top-notch healthcare, about their systems, tax rates, and more.
Public vs. private healthcare options for expats
Public healthcare
Most European countries offer both public and private healthcare options. Different countries may have slightly different rules about who can access which system. Generally, anyone who pays social security taxes in a given EU country—and anyone with a European Health Insurance Card residing there—has the right to their public healthcare system.
As a result, it’s important to check the rules about public healthcare eligibility in the country you’re interested in moving to. When in doubt, an immigration attorney or expat health insurance broker can often provide clarity.
While public healthcare in the countries below is typically affordable and high-quality, it’s not without its drawbacks. Long wait times and crowded facilities are not uncommon, and quality of care tends to vary by location, with the best providers and facilities usually based in big cities and wealthier areas.
Private healthcare
Private healthcare typically offers advantages like:
- Shorter wait times (especially for specialists)
- More modern facilities
- Less crowded facilities
- More English-speaking health professionals
There are a few different types of private healthcare plans:
Travel health insurance (aka nomad health insurance)
- Price: Most affordable — typically $2 to $10 per day
- Area: Multiple countries
- Coverage: Less extensive — typically only covers accidents and illnesses, not pre-existing conditions
- Well-known providers: SafetyWing, World Nomads, Genki
International health insurance (aka expat health insurance)
- Price: Most expensive — an average of about $400 per month
- Note: Prices vary widely by company, plan, age, medical history, risk factors, etc.
- Area: Multiple countries
- Coverage: More extensive — often covers pre-existing conditions, at least to some extent
- Well-known providers: Cigna, GeoBlue, IMG
Local health insurance
- Price: Wide range of prices from country to country, but typically more expensive than travel health insurance and less expensive than international health insurance
- Area: Usually specific to your country of residence
- Coverage: Moderate — often covers more than travel health insurance, but less than international health insurance
- Well-known providers: Depends on country
Note:
Many expats register for public healthcare to lower costs, but they supplement it with a private health insurance policy to expand coverage and expedite wait times.
Now, let’s move on to our list of the top-rated European countries for expat healthcare…
Sweden
Public healthcare overview
All legal residents and those with a Swedish tax number (personnummer) can access Sweden’s public healthcare system. Taxes and government funding cover 97% of the costs of Sweden’s public healthcare system, with patients over 20 covering the remaining 3% through small co-pays.
Out-of-pocket fees max out at about 1,000 SEK (~$94) per year, while prescription medication costs max out at about 2,250 SEK (~$211) per year.
Private healthcare overview
Private healthcare in Sweden costs about 4,000 SEK (~$375) per year. Some well-known plans include Folksam, Skandia, and Trygg-Hansa.
Tax breakdown
Common taxes in Sweden include:
- Income taxes: 0% to 20% depending on overall income for national income taxes; 32% for municipal income taxes
- Social security taxes: 31.42% for employees (covered 100% by employers); 28.97% for self-employed individuals
- Capital gains taxes: 30%
Ireland
Public healthcare overview
Anyone who legally resides in Ireland for at least a year is eligible for the country’s public health system. In some cases, expats moving there (such as students and retirees) must hold private insurance to have their visa approved. Upon approval, they can then register for the public system.
Public healthcare is free for about 30% of the population and low-cost for all others. Common costs include:
- Doctor’s visits: €54 (~$59)
- ER visits: €100 (~$109)
- Inpatient stays: Free
- Prescriptions: Capped at €80 (~$87) per month
Private healthcare overview
Private health insurance policies in Ireland tend to cost between €500 (~$545) and €4,000 (~$4,357) per year, depending on factors like age and health, the company, the level of coverage, and more. A few well-known providers include Vhi Healthcare, Laya Healthcare, and Irish Life Health.
Pro tip:
A universal health system called Sláintecare will fully replace Ireland’s current two-tiered system in 2030 with the goal of improving health outcomes across all socioeconomic groups.
Tax breakdown
Common taxes in Ireland include:
- Income taxes: 20% to 40%, depending on overall income
- Social security taxes: 4%
- Capital gains taxes: 33%
Netherlands
Primary health insurance overview
The Netherlands requires all residents to purchase basic health insurance (ziektenkostenverzekering) that covers primary medical care, such as doctor visits, hospital visits, prescriptions, and mental healthcare. The government subsidizes insurance costs.
You can choose from multiple providers, with policies generally costing about €138.45 (~$150.79) per month. Some well-known health insurance providers include Zilveren Kruis, CZ, and DSW. These providers also typically offer supplementary health insurance (more on that below).
Generally, you must meet a deductible of about €385 (~$419) before your insurance provider pays the remainder. Some services, though — like general practitioner visits — are free of charge.
Government programs also provide long-term care for those with disabilities and chronic illnesses.
Supplementary health insurance overview
Dutch residents can choose to purchase supplementary health insurance policies (aanvullende verzekering) that cover secondary care like dental care, vision, and certain specialized services. These plans tend to cost about €10 (~$11) to €80 (~$87) per month.
Tax breakdown
Common taxes in the Netherlands include:
- Income taxes: 9.28% to 49.50%, depending on overall income and type of income
- Social security taxes: 27.65%
- Capital gains taxes: 0% to 32%, depending on type of income
Germany
Public healthcare overview
Anyone who pays social security is eligible for Germany’s public health system (Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung, or GKV), as are their immediate family members. Also generally eligible are university students under 30, trainees/interns who earn within a certain range, and retirees/unemployed individuals who previously held public health insurance.
This covers all basic healthcare, with specialty areas like vision, dentistry, and orthodontics typically requiring co-pays.
Private healthcare overview
Those who earn over €5,775 (~$6,290) euros per month, self-employed individuals, civil servants, and those ineligible for public health insurance can opt for private health insurance. Private plans cost around €200 (~$218) to €500 (~$545) per month. Well-known local providers include KLforExpats, Versicherungsbüro Weiss, and Feather.
Tax breakdown
Common taxes in Germany include:
- Income taxes: 0% to 45%, depending on overall income
- Healthcare taxes: 7.3% for employees, about 14.9% to 15.49% for self-employed individuals
- Capital gains taxes: Typically 25%
Norway
Public healthcare overview
Norway has automatic universal healthcare for all legal residents and children. It is free for children and anyone pregnant or nursing, while others must pay low costs. Annual out-of-pockets max out at 3,165 NOK (~$290) in 2024.
Public healthcare in Norway is extensive, covering primary care, emergency services, prescriptions, and even dental services and mental healthcare for children and certain other vulnerable groups.
Private healthcare overview
In Norway, private health insurance plans cover secondary services like dental care, mental healthcare, and certain elective treatments. Private plans cost around 508 NOK (~$47) per month, with well-known providers including Vertikal Helse, If, and Gjensidige.
Tax breakdown
Common taxes in Norway include:
- Income taxes: 22%
- Social security taxes: 7.8% for employees, 11% for self-employed individuals
- Taxes on shares & dividends: 37.84%
Belgium
Public healthcare overview
Belgium requires legal residents to purchase either public or private health insurance. Public health insurance is available to anyone living, working, and paying social security taxes in the country (as well as dependent spouses and children). Unemployed legal residents, retirees, students, and those with disabilities also have public healthcare access.
Belgium’s public healthcare typically covers:
- 50% to 75% of costs associated with doctors, hospitals, and clinics
- 20% of most prescriptions
- Routine dental care
- Maternity care
Private healthcare overview
Many Belgians supplement their public healthcare policies with private ones to cover additional costs. Prices vary widely based on provider, age, and health but may cost you about €50 (~$55) to €150 (~$163) per month. A few well-known providers include DKV Belgium, Christelijke Mutualiteit (CM), and Partena.
Tax breakdown
Common taxes in Belgium include:
- Federal income taxes: 25% to 50%, depending on overall income
- Local income taxes: 0% to 9%, depending on overall income
- Healthcare taxes: 3.55% for employees, 7.35% for self-employed individuals
Switzerland
Healthcare overview
Switzerland does not have public health insurance. Instead, it mandates that anyone staying in the country for more than three months purchase private health insurance.
Average monthly premiums range from about 300.60 CHF (~$338.20) to 397.20 CHF (~$446.88), with costs varying widely based on your age and health, company, level of coverage, etc. However, the unemployed and low-earners may be eligible for government subsidies.
After reaching a deductible of between 300 CHF (~$338) to 2,500 CHF (~$2,813), your insurance will cover 80% to 90% of your care. Out-of-pocket costs outside your deductible max out at 700 CHF (~$788) per year for adults and 350 CHF (~$394) for children.
Most plans require you to pay healthcare costs upfront before reimbursing you.
Tax breakdown
Common taxes in Switzerland include:
- Income taxes: 0% to 13.2%, depending on overall income
- Social security taxes: Typically 6.4% for employees, 10% for self-employed individuals
- Taxes on interest & dividends: 35%
Expat healthcare is complex — but taxes don’t have to be
There are plenty of great health systems in Europe, especially in the countries mentioned above. However, rules about who qualifies for a country’s healthcare system, what plans cover, and which costs you’re responsible for are complex and often subject to change.
Beyond doing your own research online, you may want to consult an immigration lawyer and international medical insurance broker to learn more about your options.
Resources:
- Countries With The Best Health Care Systems, 2024
- Travel Health Insurance Plans
- How much does expat health insurance cost?
- Health Insurance in Sweden for Foreigners
- Health Insurance and Healthcare in Sweden Explained
- Ireland’s Healthcare System
- How much does health insurance cost in Ireland?
- Ireland – Overview
- The healthcare system in the Netherlands
- Health insurance in Germany
- Health Insurance and Healthcare in Norway Explained
- Norway – Overview
- The healthcare system in Belgium
- Belgium – Overview
- Health insurance in Switzerland
- Healthiest Countries 2024
