A Guide for Expats

Studying in your own country is stressful enough, but studying internationally? The list of things you need just seems to continue - fees, accomodation, study materials, visas, Ikea trips… - and, if you’re anything like me, you’re probably wondering if there’s anything you can skip. But deciding to do that leaves many expats in difficult positions.

It’s a good thing to consider whether you truly need something or whether it’s more than you need, but health insurance plays such an important role in life. If you’re currently on the fence for whether international health insurance is really necessary, here’s why we think it absolutely is.

International vs. Domestic Insurance

Many people will already be on domestic insurance plans - whether that’s state-mandated or privately-managed. While it’s always worth reading the terms & conditions, your domestic insurance plan for your home country is practically guaratneed not to work abroad. This means you either need to get domestic health insurance for your host country (i.e. the country you’re studying in) or get international health insurance - which covers your health both abroad and at home.

While having two plans is possible (i.e. a domestic plan for each country), there are multiple downsides to this. The first is clear - you’re paying for two plans! However, the second is more evident once you’re abroad: international health insurance ensures the same level of options when you’re travelling round third countries. It also means you have the same level of coverage when you spend the summer in your home country.

The other upside to international plans is that they typically cover more. If you know what you’re looking for (or talk a medical insurance brokerage), you can find plans that cover things like dental and vision, as well as access to mental health support and counseling, wellness and preventative care, or gym memberships/wellness programs. This is a huge benefit for many people, so it’s worth considering for yourself.

Visa Requirements

You may find, however, it’s worth checking the visa requirements for your host country, since, in many cases, proof of health insurance is a requirement for a student visa. In some cases, such as Germany, Australia, and the US, they may even mandate a necessary level of coverage. On the flip side, some countries which require insurance for students automatically enroll them in their national health insurance system. Check your host countries’ rules and university’s guidance for foreign students in detail.

Failing to have (or lapses in) health insurance could seriously jeapordise your stay in your host country, even if it’s after you’ve got the visa in the first place (e.g. cancelling your plan after some time in the country), and failure to meet insurance requirements could result, in serious cases, to you being forced to leave the country. If you think you’re no longer covered by health insurance while abroad, you should renew your plan as soon as possible - especially since some countries conduct periodic checks on international students’ coverage.

Does Travel Insurance Cover Me Instead?

If you’re someone who travels already, you might have a travel insurance plan and be wondering whether that could cover you instead. Travel insurance is not medical insurance, and the two should be considered complementary at best.

While travel insurance does have a medical element, it is additional to its main purpose - which is protecting travellers from issues such as trip cancellations, lost luggage, emergency evacuation, and so on. Its medical insurance is an extension of that - emergency-only coverage in case of serious issues. A good rule of thumb is that travel insurance covers your health only as far as getting you in - and out - of the emergency room.

That means no visits to family doctors or prescription refills, and certainly no dental, vision, or mental health support. Relying on travel insurance to cover your medical care means you could be in a lot of pain day-to-day and completely uncovered becuase it isn’t considered a medical emergency. And all of this is without even touching the fact your travel insurance might not cover you beyond a few weeks! Going for even a basic health insurance plan is a far better - and, in the long run, cheaper - strategy.

Life Beyond Your Studies

Suitable international health insurance goes further than just your life at university, however. Firstly, the majority of students get involved in various other activities/pursuit while studying - and the right plan could cover these. This includes sports and adventure activities, which you might find yourself getting involved in to socialize with others, as well as coverage for part-time work or internships, some of which might require special coverage.

Suitable international health insurance might also cover international travel - to an extent. This might look like coverage for family visits and/or dependants when they’re with you in your host country; or repatriation coverage for visits home, meaning your insurance could cover you back in your home country.

But perhaps the biggest thing is that you won’t be a student forever, and good health insurance will have options for transitioning it from student insurance to full coverage post-graduation. This is especially if you plan to work or stay longer in your host country, or even continue your expat journey somewhere else.

Whether it’s extra-curricular activities, covering you or your family abroad, or your insurance growing with you, health insurance is worth considering outside the context of your studies and in the context of your broader life.

Why get international health insurance in three words? Peace of mind. While many young expats are keen to cut corners, for most there’s no choice to avoid needing health insurance - whether it’s for visa reasons or because travel insurance only covers emergency medical care - and opting for international health insurance over domestic means greater coverage that aids in your broader life as well as university. If you’re thinking of health insurance for a specific country, it’s worth checking our health country guides to see what the situation is like in your host country.