Healthcare systems vary dramatically from country to country. This can make it difficult for expats to determine where they can receive good, accessible, affordable, and equitable care. But how can you measure what “good” healthcare means on a global scale?
According to the Commonwealth Fund’s Mirror, Mirror 2024 report, the key aspects of a strong healthcare system include health outcomes, equity, access, care process quality, and administrative efficiency. With these in mind, we have ranked the top 10 countries with the best healthcare systems in 2025 for expats.
What Makes a Health System Ideal for Expats?
The best healthcare countries are ranked according to several criteria. Below, we highlighted them.
1. Access to Care
For expats, how quickly and easily they can access medical services is one of the most important concerns. So, they look for fast registration processes and short wait times. Plus, the presence of English-speaking doctors and international healthcare is another aspect to consider to get rid of language barriers.
For instance, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Germany are stated to be at the top of the list when it comes to access to healthcare according to the Commonwealth Fund.
2. Affordability
Affordability is a key factor when it comes to choosing the countries with the best healthcare systems, especially for retirees looking for the best place to retire. Here, what matters is the balance between reasonable basic health insurance premiums and comprehensive coverage. Thus, you will minimize extra costs for your routine visits, medications, and emergency care.
Many countries, like Australia and the UK, provide socialized or universal healthcare, which helps reduce direct costs for their residents. Plus, they offer clear pricing and insurance options for foreigners.
On the other hand, the United States stands out for having some of the highest healthcare costs in the world. It has expensive insurance premiums and unpredictable out-of-pocket bills. Therefore, if you are looking for affordability, you should not prefer moving to the US.
3. Public vs. Private Healthcare Systems
Healthcare systems around the world generally fall into two categories: public and private. Public healthcare is typically funded by the government through taxes. It offers residents access to essential medical services either free or at a low cost.
Private healthcare, on the other hand, relies on private insurance or out-of-pocket payments. However, it has some benefits too. It often provides faster access, more personalized care, and advanced facilities.
4. Health Insurance Accessibility for Expats
If you are planning to move out of your home country, you need healthcare insurance options that fit you. Many countries offer local insurance plans tailored specifically for non-citizens, often as part of residency or work permit requirements.
Additionally, you may use international health insurance policies that cover multiple countries. This will provide you with flexibility.
5. Health Outcomes
The quality of a country’s healthcare system is often reflected in key health outcomes:
- Life expectancy,
- Maternal and infant mortality rates,
- The management of chronic illnesses.
If the country performs well in these aspects, then it can be considered one of the countries with the best healthcare systems.
6. Health Equity
Equity matters in every aspect of life. When it comes to health equity, it highlights how fairly healthcare services are distributed among all residents. As you are an expat, you should have access to good-quality care in both urban and rural areas.
7. Administrative Efficiency
If the healthcare system functions well without any delay, it will reduce your anxiety. It must offer you an easy registration process for insurance and understandable costs, without dealing with extra paperwork or bureaucracy.
8. Quality of Care (Care Process)
Good quality healthcare can be understood in different ways. It includes preventive services, patient safety, and the use of up-to-date medical practices.
Plus, as an expat, you need English-speaking doctors and personnel who will treat you kindly and make sure you feel comfortable.
9. Dental Care
Dental coverage is often overlooked but is important for overall health. Some countries include dental care in their public insurance, while others offer it through private plans. So, you should consider whether dental services are accessible and affordable in your new home country.
10. International Healthcare Facilities
International healthcare facilities such as hospitals and clinics can mean more than you think. They offer you comfort and familiarity. Through them, you can experience global standards and even get treatment from multilingual staff.
10 Best Countries with The Best Health Care Systems
Now that we have learned what makes a country’s healthcare system best for expats, it is time to move on to the 10 best healthcare countries in the world.
1. Taiwan
- Healthcare Index: 78.72 (High)
- Medical Infrastructure and Professionals: 87.16
- Medicine Availability and Cost: 83.59
According to CEOWORLD Magazine’s Health Care Index in 2024, Taiwan has the best healthcare system in the world. It offers universal health coverage through its National Health Insurance (NHI) system. Almost everyone, including expats with residency cards, can access it.
Unlike other Asian countries, the system here is fast, efficient, and affordable. You can see a doctor quickly. Hospitals and clinics are modern, and most doctors are well-trained. Plus, many of them speak English, especially in big cities.
The system is also easy to use. Medical records are digital, and every patient gets a smart health card. Medicines are available and fairly priced.
2. South Korea
- Healthcare Index: 77.7 (High)
- Medical Infrastructure and Professionals: 79.05
- Medicine Availability and Cost: 78.39
As one of the OECD countries, South Korea ranks second in its healthcare system. It has a National Health Insurance Service (NHIS). Public healthcare is not free, but it offers reasonable costs and typically covers 50-80% of the medical costs.
Through this system, all residents can get universal medical care. As an expat, you have to join this system if you plan to stay in South Korea for more than 6 months. You can also opt for private health insurance, costing around $100. However, it is best to get an international health insurance before you move to South Korea.
In urban areas, you will likely see an English-speaking doctor with advanced technology. However, as you move into rural areas, the chances are low.
For common treatments, you can just go to the hospital between 9:00-18:00 or 8:00-20:00. Plus, it is always best to get your appointment online through the hospital’s website. The doctor will see you there and write your prescription. After that, you need to go to the pharmacy to pick up your prescription.
3. Australia
- Healthcare Index: 74.11(High)
- Medical Infrastructure and Professionals: 90.75
- Medicine Availability and Cost: 82.59
The Australian healthcare system offers one of the best and comprehensive medical services in the world. It provides two types of healthcare: public and private. Each resident can benefit from it. However, locals mostly prefer having private insurance too.
As an expat, after you arrive in Australia, you can register yourself with the healthcare system within a few weeks and get your Medicare Card, which is Australia’s universal healthcare scheme.
With this card, you can also get treatment in some countries, such as the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and Norway, thanks to RHCA. Nevertheless, it is best to opt for private health insurance, which is around $60-200, to avoid any out-of-pocket payments if you are not a permanent resident.
With the high life expectancy rates and lowest death rates, Australia will offer you one of the best treatments in the world, both in free and public healthcare. You can easily find a doctor by searching online. To see a GP, you have to book an appointment. You can also see a GP in case of an emergency. Just note that you can wait longer.
4. Canada
- Healthcare Index: 71.32 (High)
- Medical Infrastructure and Professionals: 86.18
- Medicine Availability and Cost: 78.99
According to the Commonwealth Fund’s report in 2025, Canada moved up to fifth place when it comes to equity. This indicates that it does comparatively well in ensuring equity across genders and geographic regions.
Canada has a free public healthcare system for its residents and citizens. It has a good quality of medical service and highly professional doctors with English-speaking doctors. However, there will be long waiting times in the public healthcare system. Besides, you may face difficulties if you are a refugee or LGBTQ member.
However, you have to pay the costs if you are not a resident. Similar to Australia, you can apply for a Medicare Card if you plan to move here as a resident. You can receive it within 3 months after you apply. Plus, every province and territory has its own emergency and medical services in case you do not have this government card. During this waiting period, you should get private health insurance, which is around $60-300.
Based on InterNations’ recent data, Canada spends 11% of its GDP on healthcare. Therefore, each year, Canadians experience higher rates of healthcare expenses. Although we stated that it has free healthcare, you will pay for universal healthcare if you become a taxpayer.
5. Sweden
- Healthcare Index: 70.73 (High)
- Medical Infrastructure and Professionals: 78.77
- Medicine Availability and Cost: 74.88
As one of the European countries with the best healthcare, Sweden stands out with its public healthcare system and reasonable costs, which are around $20-40. The system is headed by 20 county council officials. Each of them is responsible for the hospital structure and management within their region. Plus, Sweden frequently conducts a National Patient Survey each year to identify key problems or possible opportunities.
When you decide to move here as an expat through residency visas, you will need to get a tax number called personnummer to access healthcare. However, if you are an EU/EEA citizen, you just need to register EHIC. You can also opt for private health insurance, which is around $400 per year.
If you want to see a doctor, you can just go to the nearest hospital in case of an emergency. However, if it is not an emergency, you can go to a regular clinic called vårdcentraler or drop-in clinics.
6. Ireland
- Healthcare Index: 67.99 (High)
- Medical Infrastructure and Professionals: 92.58
- Medicine Availability and Cost: 96.22
Ireland ranked 6th in the CEOWorld Magazine’s healthcare systems report in 2024. With this in mind, the country offers a universal healthcare system. Only 30% of the healthcare costs are covered by the government. However, this is only applicable to its citizens and residents. The system is divided into two: those who have medical cards and those who do not. Basically, if you are not a medical cardholder, you have to cover the healthcare costs.
If you consider moving here as an expat through residence visas, you can apply for a Medical Card, which is given to people who have low income or need assistance due to an illness or disability. Through it, you can get free access to dental, eye, and ear care. Note that if you are an EU/EEA citizen, you can benefit from Irish healthcare under the EHIC scheme.
To compare the healthcare quality between private and public, they differ from each other in terms of waiting times, quality, and costs. Mainly, you will face lower costs and high quality but longer waiting times in public health.
On the contrary, there are short waiting times in private, and high costs if you do not have private health insurance. That’s why around 40% of Irish people have private insurance, which costs €500 to €4,000 annually.
7. Netherlands
- Healthcare Index: 65.38 (High)
- Medical Infrastructure and Professionals: 77.86
- Medicine Availability and Cost: 71.82
Compared to other countries, the Netherlands does not offer any public healthcare. Therefore, if your plans include moving here, you must be ready to get private health insurance within four months. They are mainly around $90-140. Note that international insurance will not be accepted.
It is also good to know that there are two types of medical insurance. The first one is restitutie. This allows you to visit any healthcare service you choose. The second one is Natura which permits you to go to specific healthcare facilities which your insurance company has a contract. If you go to other healthcare facilities, you will be charged.
The country provides the highest healthcare quality, and waiting times are quite short. Plus, as an expat, you can come across many healthcare professionals who speak English.
8. Portugal
- Healthcare Index: 51.99 (Moderate)
- Medical Infrastructure and Professionals: 68.21
- Medicine Availability and Cost: 60.36
Considering EU countries with the best healthcare systems, Portugal’s healthcare system stands out with Serviço Nacional de Saúde (SNS). It provides free medical coverage to some extent and at reasonable costs.
To benefit from Portugal’s system, you need to receive your residency status. So, through which visas can you do that? Initially, you can prefer investing in Portugal Golden Visa funds, starting from €500,000. Through it, you can obtain 5 years of residency, and if you meet the minimum stay requirements, you can get citizenship within 5-10 years.* Apart from this, you can go for D7 if you have a passive income (mostly preferred by retirees) and D8 if you work as a digital nomad or freelancer.
After your registration with the Serviço Nacional de Saúde (SNS), your doctor will be appointed to you directly. Mainly, it will be one of the first contacts that you will get in touch with in case you need a basic treatment. In urban areas, you can mostly encounter English-speaking professionals and well-equipped medical services. However, the likelihood will get lower as you move to rural areas.
At this point, you can prefer private healthcare providers to get quick processing times. For this, you may also consider having private insurance, costing €30 to €150 per month.
*Currently, it is five years, but it may be subject to change.
9. Italy
- Healthcare Index: 49.58 (Moderate)
- Medical Infrastructure and Professionals: 98.3
- Medicine Availability and Cost: 75.25
According to the Global Health Security Index, Italy scored 51.9 with its Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (SSN). Additionally, the World Health Organization (WHO) puts it among the top countries with the best healthcare infrastructure. It offers both public and private healthcare systems to its residents.
To register for the healthcare system in Italy through Azienda Sanitaria Locale (ASL), you need a residence visa. If you plan to move here via the Italian Golden Visa, you have to make a qualifying investment of at least €250,000. This residency by investment program initially provides you 2-year residence, which is renewable three times.
On the other hand, you can also consider applying for Italy’s Digital Nomad Visa, which is valid for one year. For this program, you need to show an annual income of at least €28,000. Both of these programs allow you to include your family members and travel freely in the Schengen area.
Once you are registered with the system, your basic treatment costs will be covered. You can go to your family doctor free of charge anytime. Note that you are asked to copay €36 for specialized visits or some procedures. Your children up to 16 can benefit from free dental treatment. However, complicated treatments such as laser eye surgery or cosmetic surgeries are not covered by the government.
Private healthcare is also available and is mostly preferred for shorter waiting periods.
10. Greece
- Healthcare Index: 46.24 (Moderate)
- Medical Infrastructure and Professionals: 70.06
- Medicine Availability and Cost: 58.53
Based on the GHSI index, Greece healthcare system ranks 51.5, which shows a modest improvement of 0.9 points compared to 2019. The country has both private and public healthcare options for its residents. The public system is called the National Health System (ESY), offering free or subsidized treatment to all of its residents.
If you want to benefit from ESY, you have to get your residency status. One of the outstanding options includes Greece Golden Visa. Under the regime of this program, you can qualify for Greece residency through a real estate purchase of at least €250,000. If you complete the process successfully, you will get a five-year residence permit, which is renewable as long as you keep the property.
Once you complete your registration, you can benefit from the Greek healthcare system. Visits to your family doctor or general practitioner are typically free of charge. However, dental care is limited under the public system, with only basic treatments covered. More complex procedures like orthodontics or cosmetic treatments must be paid out-of-pocket.
Private healthcare is available and often chosen for faster access, shorter waiting times, and a broader range of services, especially in major cities.
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FAQ on the Countries with the Best Health Care Systems
What is the Global Health Security Index (GHS Index)?
The Global Health Security Index is a comprehensive assessment that evaluates countries’ capacities to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease threats.
How many countries have free healthcare?
Although it depends on how “free” healthcare is defined, we can say there are roughly 70-80 countries worldwide that provide universal or near‑free healthcare.
Is healthcare free in European Countries?
Healthcare in Europe is not entirely free, but most European countries offer universal healthcare. This means that their residents have access to essential medical services, often at low or no direct cost.
Where are the best doctors in the world?
The best doctors in the world are often found in countries with top-ranked healthcare systems and medical education. These include the United States, Germany, Switzerland, Japan, and the United Kingdom.
Which countries have the worst healthcare?
Countries with the poorest healthcare include the Central African Republic, South Sudan, Chad, Lesotho, Somalia, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria.
Which US States have the best healthcare?
The US states with the best healthcare are typically Massachusetts, Hawaii, Minnesota, Connecticut, and California. They are known for their high-quality healthcare and healthcare professionals, including doctors, nursing staff, and other health workers.
Which US states have the worst healthcare?
Mississippi, West Virginia, Kentucky, Oklahoma, and Texas are notorious for their worst medical services due to poor quality, poor health outcomes, government readiness, or high uninsured rates.
