Freelancing abroad means arranging your own health cover. The four main options, from international health insurance to joining the local public system, and who each one suits.
No employer, so the choice is yours
As a freelancer living abroad you arrange your own cover, and the right answer depends on how long you stay in one place, what your visa asks for and whether you can join the local public system. These are the four main routes.
1. International health insurance
Best if you are settled abroad for a year or more, move between countries, or want private hospitals. It covers inpatient care, and outpatient care if you choose it, across a wide area, and renews each year. Our cost index shows indicative monthly prices by country, taken from real insurer quotes.
Pros: follows you between countries, private hospitals, usually meets visa rules. Cons: the most expensive option, and past conditions may be excluded.
2. The local public system
Some countries let foreign residents join the public system, often cheaply. In Spain, residents without Social Security cover can join through the Convenio Especial after a year of residence, for 60 euros a month under 65. Portugal's SNS treats foreign residents like nationals once they are registered. Colombia and Costa Rica ask residents to contribute to their public systems, and Mexico sells IMSS family health insurance with an annual fee by age. Each of our cost guides explains the rules for that country.
Pros: often the cheapest cover. Cons: usually only once you are resident, waiting lists, and it stops at the border.
3. Travel medical insurance for nomads
If you move every few weeks or months, plans such as IMG Patriot, Genki Traveler and SafetyWing Essential cover emergencies and new illness while you travel. They are cheaper than full health insurance, but routine care, mental health and maternity are usually excluded. See our nomad plan comparison.
Pros: low monthly cost, easy to buy while abroad. Cons: limited cover, and often not accepted for residence visas.
4. Short-term health insurance
If you are abroad for a set period of 1 to 12 months, short-term health insurance gives fuller medical cover than a travel plan without an annual contract.
Pros: fixed end date, no annual commitment. Cons: not designed for living abroad indefinitely.
How to decide
Start with your visa: some require health insurance that meets specific rules. Then look at how long you will stay and whether you can join the public system. Many freelancers combine a local public scheme with an international plan for private hospitals and evacuation. You can compare international plans for your age and country.