Quick answers: healthcare in Argentina
- How much does health insurance cost in Argentina for expats?
- Indicative international health insurance for a 32-year-old living in Argentina (inpatient and outpatient, mid-level plan, worldwide excluding the USA) typically costs £208 to £317 a month, with a median of £295 and the cheapest at £156, based on 12 plan quotes from the 14 insurers on our panel, taken in 2026-09. Your price depends on your age, medical history, plan and deductible, and is only confirmed by the insurer.
- How much does expat health insurance cost by age in Argentina?
- Indicative median monthly premiums in Argentina (inpatient and outpatient, mid-level plan, worldwide excluding the USA): age 25 US$264, age 35 US$336, age 45 US$441, age 55 US$702, age 65 US$1,220. Quotes taken 2026-09; the insurer confirms the final price. Shown in US$. Other HealthiNomad prices are in GBP.
- Do foreigners need health insurance in Argentina?
- It depends on the visa. All foreign visitors entering Argentina (announced): Decree 366/2025 requires foreigners to hold health insurance and to sign a sworn declaration saying so on entry. Temporary and transitory residents and visitors (anyone without permanent residence) using national public hospitals: Non-emergency care is given only on presentation of valid health insurance or advance payment; the hospital bills the insurer or issues a quote to be paid first. Digital nomads (residencia transitoria como nomada digital): The official application page lists no health insurance requirement; residence is granted for up to 180 days, extendable, for nationals of countries that do not need a tourist visa. Students (residencia temporaria como estudiante): The official application page lists no health insurance requirement. Entry insurance rules for Argentina
- Can foreigners use public healthcare in Argentina?
- Emergency care in public hospitals cannot be refused or delayed for any patient. For non-emergency care in national hospitals, foreigners without permanent residence must show valid health insurance or pay in advance, under Ministry of Health Resolution 1066/2026 in force since 12 August 2026. Each hospital charges from its own fee schedule, and several provinces, including Salta, Jujuy and Mendoza, already charge non-resident foreigners.
- Do hospitals in Argentina ask foreigners to pay upfront?
- Most hospitals and doctors require cash or card payment up front before treating or admitting a patient. Medical care is not free for visitors, even in public facilities. Uninsured non-resident patients at national hospitals are given a quote and must pay before non-emergency treatment.
- What is the emergency number in Argentina?
- Call 107 for an ambulance in Argentina.
What health insurance costs in Argentina (indicative)
These are indicative prices, based on 12 plan quotes from the 14 international insurers on our panel, for one standard profile: a 32-year-old living in Argentina, inpatient and outpatient cover, mid-level plan, worldwide excluding the USA. The typical monthly price is £208 to £317, with a median of £295 and the cheapest at £156. Your actual price depends on your age, medical history, the plan, your deductible and where you want cover, and is only confirmed by the insurer. Snapshot 2026-09-24. See the Health Insurance Cost Index.
Indicative prices: the 5 lowest of 12 plan quotes, monthly in GBP, cheapest mid-level plan in each insurer's range. Quotes taken 2026-09-24.
See the figures
| Age | Cheapest | Median | Higher end | Plans quoted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | US$147 | US$264 | US$290 | 13 |
| 35 | US$207 | US$336 | US$369 | 13 |
| 45 | US$251 | US$441 | US$506 | 13 |
| 55 | US$327 | US$702 | US$797 | 13 |
| 65 | US$491 | US$1,220 | US$1,425 | 12 |
Indicative. Single adult, inpatient and outpatient, cheapest mid-level plan per insurer, worldwide excluding the USA. Quotes taken 2026-09-29. The insurer confirms the final price. Shown in US$. Other HealthiNomad prices are in GBP.
How healthcare works for expats
Argentina has three parallel sectors: free public hospitals run by the national, provincial and city governments, union-run social insurance funds (obras sociales), and private prepaid medicine plans (prepagas) with their own clinics. Since Decree 366/2025, free access to public healthcare is limited to citizens and permanent residents. Prices change often because of inflation, so any peso figure should be read with its date.
Public care and state schemes
Emergency care in public hospitals cannot be refused or delayed for any patient. For non-emergency care in national hospitals, foreigners without permanent residence must show valid health insurance or pay in advance, under Ministry of Health Resolution 1066/2026 in force since 12 August 2026. Each hospital charges from its own fee schedule, and several provinces, including Salta, Jujuy and Mendoza, already charge non-resident foreigners.
Private hospitals
Private clinics and hospitals are of a good standard in Buenos Aires and other large cities but can be expensive, and most private providers do not publish self-pay prices. Public hospitals bill insurers using official fee schedules; the Buenos Aires City schedule is published monthly and gives a reference for what a hospital charges an insurer for a consultation, scan, bed day or operation.
Paying up front
Most hospitals and doctors require cash or card payment up front before treating or admitting a patient. Medical care is not free for visitors, even in public facilities. Uninsured non-resident patients at national hospitals are given a quote and must pay before non-emergency treatment.
Typical medical costs in Argentina
Published prices, mostly from private hospitals. Pound figures are approximate conversions.
| Treatment | Price | About |
|---|---|---|
| Medical or professional consultation (CON.01), Buenos Aires City public hospital fee schedule1 Buenos Aires, per consultation; tariff valid 15 May to 14 June 2026 | ARS 22,150 | £11 |
| Emergency department consultation (GUAR.01), Buenos Aires City public hospital fee schedule1 Buenos Aires, per visit; tariff valid 15 May to 14 June 2026 | ARS 23,922 | £12 |
| Hospital bed day, general ward (INC.01 dia clinico), Buenos Aires City public hospital fee schedule1 Buenos Aires, per day; tariff valid 15 May to 14 June 2026 | ARS 456,083 | £226 |
| Intensive care day (IAC.02 without ventilation to IAC.03 with ventilation), Buenos Aires City public hospital fee schedule1 Buenos Aires, per day; tariff valid 15 May to 14 June 2026 | ARS 754,109 to ARS 844,598 | £374 to £419 |
| MRI per region (IMA.21), Buenos Aires City public hospital fee schedule1 Buenos Aires, per region scanned; tariff valid 15 May to 14 June 2026 | ARS 195,367 | £97 |
| CT scan (IMA.22), Buenos Aires City public hospital fee schedule1 Buenos Aires, per scan; tariff valid 15 May to 14 June 2026 | ARS 163,099 | £81 |
| Appendectomy (CGE.03.01), Buenos Aires City public hospital fee schedule1 Buenos Aires, per procedure; tariff valid 15 May to 14 June 2026 | ARS 1,022,970 | £507 |
| Cholecystectomy with or without intraoperative cholangiography (CGE.04.09), Buenos Aires City public hospital fee schedule1 Buenos Aires, per procedure; tariff valid 15 May to 14 June 2026 | ARS 1,274,538 | £632 |
| Dental consultation, Circulo Odontologico de Mendoza suggested minimum fees2 Mendoza, per consultation; March 2026 schedule | ARS 40,100 | £20 |
| Scale and polish (tartrectomia y cepillado mecanico), Circulo Odontologico de Mendoza suggested minimum fees2 Mendoza, per treatment; March 2026 schedule | ARS 51,586 | £26 |
Health insurance rules for foreigners
All foreign visitors entering Argentina
Decree 366/2025 requires foreigners to hold health insurance and to sign a sworn declaration saying so on entry. The Argentine Foreign Ministry states the declaration is not yet being requested because the procedure has not been regulated.3,4,5
Temporary and transitory residents and visitors (anyone without permanent residence) using national public hospitals
Non-emergency care is given only on presentation of valid health insurance or advance payment; the hospital bills the insurer or issues a quote to be paid first. Emergencies must be treated without delay, and the treating doctor decides what counts as an emergency.6,7
Digital nomads (residencia transitoria como nomada digital)
The official application page lists no health insurance requirement; residence is granted for up to 180 days, extendable, for nationals of countries that do not need a tourist visa. Holders are not permanent residents, so the national hospital insurance or prepayment rule applies.8,6
Students (residencia temporaria como estudiante)
The official application page lists no health insurance requirement. As temporary residents, students must show insurance or pay in advance for non-emergency care in national hospitals.9,6
Retirees and pensioners (residencia temporaria como pensionado)
The official application page lists no health insurance requirement; applicants need a pension of at least five minimum living wages. As temporary residents, they fall under the national hospital insurance or prepayment rule.10,6
Non-resident foreigners in Salta, Jujuy and Mendoza provincial hospitals
These provinces charge non-resident foreigners for public hospital care under their own provincial rules, which started in 2024.11
Tips before you buy cover
- Dial 107 or 911 for an ambulance.
- Peso prices change frequently with inflation; the Buenos Aires City public hospital schedule is reissued monthly, so check the date on any figure.
- If you are not a permanent resident, national hospitals will ask for proof of insurance or payment before non-emergency treatment, so carry your policy details.
- Emergency care in public hospitals cannot be refused or delayed for administrative reasons.
- Most hospitals and doctors expect cash or card payment up front.
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Sources
- 1.Resolucion 1922/MSGC/26, Anexo: Nomenclador de Prestaciones de Salud del Ministerio de Salud GCABA (15 May to 14 June 2026), Boletin Oficial de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires (May 2026)
- 2.Aranceles odontologicos minimos sugeridos, marzo 2026, Circulo Odontologico de Mendoza (March 2026)
- 3.Decreto 366/2025, Boletin Oficial de la Republica Argentina (May 2025)
- 4.Decreto DNU 366/2025: resumen, Argentina.gob.ar (accessed September 2026)
- 5.Requisitos de ingreso y permanencia en Argentina, Embajada de Argentina en Suecia, Cancilleria (accessed September 2026)
- 6.Resolucion 1066/2026, Ministerio de Salud, Argentina.gob.ar (August 2026)
- 7.Los hospitales nacionales comenzaran a cobrarles a los extranjeros no residentes en el pais, Argentina.gob.ar (August 2026)
- 8.Obtener una residencia transitoria como Nomada Digital, Direccion Nacional de Migraciones (accessed September 2026)
- 9.Obtener una residencia temporaria como estudiante, Direccion Nacional de Migraciones (accessed September 2026)
- 10.Obtener una residencia temporaria como pensionado, Direccion Nacional de Migraciones (accessed September 2026)
- 11.Atencion medica a extranjeros no residentes: como funcionara el cobro en los hospitales nacionales y que dicen los datos, Chequeado (August 2026)
- 12.Argentina travel advice: health, FCDO (September 2026)
- 13.Argentina International Travel Information, US Department of State (accessed September 2026)
Costs and rules change. Always check with the hospital, the insurer or the relevant authority before relying on a figure.