Quick answers: healthcare in Mexico
- How much does health insurance cost in Mexico for expats?
- Indicative international health insurance for a 32-year-old living in Mexico (inpatient and outpatient, mid-level plan, worldwide excluding the USA) typically costs £291 to £512 a month, with a median of £336 and the cheapest at £181, 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 Mexico?
- Indicative median monthly premiums in Mexico (inpatient and outpatient, mid-level plan, worldwide excluding the USA): age 25 US$309, age 35 US$441, age 45 US$558, age 55 US$901, age 65 US$1,445. Quotes taken 2026-09; the insurer confirms the final price. Shown in US$. Other HealthiNomad prices are in GBP.
- Do foreigners need health insurance in Mexico?
- It depends on the visa. Tourists: British visitors do not need a visa. Temporary residents: The consulate requirements for a temporary resident visa ask for proof of economic solvency, not health insurance. Workers: Employers must register themselves and enrol their employees with IMSS (Ley del Seguro Social, article 15), which brings employees into the compulsory scheme with IMSS medical cover. Temporary residents: Foreigners living in Mexico can join IMSS voluntarily as independent workers. Countries that require travel insurance to enter
- Can foreigners use public healthcare in Mexico?
- IMSS says foreigners in Mexico can join the Seguro Social voluntarily as independent workers, and cover extends to legal beneficiaries living in Mexico. The IMSS family health insurance (Seguro de Salud para la Familia, often called Modalidad 33) is open to people living in Mexico who have no other social security. You pay once a year in advance. 2026 fees are MXN 9,300 (ages 0-19), 11,550 (20-29), 12,350 (30-39), 14,350 (40-49), 14,850 (50-59), 20,600 (60-69), 21,500 (70-79) and 22,150 (80+). You cannot enrol if you have certain pre-existing conditions, including malignant tumours, chronic degenerative diseases, chronic liver disease, chronic kidney failure, heart failure, COPD, addictions, psychosis, dementia, congenital diseases and HIV/AIDS. It does not cover cosmetic surgery, glasses, hearing aids or ongoing treatment of chronic conditions. Waiting periods are 6 months for benign breast tumours, 10 months for childbirth, 1 year for hernia, haemorrhoid, gynaecological, varicose vein, tonsil and sinus surgery and several others, and 2 years for orthopaedic surgery. IMSS gives no refunds, full or partial. IMSS-Bienestar serves everyone without social security in its 23 participating states, and registration asks for a CURP. Its FAQ does not say whether foreign residents qualify.
- Do hospitals in Mexico ask foreigners to pay upfront?
- Yes. The FCDO says not all hospitals will deal directly with medical insurers and travellers should be prepared to pay for treatment up front and then claim a refund. The US Embassy in Mexico says hospitals usually require payment up front and will place holds on credit cards, and that most private insurers work on a pay-first, claim-later basis. It also notes that US Medicare does not cover care outside the United States.
- What is the emergency number in Mexico?
- Call 911 for an ambulance in Mexico.
What health insurance costs in Mexico (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 Mexico, inpatient and outpatient cover, mid-level plan, worldwide excluding the USA. The typical monthly price is £291 to £512, with a median of £336 and the cheapest at £181. 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$170 | US$309 | US$488 | 13 |
| 35 | US$234 | US$441 | US$548 | 13 |
| 45 | US$266 | US$558 | US$692 | 13 |
| 55 | US$447 | US$901 | US$991 | 13 |
| 65 | US$700 | US$1,445 | US$1,917 | 12 |
Indicative. Single adult, inpatient and outpatient, cheapest mid-level plan per insurer, worldwide excluding the USA. Quotes taken 2026-09-29. The insurer confirms the final price. Shown in US$. Other HealthiNomad prices are in GBP.
How healthcare works for expats
Mexico has a public system run mainly through IMSS, which covers salaried workers and people who enrol voluntarily, and IMSS-Bienestar, which serves people with no social security in the states that have joined it. Foreign residents and visitors mostly use private hospitals such as Médica Sur, Centro Médico ABC, Hospital Ángeles, Star Médica and Hospital San Ángel Inn in Mexico City, and Galenia, Hospiten and Amerimed in Cancún. These hospitals charge item by item or through fixed-price packages. The UK FCDO advises travellers to hold insurance that covers local treatment and medical evacuation.
Public care and state schemes
IMSS says foreigners in Mexico can join the Seguro Social voluntarily as independent workers, and cover extends to legal beneficiaries living in Mexico. The IMSS family health insurance (Seguro de Salud para la Familia, often called Modalidad 33) is open to people living in Mexico who have no other social security. You pay once a year in advance. 2026 fees are MXN 9,300 (ages 0-19), 11,550 (20-29), 12,350 (30-39), 14,350 (40-49), 14,850 (50-59), 20,600 (60-69), 21,500 (70-79) and 22,150 (80+). You cannot enrol if you have certain pre-existing conditions, including malignant tumours, chronic degenerative diseases, chronic liver disease, chronic kidney failure, heart failure, COPD, addictions, psychosis, dementia, congenital diseases and HIV/AIDS. It does not cover cosmetic surgery, glasses, hearing aids or ongoing treatment of chronic conditions. Waiting periods are 6 months for benign breast tumours, 10 months for childbirth, 1 year for hernia, haemorrhoid, gynaecological, varicose vein, tonsil and sinus surgery and several others, and 2 years for orthopaedic surgery. IMSS gives no refunds, full or partial. IMSS-Bienestar serves everyone without social security in its 23 participating states, and registration asks for a CURP. Its FAQ does not say whether foreign residents qualify.
Private hospitals
Expats mostly use private hospitals. In Mexico City these include Médica Sur, Centro Médico ABC, Hospital Ángeles, Star Médica, Hospital San Ángel Inn and Hospital Bité Médica. In Cancún they include Hospital Galenia, Hospiten and Amerimed. Many sell fixed-price packages for births, caesareans, endoscopy and common operations. These packages usually cover hospital charges only: Médica Sur, Bité Médica and San Ángel Inn all state that doctors' and anaesthetists' fees are billed separately. Médica Sur requires full payment of a maternity package before admission to get the quoted price. Galenia asks for a MXN 5,000 deposit per baby at admission. Centro Médico ABC gives discounts on some services to patients insured with AXA, Bupa, GNP, MetLife and Seguros Monterrey. The FCDO warns that not all hospitals will deal directly with insurers.
Paying up front
Yes. The FCDO says not all hospitals will deal directly with medical insurers and travellers should be prepared to pay for treatment up front and then claim a refund. The US Embassy in Mexico says hospitals usually require payment up front and will place holds on credit cards, and that most private insurers work on a pay-first, claim-later basis. It also notes that US Medicare does not cover care outside the United States.
Typical medical costs in Mexico
Published prices, mostly from private hospitals. Pound figures are approximate conversions.
| Treatment | Price | About |
|---|---|---|
| Médica Sur AMI immediate care consultation with a specialist, including basic lab tests or X-ray if needed (medicines extra, price does not apply when using insurance)7 Mexico City, per visit | MX$2,500 | £107 |
| MRI scan at MS Más Salud, from price for a scan without contrast (low) and with contrast (high), varies by body region8 Guadalajara, per scan | MX$2,650 to MX$4,290 | £113 to £183 |
| Normal birth package, Médica Sur, standard room, 1 night, VAT included, doctors' fees extra (promotional price listed as valid to 31 August 2026)1,2 Mexico City, per package | MX$43,206 | £1,845 |
| Caesarean package, Médica Sur, standard room, 2 nights, VAT included, doctors' fees extra (promotional price listed as valid to 31 August 2026)1,2 Mexico City, per package | MX$79,054 | £3,376 |
| Normal birth package (parto fisiológico), Hospital Galenia, standard room 1 night, VAT included, plus MXN 5,000 deposit per baby4 Cancún, per package | MX$29,274 | £1,250 |
| Caesarean package, Hospital Galenia, standard room 2 nights, VAT included, plus MXN 5,000 deposit per baby3 Cancún, per package | MX$34,950 | £1,492 |
| Laparoscopic gallbladder removal (colecistectomía) package, Hospital San Ángel Inn, 1 day stay, VAT included, surgeon and anaesthetist fees extra6 Mexico City, per package | MX$78,272 to MX$83,716 | £3,342 to £3,575 |
| Dental cleaning (profilaxis) at SODEIN dental clinic, Roma Norte; a consultation there is also MXN 3509 Mexico City, per visit | MX$350 | £15 |
| Metabolic check-up with 3 specialist consultations, Centro Médico ABC10 Mexico City, per package | MX$13,760 | £588 |
Health insurance rules for foreigners
Tourists
British visitors do not need a visa. 180 days is the longest stay allowed as a tourist, and the number of days granted is stamped on entry. The FCDO entry requirements do not list health or travel insurance as a condition of entry, but the FCDO health advice tells travellers to hold insurance for local treatment and medical evacuation.17,18
Temporary residents
The consulate requirements for a temporary resident visa ask for proof of economic solvency, not health insurance. Mexico has no dedicated digital nomad visa, so remote workers normally use the temporary residence solvency route. The 2026 figures at the Las Vegas consulate are either a monthly income of at least USD 4,630 over 6 months or a minimum monthly balance of USD 78,025 over 12 months.20
Workers
Employers must register themselves and enrol their employees with IMSS (Ley del Seguro Social, article 15), which brings employees into the compulsory scheme with IMSS medical cover.21
Temporary residents
Foreigners living in Mexico can join IMSS voluntarily as independent workers. People living in Mexico with no other social security can also buy the IMSS family health insurance, paid annually in advance. It costs MXN 9,300 to 22,150 per person in 2026 depending on age. Listed pre-existing conditions bar you from enrolling. Waiting periods run from 6 months to 2 years (10 months for childbirth). There are no refunds.11,12,13,14,15
Tips before you buy cover
- Carry a credit card with a high limit. Mexican hospitals usually want payment up front or put a hold on your card, and many insurers repay you later rather than paying the hospital directly.
- Check that your policy covers doctors' fees as well as hospital charges. Fixed-price packages at Médica Sur, Bité Médica and San Ángel Inn exclude surgeon, anaesthetist and other doctors' fees, which are billed separately.
- If you may have a baby in Mexico, arrange cover early. IMSS family insurance has a 10-month wait for childbirth, and private maternity packages cost from about MXN 29,000 in Cancún to MXN 79,000 for a caesarean at Médica Sur before doctors' fees.
- Treat IMSS voluntary cover as a low-cost add-on, not a replacement for private insurance. It bars people with listed chronic conditions, makes you wait 1 to 2 years for many operations and gives no refunds.
- Temporary residence does not require health insurance, so choosing cover is up to you. Pick a policy that includes medical evacuation, as the FCDO advises, and check with your hospital whether it deals directly with your insurer before admission.
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Sources
- 1.Paquetes obstétricos, Médica Sur (2026)
- 2.Paquetes de maternidad 2026, Médica Sur (2026)
- 3.Parto Cesárea, Hospital Galenia (2026)
- 4.Parto fisiológico, Hospital Galenia (2026)
- 5.Paquetes de maternidad 2026, Hospital Bité Médica (2026-02)
- 6.Paquetes quirúrgicos 2026: Cirugía general y laparoscopia, Hospital San Ángel Inn (2026)
- 7.AMI Consulta Médica, Médica Sur (2026-03)
- 8.Resonancia magnética, MS Más Salud (2026)
- 9.Lista de precios dentales, SODEIN (2026-07)
- 10.Promociones, Centro Médico ABC (2026)
- 11.Incorporación al seguro de salud para la familia en el IMSS, IMSS (2026)
- 12.Seguro de Salud para la Familia, IMSS (2025)
- 13.Modalidad 33 del IMSS: el seguro médico para la familia, Expansión (2025-12)
- 14.Incorporación voluntaria al IMSS: no habrá devoluciones ni acceso con ciertas enfermedades, El Imparcial (2026-04)
- 15.Extranjeros en México, IMSS (2026)
- 16.Preguntas frecuentes, IMSS-Bienestar (2026)
- 17.Mexico travel advice: Health, UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (2026-09)
- 18.Mexico travel advice: Entry requirements, UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (2026-09)
- 19.Medical Information, U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Mexico (2021-04)
- 20.Temporary Residence Visa 2026, Consulado de México en Las Vegas (SRE) (2026)
- 21.Ley del Seguro Social, Cámara de Diputados (2026)
- 22.GBP to MXN rate history, Wise (2026-09)
Costs and rules change. Always check with the hospital, the insurer or the relevant authority before relying on a figure.