One of the most important topic to discuss and to take in consideration when moving abroad is the healthcare system

Thanks to the people I met via Instagram and who I recorded some videos with, I am able to share some info about some different systems not only in Europe.

Colombia:

The World Health Organisation ranked the Colombia healthcare system as the 22nd most efficient in the world. In particular, Medellin has some of the best facilities in Latin America.
First to say that the Entidades Promotoras de Salud (EPS) operates a public health insurance available to all the residents for a low rate, which is about 12% of the gross salary. The good news is that, for all employees of Colombian companies it goes down to 4% because the rest is taken care of by the employer.

Expats can opt-out of the EPS but they must show a proof of healthcare coverage via another method. For example, they can choose to pay a private one, which is definitely more expensive but gives access to the best medical centre in the Country.
For the people that have a non-income or very low one, there is the Sistema de Seleccion de Beneficiarios Para Programas Sociales (Sisben), which is totally free and gives access to specific medical centre crated with this specific purpose.

To enter EPS, expats must obtain the Visa, then register so having the identification card called cédula, and then, after 4 approximately 4 weeks they can register to the healthcare system

The Netherlands:

The healthcare system in the Netherlands, merges public and private insurance. All residents are required to purchase statutory health insurance from private insurers, which are required to accept all applicants.

The cost can be a bit different depending on the insurer you choose, but the average cost per month is about 100
Often employers have deals with insurers and offer to all employees a discount on the monthly fee (10% is the most common).

What does it include?
GP, specialty care, hospital care, maternal care, home nursing care, prescription of drugs, dentist and physiotherapy until 18 y.o. (after you must pay extra per month or on demand), some specific programs like to quit smoking, basic ambulatory mental health care for mild-to-moderate mental disorders, specialized mental care for severe mental care disorders.

You can change the insurer only in the month of December.
To access is needed to be registered and have an active BSN

Ireland:

A person living in Ireland for at least one year is considered by the HSE to be ‘ordinarily resident’ . This person is then entitled to either full eligibility (they have a medical card which provides access to health services and medicine free of charge) or limited eligibility (people without the medical cards which can still access a big range of health service, sometimes with some costs) for health services.

Besides this general rule there are 3 different ways to access the healthcare service which has a yearly cost anyway.
One method is through your employer. It is paid directly from your payslip and it is part of the bonus in your contract. Of course you can choose private healthcare which would cost about 2k per year.

People that have low income or no-income are eligible to get it directly from the government totally free of charge

As said, you must be registered to get access to the HSE

England:

I am sure that after Brexit there are some more details to check out. But the basic info should still be the same. To access the National Health Service (NHS) it is needed to be registered and so have the NIN (National Insurance Number). To get it you need to have an English address and telephone number.

NHS is public and free of charge, so literally everyone can have access to it.

U.S.A.

We all know that the system in America can be difficult and tricky. We have so many examples in movies of people with issues regarding their Health Care card that we might believe is impossible to have one.

It is also true that there is not an uniform healthcare system which makes it more complicated. However high cost is a common issue. With Obama law the costs were lowered, having an average price of $1000 per month (can you believe it can be much more expensive than this?). It is needed to get access to specialized care, hospitals and so on.

If you haven’t any, you can really be in trouble and also he costs for every single drug you need will be anyway doubled or more

Turkey:

Healthcare in Turkey consists of a mix of public and private health services.

Turkey introduced universal health care in 2003, And now it has an agreement with 22 countries to make their citizens able to access the public service. Due to major health reforms in the 2000s and 2010s, universal health insurance coverage for the population was achieved, and the general quality of health services improved greatly

If you want to choose a private one the basic cost is the equivalent of €100 per year.

Norway:

Norway has universal health coverage, funded primarily by general taxes and by payroll contributions shared by employers and employees. Enrollment is automatic once you are registered and you get your Personalnummer.

Services covered include primary, ambulatory, mental health, and hospital care, as well as select outpatient prescription drugs.

If in need of some specific care you can pay on demand or you can also choose for private insurance, which offers quicker access to some cares. Still is not a big deal in Norway, where profit health companies cover only 5% of the services.

Germany:

Germany has a universal multi-payer health care system paid for by a combination of statutory health insurance and private health insurance.

According to the Euro health consumer index, Germany has long had the most restriction-free and consumer-oriented healthcare system in Europe.

You are required to file a health insurance after registration, in most cases you split the cost with the employer. Average cost is €400 per month (to split), but of course cost can be different depending on the insurance you choose and your income too

Spain:

The healthcare system in Spain is ranked among the best in the world.
State healthcare is free of charge to anyone living and working in Spain. However, on some of the Spanish islands you may have to travel to find a state healthcare provider.

You can access the healthcare system simply being registered, be then in posses of the NIE

Of course you can add on top a private insurance to have quicker access to the services, and at a minimum rate of €40 per month

Italy:

Italy’s healthcare system is consistently ranked among the best in the world. A World Health Organization report listed it as the 2nd globally, after France.

Healthcare is provided to all citizens and residents by a mixed public-private system. The public part is the national health service, Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (SSN). The SSN includes the GP, hospitalizations, prescription of drugs.

Specialized doctors in public hospitals require a fee to pay that is based on your income. If you have no-income or low income, it will be for free.

Of course everyone can contact a private care centre or a private doctor and pay after the visit.
Normally, Italian residents, pay a small tax for healthcare from the payslip every month. It is different, region by region.

Austria:

The country’s healthcare is excellent, affordable, and accessible. In fact, healthcare in Austria is renowned throughout Europe and the world for its high quality and universality.

Healthcare in Austria is primarily public, with the option to obtain private health insurance. The Austrian healthcare scheme receives funding via the social insurance system, through both employee and employer contributions. For low-earners, however, or for those with no income, healthcare is available free of charge.

Private insurance costs average €200 per month, but you also get some money back for every payment as a refund.

France:

The French healthcare system covers both public and private hospitals, doctors, and other medical specialists who provide healthcare to every resident in France. This is regardless of age, income, or status, which makes the French healthcare system highly accessible, even for foreigners.

Residents are covered through mandatory health insurance contributions in France, with optional private insurance.
First step to move to be able to access the Healthcare system is definitely registration and then the Carte Vitale

It is also relevant to say that all EU citizens can access the health care of another Eu country thanks to the European Health Insurance Card. Of course this is of perfect use when you are travelling or moving for a short amount of time.

I hope I have given you enough info to start your research through the links you find in the article and, I will add more info about other Countries as soon as I get them.

You might also find interestig my article about what to do to move aborad 

Stay tuned