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How to get healthcare as a digital nomad or stateless person

22 October, 2017 · 91 likes · 17 reposts

If you want to learn how to do 🏥👨‍⚕️👩‍⚕️healthcare as a digital nomad or stateless person: in this thread I will explain how to do that ✌️

This mostly applies if you're 🇪🇺European and have some sort of government healthcare system. Every country is different so double-check!

If you leave your country, you will become a non-resident. Even if you don't officially unlist, you will be after 183 days abroad generally

As a non-resident you lose most rights residents have. You do have citizenship, and that gives you voting rights. But that's about it 🤓

In 🇪🇺Europe, many countries have national healthcare coverage which is an obligation to pay for + right to have for residents.

In some countries, this national healthcare coverage is free (like NHS in 🇬🇧UK) or almost free ~$100/m (like in 🇳🇱NL), again for residents

As a non-resident you generally don't have right to get any national healthcare in your country though! I know, shook🙊

The challenge is now, how do you still get 🏥healthcare coverage while abroad as a non-resident?

There's SO MUCH DISINFORMATION about this, that I first have to 🔪 cut through some 💩 bullshit here:

People make the mistake to think travel healthcare insurance covers them. But most policies have a limitation of ~21 days travel max!

If your travel healthcare insurance is $20/m, hell no it's not going to save you when you get chronically sick. It's just not $$$ possible.

You'll need to get ACTUAL international 🏥 healthcare insurance for non-residents with full coverage!

There's a market for this though: it's insurance for expats. Luckily, your country of citizenship probably offers them!

Problem is, you're not an expat! But you kinda are though, it's just that you don't have a fixed address maybe.

Luckily some expat insurances don't have a limitation on travel and requiring a fixed address. YOU NEED TO ASK THIS AND MAKE SURE THOUGH!

Most int'l coverage excludes 🇺🇸 US healthcare because it's so insanely expensive. So don't visit 🇺🇸US or buy special US coverage if you do!

Here's what to do when you get 😷🤒🤕🤧🤢 sick, first use your expat healthcare. And if in any case, it limits your coverage you have a backup:

Worst case, fly back to your 🎌 citizenship country. ✏️ Enlist as resident. 📝 Sign up for national healthcare again. Go to 🏥hospital. Fixed.

In most 🇪🇺EU countries, this applies. Double-check everything I said with your national healthcare laws etc.

Pro Tip: expat insurance is generally cheaper than national insurance because you're in a pool with expats, who are generally healthier ppl!

Also make sure this applies to you. Some healthcare will increase premium if you come back sick! 🇳🇱 NL doesn't.

Generally you'll be paying anywhere from $1,000/year to $10,000/year depending on your age, medical history, etc. for full int'l coverage.

Also some countries have a 6mo period to block you from getting healthcare. Check if your country does!

In case it does, you still have 6 months on your expat insurance to bridge the gap.

Again, please fact-check everything I said, don't believe people from the internet! I'm just sharing my experiences.

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