Dr. Emma Park
Expat & Medical Consultant · Published February 5, 2026
GP visits, dental, hospital stays - we collected actual receipts from expats in 6 countries. The results will surprise you, especially the one country where private care is cheaper than US insurance premiums.
Healthcare anxiety is one of the top reasons people hesitate to move abroad. But for most expats in the destinations we cover, healthcare quality is excellent and costs are a fraction of what they're used to - especially for Americans accustomed to $500+/month individual insurance premiums.
We collected actual medical bills from expats across 6 countries. The results are consistently surprising: quality is better than expected, costs are lower than feared.
Portugal
A GP visit at a private clinic in Lisbon: €40–60. Dental cleaning + X-ray: €80. Monthly private health insurance for a 30–45 year old: €50–120. The public SNS (Serviço Nacional de Saúde) is available to legal residents but wait times for non-urgent care are long.
Recommended Insurers in Portugal
- Médis - most popular expat insurer, strong English-language support
- Multicare - competitive pricing, good private hospital network
- AdvanceCare - excellent dental coverage options
Thailand
Private hospital care in Bangkok (Bumrungrad International, Samitivej) is world-class by any global standard. Bumrungrad sees over 1 million patients per year including medical tourists from the Middle East, US, and Europe.
- GP consultation: $20–40
- Specialist visit: $50–80
- Major surgery: 60–80% less than comparable US procedures
- Monthly comprehensive insurance: $80–150
Colombia - Medellín
Private clinic visit: $15–30. Full root canal with crown: $200–400 (vs. $1,500–3,000 in the US). Monthly private insurance: $60–100. Medical tourism for dental and cosmetic procedures is a rapidly growing industry - and the quality justifies the reputation.
Germany
Mandatory Krankenversicherung (health insurance) is required for all residents. Statutory insurance runs approximately 14.6% of gross salary split between employer and employee. Care quality is excellent but the system is bureaucratic and navigating it in German takes time.
Quick Cost Reference
- GP visit: Portugal €50 · Thailand $30 · Colombia $20 · Germany €0 (covered)
- Dental cleaning: Portugal €70 · Thailand $40 · Colombia $25 · Germany €30–80
- Monthly insurance: Portugal ~€85 · Thailand ~$110 · Colombia ~$75 · Germany ~14.6% of salary
The worst option by far is going uninsured in any country. Always budget for comprehensive health coverage before calculating housing costs. It is almost always cheaper than you expect - and cheaper than staying put.
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