Health insurance is the single most consequential purchase most nomads make, and the one most likely to be chosen on price alone at the expense of coverage adequacy. The problem with this approach is that you only discover the gaps in your coverage when you actually need it — at which point it’s too late to change anything.
This guide covers the main international health insurance options for nomads in genuine depth: what each product covers, what it doesn’t cover, where the gaps are, and who each option is actually suited to.
What You Actually Need: The Non-Negotiable Minimums
Before comparing products, establish what adequate coverage requires:
Emergency hospitalisation: Coverage for in-patient hospital treatment worldwide with meaningful per-event and annual limits. Minimum $250,000/year; $500,000+ for comprehensive protection.
Medical evacuation: This is the most important and most overlooked coverage element. If you suffer a serious medical emergency in a country without adequate medical facilities (much of Southeast Asia and Africa falls into this category for complex cases), you may need to be evacuated to a country with appropriate specialist care. A medical evacuation flight from Thailand to Singapore or from Vietnam to Hong Kong costs $15,000–30,000. From Southeast Asia to Europe or North America: $50,000–80,000. Without evacuation coverage, these costs come entirely out of pocket.
Look for evacuation coverage of $250,000 minimum; $500,000 is better.
No per-country or per-region caps: Some policies have caps on coverage in specific countries. US coverage is the most commonly capped — the US has exceptionally high medical costs, so insurers often limit US coverage or require expensive riders. If you spend any time in the US, understand your US coverage limits.
24/7 emergency assistance: The ability to contact an assistance team any time of day or night who can coordinate emergency care, recommend appropriate hospitals, and communicate with medical providers on your behalf. Not a nice-to-have — this is critical when you’re sick in a country where you don’t speak the language.
The Main Options Compared
SafetyWing Nomad Insurance — Best entry-level option
SafetyWing is the most widely used health insurance product specifically designed for nomads. Its rolling monthly subscription model is genuinely suited to the nomadic lifestyle — you don’t have to predict your travel itinerary in advance, you can start and stop coverage as needed, and it’s affordable.
What it covers: Emergency medical treatment and hospitalisation, medical evacuation (up to $100,000), trip interruption, limited travel delay compensation.
What it explicitly doesn’t cover: Pre-existing conditions. Routine outpatient GP visits in most countries. Dental and vision (except emergency). Many elective procedures.
US coverage: Limited. Basic US coverage is included, but at a $250,000 cap for the policy period. US hospitalisation costs can exceed this for complex cases. If you spend significant time in the US, this is a meaningful gap.
Pricing: ~$56/month for nomads under 40. ~$77/month for ages 40–49. ~$123/month for ages 50–59. These prices are for coverage outside the US; US coverage is available but increases premiums significantly.
The honest assessment: SafetyWing Nomad Insurance is a good product for young, healthy nomads who are primarily based outside the US and want an affordable emergency coverage floor. It is not comprehensive health insurance — it does not replace a proper health insurance policy for nomads with pre-existing conditions, regular healthcare needs, or significant US time. Read the policy document (available on their website) before relying on it.
SafetyWing Nomad Health — Full coverage alternative
SafetyWing’s premium product (separate from Nomad Insurance) provides genuine comprehensive health coverage including outpatient care, specialist visits, and broader hospitalisation coverage.
What it adds over Nomad Insurance: Outpatient coverage (GP visits, specialist consultations), dental coverage (treatment, not just emergency), mental health coverage, higher hospitalisation limits.
Pricing: Varies by age and coverage selection — approximately $130–300/month for ages under 40, $200–450/month for ages 40–60.
Best for: Nomads who want SafetyWing’s nomad-oriented product but need more than emergency-only coverage.
Cigna Global — Best comprehensive international coverage
Cigna is a major US-based international health insurer with genuinely comprehensive global coverage. It is substantially more expensive than SafetyWing, but the coverage difference is also substantial.
What it covers: In-patient and day-patient hospitalisation. Outpatient visits (GP and specialist). Mental health (therapy and psychiatric care). Maternity (typically with a 10-month waiting period). Dental and vision (on comprehensive plans). Cancer treatment. Medical evacuation with high limits.
US coverage: One of Cigna’s key differentiators — strong US coverage is available and the limits are meaningful for US hospitalisation costs.
Pricing: Approximately $200–400/month for basic plans under age 40; $400–700+/month for comprehensive plans or older applicants. Significantly more expensive than SafetyWing.
The value proposition: For nomads who have regular healthcare needs, have pre-existing conditions they want covered (usually requires disclosure and may be excluded or require premium loading), spend significant time in the US, or have family members on the plan, Cigna provides genuinely comprehensive coverage that SafetyWing’s products don’t match.
Best for: Higher earners who want comprehensive rather than emergency-only coverage; nomads with regular healthcare needs; those with significant US time; families.
IMG Global — Best mid-range option
International Medical Group (IMG) provides competitive mid-range international health insurance at a price point between SafetyWing and Cigna. Their plans include meaningful hospitalisation coverage, evacuation coverage, and outpatient options.
Products: IMG Global Medical plan is their primary offering. Multiple tiers available. Patriot Travel Medical is a more basic travel insurance product.
Pricing: Approximately $100–250/month for basic-to-mid-tier coverage under age 40.
Best for: Nomads who want more than SafetyWing’s emergency floor but don’t need Cigna’s comprehensive (and expensive) coverage.
Allianz Care — Best for EU-based nomads
Allianz is a major European insurer with strong international coverage networks, particularly in Europe.
Strength: Excellent European hospital network. Good coverage across EU member states. Established claims process with large insurer backing.
Limitation: Less optimised for nomads rotating across multiple continents. Coverage outside Europe can be patchier than Cigna’s.
Best for: Nomads who are primarily based in Europe and want comprehensive EU coverage with some international benefit.
The Critical US Coverage Issue
The United States has the highest healthcare costs in the world by a significant margin. A simple emergency room visit without hospitalisation can cost $3,000–10,000. A hospital stay for a serious condition can reach $50,000–200,000+. Most international health insurance plans either exclude the US entirely or cap US coverage at limits that may be inadequate for complex treatment.
If you spend any time in the US: Read your policy’s US coverage section carefully. Understand the coverage limit specifically for the US. Consider whether that limit is realistic for actual US medical costs.
SafetyWing Nomad Insurance includes basic US coverage up to $250,000 per policy period. For a single serious hospitalisation, this may or may not be adequate depending on the condition and treatment required. Cigna Global’s US coverage has higher limits and is more suited to significant US time.
Our Situation-Based Recommendations
| Your situation | Recommended product |
| Young, healthy, never in US, budget priority | SafetyWing Nomad Insurance |
| Young, healthy, occasional US visits | SafetyWing + separate travel policy for US periods |
| Regular healthcare needs, or 40+ years old | SafetyWing Nomad Health or IMG Global |
| Significant US time, high earner | Cigna Global |
| Family with children | Cigna Global or IMG Global |
| EU-based nomad | Allianz Care + Cigna for US periods |
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