How much does international health insurance cost?

How much does global health insurance cost?

In 2026, our average premium for an individual for a single year of cover is US$2,517*. How much you pay though, will depend on things like your age, cover needs and location.

Find out how much international health insurance can cost, and ways you can save money on your health insurance premium to make sure you’re not paying more than you need to.

*Based on individual aged 41, moving from the USA to Malaysia on a Silver plan with US$250 excess, with Zone 2 coverage paying annually.

What affects the cost of my international health insurance?

The cost of international health insurance varies so dramatically because there are so many factors affecting how we calculate premiums. The most important factors are:

• Where you need cover – Private healthcare is more expensive in certain countries and regions.
• Your age – Generally speaking, the older you are the more healthcare you’re likely to need. Premiums get more expensive as you get older.
• Medical history – Health insurance doesn’t typically cover pre-existing medical conditions. Sometimes, you may need to pay an additional premium to get cover for such conditions.
• Optional extras – Perhaps you need cover for complex dental treatment or temporary cover in the USA.

Unlike other providers, your claims history while you’re a member with William Russell won’t affect your renewal premium. Unlike other providers, we don’t think it’s fair to penalise members based on legitimate claims they’ve made in the past.

Further, it discourages people from receiving the medical treatment they need because they are concerned about the cost of their renewal premium.

How much does international health insurance cost in different countries?

Your location is one of the most important factors in determining the cost of international health insurance. Private healthcare costs vary widely from country to country, and these differences can be significant even between destinations in the same region.

Insurance premiums are influenced by the underlying cost of private medical care, including hospital fees, specialist treatment, diagnostic services, and local healthcare regulations. Countries with higher medical costs and more developed private healthcare systems generally have higher insurance premiums, while countries with lower treatment costs tend to be more affordable.

The USA is a clear example of how healthcare costs impact insurance pricing. It consistently records far higher healthcare spending per person than other high-income countries, which is reflected in both the cost of private treatment and international medical insurance.

Because healthcare costs differ so widely around the world, we use a sophisticated pricing model that applies country-specific weightings based on the cost of private healthcare. We have over 100 different country weightings, which means we can provide members living in diverse countries an accurate and fair premium for their private health insurance in that country.

Most expensive countries for international health insurance

So which are the most expensive countries for global health insurance? According to Pacific Prime’s 2024 Cost Of International Health Insurance Report, the USA was the most expensive country for expat health insurance premiums, with a shocking 53% cost increase in 2024 from the previous year.

Each figure in the table below shows the average cost for an individual 36 year old with an inpatient and outpatient plan with no deductible.

So, which countries are cheapest for expat health insurance?

The same survey concludes that the cheapest country for expat health insurance is Poland – seeing only a  1% cost increase in 2024 from the previous year. Surprisingly, European countries make up the rest of the ‘cheapest’ countries for expat health insurance.

Ways to save money on your health insurance premium

Whilst an international health insurance policy isn’t usually cheap, there are things you can do to ensure you’re not paying more than you need to when finding the right policy for you and your family.

Here are some of our top tips:

• Ensure your cover is for the right location(s) – most expat plans are tailored to specific areas (or zones) of cover. You can save money by ensuring you pick the right zone for you.
• Choose a provider with modular/customised plans – Some providers lump several benefits together into one bundle. We know that one size will never fit everyone and that our members deserve tailored products. When you choose a provider who offers modular plans – you can decide whether you want to pay extra for things like dental cover. Find out more about our health plans here.
• Pick the right ‘base plan’ for your needs – Once you’ve found an insurer with modular options, you can focus on picking the best base plan for your needs. It’s worth comparing more comprehensive plans and basic plans with added benefits.
• Pick the right excess – Finally, it’s worth exploring different excess options. For example, if you’re only interested in a policy that covers you for serious illnesses you may be better off with a Bronze plan and a higher excess. At William Russell we don’t use call centres and instead, have an award-winning team of product specialists who are dedicated to helping you find a cost-effective health plan, tailored to your needs.

How much does international health insurance cost with William Russell?

Here are a few examples of our members and how much they pay for their plan (based on personal health plans with worldwide cover issued in 2026 by William Russell).