Best Budget Expat Insurance

Top Budget Picks

After comparing costs across international health insurers, here are the best affordable options:

How Budget Plans Work

Budget international health insurance makes trade-offs to keep costs down:

Two Types of Budget Coverage

1. Travel Medical Insurance

The cheapest option, but with important limitations:

• Covers emergencies and accidents
• Covers acute illness (new conditions)
• Does NOT cover pre-existing conditions
• Does NOT cover routine care
• Limited or no preventive care
• Often no network—pay and get reimbursed

Example: SafetyWing at $45/month covers you if you break your leg or get food poisoning, but not if your existing diabetes needs treatment.

2. High-Deductible Health Insurance

Full health insurance made affordable through high deductibles:

• Same comprehensive coverage as premium plans
• High deductible ($1,000-5,000+) you pay first
• Lower monthly premiums
• Pre-existing conditions may be covered (after waiting period)
• Access to provider networks

Example: IMG Global with $2,500 deductible might cost $150/month vs $400/month with $250 deductible—but you pay the first $2,500 of any claim.

Budget Options Comparison

Detailed Reviews

SafetyWing — Best Overall Budget

SafetyWing has become the default choice for digital nomads and budget-conscious expats.

What works well:

• Starts at just $45/month
• No commitment—monthly billing, cancel anytime
• 180+ countries covered
• Sign up in minutes online
• $250,000 maximum coverage
• Includes COVID-19 coverage

Critical limitations: This is travel medical insurance, not full health insurance. Pre-existing conditions are NOT covered. No routine care. Limited mental health. If you have ongoing health needs, this isn't enough.

Best for: Healthy nomads and short-term expats who need emergency coverage at minimal cost.

Read our full SafetyWing review

IMG Global — Best Budget Full Health

IMG offers actual health insurance at near-travel-medical prices by using high deductibles.

What works well:

• Full health insurance from $100-200/month
• Coverage up to $5 million
• Pre-existing conditions covered after waiting period
• Mental health coverage available
• Multiple plan tiers and deductible options
• Provider network available

Considerations: Low premiums require high deductibles ($1,000-5,000). You pay the first several thousand out-of-pocket. Claims process can be slower than premium insurers.

Best for: Budget expats who need real health insurance, not just travel medical, and can handle high deductibles.

Read our full IMG Global review

Allianz Care Bronze — Budget Major Insurer

Allianz Care offers entry-level international health insurance at moderate prices.

What works well:

• Reputable international insurer
• Bronze tier is most affordable
• Strong European network
• Full health insurance coverage
• Pre-existing conditions after waiting period

Considerations: Still more expensive than SafetyWing or IMG. Network weaker outside Europe. May require higher deductible for lowest prices.

Read our full Allianz Care review

Budget Plan Trade-Offs

Understand what you're giving up to save money:

When Budget Plans Work

• You're young and healthy with no ongoing conditions
• You're staying for less than a year
• You have savings to cover the deductible
• You're in a country with affordable healthcare
• You mainly need catastrophic coverage

When to Spend More

• You have pre-existing conditions that need coverage
• You need routine care or preventive services
• You're in an expensive healthcare country
• You can't afford a $2,000+ deductible if something happens
• You have a family to cover

Cost-Saving Strategies

1. Choose a High Deductible

The easiest way to lower premiums on full health insurance:

• $250 deductible: Full price premiums
• $1,000 deductible: 15-25% savings
• $2,500 deductible: 30-40% savings
• $5,000 deductible: 40-50% savings

Only do this if you can actually pay the deductible when needed.

2. Exclude the US

US coverage adds 40-100% to premiums. If you're not going to the US, don't pay for it.

3. Skip Unnecessary Riders

Remove coverage you don't need:

• Dental and vision (often cheaper to pay out-of-pocket)
• Maternity (if not planning pregnancy)
• Wellness benefits (if you won't use them)

4. Consider Local + Catastrophic

In some countries, a combination works well:

• Local insurance or public healthcare for routine care
• International travel medical for emergencies and evacuation
• Combined cost often lower than full international coverage

5. Pay Annually

Most insurers offer discounts for annual payment:

• Typically 5-10% savings vs monthly billing
• Only if you're sure you'll stay the full year

Frequently Asked Questions

Is SafetyWing enough for long-term expats?

For healthy people without pre-existing conditions who mainly need emergency coverage, yes. But it's travel medical insurance, not full health insurance. If you have ongoing health needs, need routine care, or want comprehensive coverage, you need actual health insurance.

What's the minimum coverage I should have?

At minimum: emergency medical treatment, hospitalization, and emergency evacuation. These are included in even the cheapest travel medical plans. But "minimum" and "adequate" are different things—assess your actual health needs.

Can I upgrade from budget to premium later?

Usually yes, but with caveats. You'll go through underwriting again, so any conditions that developed while on budget coverage may be excluded. Some insurers offer upgrade paths for existing customers with better terms.

Is it worth paying for a $5,000 deductible?

Do the math: If $5,000 deductible saves you $200/month vs $500 deductible, you save $2,400/year. If you don't make claims, you come out ahead. But you need $5,000 available if something happens. Consider your savings and risk tolerance.

What happens if I can't pay my deductible?

You're responsible for the deductible amount before insurance pays. If you can't pay, you may need to negotiate with the hospital or face collections. Never choose a deductible you can't actually afford.

Are budget plans accepted for visa applications?

Depends on the visa and country. Some countries specify minimum coverage amounts ($30,000-50,000 often required). Travel medical plans like SafetyWing may not meet requirements for long-term visas. Check your specific visa requirements.