Written by
John Spencer
John Spencer is the founder of Compare Expat Plans, focusing on clear, neutral information to help people find health coverage abroad.
Last updated: January 27, 2026
Quick Summary: Health Insurance in Taiwan
- Taiwan's NHI is one of the world's BEST healthcare systems—universal coverage, low costs, no pre-existing condition exclusions, and 99.9% population coverage.
- Expats with an ARC (Alien Resident Certificate) MUST enroll in NHI after 6 months of continuous residence—there's no opt-out.
- During the 6-month waiting period, you need private insurance. Gold Card holders can enroll in NHI immediately with no waiting period.
- NHI costs just NT$1,500-2,000/month (~$45-60 USD)—employed expats pay 30% with employer covering the rest.
- Taiwan has world-class hospitals (NTU, Taipei Veterans General, Chang Gung) at prices that shock Western expats—MRIs for $100, specialist visits for $15.
Do You Need Private Health Insurance in Taiwan?
Taiwan requires health insurance for visa applications. After obtaining an ARC (Alien Resident Certificate), you MUST enroll in NHI after 6 months of continuous residence—it's mandatory, not optional. During the waiting period, international insurance is required. Gold Card holders (for foreign professionals) can enroll in NHI immediately upon arrival. Employers are required to enroll employees in NHI from day one, bypassing the waiting period.
Insurance is required for:
- New arrivals during 6-month NHI waiting period—private insurance is required
- Expats who want English-speaking doctors and VIP hospital services
- Those traveling frequently outside Taiwan—NHI only covers emergencies abroad with reimbursement caps
- Retirees wanting international evacuation options
- High-income professionals wanting private rooms and premium amenities
Public vs Private Healthcare in Taiwan
Public Healthcare
NHI (National Health Insurance)
- Access: All ARC holders after 6 months (mandatory). Gold Card holders from day one. Employees from day one via employer.
- Cost: Employed: ~$45-60/month (employee pays 30%, employer 60%, government 10%). Self-employed: Full premium ~$100-150/month based on income bracket.
Taiwan's NHI is consistently ranked among the world's best single-payer systems. It covers virtually everything: outpatient visits ($5-15 copay), hospitalization, surgery, dental cleanings, traditional Chinese medicine, and prescription drugs. No pre-existing condition exclusions. No annual caps. Wait times are short—often same-day appointments. The downside: limited overseas coverage (emergency only with caps), crowded clinics at popular hospitals, and language barriers outside Taipei.
Private Healthcare
International or Local Private
- Access: Open to anyone
- Cost: Local supplementary plans: $30-80/month. International plans: $100-250/month.
Most long-term expats use NHI for everything since it's so good. Private insurance in Taiwan is mainly used for: VIP hospital rooms, English-speaking concierge services, treatment abroad, and coverage during the 6-month waiting period. Taipei's major hospitals (NTU, Taipei Veterans General, Mackay) have international patient centers with English-speaking staff. Private clinics catering to expats exist in Taipei and Taichung.
Plan Options to Compare
Here are the most popular insurance options for expats in Taiwan. Each has trade-offs depending on your situation.
Cigna Global
Best for: Coverage during 6-month NHI waiting period plus frequent international travel
Not ideal for: Long-term Taiwan residents—NHI is excellent at $50/month; keeping international coverage is overkill
Allianz Care
Best for: Expats splitting time between Taiwan and Europe who need worldwide coverage
Not ideal for: Taiwan-only residents—once NHI eligible, it outperforms international plans for local care
BUPA Global
Best for: Pre-existing conditions during 6-month waiting period—NHI covers all pre-existing once enrolled
Not ideal for: Anyone past the waiting period—NHI has no pre-existing exclusions and costs 80% less
IMG Global
Best for: Budget coverage for 6-month waiting period before NHI enrollment
Not ideal for: Long-term residents—NHI is mandatory and superior for Taiwan-based care
Comparison Table: Top Expat Health Plans for Taiwan
Compare the leading options side by side. Click "Details" to learn more about each provider.
| Provider | Best For | Coverage Style | Includes U.S.? | Notable Limits | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cigna Global | Coverage during 6-month NHI | International comprehensive | Higher cost than local options | Details → | |
| Allianz Care | Expats splitting time between | International comprehensive | Deductibles apply to savings | Details → | |
| BUPA Global | Pre-existing conditions during 6-month | International premium | Premium pricing | Details → | |
| IMG Global | Budget coverage for 6-month | International standard | 12-month pre-existing exclusion | Details → |
Common Watch-outs for Taiwan
Keep these points in mind when choosing coverage:
- The 6-month NHI waiting period is strictly enforced—don't arrive without coverage for this gap.
- NHI is MANDATORY after 6 months—you cannot opt for international insurance instead. You can have supplementary coverage on top of NHI.
- NHI overseas coverage is limited: emergency-only and reimburses at Taiwan rates (often insufficient for US/Europe costs).
- Taiwanese hospitals run on a first-come-first-served basis for many services. Popular specialists at major hospitals can have crowded waiting rooms.
- Outside Taipei, English proficiency drops significantly. Consider this if living in southern Taiwan or rural areas.
- Dental beyond cleanings requires extra NHI copays. Major dental work is still very affordable but not as heavily subsidized.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I enroll in Taiwan's NHI system?
If employed, your employer enrolls you from day one—no waiting period. Self-employed or unemployed expats must wait 6 months of continuous residence with an ARC, then enroll at the local NHI office. Gold Card holders can enroll immediately upon receiving their ARC. Bring your ARC, passport, and local bank account details. Premiums are deducted monthly.
What does Taiwan's NHI actually cover?
Almost everything: outpatient visits (NT$150-400 copay, ~$5-15), hospitalizations, surgeries, prescription drugs, lab work, imaging (MRIs, CTs), dental cleanings, traditional Chinese medicine, physical therapy, and mental health visits. No pre-existing condition exclusions. No annual caps. It does NOT cover: cosmetic procedures, some advanced cancer drugs, VIP rooms, or overseas treatment (except emergency reimbursement).
Is Taiwan good for medical tourism?
Yes. Taiwan is a top destination for medical tourism, especially for health checkups, dental work, cosmetic surgery, and traditional Chinese medicine. Taipei's major hospitals have international patient departments. An MRI costs ~$100-150, full health checkup packages $200-500, and dental implants $800-1,500 (vs $3,000-5,000 in the US). Quality is comparable to the US or Japan.
Do I need private insurance if I have NHI?
For most expats, NHI alone is sufficient—it's genuinely excellent. Consider supplementary private insurance if you: frequently travel internationally (NHI overseas coverage is weak), want VIP hospital services and private rooms, prefer guaranteed English-speaking doctors, or want medical evacuation coverage. Many long-term Taiwan expats drop private insurance entirely after experiencing NHI.
What's the Gold Card and how does it affect insurance?
Taiwan's Employment Gold Card is a combined work permit and residence visa for foreign professionals in eligible fields (tech, finance, culture, sports, etc.). Gold Card holders can enroll in NHI immediately upon receiving their ARC—no 6-month waiting period. This is a significant benefit since you avoid needing interim private insurance. Gold Card holders pay NHI premiums based on declared income.
Related: Comparisons and Next Steps
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only. Healthcare policies, insurance requirements, and visa rules change. We are not insurance brokers, immigration consultants, or licensed advisors. Verify all information with official sources and insurance providers before making decisions.