Looking to Move Abroad? These Countries Offer the Best Healthcare for US Expats

Accessible and affordable healthcare is one of the top priorities for a lot of Americans when considering moving abroad. Regardless of your motives for moving overseas, from retiring, working remotely, or simply just wanting a new change in life, an assurance in case of illness or injury is always crucial to ensure the best experience. The question remains where to offer the best care.

To discover the top destinations, we evaluated 167 countries using five key metrics: overall health index, quality of healthcare, healthcare expenditure, air quality, and how often healthcare is searched by US users looking for healthcare abroad.

Countries With the Best Healthcare for US Expats

1. Estonia

US citizens who relocate to Estonia will receive outstanding healthcare services, achieving a rating of 80.2 out of 100. Medical expenditures in Estonia place the country in the tenth position worldwide, thus enabling quality and well-funded healthcare facilities accessible to residents and visitors. The public interest and accessibility index places Estonia in 12th position, meaning that residents can easily access health services and search for them frequently. Air quality in Estonia positions the country at the 12th spot, ensuring great living conditions for foreign citizens.

2. Japan

Japan holds the second spot as its healthcare system quality places second globally, scoring 79.4 overall. The country provides international residents access to premium medical services from knowledgeable medical staff within safe healthcare systems. Japan ranks 3rd in the healthcare index, which demonstrates excellent health performance outcomes across the board. The combination of a 31st position for air quality and a 20th position for affordability provides expats with high-quality healthcare that will not drain their resources.‍

3. Iceland

At number three is Iceland with 78.3 points, with its ninth-ranked excellent air quality supporting healthy lifestyle choices for foreign residents. High-quality healthcare is available throughout the nation, ranking eighth in healthcare system quality. Iceland achieves a 39th place ranking in the healthcare index by heavy investment in healthcare infrastructure, which provides excellent healthcare services to its citizens, as well as international residents.

4. Netherlands

With a score of 77.4, the Netherlands positions itself in the 4th place, possessing an elevated 11th-place standing in healthcare system quality, including strong healthcare infrastructure and high standards of medical care. The nation positions itself as number four both in the healthcare index and health outcomes, which benefits both citizens and the international community. The air quality of the Netherlands is placed in the mid-group rankings, but the country achieves a solid 23rd-place score in making healthcare easy for foreign residents to access and understand.

5. Singapore

The medical system of Singapore is among the world's highest performers by securing first place in the health index and 25th place in the healthcare index. Expats from the US find compelling reasons to relocate to the city-state due to its efficient framework and its advanced healthcare technology.

Singapore preserves its essential position at the top, scoring 75.2, due to its exceptional health results, despite spending more on healthcare and having lower air quality. Singapore appeals to people who want to access the world's most outstanding hospitals and expert medical professionals.

Top 5 Countries With the Best and Worst Healthcare Affordability

When it comes to healthcare abroad, cost is often just as important as quality, especially for expats on a budget. We took a closer look at healthcare expenditure per person to highlight where medical costs are the most and least affordable.

Best Healthcare Affordability

With just over $1,181 per person, Mexico is the leader in affordable healthcare, becoming one of the most attractive options for people who are looking for budget-friendly care. Following closely behind are Colombia, Costa Rica, Turkey, and Slovakia. presenting accessible but high-quality service without breaking a leg. 

Worst Healthcare Affordability

On the other end of the spectrum, the United States tops the list for the most expensive healthcare, with an average expenditure of $12,555 per person. European countries like Switzerland, Germany, Norway, and the Netherlands follow closely behind-offering high-quality care, but at a steep cost that may not suit every expat’s wallet.

On the other hand, with an expenditure of over $12,000 per person, the United States possesses the most expensive healthcare system. Other countries on this list, including Switzerland, Germany, Norway, and the Netherlands, though they offer top-notch quality care, are nowhere near an affordable option for immigrants. 

Conclusion

Moving to another country is a big decision that requires careful consideration of various factors, and healthcare should always be a vital element. It is possible to enjoy both quality and value in some of the best countries in the world, from Estonia’s valuable system to Japan’s world-class care. 

This research offers concrete supporting data that would help you to weigh different options, including low costs, clean air, or high-performing health systems, to make the most optimal decision for your preferences. A new place is more than exciting, with endless opportunities and knowledge, but prioritizing your health should always be at the top of your mind. A great and suitable healthcare system will make a positive difference in your journey. 

Methodology

To identify and rank the best countries for U.S. expatriates in terms of healthcare, we conducted a multi-factor analysis combining both qualitative and quantitative data. Our goal was to evaluate not only the quality of healthcare systems abroad but also their affordability, accessibility, and overall livability for American expats. The final rankings were determined based on five key factors:

1. Public Interest & Accessibility

We analyzed search volume data for the query “country name + digital nomad visa” to assess public interest and visa accessibility among U.S. users. High search volume suggests greater curiosity and consideration for relocation, particularly among remote workers and expats.

2. Healthcare System Quality

Prosperity Health Index: Sourced from the Legatum Prosperity Index, this metric reflects overall national health outcomes and infrastructure.

Prosperity Healthcare Index: This index assesses perceptions of healthcare system quality, including factors like staff competency, speed, and equipment. Source: Prosperity Index Rankings

3. Healthcare Affordability

We used Statista data on average healthcare spending per individual to gauge affordability and cost-efficiency across countries. Source: Statista Health Expenditure

4. Lifestyle & Environmental Factors

As environmental factors directly impact overall health and quality of life, air quality rankings were included to reflect long-term livability for expats.

All data points were standardized and weighted equally to calculate a final score out of 100 for each country. This composite score enabled a balanced comparison of destinations based on healthcare quality, cost, and lifestyle appeal for U.S. expatriates.

The data was collected in April 2025.