How to Get Health Insurance as a Digital Nomad​

"How do you get health insurance as a digital nomad?” That’s a question I get a lot. If you’re out here living the location-independent life, you already know the usual employer plans aren’t an option anymore. So what do you do?

First off, skipping insurance isn’t a smart move because stuff can happen anytime, anywhere. Getting sick, flights getting canceled, or your gear breaking... And having some kind of coverage just takes a huge weight off your shoulders.

But finding the right health insurance can be very tricky. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, and not all plans are built with nomads in mind. So in this article, I’ll walk you through the main types of insurance for digital nomads, highlight some of the best providers out there, and help you figure out how to get the coverage that fits your needs.

Types of Health Insurance for Digital Nomads

The first thing to know is that there are a few main types of health insurance for nomads. Each one works differently depending on how you travel and what kind of coverage you need.

Knowing the difference will help you figure out what makes the most sense for your lifestyle.

Travel Medical Insurance

Travel insurance is designed for short trips and covers emergency medical care while you’re on the move. So if you get injured or seriously sick, you’re covered, but it usually won’t pay for routine checkups or ongoing treatments.

It’s a great option if you’re traveling between countries quickly or need something budget-friendly. Some popular providers you might’ve heard of are SafetyWing, Genki, and Heymondo.

International Health Insurance

Think of international health insurance as the kind of health coverage you’d get if you lived somewhere permanently. It covers more than just emergencies: doctor visits, chronic illnesses, dental care, and sometimes even maternity care.

These plans tend to be more comprehensive (and pricier), but they’re perfect if you’re a slow traveler, an expat, part of a family on the road, or just spend a lot of time in one place. Companies like Cigna Global, Genki Native, and SafetyWing Complete offer these kinds of plans.

Local Health Insurance

Some countries let foreigners buy into their local health insurance system. This can be a smart move if you’re staying put in one country for a while, though it often involves a bit of paperwork and bureaucracy, so it’s usually not worth it if you’re just there for a month.

Keep in mind, local plans only cover you in that specific country. They’re generally affordable and cover basics like doctor visits, medications, checkups, and minor emergencies. In some places, local insurance might even be required for certain visas.

Steps to Get Health Insurance as a Digital Nomad

Now that you’ve got a handle on the different types of health insurance, let’s get practical. Here’s how to actually pick and buy the right plan for your lifestyle:

Step 1: Pick the Right Insurance Type

Not all insurance is the same. You’ll want to figure out if travel medical insurance (great for short trips), international health insurance (better for longer stays), or local health insurance (if you plan to settle down somewhere for a while) fits your style. Choosing the right one now will save you money and stress later.

Step 2: Comapre Plans

Before you jump in and buy a plan, take some time to really check out what each one offers. Make sure it covers the big stuff like emergency evacuation and getting you back home if needed (surprisingly, some don’t!) Look at how much you’ll pay monthly or yearly, plus deductibles, so you don’t end up spending more than you want. If you’re into any kind of sports or adventurous stuff (even if it’s just hiking), read the fine print because some plans charge extra or exclude those activities.

Step 3: Get Quotes Online

Once you know what kind of insurance you want, hop onto the providers’ websites and use their quote tools. You’ll usually enter your age, where you’re going, and how long you’ll be there to get an accurate price. This makes it way easier to compare your options without guessing.

Step 4: Buy Your Plan and Keep Your Info Ready

When you’ve picked your plan, buy it online and save copies of your policy and emergency contacts. If your insurer has an app, download it and keep all your info there or stored safely on your phone or in the cloud. That way, if something happens while you’re on the move, you can grab what you need without scrambling.

Best Health Insurance Providers for Digital Nomads in 2025

With those steps under your belt, it’s time to explore your options. Here are some of the best health insurance providers that understand what nomads need:

1. SafetyWing

SafetyWing is kind of the go-to for a lot of digital nomads. It covers 180+ countries, which means you can travel pretty freely without worrying too much about losing coverage. They have two main plans:

• The classic travel medical insurance, called Nomad Insurance, is great for emergencies like hospital visits or medical evacuations
• And a newer, more in-depth option called Nomad Insurance Complete that’s more like traditional health insurance.

The travel medical insurance plan is affordable, starting at about $56 per month, and works well if you’re moving around a lot and mainly need emergency coverage. It also offers limited coverage if you go back home for a visit. You can add extras like coverage for lost belongings and adventure sports, which is handy if you do any risky activities.

A couple of downsides: it doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions or cancer treatments. Also, you’ll have to pay medical bills upfront and file a claim to get reimbursed.

2. Genki

Genki is another big name in digital nomad insurance. It’s simple to use, easy to set up online, and the whole experience feels built with digital nomads in mind. They offer two plans depending on your style of travel:

• Genki Explorer (for short-term travelers) covers emergency medical care worldwide, including hospital stays, ambulance rides, medications, and vaccines. It even includes dental care for emergencies and mental health support. Pretty rare perks in this space!
• Genki Native, their newer, more comprehensive plan, works more like traditional health insurance. It covers routine care, chronic illness management, maternity, dental, mental health, and preventive services. This one is aimed more at long-term travelers or expats.

Prices start around €48.30 per month and can go up to about €180 depending on the coverage level and plan you choose.

What you won’t get here is coverage for trip interruptions like cancellations or lost luggage, so keep that in mind if you want something to protect your travel plans too.

3. Heymondo

Heymondo is another strong pick for digital nomads, especially if you’re after a straightforward travel insurance plan. Their coverage includes the essentials: emergency medical care, dental treatment, trip cancellations, delays, and even lost or stolen luggage.

Everything is managed through their Heymondo app, including 24/7 medical chat, so you can get advice quickly if something comes up while you’re abroad.

They offer a few different plan types depending on how often and how long you travel:

• Single-Trip Insurance: Good for one-off trips up to 90 days.
• Annual Multi-Trip: Covers multiple trips within a year, with a cap on how long each trip can be (usually 60 days max per trip).
• Long Stay Insurance: Designed for extended travel over 90 days.

Pricing starts at around $2 per day, though it depends on your destination and coverage level. The only real drawbacks are that it doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions, and high-value items like laptops and cameras aren’t always fully protected without extra add-ons.

4. World Nomads

World Nomads has been around for years and is a favorite among backpackers and travelers who like adventure sports or activities. So, if you’re into hiking, diving, snowboarding, or pretty much anything outdoorsy, this one’s worth a look. They cover a massive list of over 200 adventure activities by default.

They have two main plans: Standard and Explorer. Explorer offers higher limits and more activity coverage. For example, if you’re doing more extreme stuff like skydiving or trekking over 6,000 meters, you’ll need the Explorer plan.

The pricing depends on where you’re going and how long you're traveling, but for a 30-something nomad on a month-long trip, it’s around $127 USD/month. It’s a bit pricier than other options, especially if you don’t need all the extras. Also, it’s more like travel insurance than full-on health insurance, so it’s great for emergencies, but not for regular check-ups or long-term care.

5. Cigna Global

Cigna Global is one of the most well-known names in international health insurance. It’s super comprehensive, covers you in over 200 countries, and offers the kind of benefits you’d expect from a home-country plan: chronic condition management, dental, vision, maternity, and even cancer treatments.

They’ve got three core tiers: Silver, Gold, and Platinum, with increasing coverage levels and benefit caps. You can also tack on add-ons like dental, vision, or evacuation if you’re traveling to more remote areas.

As for price, plans usually start around $100–$150/month for minimal coverage, but if you want all the bells and whistles (and fewer limitations), expect it to run you more like $300–$500/month, depending on your age and the countries you frequent.

It’s definitely not the cheapest option, so if you’re just looking for basic travel insurance or are on a tight budget, this might feel like overkill. But Cigna is great if you want peace of mind and something close to full-scale health insurance while you’re abroad.

Ready to Get Health Insurance as a Digital Nomad​?

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