Buying Health Insurance Before Your Move: The Ultimate Checklist

Theme: Packing Up and Landing Smooth
Published: 15 September 2021

Moving abroad without solid health insurance is a bit like jumping out of a plane and Googling “how to pack a parachute” on the way down. I’m not here for that adrenaline spike—and I’m guessing you aren’t either. As a relocation coach who’s guided hundreds of clients (and survived three international moves of my own), I’ve assembled a calm, step-by-step checklist that will walk you from “Where do I even start?” to “Wow, I’m covered for dental, emergency evacuation and the occasional bungee-jump mishap.”

Whether you’re a digital nomad, a family relocating for work, or a student staying on after graduation, this guide will:

• demystify the difference between local, travel and global health policies
• help you align coverage with visa requirements (before embassy staff politely bounce your paperwork)
• build a realistic first-month budget so you’re not blindsided by hidden premiums or onboarding fees

Grab a coffee, open your favourite note-taking app and let’s tick the boxes together.

1. Pre-Move Preparation Checklist

“The best way to cure homesickness is to feel confident about the basics—like how you’ll pay the hospital when you sprain an ankle chasing buses.”
— A lesson I learned the expensive way in Lisbon, 2017.

Below is the master list I give coaching clients during our very first call. Feel free to print it, stick it on the fridge and enjoy that satisfying pen-on-paper stroke as each item gets handled.

1.1 Map Your Timeline Backwards

1. Departure Date – Start here. If you fly on 1 July, aim for your new insurance policy to become active at least two weeks before (many embassies require proof of coverage from day one on foreign soil).
2. Visa Appointment – Embassy staff typically request proof of insurance. Book or extend your policy one week before the appointment to avoid last-minute scrambles.
3. Medical Underwriting Window – Some insurers take up to 14 business days to complete screenings. Build that into your planning.
4. Existing Coverage Exit – Confirm when your home insurer stops covering you. Many cut off the second you board the plane.

Coach’s Tip
Use a shared Google Sheet with colour-coded deadlines so partners or travel buddies can nudge each other.

1.2 Understand Your Destination’s Healthcare System

Even the most comprehensive international policy won’t help if the country mandates local insurance on top. Investigate:

• Is health coverage tied to a resident ID?
• Will your employer automatically enrol you?
• Can dependants piggyback on that plan?

A quick call to your future HR rep (or, if you’re solo, a local relocation forum) usually clarifies the basics in under ten minutes.

Quick Compare: Public vs. Private

1.3 List Your Non-Negotiables

Grab a blank page and brainstorm:

• Chronic conditions (e.g., asthma, thyroid, diabetes)
• Prescription medications
• Preferred hospitals or clinics
• Sports and adventure add-ons (skiing, scuba, trail running)
• Mental-health coverage (therapy, psychiatric support)

Once written, rank them. I’ve seen too many people surrender mental-health benefits for “budget” and pay dearly later. Don’t be that person.

1.4 Request Quotes Like a Pro

Most reputable providers throw the phrase “bespoke packages” around, so get them to prove it. Provide the exact same data set to at least three insurers:

1. Age(s) of all applicants
2. Destination country + travel frequency
3. Duration (6 months, 12 months, multi-year)
4. Health conditions & medications
5. Desired deductible

Use the replies to build a tidy comparison table.

1.5 Investigate Exclusions and Caps

Reading policy fine-print at 1 a.m. is not glamorous, yet it beats arguing with a claims department from an ER bed. Spotlight:

• Annual or lifetime payout caps
• Maternity waiting periods
• High-risk sports exclusions
• Co-payments on prescriptions
• Repatriation coverage limits

If something feels vague, email the insurer and demand a written clarification. Screenshots of live chats count; save them in a “Relocation Docs” folder.

1.6 Check Reviews—But Filter the Noise

Everyone who’s ever had a delayed reimbursement loves typing in ALL-CAPS on the internet. Look for patterns rather than one-off rants. Sites like Trustpilot are useful, but I also lean on private expat Facebook groups where moderating admins keep spam at bay.

1.7 Tie Policy Start Date to Visa Requirements

Some countries, including Spain and Japan, insist on no-deductible or unlimited coverage for residency visas. If that applies to you, confirm the threshold in writing. Our recent guide to Settling down in Valencia: first 30 days breaks down Spain’s specifics if you need a deeper dive.

2. Arrival Week Must-Dos

Congratulations—the stressful part is over, right? Not quite. The first seven days in a new country are chaotic: bank appointments, new SIM cards, IKEA marathons. Add these bite-size insurance tasks to your calendar so they don’t slip through the cracks.

2.1 Register with a Local GP or Primary-Care Clinic

Even if your global policy lets you see anybody, many hospitals demand a local doctor’s referral to unlock specialist care. Locate a clinic, sign those forms and store the contact in your phone under “Dr. First Call”.

2.2 Upload Policy Documents to Multiple Platforms

I keep PDFs in:

1. A password-protected cloud folder
2. My phone’s “Files” app
3. My partner’s phone (shared Apple Notes folder)

If you’re travelling solo, email a trusted relative a copy. Worst-case scenario, they can forward it to whichever hospital you end up visiting.

2.3 Enable Direct-Billing (If Offered)

Some insurers maintain partnerships allowing hospitals to invoice them directly—no wallet panic at checkout. The catch: you often have to pre-register. Knock this out early to spare future migraines.

2.4 Double-Check Emergency Numbers

In Europe, 112 is universal. In Japan, 119 is for medical emergencies; 110 is for police. Memorise the right one while your head is still clear. Coming from personal experience: dialling a fire brigade in broken Japanese when you actually needed an ambulance is…memorable.

2.5 Keep Receipts for Everything

Until direct-billing kicks in, you may pay upfront. Photograph each receipt within seconds of the transaction. Insurers love rejecting blurred images; your phone’s scan mode is your friend.

3. Budgeting Tips for the First Month

New country, new currency, new expense curve. Here’s how to avoid the dreaded “Week-Three Wallet Shock.”

3.1 Anticipate Onboarding Fees

Some local insurers charge a one-time administration fee—anywhere from €30 to €300. Global insurers might add a policy-issuance charge that hides under the line items. Pad your budget accordingly.

3.2 Factor in Currency Fluctuations

Paying USD premiums while earning in euros? A 5 % swing can hurt. I recommend a multi-currency account (Wise, Revolut) so you can hold funds in the same currency of your invoice.

3.3 Re-Evaluate Deductibles

A high deductible looks sensible when you’re healthy. But if you’ll be skiing the Alps every other weekend or chasing the best ramen across Tokyo alleys (ask me how I sprained my ankle), that low-premium/high-deductible strategy could backfire.

3.4 Keep a “Health Buffer” Fund

Aim for the greater of:

• One month of premiums, or
• Your policy’s annual deductible.

I park mine in a separate sub-account labelled “Band-Aids & MRI Machines.” When the unexpected hits, you don’t debate whether to dip into rent money.

3.5 Watch for Double Coverage

Students can end up paying twice—once for a private plan and again for mandatory campus insurance. Our contributor Aya explains how she navigated Japan’s system in Student-turned-expat: staying in Japan after graduation. Moral of the story: do the math before defaulting to both.

4. Tools and Local Resources

Because nobody wants to reinvent the wheel at 2 a.m. with a fever.

4.1 Apps That Make Healthcare Less Painful

• Air Doctor – Finds English-speaking doctors worldwide and shows upfront pricing.
• Emma by Bupa – File claims, book telehealth, access mental-health resources.
• MySOS / 112 BE / 911.gov – Country-specific emergency apps that auto-share your GPS.
• Medicines List (by Australian Government) – Track prescriptions and active ingredients (handy if brand names differ abroad).

4.2 Government & NGO Hotlines

Most countries publish multilingual helplines for new residents. Pop the numbers in your phone:

• Spain – 060 (general public-service info in several languages)
• Japan – AMDA International Medical Information Center (+81-3-5285-8088)
• Canada – 811 (health advice in English & French)

4.3 Expat Forums & Facebook Groups

Quality control varies, but crowd wisdom can be invaluable:

• Nomad List – Paid membership = less spam, more actionable tips.
• Expats in [City Name] – Always verify anecdotal info against official sources.
• International Students [University] – Crucial for understanding campus insurance overlaps.

Coach’s Warning
“My cousin went to X hospital and never paid a dime!” is not a legal guarantee. Treat forum stories as research leads, not gospel truth.

4.4 Local Insurance Brokers

Sometimes you need a human to interpret fine-print in Catalan or Japanese. Independent brokers usually earn a commission from insurers, so you rarely pay direct fees. Still, confirm alignment by asking: “How many carriers do you represent?” The higher, the better.

5. Your First 30 Days: Putting It All Together

Let’s marry the timeline, budget and resource nuggets into a single game plan. Below is a printable roadmap you can tweak to fit your calendar.

Stick this in your week-view planner, and you’ll be the calmest person queuing at immigration.

Frequently Asked “What-ifs”

What if I’m still job-hunting and don’t know my salary?

Choose a short-term international plan (3–6 months). The premium will be higher month-to-month, but you avoid over-committing before income stabilises.

What if my visa requires local insurance but I already bought a global plan?

The prudent move: maintain both until you receive your residence card. After that, compare overlaps and downgrade one. Double-check cancellation windows so you’re not stuck paying two premiums forever.

Can I switch insurers mid-year?

Yes, but watch out for new waiting periods on maternity, dental or chronic conditions. Also, some countries tie your residence permit renewal to proof of continuous coverage—gaps can trigger headaches.

Do I need travel insurance and health insurance?

Traditional travel insurance covers trip cancellations, lost luggage and maybe minor medical incidents. It rarely handles long-term healthcare, chronic conditions or elective treatments. If you’ll be abroad more than 90 days, you likely need an international health plan in addition to, or instead of, travel insurance.

Parting Words from Your Relocation Coach

Moving countries is brave. Doing it while fully insured is smart. You’ve now got a blueprint that takes the fear out of foreign healthcare systems, keeps your bank account intact, and lets you focus on the adventure part of the adventure.

Whenever you’re ready, BorderPilot can translate this checklist into personalised, country-specific actions—down to which insurer ticks your visa boxes and which neighbourhood doctors speak your language.

Create your free relocation plan today and land smooth, not stressed.