International Health Insurance in Canada

The cost of private health insurance in Canada varies depending on the level of coverage, age, health status and residency status. On average, monthly premiums range between 100 and 300 Canadian dollars for a basic insurance plan that only covers basic services. More comprehensive packages that include additional benefits such as dental care, medication or physical therapies can be significantly more expensive, often ranging from C$400 to C$800 per month. It’s important to carefully compare the different offerings to find the best coverage at a reasonable price.

International health insurance is not mandatory when moving from Germany to Canada, but it is highly recommended. This insurance provides comprehensive coverage, both during the transition period before being accepted into the Canadian public health insurance system and when traveling back to Germany or other countries. The benefits of international health insurance include worldwide protection, coverage for specialized medical services and the ability to receive emergency treatment quickly without the fear of high costs. International health insurance is especially useful for those who regularly travel between countries.

Employers of German expats in Canada are not legally required to offer health insurance. In Canada, most residents are covered by public health insurance, which is administered by the provincial or territorial governments. However, for expats who are new to Canada and may have to go through a waiting period before gaining access to public health insurance, it is advisable for employers to offer international health insurance to their employees. This ensures that employees are fully covered during the transition period and do not have to worry about high medical costs. Such insurance is also particularly valuable in the long term, as it provides coverage not only in Canada, but also when traveling abroad, including to Germany.

Yes, as a German student planning a semester abroad in Canada, you should definitely get health insurance. Many Canadian universities and colleges require international students to have health insurance, either through the university’s own program or through private insurance. Without adequate insurance coverage, you may not be able to enroll at the university or you may be faced with high costs in the event of a medical emergency.

International private health insurance provides you with comprehensive coverage while you are studying in Canada. It covers not only basic health care, but also additional services such as dental care, medications and emergency transportation, which are often not covered by Canadian public insurance. You are also covered when traveling outside of Canada, for example when visiting Germany.

More information can be found on the official website of the Canadian government: www.canada.ca or on the websites of the respective Canadian universities.

There are several health insurance options for families moving to Canada. In addition to public health insurance, which covers basic medical services after a waiting period, private health insurance can be useful to cover gaps such as dental care or medications. One attractive option is PassportCard, which offers international coverage and allows families to cover medical costs directly via a special card without having to pay in advance. This is especially helpful for families who need immediate coverage in Canada or who travel frequently. PassportCard offers comprehensive plans for the whole family, including additional benefits that are often missing from public insurance plans.

As a German retiree planning to retire in Canada, you should ensure that you have access to both provincial or territorial public health insurance and international private health insurance. Public insurance covers basic medical services, while private insurance covers additional costs such as dental care. Until the age of 64, PassportCard provides worldwide coverage and makes it easy to manage with medical bills.

For more information, visit https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada.html and the websites of the provincial governments.

If you have a pre-existing medical condition, it is extremely important to disclose it when applying for health insurance. Proper disclosure will allow the insurance company to make an accurate assessment of your risk and provide customized quotes accordingly. Many insurance companies offer special plans that cover pre-existing conditions, although these can often cost higher premiums. There are also insurers that offer so-called pre-existing condition cover, where certain existing health problems are covered, but usually with specific conditions or exclusions. It is advisable to carefully compare different options and ask insurance companies about their policies to find a suitable policy that meets your needs.

Yes, it is very important to have an international health insurance if you are a German planning to live in Canada for one year. A health insurance plan suitable for a year abroad in Canada should provide you with comprehensive coverage that Canadian public health insurance often does not fully cover, especially for specialized treatments, dental care and medications. Since you may not be immediately accepted into the public healthcare system in Canada or certain services may not be covered, international health insurance ensures that you are well covered in case of emergencies and do not have to pay high out-of-pocket costs. It gives you the security of knowing that you are well taken care of while in Canada and while traveling abroad.