Expat health insurance for Thailand: A complete guide

If you’re moving to Thailand as a UK expat, understanding how the healthcare system works and having the right insurance in place is essential. Getting everything sorted early will save you from worrying about unexpected medical costs down the road.

In this guide, we’ll tell you everything about expat health insurance for Thailand. We’ll explain how you can access healthcare, what options are available and the costs you can expect.

We’ll also introduce a cost-effective way to manage your money overseas. With the Wise account from the money services provider Wise, you can send, spend and convert money in 40+ currencies at great mid-market exchange rates and low, transparent fees. It’s not a bank account but offers some similar features, and your money is safeguarded.

Looking to take your savings with you? Wise can also help you with large transfers.

➡️ Learn more about the Wise account

Healthcare system in Thailand - An overview

Thailand has a high standard of healthcare, with a system that includes both public and private services. The country is increasingly popular as a destination for medical tourism, thanks to affordable care and skilled healthcare professionals, particularly in urban areas.¹

There are three main public insurance schemes in Thailand:

• Civil servant medical benefit scheme (CSMBS)
• Social security scheme (SSS)
• Universal coverage scheme (UCS)²

The Civil servant medical benefit scheme (CSMBS) is available to civil servants and government employees, while the Social security scheme (SSS) covers those employed in the private sector. Most people in Thailand are covered under the UCS, which provides healthcare for public sector workers not eligible for CSMBS, as well as self-employed and unemployed Thai citizens.²

Private healthcare is especially popular among expats, thanks to shorter waiting times and the high number of English-speaking staff. There’s also a surplus of medical specialists in Thailand, so patients rarely face long waits to see one.¹

Public vs private healthcare

The public health insurance covers most medical expenses, except those made on a Saturday. This includes hospital stays, maternity care, dental treatment and preventative healthcare.²

Those who don’t qualify for public healthcare, such as unemployed expats, must get a private health insurance policy. This is also a popular choice for everyone wanting the best available healthcare and facilities.²

Private expat health insurance for Thailand usually requires you to pay for care upfront and then apply for reimbursement. The Office of Insurance Commission (OIC) regulates Thailand’s insurance industry, and details of licensed insurance companies can be found on its official website.²

Health insurance requirements for expats

Some visa types require you to have health insurance when applying. For example, to apply for a non-immigrant O-A or O-X visa, you must provide proof of Thai health insurance that covers you for the duration of your stay in Thailand.³

The O-A visa requires a policy with minimum coverage of at least 400,000 THB for inpatient treatment and 40,000 THB for outpatient care. In contrast, the O-X visa requires a policy that covers at least 100,000 USD in medical expenses.³

Expats entering Thailand on the Long-term resident (LTR) visa are also required to have health insurance. Their policy must cover at least 50,000 USD in medical costs.⁴

Accessing public healthcare in Thailand

Like we mentioned before, the main ways to access healthcare in Thailand is if your employer enrols you in Thailand’s social security programme or if you’re a civil servant or a government employee.¹ You’ll contribute around 5% of your gross salary to public healthcare, but this is capped at 750 THB per month.⁵

Once your employer registers you for public health insurance, you’ll receive a social security card, also known as the Gold card. You’ll need to show this card whenever you visit the doctor. You’ll also be assigned a hospital, clinic or healthcare centre near where you live.²

You’ll receive treatment for free in your assigned medical facility. However, you can still go to other hospitals in case of emergency, but you’ll need to pay some additional fees.¹

Even if you have public health cover, you can visit any private hospital and pay for treatment. Although Thailand’s public healthcare system is good, it has some limitations, including overcrowding and language barriers. For these reasons, many foreigners choose private expat health insurance for Thailand.

Private health insurance providers for expats in Thailand

There is a wide range of private health insurance providers catering specifically to expats in Thailand. These include both local insurers and international companies. Many policies offer coverage for outpatient and inpatient treatment, emergency care, specialist consultations, surgery and even dental and optical care.

Some of the well-known private health insurance companies operating in Thailand include:

• Cigna Global
• Allianz
• AXA
• Aetna International
• Pacific Cross
• Luma Health
• Thai Health Insurance
• The Viriyah Insurance

How much does private health insurance cost in Thailand?

The cost of private health insurance in Thailand can vary widely depending on your age, medical history and the level of cover you choose.

For example, a basic health insurance plan from Pacific Prime costs between £1,100 and £2,200 on average, while adding inpatient and outpatient coverage can raise the cost over £4,500. If your private plan includes maternity care and extended benefits, their plans can cost over £5,500 a year.⁶

Choosing the right expat health insurance

When choosing a private insurance provider, it’s important to consider their hospital network, reputation, and coverage limits. Cost is also a factor, but overall value and what’s included in the policy matter more in the long run.

You can choose between local and international insurers. Local Thai companies often offer affordable, high-quality coverage, and hospital staff can usually handle all the paperwork for you. International providers usually offer broader coverage and global support, but at a higher cost.⁵

However, a key disadvantage of local insurers is that they often have coverage exclusions. For example, many don’t cover accidents involving motorcycle rides. While this might not seem important at first, motorcycles are very popular in Thailand, so this exclusion could become a serious issue.⁵

You should also consider whether the insurance policy includes benefits like outpatient care and dental treatment. Be sure to read the fine print and check expat reviews to help you make an informed decision. Lastly, if you plan to stay in Thailand long-term, make sure the policy is renewable.

Wise - A smart way to manage your money in Thailand

Having the right expat health insurance for Thailand is a legal requirement for some visa types and also a way to protect your peace of mind. Thailand offers excellent healthcare services, but unexpected medical expenses can quickly become overwhelming without proper coverage.

If you’re looking for a way to pay for health insurance or cover living costs in Thailand, Wise can be a great option. Open a Wise account and you can send money between the UK and Thailand for low, transparent fees and the mid-market exchange rate.

You can also spend in Thai baht using your Wise card. It works in more than 150+ countries and automatically converts your pounds to the local currency at the mid-market exchange rate, only adding a tiny currency conversion fee. Or it’s free if you already have the local currency in your Wise account.

✅ Sign up with Wise for free

**Investments in funds are never guaranteed and your capital can be at risk. In the UK, Interest and Stocks are provided by Wise Assets — this is the trading name of Wise Assets UK Ltd, a subsidiary of Wise. Wise Assets UK Ltd is authorised as an investment firm and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Our FCA number is 839689. We do not give investment advice, and you may be subject to pay tax. If you're not sure, seek qualified advice. You can find more information about the funds on our website.

Sources used:

Sources last checked on date: 22-Oct-2025