Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Germany, Canada and the United States are the countries with the best care for older people. Choosing a retirement destination is not only about the climate, the cost of living or lifestyle advantages, but also about knowing that you will receive good care should health problems arise. For many expatriates, access to reliable, high-quality healthcare is non-negotiable. In Illinois' global annual retirement index for 2026, the top countries in terms of expatriate healthcare stand out for offering excellent affordable and accessible medical services, either through public systems or private providers.
From France's renowned universal coverage to Costa Rica's expanding private clinics and wellness centers, each of these destinations offers healthcare options that fit the needs and budgets of retirees. Dental and medical tourism is popular in Costa Rica for a reason that treatments and procedures here cost a fraction of what they cost in the U.S. UU. For a more detailed view of healthcare in Costa Rica, see Health Care in Costa Rica.
Even though I've been in Panama for 20 years, my doctors here continue to amaze me. They give me time to talk about any concerns and get answers to all my questions. And guess what? They give me their cell phone numbers so I can send them WhatsApp messages if necessary. In fact, this saves both of us time, since we don't have to make unnecessary inquiries. Like most expatriates in Panama, I use public and private services.
There are public hospitals in Panama City and other central cities, but most expatriates prefer not to use them. These centers tend to have longer waiting times, so it's best to leave spaces available for low-income Panamanians who can't afford private care. Top-notch hospitals, such as Paitilla, San Fernando and Pacifica Salud, are affordable, modern and incredibly efficient. Many are affiliated with distinguished organizations such as Joint Commission International or Cleveland Clinic.
Many Panamanian doctors study abroad and speak English so this is a very comfortable place to land, even if you don't speak Spanish. For a more detailed view of healthcare in Panama, see Healthcare in Panama. After 10 years in Spain, I have had the opportunity to use public and private health systems, and I can honestly say that is one of the main reasons why I would never return to the United States. For a more detailed overview of healthcare in Spain, see Healthcare in Spain. Portugal's combination of universal cradle-to-grave care, affordable private insurance, caring doctors and access to real diagnoses has been a clear improvement over what I experienced in the U.S.
If you want comprehensive, compassionate care without American prices, Portugal offers it. For a more detailed overview of healthcare in Portugal, see the section Healthcare in Portugal. One of the most impressive parts of the French system is the way it manages chronic diseases. If you're diagnosed with conditions such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease, Parkinson's or dementia, your treatment is 100% covered. There are no age limits or exclusions for pre-existing illnesses; everyone is welcome.
For a more detailed overview of healthcare in France, see Healthcare in France. Ireland ranks highly among the best countries for older people. It appears again later on this list for offering end-of-life care and offering retirement visas for Americans. The United States is in last place overall (Annexes 1 and.
The three best performing countries in 2024 are Australia, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Private health insurance plans offer the advantage of shorter wait times, more treatment options, and access to high-quality care around the world, making them an attractive option for many. Before you travel, compare the expertly recommended health insurance plans for expatriates and find the best coverage for your life abroad. Figure 4, which compares the overall performance of the 10 countries in terms of health care with their health care expenditures, shows in a spectacular way the enduring U.
The United States always performs well when it comes to ranking care services. Plus, with spacious care centers and bright, spacious rooms available for those seeking care, living in an American nursing home is, unsurprisingly, a highly coveted luxury. In the Netherlands, general practitioners (GPs) must provide 50 hours of after-hours care per year, for which they receive separate compensation (as is the case with home visits).The four affordability measures include reports from patients who say they avoid medical or dental care because of cost, have high out-of-pocket expenses, face an insurance deficit, or have trouble paying medical bills. The United Kingdom follows a system of “tiered care”, in which older adults gradually receive more support as they age; from initial household help for tasks such as cooking and cleaning, to the care and medical support of trained caregivers who visit their home daily or live there with them, to permanent admission to a nursing home or nursing home.
The Johns Hopkins center in the capital, Panama City, is the cornerstone of this health system, while elderly care remains affordable for home and residential centers. In recent years, North Macedonia has become a picturesque destination for expatriates from older adults seeking quality medical care. The test identified isolated cases from other countries as statistical outliers on specific measures, but the pattern in other countries was inconsistent and the differences between outliers were smaller than in the case of the U. Tell us your search requirements and we'll find you with the best home care providers in your area with caregivers available.
