Best Healthcare in Europe 2026: 15 Top Countries for Expats & Residents 

Austria

Austria has one of the best healthcare systems in Europe due to its near-universal healthcare coverage and high physician availability.

OECD data from 2025 show that around 99.9% of residents in Austria are covered by the public health insurance system.

Healthcare in Austria is not free, but it is heavily subsidized through mandatory social insurance contributions and taxes, resulting in low out-of-pocket costs for most residents.

Austria’s public healthcare covers doctor visits, specialist consultations, hospital treatment, preventive care, and prescription medications.

Residents who purchase supplementary private insurance can also access private hospitals, private rooms, and doctors outside the public insurance network.

Austria recorded 5.5 practising doctors per 1,000 residents in 2025, well above the OECD average of 3.9 and among the highest physician-to-population ratios in the European Union.

Belgium

Belgium has one of the highest healthcare satisfaction rates in the OECD, with 86% of residents happy with the availability of quality healthcare.

While healthcare in the country is not free, it’s subsidized through social security contributions.

Around 98% of the population is covered by compulsory health insurance, which reimburses over 70% of medical costs, including doctor visits, specialist appointments, hospital treatment, prescription medications, and maternity care. A consultation with a general practitioner, for example, can cost less than €10 after reimbursement.

Foreigners living in Belgium must register with a local health insurance fund (mutuelle / ziekenfonds) to access the country’s healthcare system.

Belgium has also invested heavily in digital healthcare. More than 70% of general practitioners (GPs) use interconnected eHealth services, and electronic prescriptions, digital health records, and online reimbursement systems help simplify the process.

Denmark

Denmark has one of the most accessible healthcare systems in Europe. According to 2026 data from the Commonwealth Fund, 100% of the country’s population has access to essential healthcare services through a tax-funded healthcare system.

All legal residents are covered for services such as primary care, specialist treatment, hospital care, maternity services, mental healthcare, and preventive care.

Additionally, nearly half of Denmark’s population purchases voluntary private insurance to help cover expenses such as dental care and prescription medications.

Residents have the right to choose among public hospitals. If waiting-time guarantees are not met, patients can receive treatment at a private hospital with public funding.

The country also performs well on several health indicators, including life expectancy, which is 81.8 years, above the average for high-income countries.

Additionally, Denmark has one of Europe’s most digitalized healthcare systems. Through the Sundhed.dk platform, patients can access medical records, laboratory results, prescriptions, and services online. Video consultations are available, and 83% of pharmacies offer online medicine services.

Finland

Finland offers universal healthcare to all permanent residents through the National Health Insurance (FNHI), which is mainly funded through taxation. Permanent residents, including immigrants, have access to the same public healthcare services as Finnish citizens.

Healthcare in Finland is not free, but public services are heavily subsidized, and patient fees are capped. A doctor’s appointment in the public system costs around €20–30, and once patients reach the annual healthcare payment ceiling, most public healthcare services become free for the rest of the year. Private healthcare is also widely available and accounts for more than a quarter of all healthcare services.

What sets Finland apart is its long-standing focus on disease prevention and public health. The country allocates 4.6% of total healthcare spending to preventive care, above the OECD average of 3.4%, helping support strong health outcomes and life expectancy.

France

France has one of the broadest healthcare systems in Europe, providing public healthcare to all legal residents through the Protection Universelle Maladie (PUMa) system. 

It covers a range of services, including primary care, specialist care, maternity care, mental health services, rehabilitation, pharmaceuticals, long-term care, and home visits. 

France’s healthcare system is largely publicly funded, with government spending accounting for more than 75% of total healthcare expenditure. 

Public insurance reimburses around 70% of outpatient visits and 80% of inpatient hospital stays, helping keep out-of-pocket spending below 10% of total health expenditure. 

The 100% Health reform, introduced in 2019 and fully implemented by 2021, reduced patient costs by eliminating out-of-pocket expenses for dental, vision, and hearing care services.

Around 96% of the population also carries complementary health insurance to help cover copayments and services not fully reimbursed by the public system.

France also has strong health outcomes. Life expectancy reached 82.6 years in 2023, above the average for high-income countries, while maternal mortality is among the lowest in Europe at roughly seven deaths per 100,000 live births.

Germany

Germany ranks third in the 2024 World Index of Healthcare Innovation, with an overall score of 58.54, and ranks first globally for patient choice.

As of 2026, the country has an extensive healthcare infrastructure, with a large network of 1,874 hospitals, according to the Federal Statistical Office of Germany (Destatis), as well as specialists and healthcare providers. This gives patients comprehensive access to medical services across the country.

Healthcare is mandatory for all residents, with 87% of the population covered by statutory health insurance (GKV), and about 11% using private health insurance (PKV).

The system also keeps healthcare affordable through income-based contributions and annual copayment caps of 2% of gross income, or 1% for many people with chronic conditions.

Residents can also choose among competing sickness funds, while dependents, such as non-working spouses and children, are covered at no additional cost.

Germany is also one of the first countries in Europe where new medicines and approved therapies become available to patients.

Home to companies such as Bayer, Merck, Boehringer Ingelheim, Siemens Healthineers, and BioNTech, the country has one of the world’s largest healthcare and life sciences sectors.

Iceland

Iceland provides universal healthcare coverage through its universal healthcare system. The country is recognized for delivering strong healthcare access despite serving a small and geographically dispersed population.

All legal residents are covered by Icelandic Health Insurance (IHI) after six months of legal residence, which ensures access to healthcare services regardless of income or location. 

To keep costs accessible, Iceland uses a healthcare copayment system that places a cap on annual medical expenses, with reduced fees available for children, older adults, and people with disabilities.

In Iceland, private healthcare plays a limited role. There are no private hospitals in the country, and most healthcare facilities are publicly funded and publicly operated.

Iceland is divided into seven healthcare regions with local clinics and hospitals to ensure care is accessible for all, regardless of location.

Prevention and public health have long been central priorities for the country. Iceland has also invested heavily in digital healthcare. Through the national Heilsuvera platform, residents can book appointments, renew prescriptions, access health information, and communicate with healthcare professionals online.

Ireland

In Ireland, residents have access to a range of public healthcare services, including doctor visits, hospital treatment, maternity care, mental health support, and prescription medications. 

Ireland is one of the best countries for Americans to move to, and foreigners who plan to live in the country for at least one year can also use the public healthcare system.

Healthcare is not entirely free, but costs are heavily subsidized. Lower-income residents can qualify for a Medical Card, which covers services such as GP visits, hospital care, and prescriptions at little or no cost. For everyone else, public healthcare charges are capped.

At the same time, approximately 47% of residents have private health insurance, one of the highest rates in Europe. Private coverage allows access to elective procedures more quickly and greater choice over specialists and hospitals, as waiting times are one of the main challenges within the public system.

Ireland performs well on several health outcomes. The country spends around $7,813 per person on healthcare, above the OECD average, while life expectancy reaches 82.9 years. Preventable and treatable mortality rates are both lower than the OECD average, and Ireland has one of the highest nurse-to-population ratios in the OECD of 13.7 nurses per 1,000 residents.

The country also ranked first for both healthcare infrastructure and disease prevention in the 2024 World Index of Healthcare Innovation. 

Since 2017, the Irish government has been implementing the Sláintecare reform programme to create a more accessible healthcare system, expand capacity, and reduce waiting times.

Luxembourg

Healthcare in Luxembourg is built on three principles: compulsory health insurance, free choice of healthcare provider, and regulated healthcare fees.

Approximately 99% of residents are covered by the public healthcare system, and patients have access to general practitioners, specialists, and hospitals without gatekeeping.

Foreign workers and self-employed residents gain access to the healthcare system through mandatory social security contributions, while their dependent family members are also covered.

Due to its small size, the country’s healthcare system is highly centralized. It operates through the National Health Insurance Fund (CNS), which covers medical care, specialist consultations, hospital treatment, maternity care, and prescriptions.

Luxembourg also collaborates with neighboring countries, allowing patients to access specialized treatments and diagnostic procedures that may not be available domestically.

The public healthcare system reimburses between 80% and 90% of medical expenses, while services such as hospital and pharmaceutical costs are paid directly by the CNS.

75% of residents purchase complementary private health insurance to cover additional services like private hospital rooms, dental care, vision care, and medical treatment abroad.

Luxembourg spends more than $8,000 per person on healthcare, making it one of the highest healthcare spenders in Europe. More than 85% of healthcare spending is publicly funded, helping keep out-of-pocket costs among the lowest in Europe.

The Netherlands

The Netherlands ranks second in the 2024 Health Care System Performance Rankings by the Commonwealth Fund. It provides universal healthcare through a mandatory health insurance system that covers nearly the entire population. 

All residents are required to purchase basic health insurance from a private insurer, which costs between $120 and $150 per month.

The standard insurance package covers GP visits, hospital treatment, maternity care, mental health care, prescription drugs, rehabilitation, home care, and long-term care. 

Around 80.6% of residents purchase supplementary insurance for specialized services such as dental care, physiotherapy, eye care, and medical treatment abroad.

Access to healthcare is among the strongest in Europe. According to the Commonwealth Fund, only 0.3% of the population reported unmet medical needs due to cost in 2023, one of the lowest rates in the European Union. Additionally, healthcare workers in the Netherlands demonstrate 95% English proficiency.

The Netherlands also has strong health outcomes. Life expectancy reached 81.9 years in 2024, above the EU average, while maternal mortality is among the lowest in Europe at 4.3 deaths per 100,000 live births. Preventable and treatable mortality rates are lower than in many other high-income countries, and the country achieved the highest score for cardiovascular survival in the World Index of Healthcare Innovation.

Technology plays an important role in the Dutch healthcare system. All GPs use electronic medical records integrated with electronic prescription systems, and since 2020, patients have had the right to access their health records digitally.

Norway

Norway has universal healthcare funded through taxes, with automatic enrollment for all legal residents. This includes foreigners who live and work in the country for more than six months.

Every resident also has the right to register with a general practitioner (GP), who is the first point of contact for healthcare needs and coordinates referrals to specialists and hospitals. 

Healthcare in Norway is heavily subsidized rather than completely free. Patients pay small copayments for services such as GP visits, specialist consultations, and certain prescription drugs. 

However, annual out-of-pocket costs are capped through the national exemption card system (Frikort). Once a patient reaches the annual spending limit (over NOK 3,000 per year), covered healthcare services are free for the rest of the year. Hospital stays, emergency treatment, and home nursing services are fully covered.

Norway has some of the strongest healthcare outcomes in the OECD. Life expectancy reached 83.1 years, two years above the OECD average, while only 1.7% of people reported unmet healthcare needs, compared with an OECD average of 3.4%. 

The healthcare system is supported by a highly resourced workforce, with 5.0 practising doctors and 15.6 nurses per 1,000 people, both above OECD averages. Norway also has one of the highest levels of patient satisfaction with healthcare access, with 80% of residents reporting satisfaction with the availability of quality healthcare.

Portugal

Portugal has the highest number of primary care physicians per capita among all countries in the World Index of Healthcare Innovation.  Its strong primary care network helps keep avoidable hospital admissions among the lowest in Europe.

Health outcomes in Portugal are also strong. Life expectancy reached 82.7 years in 2024, above both the EU and OECD averages, while preventable and treatable mortality rates are approximately 17 percent lower than the EU average.

Portugal has universal healthcare through the Serviço Nacional de Saúde (SNS), which is tax-funded and available to all legal residents. Portugal’s healthcare includes expats living in the country through programs such as the Portugal D7 Visa and Portugal Golden Visa.

Around one-third of the population has private health insurance. Monthly plans can cost anywhere from €15 to over €120, depending on your age, level of coverage, and the type of plan selected. Even comprehensive plans are more affordable than those in the United States, where premiums range from $400 to more than $800 per month.

Portugal is also home to major private healthcare networks such as CUF, Lusíadas, and Hospital da Luz, among the top 50 hospitals in Europe, according to an independent study conducted by the Spanish online newspaper El Confidencial.

Thanks to its universal healthcare system, affordable private insurance options, and high quality of life, the country ranks first in the Global Retirement Report 2025, by our Global Intelligence Unit, as the best country to retire.

Spain

Spain has universal public healthcare provided by the Sistema Nacional de Salud (SNS). The system covers all legal residents, including those living in the country through programs like the Non-Lucrative Visa Spain and the Spanish Digital Nomad Visa.

The Spanish public healthcare is free at the point of service for residents, unlike the United States, which relies on a more expensive and fragmented insurance-based system.

While residents are automatically covered by the public healthcare system, around 26% of the population has private health insurance to bypass public waiting lists. Plans cost around €50 to €200 per month, 70–80% cheaper than individual health insurance plans in the US.

Spain spends less on healthcare per person than many Western European countries while achieving better health outcomes than many higher-spending systems.

For instance, Spain has one of the highest life expectancies in the world, reaching approximately 84 years, nearly three years above the OECD average. Preventable mortality and treatable mortality rates are also among the lowest in Europe and significantly below OECD averages.

Spain’s strong primary care system helps keep avoidable hospital admissions, and the country has one of Europe’s largest networks of pharmacists, with 123 pharmacists per 100,000 residents.

The country has invested heavily in digital health, including nationwide electronic health records, telemedicine services, and online appointment systems. More than 87 million primary care teleconsultations were conducted in Spain in 2025, reflecting the rapid expansion of digital healthcare services.

Sweden

Sweden’s healthcare system is known for strong outcomes, high-quality care, and comprehensive access to essential services, ranking first for both healthcare quality and patient-centered care in the World Index of Healthcare Innovation.

The country offers universal healthcare to all residents, available at no or minimal cost. Public coverage includes preventive care, primary care, mental health care, maternity care, rehabilitation, home care for older adults, and palliative care.

Unlike in many other countries on this list, private health insurance plays only a limited role in Sweden, covering around 7.4% of the population. 

In Sweden, private insurance is primarily used to access nonurgent care, specialist appointments, and rehabilitation services more quickly.

To keep healthcare affordable, Sweden limits out-of-pocket costs through annual spending caps. Once patients reach the maximum amount they can pay for medical visits or prescription medicines, additional covered care becomes free for the remainder of the year.

Sweden is also recognized for its maternal and child healthcare. A long-standing focus on professional midwifery and reproductive care has contributed to some of the world’s best outcomes, with infant mortality at around 2 deaths per 1,000 live births.

Mental healthcare is also fully integrated into the public healthcare system. Sweden has a strong mental health workforce, with 233 mental health professionals per 100,000 people, and in 2025, the government launched a 10-year national strategy focused on mental health and suicide prevention.

The country is also home to some of the world’s leading medical institutions. Karolinska University Hospital ranked as the fifth-best hospital globally in Newsweek and Statista’s 2025 Global Hospital Rating.

Switzerland

Switzerland consistently ranks among the world’s best healthcare systems and placed first overall in the 2024 World Index of Healthcare Innovation.

The country provides universal healthcare through a mandatory private insurance system. 

Healthcare in Switzerland, however, is not free. All residents must purchase basic health insurance, which covers primary care, specialist care, hospital treatment, maternity care, mental healthcare, rehabilitation, long-term care, prescription medicines, and preventive services.

Around 28% of residents purchase supplementary private insurance for benefits such as dental care, private hospital rooms, and treatment abroad. Costs vary, but plans often start at around CHF 20–50 per month and can exceed CHF 200 per month for more comprehensive coverage.

Health outcomes in Switzerland are among the strongest in the world. Life expectancy reached 84.3 years, while preventable and treatable mortality rates are significantly lower than the OECD average. 

Switzerland has a strong healthcare workforce, with 4.5 physicians and 18.8 nurses per 1,000 people, and access to care is excellent, with only 1.3% of people reporting unmet healthcare needs.

The country is also a global leader in medical research and pharmaceutical innovation, serving as the home of companies such as Roche and Novartis.