Guide
How to choose health insurance for moving to Europe
By Covered Abroad Research Desk · Last verified July 2026
The rule in writing
“US and UK domestic health plans are generally not structured to cover treatment abroad for residents and are not accepted for long-stay visa applications in France or Italy.”
Official source: Consulate guidance & documented applicant reports — Last verified:
Start with the visa rule, not the price
The cheapest policy is worthless if the consulate refuses it. So begin with the destination's published rule — France and Italy each state exactly what the certificate must show — and treat that as your filter. Anything that does not meet it is not a candidate, whatever it costs.
Your US plan and Medicare will not travel
US domestic plans are built for care inside the US network and generally stop covering you once you are a resident abroad. Medicare pays inside the United States only. Consulates know both, so neither is accepted. See our Medicare abroad guide for the detail.
What to check on any policy
Whatever the brand, read the certificate for these points:
- a private health policy, not travel or nomad cover;
- valid in your destination, with the territory named;
- cover for the full visa period;
- inpatient and outpatient care, plus repatriation for Italy;
- no disqualifying deductible on the core cover.
If it does not state these clearly, it is a refusal waiting to happen.
The honest limits to weigh
Be clear-eyed about the trade-offs. Cover is typically worldwide but excludes treatment in the United States, and pre-existing conditions are excluded. Not sure whether a policy passes? Run it through our free policy checker against the published rule.