Health insurance for digital nomad and remote work visas

Digital nomads in 2023: an interesting profile for some countries

As remote work has developed over the past several years, a new type of worker has emerged: the digital nomad. Until recently, this term referred primarily to self-employed workers. Now, more people than ever are carrying out their professional functions remotely from another country.

As a result of COVID-19, the practice of remote work has accelerated sharply since 2020: involving more and more workers, both self-employed and employees. It has  become a way of working that many people want to keep in the future. Some are even tempted by the experience of digital nomadism abroad—especially since an increasing number of destinations have now opened up to them!

With tourism down sharply around the world in 2020 and 2021, countries and cities whose economies depend on it have sought to attract digital nomads to offset some of their economic losses. And they continue to do so! For example, this is the case in:

• Dubai: while it was previously difficult to obtain a visa without a local contract, the authorities have just introduced a specific visa for remote workers, allowing them to stay for up to a year;

• Barbados, Costa Rica, Bermuda, as well as in European countries such as Georgia and Croatia.

Mandatory health insurance to obtain a remote work visa

For the vast majority of these destinations, obtaining a digital nomad visa requires proof of a certain level of income and health insurance.

This guarantee is frequently required because digital nomads are, by definition, employees or self-employed workers whose company is not located in the country where they are staying. As a result, they cannot, with some exceptions, be covered by the social security system of their temporary host country, even if they stay there for a certain period.

> Are you going to a European Union country?  If you are from the European Union, your necessary medical care (i.e. urgent or unexpected) may be covered in another EU country, but only according to the legislation and formalities in force in your country of stay. Be careful, because in many EU Member States the remaining costs can be very high, especially if you use the private health sector.

> Are you an EU national going outside the European Union? In the event of unforeseen and necessary care, the health insurance system in your home country will not usually cover your costs, which can be exorbitant in many countries. And, although some bank cards include insurance abroad, it is very often limited to 3 months and its guarantees are extremely limited.

In both cases, international health insurance is essential. All the more so as it also covers, most of the time, the need for medical repatriation and civil liability. 

> Good to know: in the context of the COVID-19 epidemic, many countries require that travellers' health insurance documents explicitly state that COVID-19 risks are covered.

APRIL International, health insurance adapted to remote work visas

APRIL International offers a flexible health insurance package to cover you during your travels abroad, which is also valid during your temporary return to your home country, making it suitable for round-the-world or other travels! Depending on your destination and your needs, you can choose your desired benefits.Coverage for COVID-19 related healthcare costs is always included.

And for stays longer than 12 months, our international health insurance will meet your needs over time: