Living between several countries is a privilege that more and more affluent and globally mobile individuals are embracing: a pied-à-terre in London, a secondary residence in Dubai, a few months in Paris or Geneva… Yet this freedom of movement raises an often-underestimated question: how can one ensure a coherent, high-performance, truly international health coverage?
National systems don’t communicate with each other, local health insurances are rarely recognized abroad, and traditional health policies quickly fall apart when faced with the complexity of multiple residencies, mixed tax statuses, or extended stays outside the home country.
In a world where medical expenses can exceed €100,000 for a single hospitalization abroad, and where high-end preventive or comfort treatments are rarely covered, inadequate insurance can turn a cosmopolitan lifestyle into a real headache.
So, how should you choose an international health insurance when you live between several countries? What differentiates a standard plan from a truly premium international policy? And how does IFO Global help its clients navigate this complex equation?
Understanding the limits of local insurances
The first and most common mistake—even among seasoned expatriates—is believing that a national health plan is enough. In reality, every public or private scheme—be it the French Social Security, the CFE (Caisse des Français de l’Étranger), the UK NHS, or a local private plan—is based on residency and territoriality. Once an insured person spends more than 90 to 180 days abroad, most benefits simply lapse.
Take a typical example: a French resident who owns an apartment in Dubai and frequently stays in Geneva may find themselves in a “grey area.” Neither France nor the UAE considers them a true resident, rendering both the French system and the CFE ineffective. Local Emirati health insurance, meanwhile, only applies within UAE borders and often requires using a limited network of medical facilities.
On top of that comes the issue of cross-border reimbursement: a medical act performed in Switzerland may not be recognized by a French or British insurer due to the lack of bilateral agreements. The result? Patients pay out of pocket—often without any recourse.
Mapping your life and care zones
The first step toward effective international health coverage is to map out your life zones. It’s not just about where you live, but also where you consult, where you receive care, and where you wish to access premium medical services.
An entrepreneur based between Paris and London who undergoes medical check-ups in Geneva or Dubai needs coverage in all four zones. Likewise, a family living in Lisbon but with children studying in the United States requires a plan that combines Europe + North America, with no duration or annual limit restrictions.
This is where true international health insurance policies come into play: they offer global coverage—often divided into zones (Europe, worldwide excluding the USA, worldwide including the USA)—with high annual limits (typically between €1 million and €5 million) and the freedom to choose any healthcare provider.
International health insurance isn’t only for globally mobile individuals. Sometimes, one simply seeks a policy with an international insurer to have the freedom to receive treatment in the United States, for example, in a complex case requiring highly specialized care, where American medical technology is among the most advanced in the world.
At IFO Global, this initial analytical phase is crucial. We conduct a comprehensive lifestyle audit: country of residence, average stay duration, medical habits, family medical history, and preferred level of coverage (curative, preventive, hospitalization only, or full outpatient care). This tailored assessment helps avoid common mistakes, such as choosing a Europe-only plan while frequently traveling to the United States—a country where a simple fracture can cost over USD 20,000.
Understanding the key features of an international health policy
An international health policy is not merely a geographic extension—it’s a structure designed for mobility. The following features are essential:
- International hospitalization
It should cover 100% of actual expenses, including private clinics, without restrictive caps. Hospital accommodation, surgery, and anesthesia costs must all be included, as well as scheduled hospitalizations abroad. - Outpatient and specialist care
Consultations, lab tests, imaging, and preventive care (annual check-ups, screenings): a premium plan should reimburse 80–100%, depending on the country, with a smooth digital claims process and rapid reimbursements. - Emergency assistance and repatriation
A 24/7 medical assistance service capable of arranging medical evacuation or repatriation to the home country. These benefits are vital, particularly for remote destinations or underdeveloped medical regions. - Maternity and pediatric care
Most insurers impose waiting periods before maternity costs are covered. The most comprehensive plans include these benefits from the first year, even abroad, with limits adapted to the reality of international hospital costs. - Chronic or pre-existing conditions
Most insurers exclude pre-existing conditions or apply strict limitations. IFO Global works with insurers willing to accept certain pre-existing conditions after medical review—often with controlled premium loadings. - Mental health and well-being
A growing trend is the inclusion of psychological support, wellness programs, and even health coaching—features increasingly sought by an international clientele concerned with performance and balance.
The fundamental rule of international health insurance
An international health policy covers medical care and treatments within the insured’s country of residence or the designated coverage zones. During short-term trips, only accidents and unexpected illnesses are covered. Planned or elective treatments abroad are not reimbursed unless explicitly stated. Understanding this distinction is essential before traveling.
Coordinating health coverage and tax residency
Living between several countries also means navigating multiple tax systems. Yet tax residency directly influences health insurance obligations. In some countries (such as France), affiliation to a public system is automatic once fiscal residency is established. In others (like the UAE or Monaco), no public coverage exists—everything relies on private insurance.
It is therefore essential to avoid both double contributions (paying for public coverage and a private international plan unnecessarily) and coverage gaps between two systems. The risk is not just financial: an uncovered incident may lead to a denied claim or even legal complications during administrative procedures abroad.
IFO Global assists clients in this delicate coordination process. Our advisors collaborate with each client’s legal and financial experts to ensure consistency between tax residency, health coverage, and international mobility.
Comparing providers: beyond price
There are dozens of insurers claiming to be “international,” but very few offer genuine portability, seamless management, and long-term stability. When comparing providers, one should look at:
• Financial strength (international ratings, solvency, longevity in the HNWI market)
• Medical network (direct access to hospitals, private clinics, top-tier specialists)
• Administrative simplicity (mobile app, fast claims processing, dedicated contact)
• Complementary coverage (dental, optical, maternity, wellness)
• Multilingual 24/7 customer service
IFO Global works exclusively with trusted partners such as Swiss Life, APRIL International, One Health, BUPA, MSH…, depending on each client’s profile and residence zones. This partner network allows us to tailor every plan to real-world needs while ensuring a high level of service and confidentiality.
The most common mistakes to avoid
Many affluent individuals purchase multiple health policies—one per country—believing they are better protected. In reality, these policies often overlap with no coordination: multiple exclusions, duplicate benefits, conflicting deductibles. The outcome is high cost and low efficiency.
It is also prohibited to hold multiple health insurance policies for the same person. This creates not only contractual confusion but also potential claim denials in case of a medical incident.
Another common mistake is ignoring geographical limits. Some so-called “international” plans only cover the European Union or exclude the U.S. and Canada. Others require prior declaration for any trip over 90 days.
Finally, failing to declare a change in residence or family situation (marriage, birth, separation) can invalidate coverage. An international health insurance policy should be seen as a living instrument, adjusted continuously to one’s evolving lifestyle.
At IFO Global, this ongoing review process is part of our service philosophy: we regularly reassess each client’s situation to maintain optimal protection under all circumstances.
The IFO Global difference
What truly sets IFO Global apart is not merely distributing international health policies, but providing integrated management of a global insurance portfolio. Our clients are not looking for “an insurance” — they are looking for peace of mind worldwide.
In practice, this means:
• a single point of contact able to liaise with insurers and clinics in London, Beirut, Geneva, or New York;
• coordination between health, life, property, automotive, and art insurance to prevent coverage conflicts;
• proactive support, anticipating regulatory or fiscal changes that could impact coverage.
Our mission is to orchestrate complexity in order to deliver absolute simplicity. In the world of international mobility, that is both a luxury and a necessity.
The importance of a personalized audit
Before subscribing, a comprehensive audit is essential. This goes far beyond a medical questionnaire: it’s a full analysis of one’s lifestyle, including:
• countries of residence and regular medical destinations,
• average duration of stays,
• medical habits and expected comfort level,
• tax and family status,
• future mobility plans.
This audit, conducted by our specialized advisors, ensures a solution perfectly aligned with real needs—not a one-size-fits-all policy.
Choosing coverage that accompanies life, not just travel
The ideal international health insurance is not the one that merely “covers,” but the one that accompanies. It should evolve with a mobile lifestyle, anticipate risks, and guarantee unlimited access to quality healthcare anywhere in the world.
For affluent individuals living between several countries, it’s above all a question of coherence: coherence of benefits, coherence of interlocutors, and coherence of service.
At IFO Global, we believe that insurance should be invisible in daily life, yet present at every crucial moment. This is the philosophy we bring to our clients: discretion, mastery, and excellence — across borders.