In most provinces, you can join the Canadian health system after three months of residence. You can apply for your Canadian health card by submitting a form, available from pharmacies, doctors’ surgeries, hospitals and so on.

Like every sector in the country, healthcare is undergoing profound change and cover is improving, but expats are still advised to turn to private medical centres, which provide better-quality but expensive care. For first-euro reimbursement, get in touch with us.

So-called primary care is provided by GPs, known as family doctors, or by public hospitals. This care and treatment is free. Canadians and permanent residents covered by this system are not allowed to take out private insurance for such care, so private facilities tend to focus on specialist care. So-called medically necessary care is also free.

There are also medicines with co-payments, whose cost is partly covered by the provincial system and the balance by private health plans.

Dental care outside hospitals, optical costs and specialist care are not covered, which is why Canadians take out private health plans in addition to Canadian social security in order to be fully covered.

In Canada you are free to choose your family doctor, but there are currently too few of them. When needed, walk-in consultations are provided by private clinics.

Prices for care not covered by the public scheme are unregulated in Canada. It is normal to see differences of up to double for something as simple as a dental scaling, depending on the location or the reputation of the practitioner. Supplementary insurance is therefore essential in this country to avoid heavy healthcare bills.

Discover the best-suited expat insurance solution here.
Canada is also a very popular destination for Working Holiday Visa holders (PVT / WHV), who can spend up to a year there and are entitled to work. For the best possible cover at the best price, a dedicated Working Holiday policy is recommended.