Part 16 of 31 Things Americans Should Think About Before Moving Abroad: Healthcare in a New Country

Darien Wilson
Apr 16
3 min read

Updated: May 1

Understanding Healthcare Differences Abroad

Is your new healthcare system as reliable as you think?

Most Americans have strong feelings about the U.S. healthcare system—and for good reason. It’s the most expensive system in the world, yet all that money doesn’t result in the best outcomes.

If you’re dreaming about moving abroad and imagining a healthcare utopia, let me gently burst that bubble.

I’m Darien, an American who moved to the Netherlands, and this is Part 16 of my 31-part series: 31 Things Americans Should Consider When Planning a Move Abroad.

Today’s topic? Healthcare abroad.

Let’s Clear Up a Common Myth

Healthcare isn’t “free” in most developed countries. Yes, it’s significantly cheaper than in the U.S., but that doesn’t mean you won’t have to pay.

In the Netherlands, for example:

Everyone is required to have health insurance.
While costs are tightly regulated, we still pay monthly premiums.
There are co-pays and deductibles, just like in the U.S.—but the overall financial burden is significantly lower and easier to predict.

A Different Set of Priorities

Here’s one way to think about it:

The floor is higher. No one is crowdfunding insulin. No one goes bankrupt over a broken arm.
The ceiling is lower. If you’re used to concierge medicine or same-day access to specialists, you’ll need to adjust your expectations.

What I Like About Healthcare in the Netherlands

For me, one of the best things about healthcare in a new country is how straightforward it is:

My insurance covers whatever care my doctor says I need.
No prior authorizations.
No endless calls with billing departments.
No surprise bills six months later.

It’s refreshingly… sane.

What’s Different (and Sometimes Frustrating) in the Netherlands

Preventative care doesn’t play as central a role here as it does in the U.S.:

No annual checkups or routine bloodwork “just in case.”
Fewer vaccines—flu shots aren’t common, and chickenpox vaccines for kids aren’t covered by insurance.
The shingles vaccine? Not covered by insurance, and it's expensive.
Annual cancer screenings? Start later and are far less frequent.

In the U.S., I had yearly skin checks because of risk factors. My doctor found skin cancer during a routine exam; I hadn't even noticed that pink, itchy spot until he said, "I don't like that one." Sure enough, it was basal cell carcinoma, and early detection meant it was easy to treat. Here in the Netherlands? Even with a prior history of skin cancer, I can't get routine skin checkups.

Learning to Navigate a New System

Now, before my Dutch readers come for me—let me be clear: Every healthcare system has trade-offs.

The real challenge isn’t just the system—it’s figuring out how to work within it.

In the U.S., most people eventually learn how to navigate the complexities:

You know how to advocate for a referral.
You understand your insurance plan.
You’re familiar with the norms of care.

So for natives of the country you move to, everything seems normal and routine.

For immigrants, it’s a different story:

Need an urgent specialist appointment? You may have to fight for it.
Don’t speak the language well? Describing symptoms can be stressful.
Living through a pandemic in a foreign healthcare system? Extra challenging.

You’re Not Alone

If you’re a mid-career professional with kids and suddenly find yourself with a medical issue, navigating healthcare in a new country can be overwhelming.

I see fellow immigrants posting questions about the system every single week in online groups. It takes time—and often community support—to figure it out.

To be fair, Dutch healthcare is considered among the best in the world. But no system is perfect. You just have to choose your challenges and prepare for a different kind of frustration.

Did you find this helpful? Are you planning a move abroad? Work with me to make your move from a place of clarity and organization.