International health insurance in Canada
Health insurance for expats & foreigners
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Why get private health insurance in Canada?
Canada's public healthcare (Medicare) is run province by province, so whether you're covered depends on where you live. Ontario, Alberta, and Nova Scotia cover you from day one. British Columbia, Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and New Brunswick make you wait around three months.
And until you're covered, the bills are steep. A private GP visit costs about CAD $263 (€163), and a hospital ward bed for a non-resident can cost CAD $2,990 (€1,855) or more per day.
Plus, Super Visas and Working Holiday permits both require private insurance.
How does the healthcare system work in Canada?
Province-by-province Medicare
Canada's Medicare is publicly funded and delivered through each province's own plan (Ontario's OHIP, BC's MSP, Quebec's RAMQ, and so on). These cover GPs, specialists, hospital care, and maternity for permanent residents and most work and study permit holders. But visitors and Super Visa holders don't qualify, and prescription drugs and dental aren't included for most.
Canadian pharmacies & medication
Pharmacies are everywhere: Shoppers Drug Mart, Rexall, London Drugs, Jean Coutu, Familiprix... Most big cities have a 24-hour shop. In nine of the ten provinces, pharmacists can prescribe for minor ailments without a doctor's visit. But remember: Medicare doesn't cover outpatient prescriptions for most.
Emergency services in Canada
Dial 911 anywhere in Canada (bilingual in Quebec). In cities, ambulances arrive in 8–12 min for the most urgent calls; in rural areas, response times can be 45 minutes or more. Also, ambulances aren't free, even with a provincial card. Ontario charges CAD $45 (€28) and British Columbia CAD $80 (€50) for residents, while non-residents face CAD $848+ (€526). In the territories, a medical evacuation can cost CAD $40,000+ (€24,800).
What expats need health insurance?
Digital nomads
A visitor visa or travel authorization (eTA) means no public cover. Private international cover is your only safety net.
Retirees
Canada has no retirement visa. You'll likely use a Super Visa, which doesn't qualify you for provincial health plans and requires private insurance with repatriation cover.
Families
Children get provincial coverage in most provinces, but outpatient drugs, dental, vision, and physio aren't included. Private international health insurance can cover that gap.
Gap year & job seekers
Without a Canadian employer, you face a 3-month waiting period in BC, Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and New Brunswick. You should get temporary cover meanwhile.
Students
Cover varies by province, and there's usually a gap. None of your options covers dental, drugs, or travel care. A private plan fills the gaps from day one.
Visa applicants
Super Visas and Working Holiday permits both require at least CAD $100,000 (€62,000) in private cover, including hospital care and repatriation. A provincial card alone won't qualify.
Get global health insurance that works in Canada
Plans from €70/month. Sign up online in minutes.
How much is health insurance in Canada?
A private GP visit runs about CAD $263 (€163), a specialist around CAD $415 (€257), and a non-resident hospital ward bed about CAD $3,100 (€1,920) a day, or CAD $6,000 (€3,720) for intensive care.
Public healthcare in Canada
Medicare is funded through general taxation, and most provinces have no separate health premium.
Private medical insurance
Our plans start at €70/month for Essential and €105/month for Plus. You'll get outpatient and inpatient care, plus extras like dental, mental health, and maternity.
Visa & health insurance requirements for Canada
Super Visas and Working Holiday permits both require proof of private health insurance. Your policy needs to cover at least CAD $100,000 (€62,000), and include hospital care and medical repatriation.
Accepted for all major Canadian visas
Both Feather plans meet the requirements: for the Super Visa, Working Holiday permit, study permits, and work permits.
Documents ready when you sign up
Your proof of cover, in English and French, lands in your account the moment you sign up; accepted by Canada's immigration department (IRCC).
How does Feather's international health insurance work?
Choose your plan
Compare Essential and Plus, pick your deductible, and sign up in under 5 minutes. No paperwork, no medical exams.
Get your documents instantly
Your confirmation and visa-ready proof-of-coverage documents land in your account straight away.
Visit any doctor
See any licensed doctor, specialist, or hospital in Canada. No referrals, no network restrictions, no pre-approval.
Upload your bill in the app
Already paid? Open the Feather app, snap a photo of your invoice, and submit your claim in under a minute.
Get reimbursed to your account
We review your claim and reimburse you directly to your bank account. Most claims are processed within two weeks.
Cancel anytime after year one
There's a one-year minimum term. After that, cancel whenever you want. No penalties.
Join 200,000+ expats covered with Feather
Get global medical coverage in under 5 minutes.
Why choose Feather?
200,000+ happy customers
Experience insurance crafted by expats, for expats.
100,000+ claims processed
Paid out in three weeks on average.
4.8 Star rating
On over 2,500 reviews.
English-speaking support
Our team speaks your language.
All digital
Sign up, file claims, and manage your policy in our app.
Privacy first
Your data is stored securely in Europe.
Don't take our word for it
Dajana was amazing
“She answered all our questions and provided clear and detailed responses to ensure we select the proper coverage. The whole experience was perfect! I am confident I made the right choice going with Feather!”
Mascia
I trust them. No BS.
“They don't sugar coat the insurances, if they don't provide the best option, they would help you understand what's the best one.”
Michal
Super helpful
“The representative answered my questions clearly and helped me make sure I was aware of my options! This was the perfect fit for my situation as an expat looking for a job in Spain and needing temporary coverage.”
Erin
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Takes 2 minutes. From €70 per month. 4.8/5 rated on over 2,500 reviews.
