Health insurance in New Zealand
Medical coverage for expats & foreigners
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Why get private health insurance in New Zealand?
New Zealand's healthcare is world-class, but the public system is only free if you're eligible, and many visa types aren't. Citizens, residents, and people on work visas valid for two years or more are covered; visitors, working holiday makers, and most others aren't and pay full non-resident rates.
Plus, the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) covers accidents for everyone, including visitors, but never illness. So if you get sick rather than injured, you're on your own without private cover. Without it, a GP visit costs about NZD 93 (€46), and a day in a public hospital as a non-eligible patient costs around NZD 821 (€407).
Finally, most long-stay visas require or strongly recommend private cover.
How does the healthcare system work in New Zealand?
The public system
New Zealand's public health system (Te Whatu Ora, or Health NZ) is funded from general taxation, and the ACC adds no-fault accident cover for everyone, including tourists. But eligibility for free healthcare only applies to citizens, residents, work visa holders with two years or more of validity, and PhD students. Visitor, Working Holiday, and Parent Boost visa holders don't qualify.
New Zealand pharmacies & medication
Pharmacies are everywhere: Chemist Warehouse, Unichem, and Life Pharmacy are the big chains. English is widely used, with Mandarin and Korean also common in Auckland. 24-hour pharmacies are rare. For eligible patients, prescriptions cost just NZD 5 (€2.50), and are free for under-14s and over-65s.
Emergency services in New Zealand
Dial 111 for ambulance, fire, or police. Hato Hone St John covers most of the country, and Wellington Free Ambulance covers greater Wellington. Urban response is 8–15 minutes, longer in rural areas (with helicopter rescue).
What expats need health insurance?
Digital nomads
On a visitor visa, you can work remotely for an overseas employer for up to 90 days, but with no public healthcare.
Retirees
The Parent Boost Visa legally requires NZD 250,000 a year in emergency cover from an A-rated insurer.
Families
Public maternity care is free for eligible residents. But families who are not eligible pay NZD 9,000 (€4,465) or more for private maternity care.
Gap year & job seekers
Working Holiday visa holders must legally hold comprehensive medical and hospital cover for their whole stay.
Students
Insurance is mandatory for student visas. Note that PhD students have access to public healthcare.
Visa applicants
Every applicant must meet the Acceptable Standard of Health, and Immigration NZ can decline your application if your expected healthcare costs exceed NZD 81,000 over the visa period.
Get global health insurance that works in New Zealand
Plans from €70/month. Sign up online in minutes.
How much is health insurance in New Zealand?
Without cover, you'll pay around NZD 93 (€46) for a casual GP visit as a non-resident, NZD 388 (€192) for urgent care, and NZD 1,150 (€570) a day for a private hospital stay. A private maternity package runs around NZD 12,000 (€5,950).
Public healthcare in New Zealand
Public care is free or heavily subsidized: around NZD 37 (€18) for a GP visit, free hospital care, but only if you're a citizen, permanent resident, or on a work visa valid for two years or more. Visitor, Working Holiday, Student, and Parent Boost holders don't qualify. And the ACC covers accidents for everyone, but never illness.
Private medical insurance
Our plans start at €70/month for Essential and €105/month for Plus with outpatient and inpatient care, plus dental, mental health, and maternity cover.
Visa & health insurance requirements for New Zealand
Long-stay visas in New Zealand require or strongly recommend private health insurance.
Accepted for all major New Zealand visas
Feather plans meet Immigration NZ's medical requirements for the Working Holiday, Accredited Employer Work Visa, and Visitor visas. For Parent Boost and student visas, which carry extra conditions, check that Feather qualifies for your specific application.
Documents ready when you sign up
All your documents (proof of coverage, English certificate) are available in your account. Accepted by Immigration New Zealand.
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 New Zealand. 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
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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.
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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
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“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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