International health insurance in Rwanda
Health insurance for expats & foreigners
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Why get private health insurance in Rwanda?
Rwanda has built impressive near-universal healthcare (97% coverage rate) through its community insurance (Mutuelle de Santé) and the salaried-worker scheme (RAMA). But there's a catch for newcomers: you can only join with Rwandan citizenship or a local employer. Tourists, investors, freelancers, retirees, and remote workers are left outside it.
So you'll be paying privately. Without cover, a GP visit in Kigali runs about RWF 27,500 (€16), and a day at King Faisal Hospital costs around RWF 325,000 (€194); serious cases are often flown to Nairobi or Johannesburg, which is far more expensive.
Finally, most Rwandan residence permits require valid health insurance.
How does the healthcare system work in Rwanda?
The public system: Mutuelle de Santé & RAMA
Rwanda's public health system has two pillars: community-based insurance (Mutuelle de Santé), which covers most citizens, and RAMA (Rwandaise d’Assurance Maladie), the scheme for salaried workers (includes foreign employees). If you're not employed locally, neither is open to you.
Rwandan pharmacies & medication
Rwanda has 200+ licensed pharmacies, concentrated in Kigali and the larger towns. Staff in Kigali speak Kinyarwanda and English, while older pharmacists often default to French. A handful near King Faisal and CHUK stay open 24 hours. The public schemes cover listed drugs with a small co-pay.
Emergency services in Rwanda
Dial 912 for the national ambulance line. Kigali's emergency dispatch has operators who speak Kinyarwanda, English, and French; rural response is slower and only in Kinyarwanda. For complex cases, patients are flown out by AMREF Flying Doctors to Nairobi or Johannesburg, which can run into the tens, even hundreds, of thousands of euros uninsured.
What expats need health insurance?
Digital nomads
As a remote worker, you get no access to the public system, so private coverage with medical evacuation is essential.
Retirees
Retirees come via investor or family routes, with no access to public healthcare either way.
Families
Dependents of a local employee are covered through RAMA, but families on their own need private cover.
Gap year & job seekers
No employer means no public access. You'll want private cover with medical evacuation built in.
Students
Some universities bundle a health plan; others ask for a private certificate, and most leave out medical evacuation.
Visa applicants
Most Rwandan residence permits require proof of health insurance covering inpatient, outpatient, and medical evacuation.
Get global health insurance that works in Rwanda
Plans from €42/month. Sign up online in minutes.
How much is health insurance in Rwanda?
Pricing depends on whether you go with a local plan, an international expat plan, or basic travel cover.
Public healthcare in Rwanda
Community-based insurance costs just RWF 4,500 (€3) a person per year (with a 10% co-pay), and the salaried-worker scheme is a payroll split. But neither is open to you without a Rwandan employer.
Private medical insurance
Our international plans start at €42/month for Essential and €63/month for Plus. With English-speaking support and worldwide medical evacuation, plus outpatient, dental, and maternity coverage.
Visa & health insurance requirements for Rwanda
Long-stay visas and residence permits in Rwanda require proof of private health insurance that covers inpatient and outpatient care, as well as medical evacuation.
Accepted for all major Rwandan visas
Both Feather plans qualify for the investor (Class C), worker (Class D), family (Class G), student (Class H), and tourist (Class T) visas.
Documents ready when you sign up
All your documents (proof of coverage in English) instantly in your account. Accepted by Rwandan immigration.
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. 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
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 €42 per month. 4.8/5 rated on over 2,500 reviews.
