Health insurance in South Africa
Medical coverage for expats & foreigners
Access any clinic
Skip wait times, get the best care.
Valid in your home country
For up to 180 days per year.
Top rated: 4.8/5
On 2500+ reviews.
Why get private health insurance in South Africa?
South Africa has world-class private hospitals, but the public system is overcrowded, and there's a catch for newcomers: on a temporary visa, you're treated as a "full-paying patient" and charged close to private rates anyway (you end up paying private prices either way). Without cover, a GP visit runs about ZAR 675 (€36), and a hospital day around ZAR 7,500 (€400).
How does the healthcare system work in South Africa?
Two systems run in parallel
South Africa runs a public and a private healthcare system. The public system is tax-funded and free for residents, but foreigners on temporary visas pay near-private "full-paying patient" rates and face 6–12 hour waits. Private care comes through registered medical schemes (Discovery, Momentum, Bonitas), with UK-, US-, and EU-trained specialists.
South African pharmacies & medication
Clicks (700+ stores) and Dis-Chem (270+) are the national chains, with 24-hour branches in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Pretoria, and Durban. Some lower-schedule medicines (like codeine and some antibiotics) are sold without a prescription. Generics are a good deal cheaper.
Emergency services in South Africa
Dial 10177 for a public ambulance, or 112 from any mobile. Most expats also save the private emergency services: Netcare 911 (082 911) and ER24 (084 124). They run helicopter fleets and can take you to a private hospital. Metro response is 8–15 minutes. Without cover, a private ER can demand a deposit of ZAR 12,500+ (€668) before treating you.
What expats need health insurance?
Digital nomads
The new Remote Work Visa requires proof of cover for your entire stay, plus a minimum annual income of ZAR 651,000 (€34,760). Plus, without a local employer, you have no access to public healthcare.
Families
One Feather plan covers your whole family, including maternity and children's care, with support in your language when it matters most.
Students
Study visas need continuous cover for the full academic year. Feather keeps you covered from the day you land.
Visa applicants
Every long-stay visa needs proof of health cover, and a basic travel policy won't cut it. Feather is built to meet Home Affairs' requirements.
Get global health insurance that works in South Africa
Plans from €56/month. Sign up online in minutes.
How much is health insurance in South Africa?
Private care adds up fast. Without cover, a GP visit costs ZAR 675+ (€36), a specialist visit ZAR 1,700+ (€91), and a private hospital day ZAR 7,500+ (€400).
Public healthcare in South Africa
The public system is tax-funded, with no health contribution taken from your pay, and residents pay nothing at the point of use. But as a foreigner on a temporary visa, you're a "full-paying patient", charged close to private rates.
Private medical insurance
Domestic plans run from ZAR 1,575+ (€84) a month at the entry level to ZAR 9,250+ (€494) for comprehensive, with annual hikes of 9–11%. Feather's international plans start at €56/month for Essential and €84/month for Plus.
Visa & health insurance requirements for South Africa
Every long-stay South African visa requires proof of cover from a South African–registered medical scheme. Foreign international insurance generally isn't accepted on its own.
Ideal for all major South African visas
Our international cover does what a local plan can't: it travels with you the moment you leave South Africa (including in your home country), includes medical evacuation and repatriation, and gets you fast access to top private hospitals.
Documents ready when you sign up
All your documents (proof of coverage, English certificates) instantly in your account. Accepted by DHA (Department of Home Affairs) and universities.
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 South Africa. 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
Sorted your health insurance yet?
Takes 2 minutes. From €56 per month. 4.8/5 rated on over 2,500 reviews.
