Healthcare quality varies widely by country, but the top-ranked systems generally combine broad insurance coverage, strong primary care, hospital infrastructure, digital access, and protection against excessive medical costs. According to the CEOWORLD Health Care Index 2025, the highest-ranked healthcare systems are Taiwan, South Korea, Australia, Canada, Sweden, Ireland, the Netherlands, Germany, Norway, and Israel.
For people considering relocation, rankings are only a starting point. Practical factors such as waiting times, access to specialists, prescription costs, insurance rules, language barriers, and eligibility for public healthcare can matter as much as the country’s overall position.
1. Taiwan
Taiwan ranks first in the CEOWORLD Health Care Index 2025.
The system operates through a single-payer National Health Insurance program. It covers preventive care, primary and specialist consultations, hospitalization, mental healthcare, and many prescription medications.
Foreign residents with an Alien Resident Certificate can join the public insurance system. People arriving with work permits are typically enrolled through their employers from the first day of employment.
Taiwan’s system is flexible. Patients do not need to register with one family doctor. They can visit local clinics directly and obtain referrals to hospitals when needed. Hospital access is possible without a referral, although higher co-payments may apply.
For hospital treatment, National Health Insurance usually covers 70% to 95% of costs depending on treatment type and length of stay. Patients pay the remaining balance. Emergency care is also covered, with separate co-payments.
A major strength is digitalisation. Through My Health Bank, patients can access their medical records online. The NHI MediCloud platform allows healthcare providers to view recent prescriptions, diagnostic results, surgical histories, allergies, medications, and CT and MRI scans.
This system helps reduce duplicate testing, prescription conflicts, and poor coordination between providers.
Best hospitals in Taiwan according to World’s Best Hospitals 2025:
- Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei.
- National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei.
- Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung.
- Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taoyuan.
- Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung.
2. South Korea
South Korea’s mandatory National Health Insurance system covers citizens and long-term foreign residents. Foreign nationals staying in the country for more than six months are generally required to enroll. The system is funded through insurance contributions and government subsidies.
A distinctive feature is relatively open access to providers. Patients often do not need to first consult a family doctor and can choose clinics or hospitals directly, subject to applicable co-payments.
This freedom also creates pressure on major hospitals, especially in Seoul, because many patients prefer large medical institutions.
Healthcare is not fully free. Patients pay part of the cost through co-payments. For inpatient treatment, the standard patient contribution is generally 20%. Outpatient costs depend on the size and type of medical institution, with larger hospitals usually requiring higher contributions.
Patients with serious illnesses may qualify for reduced co-payments through special support programs.
South Korea is known for advanced diagnostics, university hospitals, preventive healthcare, and medical tourism. In 2024, the country received around 2.01 million international patients, the highest number recorded since 2009. Foreign patients most commonly sought dermatology, plastic surgery, general medicine, and comprehensive health screening. Around 85.4% of international patients were treated in the Seoul metropolitan area.
The main practical caveat is that patients need to understand which services are covered by National Health Insurance and which require additional private payment.
Best hospitals in South Korea according to World’s Best Hospitals 2025:
- Asan Medical Center, Seoul.
- Samsung Medical Center, Seoul.
- Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul.
- Severance Hospital – Yonsei University, Seoul.
- Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam.
3. Australia
Australia operates a national healthcare program called Medicare. It is available to citizens, permanent residents, and certain eligible foreign nationals.
Medicare covers a substantial part of essential healthcare, including doctor consultations, public hospital treatment, and various diagnostic procedures.
If a doctor uses bulk billing, the patient pays nothing directly because the provider bills Medicare. If bulk billing is not available, the patient pays upfront and receives partial reimbursement.
General practitioners are the main entry point into the system. They diagnose and treat common conditions, manage chronic illnesses, prescribe medications, arrange testing, and refer patients to specialists. Specialist referrals usually remain valid for 12 months from the first consultation.
Australia’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme subsidizes prescription medicines. As of 2026, most patients pay no more than A$25, or about US$18, for PBS-listed medications.
The PBS Safety Net limits costs for people with ongoing medical needs. Once an individual or family spends A$1,748.20, or about US$1,270, on PBS medicines in a calendar year, covered medications become available at significantly reduced prices for the rest of that year.
Medicare does not cover everything. Dental care, optical services, physiotherapy, some allied health services, and ambulance transport are often paid separately or through private insurance. Private insurance is commonly used for faster access, greater comfort, and services outside the public system.
Best hospitals in Australia according to World’s Best Hospitals 2025:
- Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown.
- The Alfred, Melbourne.
- Royal Melbourne Hospital – Parkville, Parkville.
- St Vincent’s Hospital – Fitzroy, Fitzroy.
- Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards.
4. Canada
Canada’s healthcare system is built around Medicare, a publicly funded model. Each province and territory manages its own healthcare plan and health card system under the principles of the Canada Health Act.
Essential physician services and hospital treatment are generally covered without direct charges at the point of care.
Patients usually start with a family physician or nurse practitioner for primary care, prescriptions, routine diagnostics, and specialist referrals. When they do not have a regular provider or cannot get a timely appointment, they may use walk-in clinics, urgent care centers, or emergency departments. Emergency services are reached by dialing 911.
Canada’s main strength is protection from large medical bills for core healthcare services. Citizens and permanent residents access doctors and hospitals through provincial or territorial health cards.
Coverage is not complete. Dental care, vision care, outpatient prescription drugs, ambulance services, home care, and some additional services may require separate payment, employer benefits, or private insurance.
The main weakness is access and waiting times. According to CIHI, only 27% of adults in 2024 were able to see a healthcare provider on the same or next day for a non-urgent medical issue. Specialist consultations, diagnostic testing, and elective surgeries can also involve long waits, depending on province, service type, and medical urgency.
Best hospitals in Canada according to World’s Best Hospitals 2025:
- Toronto General Hospital – University Health Network, Toronto.
- Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto.
- Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto.
- North York General Hospital, Toronto.
- Montreal General Hospital – McGill University Health Centre, Montreal.
5. Sweden
Most healthcare in Sweden begins at a vårdcentral, or local primary healthcare center. These centers employ general practitioners, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.
Patients use them for common illnesses, chronic conditions, minor infections, pain, concerning symptoms, and referrals to specialists.
The national 1177 service helps patients navigate the system. Through its website and phone line, patients can get medical advice, find where to seek treatment, locate nearby healthcare facilities, and access information about illnesses, medications, and treatment options.
For urgent but non-life-threatening problems, patients can visit out-of-hours clinics. In emergencies, they should go to an emergency department or call 112. Swedish hospitals use triage to prioritize by medical urgency.
Sweden also has specialized services such as child healthcare centers, school healthcare, youth clinics, maternity services, and women’s health clinics.
Healthcare is publicly funded but not always fully free. Patient charges vary by region. Some services, including child healthcare, school healthcare, screening programs, and some services for older adults, are generally free.
Prescription protection is strong. Since July 1, 2025, patients pay no more than SEK 3,800, about €346, for covered prescription drugs and medical products within a 12-month period.
The main challenge is waiting times for planned consultations, diagnostics, and non-urgent treatment.
Best hospitals in Sweden according to World’s Best Hospitals 2025:
- Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm.
- Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg.
- Akademiska Sjukhuset, Uppsala.
- Skåne University Hospital, Malmö.
- Skåne University Hospital, Lund.
6. Ireland
Ireland combines public and private healthcare. Public healthcare is administered by the Health Service Executive, while access to free or subsidized care depends on eligibility.
A Medical Card covers GP visits, prescription medications, certain dental services, and hospital treatment.
A GP Visit Card allows free visits to a family doctor, but medications and most other services remain separately payable.
GPs provide primary care, prescriptions, ongoing supervision, and referrals to specialists or hospitals.
Children under eight can use the Under 8s GP Visit Card, covering family doctor visits, scheduled health checks at ages two and five, urgent out-of-hours GP care, and asthma management.
Since 2023, patients no longer pay inpatient charges in public hospitals. However, emergency department visits without a GP referral generally cost €100. This fee is waived for patients with referrals, Medical Cards, and in certain other cases.
Prescription costs are managed through the Drugs Payment Scheme. Patients and families without a Medical Card can limit monthly spending on approved prescription medicines and medical products to €80.
Best hospitals in Ireland according to World’s Best Hospitals 2025:
- St James’s Hospital, Dublin.
- Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin.
- St Vincent’s University Hospital, Dublin.
- Beaumont Hospital, Dublin.
- Cork University Hospital, Cork.
7. The Netherlands
The Netherlands has one of Europe’s most organized healthcare systems. Everyone who lives or works in the country must obtain basic health insurance. The government determines which services must be included in the mandatory package.
The basic package covers services such as general practitioner care, hospital treatment, mental healthcare, and certain prescription medications.
The main entry point is the huisarts, or general practitioner. The huisarts coordinates care, treats common illnesses, writes prescriptions, and refers patients to specialists or hospitals.
Visits to a huisarts are covered by basic insurance and do not count toward the annual deductible, known as the eigen risico.
In 2026, the eigen risico is €385. Patients pay the first €385 of certain healthcare costs, including specialist consultations, hospital treatment, prescription medications, and emergency care. Some services are exempt, including GP visits, maternity care, district nursing, and certain chronic-condition treatments.
When a regular huisarts is unavailable, patients can contact a huisartsenpost, an out-of-hours GP service for urgent but non-life-threatening situations. Genuine emergencies should go to emergency services or an emergency department. Emergency treatment may be subject to the deductible.
The Netherlands offers a clear care pathway, strong primary care, mandatory insurance, and protection from large healthcare expenses.
Its weakness is limited hospital capacity. According to the OECD, the Netherlands has 2.3 hospital beds per 1,000 people, compared with the OECD average of 4.2. This can lead to waiting times for some planned consultations and procedures.
Best hospitals in the Netherlands according to World’s Best Hospitals 2025:
- Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam.
- Erasmus MC, Rotterdam.
- UMC Utrecht, Utrecht.
- Radboud UMC, Nijmegen.
- Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden.
8. Germany
Everyone living in Germany must have statutory health insurance, known as GKV, or private health insurance, known as PKV.
Nearly 90% of the population uses GKV, which gives access to doctors, hospitals, medications, diagnostics, rehabilitation, preventive care, maternity services, and more.
Most patients begin with a Hausarzt, or family doctor. The Hausarzt treats common conditions, issues prescriptions, and refers patients to specialists when necessary. Many specialists can be visited directly, though referrals are required in some fields such as radiology.
Outside regular office hours, patients can call 116117 for non-life-threatening medical assistance. In emergencies, they should dial 112.
Germany’s major strength is hospital infrastructure and diagnostic capacity. According to the OECD, Germany has 7.7 hospital beds per 1,000 people, compared with the OECD average of 4.2. It also has 74 CT, MRI, and PET scanners per million inhabitants, compared with an OECD average of 51.
Under GKV, large out-of-pocket costs are uncommon, though co-payments apply. Adults usually pay 10% of prescription medication costs, with a minimum of €5 and a maximum of €10 per package. Hospital stays require a co-payment of €10 per day for up to 28 days per year.
Best hospitals in Germany according to World’s Best Hospitals 2025:
- Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin.
- Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, Heidelberg.
- LMU Klinikum, Munich.
- Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg.
- Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Hanover.
9. Norway
Legal residents of Norway are automatically covered by the healthcare system. The central figure is the fastlege, or family doctor.
Patients consult their fastlege for common illnesses, chronic conditions, prescriptions, diagnostic referrals, and specialist referrals.
For urgent but non-life-threatening issues, patients contact legevakt, the out-of-hours medical service available in every municipality through 116 117. In life-threatening emergencies, they call 113.
Norway’s system is highly digitalized. Through the Helsenorge portal, patients can access information about their doctor, book appointments, renew prescriptions, and use online consultations where available.
Healthcare is heavily subsidized but not always free. Patients pay small co-payments known as egenandeler. Once a patient has paid NOK 3,278, about €302, in approved co-payments, they receive a frikort, or exemption card, which removes further co-payments for covered healthcare services until the end of the year.
Norway’s strengths include strong primary care, accessible services, a developed emergency system, and high public trust. According to the OECD, the entire population is covered by essential healthcare services, and physician and nurse availability is above average.
Best hospitals in Norway according to World’s Best Hospitals 2025:
- Oslo Universitetssykehus, Oslo.
- St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim.
- Haukeland Universitetssykehus, Bergen.
- Universitetssykehuset Nord-Norge, Tromsø.
- Stavanger Universitetssjukehus, Stavanger.
10. Israel
Israel’s healthcare system is built around four health funds: Clalit, Maccabi, Meuhedet, and Leumit. These non-profit organizations provide mandatory health insurance to citizens and permanent residents.
Each health fund must offer a standard service package known as the health basket, or sal briut. It includes doctor visits, diagnostics, laboratory tests, hospitalization, maternity care, mental health services, certain medications, medical equipment, and rehabilitation.
Most healthcare is accessed through the patient’s health fund and its clinics, physicians, laboratories, and contracted hospitals.
The basic system covers the whole population. According to the OECD, 73% of residents are satisfied with access to quality healthcare, above the OECD average of 64%.
However, the basic package is often not enough for faster or more convenient access. More than 80% of the population has private health insurance. It is used for second opinions, broader doctor choice, additional procedures, medications outside the health basket, and faster access to certain treatments.
The main limitation is waiting times for some specialists and procedures. For planned care, patients typically go through their health fund and choose providers within its network.
In emergencies, ambulance services can be reached through Magen David Adom by dialing 101.
Best hospitals in Israel according to World’s Best Hospitals 2025:
- Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan.
- Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv.
- Rabin Medical Center – Beilinson Hospital, Petah Tikva.
- Hadassah University Hospital – Ein Kerem, Jerusalem.
- Rambam Hospital, Haifa.
Practical Takeaway
There is no single best healthcare system for every person.
Taiwan and South Korea stand out for efficiency, accessibility, and diagnostics. Sweden, Norway, and the Netherlands are known for strong public healthcare systems and organized patient pathways. Canada and Australia offer broad public coverage but still leave gaps in areas such as dental care, prescriptions, ambulance services, or private access.
For relocation planning, the most important questions are not only which country ranks highest, but how the system works locally: who qualifies for public coverage, what insurance is required, how long patients wait, what services require co-payment, and whether the system fits the person’s health needs and lifestyle.
Source article: www.astons.com
