Private healthcare expenses are now a decisive factor for high‑net‑worth families when choosing where to live, invest, or obtain residence and citizenship rights.
Accelerating Wealth Migration
- Henley & Partners received applications from 92 nationalities in 2025, covering 50+ residence and citizenship programs.
- Over the past five years the firm has assisted applicants from 136 nationalities.
- Comparing Q1‑Q3 2024 with the same period in 2025, applications rose 43 %, indicating a sharp increase in cross‑border mobility among affluent families.
The SIP Health Cost Index 2025
The newly published SIP Health Cost Index (HCI) 2025 benchmarks private‑healthcare costs for internationally mobile individuals and families across 50 key countries. The index is based on International Private Medical Insurance (IPMI) premiums, providing a comparable measure of the long‑term budget impact of private care.
Highest‑Cost Markets
| Rank | Country | Avg. annual IPMI cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | 17,969 |
| 2 | Hong Kong | 16,175 |
| 3 | Singapore | 14,231 |
| — | … | — |
- Emerging Asia: China, Thailand and Taiwan have entered the top‑twelve most expensive private‑care markets, driven by strong demand for premium international hospitals and regional medical‑travel flows.
- Europe: The United Kingdom, Greece and Spain rank among the costliest, partly due to insurance‑premium taxes. Switzerland sits near the middle of the European range, showing that a reputation for expensive healthcare does not always translate into higher IPMI costs.
- Middle East: The United Arab Emirates ranks 10th worldwide, reflecting rapid expansion of high‑end facilities and medical‑tourism initiatives.
More Affordable Regions
- Africa & Latin America: Generally lower private‑healthcare costs.
- Morocco is the cheapest market globally at USD 6,251 per year.
- Other low‑cost countries include Romania, Nigeria, Egypt, Kenya and South Africa.
- Brazil stands out as an exception, ranking 7th worldwide, indicating that some Latin American destinations now rival traditional high‑cost hubs.
Implications for Migrating Millionaires
- Private‑healthcare cost exposure is becoming a first‑order input in residence and citizenship planning, rather than a secondary consideration.
- The SIP Health Cost Index equips families and advisers with a practical tool to:
- Anticipate long‑term healthcare budgets.
- Avoid hidden high‑cost traps when selecting a primary residence, second home, or multi‑base lifestyle.
- Balance quality of care against affordability across potential destinations.
Key considerations for high‑net‑worth families:
- Evaluate IPMI premiums alongside other living‑cost factors when comparing jurisdictions.
- Prioritise markets that align with family health needs (e.g., children’s care, ageing parents, elective treatments).
- Recognise that rapid growth in premium medical infrastructure can quickly shift a destination’s cost profile, as seen in emerging Asian markets.
By integrating private‑healthcare cost data into migration strategies, affluent families can better manage the financial risks of maintaining a globally mobile lifestyle.
Source article: www.henleyglobal.com
