Many people dream of living in places known for their charm, history, or scenery. In certain countries, that dream comes with the bonus of affordable healthcare that doesn’t strain household budgets. The balance between beauty and public well-being sets them apart, giving residents peace of mind. Let’s explore 20 countries where healthcare is practically free.
Norway
Norway provides universal healthcare through the National Insurance Scheme, which automatically covers all legal residents. The government funds over 85% of healthcare costs. Municipalities handle primary services, regional authorities manage hospitals, and roughly 10% of people purchase private insurance, mostly to gain quicker access to care.
Sweden
Healthcare in Sweden is organized through a decentralized model, where most costs are funded by taxation. Patients usually pay only modest fees, and children and young adults receive free checkups. Annual spending caps prevent expenses from rising too high.
Denmark
This country ensures residents can access GP visits, hospital stays, and emergency treatment without major costs. Preventive services such as maternity care and mental health support are also widely available. Meanwhile, there are still small fees that apply for dental treatment or prescriptions.
Finland
Fairness drives Finland’s healthcare approach. Residents face only small charges for care, and yearly ceilings protect households from excessive medical bills. Preventive care is central, with programs like child health clinics and school checkups reflecting the country’s commitment to long-term, accessible well-being.
Iceland
Visiting a local health center in Iceland is part of daily life, with most costs absorbed by the tax-funded system. Modest charges apply for GP visits and prescriptions, though subsidies reduce them further. Hospital and emergency services are covered, and private insurance remains uncommon.
England
England’s National Health Service (NHS) provides universal healthcare funded through taxation. GP visits, hospital care, and specialist consultations are free at the point of use. Prescription charges apply but are capped to remain affordable, with exemptions for children, seniors, and those with certain medical conditions.
Canada
Canadians receive hospital treatment and physician visits without paying at the door, as Medicare guarantees universal coverage. Provinces run their own plans, yet all follow national principles of equity and access. Prescription drugs and dental care are excluded, though supplemental insurance or public programs often cover those gaps.
Australia
Choice is central to Australia’s healthcare model. Medicare gives residents access to GP consultations and essential tests. Many providers bulk bill, meaning patients pay nothing at the visit. Preventive screenings, maternity services, and mental health support are also widely available.
New Zealand
Healthcare in New Zealand is publicly funded and delivered by district health boards. A unique feature is the Accident Compensation Corporation, which is a government-run program that covers all injury-related medical costs, regardless of fault. This includes treatment for workplace accidents, car crashes, and even injuries sustained by visitors to New Zealand.
Germany
Germany operates on a statutory health insurance system, covering about 90% of residents. Funded by employer and employee contributions, it ensures access to hospitals and prescriptions at low or no cost. Private insurance exists for higher earners or those opting out. Copayments are modest and capped, which prevents excessive burdens.
France
For most French residents, doctor or hospital visits don’t create lasting financial strain. Bills are paid upfront but reimbursed by state insurance, usually 70–100%. People with chronic illnesses or low income pay nothing. Many people also have supplemental insurance to cover expenses like dental, vision, and other services that aren’t fully reimbursed by the state.
Italy
Italy’s healthcare system, the Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (SSN), is mainly funded through taxes and offers essential services at little or no cost. Hospital care and preventive treatments are priorities, and regional governments manage service delivery, leading to differences in wait times. Copayments exist, though vulnerable residents often receive exemptions.
Spain
Unlike systems where income dictates access, Spain ensures healthcare for everyone through its nationally supported model. Regional authorities oversee hospitals, GP services, and emergency care, all provided free at the point of use. Prescription charges are modest, with further reductions for pensioners and low-income residents to preserve universal access.
Portugal
Portugal provides healthcare through the Servico Nacional de Saude (SNS), a universal system supported by taxes. Most hospital visits, primary care, and essential services are free or very affordable. While small user fees exist, they’re waived for vulnerable groups, and medications are subsidized. Private insurance is also optional.
Greece
Equity drives healthcare in Greece, where state and EU funds support hospitals and clinics that serve nearly everyone. Patient costs are small. Reforms have introduced digital records and faster processes. That keeps the system more efficient and safeguards its universal character.
South Korea
Equity and modernization work together in South Korea’s health model. National Health Insurance reaches almost the entire population, with contributions and state support sustaining it. Patients face limited copayments, capped annually. Although private insurance supplements public care, the national system already guarantees broad and affordable access.
Belgium
For people in Belgium, medical bills rarely become unmanageable. Visits to GPs and hospitals are broadly reimbursed, and yearly spending caps protect households from high costs. Benefits are administered through sickness funds under government oversight to ensure consistent pricing and reliable access to essential healthcare across the country.
Slovenia
Compulsory health insurance secures universal coverage in Slovenia. The scheme includes hospital treatment and outpatient care, with patients paying only small copayments. Many choose supplemental policies to absorb those costs. By combining broad access with affordability, the system has built a reputation for fairness and reliability.
Austria
Austria’s healthcare system covers nearly the entire population. It offers services such as maternity care, rehabilitation, preventive checkups, and hospital treatment with only small fees. Optional add-on coverage even allows faster appointments, but the public system already provides reliable and inclusive protection.
Japan
Japan provides universal healthcare funded through a mix of employer, employee, and government contributions. Services include hospital stays and regular checkups. Patients are responsible for about 30% of costs, while the government pays the remaining 70%. The preventive care focus also supports Japan’s world-leading life expectancy.
