Your local Panamanian health plan covers you in the country’s hospitals, cheaply. But the moment you travel, fly home to Europe or the US for surgery, or want to be repatriated if something serious happens, you need portable international cover. Here are the 4 insurers that genuinely matter for an expat settled in Panama — compared without the sales pitch.
If you want the deep head-to-head of premium plans (Cigna vs SafetyWing vs Bupa vs IMG, real claims experience and price tables), read our dedicated health insurance Panama comparison. This guide answers the question that comes first: do you even need international cover, and which type fits your situation?
Local vs international: you don’t have to choose
This is the number-one confusion. The two don’t play in the same league:
- Local insurance (ASSA, Mapfre Panamá, Internacional de Seguros) → Panamanian hospitals, modest premiums, perfect for everyday care.
- International insurance (SafetyWing, Cigna, Allianz, GeoBlue) → follows you everywhere, funds premium private hospitals, and covers repatriation and care outside Panama.
Plenty of expats run both: local for the everyday scrapes, international for the big risks and mobility. If you can only keep one and you move around, keep the international plan.
The 4 insurers that matter
1. SafetyWing — the nomad entry point
Two products people confuse:
- Nomad Insurance: travel/nomad cover, ~$45-60/month, monthly renewal, ideal when you first arrive or for your first months. Modest limits, built for “emergencies while travelling,” not full medical cover.
- Remote Health: their actual international health plan (pricier, far more complete).
Who it’s for: younger expats, digital nomads, the transition phase. Sign up online in 5 minutes, no medical exam. → safetywing.com
2. Cigna Global — the expat-family benchmark
Silver / Gold / Platinum modular plans, a huge global hospital network, strong English-language service. Maternity, dental and optical as add-ons.
Who it’s for: a long-term move, families, anyone who wants “all-in” cover without limits that bite. ~$150-450/month depending on age/zone. → cignaglobal.com
3. Allianz Care — the solid alternative
Very comparable to Cigna: complete international cover, a decent app, a good network in Latin America and Europe. Often slightly cheaper than Cigna for equivalent cover.
Who it’s for: people who want the Cigna equivalent while comparing quotes. ~$130-400/month.
4. GeoBlue — if you’re tied to the United States
Backed by the Blue Cross Blue Shield network, this is the pick for American expats or anyone who travels a lot in the US (where GeoBlue shines). Pricier as soon as you include American care.
Who it’s for: US citizenship or frequent US travel. ~$200-500/month.
Quick comparison table
| Criterion | SafetyWing | Cigna Global | Allianz Care | GeoBlue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ideal profile | Nomad / transition | Family / long term | Long term (budget) | Tied to the US |
| Indicative price/month | $45-60 (Nomad) | $150-450 | $130-400 | $200-500 |
| Full medical cover | Remote Health only | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Repatriation | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Maternity / dental | option (Remote) | option | option | option |
| Online sign-up | ✅ fast | quote | quote | quote |
How to choose in 4 questions
- Moving around a lot / just landed? → SafetyWing Nomad to start.
- Long-term move, family? → Cigna Global or Allianz Care (get both quotes).
- Do you travel to the US? → include the US zone (Cigna/Allianz “including USA”) or GeoBlue. Otherwise exclude the US → premium almost halved.
- Tight budget + young and healthy? → SafetyWing or an entry-level Allianz plan + a local plan for everyday care.
⚠️ The trap: signing up for “worldwide including USA” by default. American care costs send the premium through the roof. If you’re not going to the US, choose “excluding USA.”
A note for US and UK expats
- US citizens: GeoBlue is purpose-built for you, and a plan that includes the US keeps you covered on trips home. But budget for it — including the US roughly doubles the premium versus a Panama + LatAm + Europe zone.
- UK expats: once you’re a non-resident, the NHS stops being a safety net for planned care on visits home, and you can be billed as an overseas visitor. A “worldwide excluding USA” Cigna or Allianz plan that covers the UK closes that gap without the American price tag.
The right timing
Sign up before you leave or as soon as you arrive — international insurers often exclude pre-existing conditions declared late, and some waiting periods start running from the policy date. Keep a travel insurance policy (see travel insurance Panama) to cover your very first month if your international plan takes time to activate.
FAQ
Local or international? They solve different problems — many expats combine them. International is non-negotiable if you travel or want repatriation.
SafetyWing for the long term? Nomad = travel; to settle long-term, look at Remote Health, Cigna or Allianz.
How much does it cost? From ~$45/month (young, basic) to $400-500/month (full family cover including the US).
Include the US? Only if you go there — otherwise the premium doubles for nothing.
Go deeper: Health insurance Panama: full comparison · Travel insurance Panama · Healthcare in Panama: the expat guide · Arriving in Panama: the first 72 hours
Informational article — the premiums quoted are indicative (2026) and depend on your age, zone and options. Always request a personalised quote. This article contains links to partner insurers.