When living abroad, maintaining good health is essential. An annual check-up enables us to detect potential health problems at an early stage and adjust prevention to local realities.
However, recommended examinations may vary considerably depending on your country of residence, local health risks, specific medical practices and the cost of care.
Asia: prevention and cutting-edge medicine
Asia is often renowned for the quality of its private health care and its comprehensive health check-up packages, available at prices that in many cases remain affordable by Western standards.
| Country | Specific check-ups | Routine examinations (in addition to the basic check-up) |
| Thailand | Renowned for its wellness packages and modern facilities. Packages range from basic to premium. | Full blood tests, X-rays, abdominal ultrasounds, specialist consultations (cardio, ophthalmology, etc.). |
| Japan | Annual check-ups (called Ningen Dock) are very common, often encouraged by employers. | Electrocardiogram (ECG), chest X-ray, vision and hearing tests, stool and urine tests. More frequent screening for stomach cancer. |
| Singapore | High-quality but very expensive care. The emphasis is on personalized prevention. | Screening for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Well-structured breast and colorectal cancer screening programs. |
| Vietnam / Philippines | Access to international private hospitals is essential. Vigilance must be heightened with regard to infectious diseases. | Screening for hepatitis (A and B), tuberculosis and intestinal parasites. |
Europe: quality, speed and accessibility
Europe generally offers high-quality healthcare systems, but delays and costs vary between public systems and private clinics.
Turkey
Turkey offers comprehensive check-up packages including blood tests, cardiac examinations, ultrasounds, mammograms, colonoscopies and specialist consultations. These check-ups are available at competitive prices and are popular with European and Middle Eastern expatriates.
Poland
In Poland, private clinics offer comprehensive check-ups including full-body MRI, blood tests, specialist consultations, gastroscopy and colonoscopy. These packages enable early detection of health problems. Clinics offer these packages at lower prices than in the UK.
Latin America and Africa: specific risks and vaccination
These regions require particular attention to local health risks, with a focus on infectious diseases.
| Country | Specific check-ups | Recommended additional tests |
| Brazil | Good quality care, especially in the private sector. Check-ups focus on cardiovascular prevention. | Blood tests, cardiac examinations (ECG, ultrasound), and screening for mosquito-borne diseases (Dengue, Zika, Chikungunya, etc.). |
| Mexico | Excellent private sector, especially near the U.S. border. | Screening for local endemic diseases and regular monitoring of tropical vaccinations. |
Africa: Focus on infectious risks
In many African countries, check-ups must be strongly oriented towards tropical medicine and post-exposure risk control. It is crucial to choose international clinics to guarantee the quality of analyses.
- Malaria: A rapid screening test or blood test is essential after an episode of fever, even under prophylactic treatment.
- Intestinal parasitosis: regular stool analysis for parasites(amoebae, giardiasis, schistosomiasis), due to the risks associated with water and food.
- Tuberculosis: Chest X-ray recommended, especially for long-term stays in high-prevalence areas.
- Hepatitis and HIV: A test for these markers is often recommended, especially at the start of a stay.
- Vaccinations: The annual check-up is an opportunity to check and update essential vaccinations(yellow fever, typhoid, hepatitis A and B).
North America & Oceania: High cost and standardized prevention
United States and Canada
Professionals emphasize prevention by following North American medical guidelines, which often differ from those in Europe. In the United States, the main issue is the exorbitant cost of care, making international health insurance absolutely vital. The basic annual check-up (often called the Annual Physical Exam) is often covered at 100% by insurance companies to encourage prevention, but additional examinations can be very expensive without good coverage.
Australia and New Zealand
These countries have high-performance healthcare systems. Check-ups are standardized, but attention is paid to specific environmental risks:
- Screening for skin cancer (melanoma): Annual consultation with a dermatologist recommended due to high UV index.
- Tropical diseases: If you are traveling to the northern regions of Australia, the risks associated with arthropods and certain tropical diseases need to be assessed.
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A few tips for a really useful check-up
How often?
Ideally, you should have a check-up once a year. If you have a particular medical history, if you’re getting older, or if your lifestyle is quite intense, you can even go twice a year. The key is to adapt the frequency to your personal situation.
The must-haves
Generally, we start with a complete blood test, a quick look at the heart (ECG, ultrasound if necessary), and a check that the liver and kidneys are functioning properly. Depending on your age and risk factors, your doctor may also suggest cancer screening – colonoscopy, mammography or PSA measurement, for example.
Think local
Each country has its own health particularities. Malaria is more prevalent in some regions, while tuberculosis and other tropical diseases are more prevalent in others. Don’t hesitate to discuss this with a local doctor, who is familiar with local issues and will be able to advise you on the most appropriate examinations for you.
On the insurance side
Take the time to check what your health insurance covers in your host country. Find out which clinics and hospitals it has agreements with – it’ll make life a lot easier the day you need a consultation.
Health coverage and health insurance abroad
When moving abroad, it’s hard to ignore the question of health coverage. From one country to another, healthcare systems differ enormously, and a simple consultation or examination can quickly cost you a small fortune – not to mention an unexpected hospital stay. That’s why it’s essential to take out international health insurance designed specifically for expatriates. With the right cover, you’ll be able to consult in reputable establishments and take your tests without breaking the bank. It also ensures your medical repatriation in the event of a serious problem. A word of advice: before your annual check-up, take the time to check that your insurance covers preventive check-ups. You’ll avoid any unpleasant surprises when it comes to settling the bill.
Your expatriate check-up
When you’re living abroad, an annual check-up is not a luxury – in fact, it’s essential for staying in shape. The tests you need to have vary according to where you live and the health risks in the area. The best thing to do is talk it over with a doctor, who will be able to guide you towards the tests that are really useful for you. And remember: prevention is better than cure, especially when you’ve chosen to live far from home.
