Healthcare in Taiwan

Healthcare in Taiwan is affordable and user friendly. Foreigners moving to the island will be well provided for by highly skilled medical personnel in well-equipped hospitals. Facilities at both public and private hospitals in Taiwan offer a high standard of care, although private hospitals afford both more choice and less waiting time than public facilities.

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Public healthcare in Taiwan

Public health insurance in Taiwan, which is managed by the National Health Insurance Administration, is compulsory for all Taiwanese residents, including foreigners working in the country. 

Expats using one of Taiwan's excellent public health facilities are given access to heavily subsidised medical care. Services covered by National Health Insurance (NHI) are varied and range from traditional Chinese medicine to emergency care. 

Although public hospitals are world class, many inpatient services that are standard in the West may not be provided at Taiwanese public facilities and it is often expected that a patient's family provides these services. Another disadvantage is that patients seeking treatment may experience long waiting times at public care centres. 

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Private healthcare in Taiwan

Although most expats rely on the public healthcare system, many also utilise Taiwan's high-quality private care in order to avoid long waiting times, to receive better patient care and to access a greater choice of treatment options. 

There are also many private clinics in Taiwan's urban centres which specifically serve the expat market. These are primarily staffed with English speakers, which can be more convenient for English-speaking expats.  

Private healthcare in Taiwan is expensive, so those planning to make use of this sector should explore their private health insurance options.

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Health insurance in Taiwan

The majority of foreigners and Taiwanese citizens make use of government-funded healthcare through the NHI. Expats living in Taiwan for more than six months or who hold an Alien Resident Card (ARC) are required to join the NHI. New arrivals are often enrolled in the system by their employer with their contributions being automatically deducted from their salaries. Dependants, students or self-employed residents need to register at a hospital within four months of obtaining their residence status. Taking out private insurance is, however, still recommended.

The NHI is funded by employee taxes and government subsidies, but there are still co-payments and limited coverage for certain types of treatment. If an expat becomes ill, the capped coverage provided by the NHI may not cover all of their medical expenses. This is where additional private insurance is useful.

After enrolling in the NHI programme, expats are issued a Health Insurance Card, which must be presented in order to receive benefits. 

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Pharmacies in Taiwan

Pharmacies are widely available in Taiwan. Though 24-hour pharmacies are rare, there are some operating in Taiwan's major cities. Doctors and hospitals often have pharmacies attached to their premises, making it convenient to pick up prescription medication after consulting with a doctor. 

Medicine is generally cheaper in Taiwan than many expats may be used to. Those who rely on a specific brand of Western medication should bring an adequate supply with them to Taiwan. In some cases, it can be difficult to find the exact same medicine, but there are usually local alternatives or equivalents under a different brand name.

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Health hazards in Taiwan

Although Taiwan is mostly safe for foreigners, mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue fever and Japanese encephalitis are endemic to the country. Expats can avoid mosquito bites by taking the necessary precautions such as using mosquito repellents, sleeping under a mosquito net and wearing long-sleeved clothing. 

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Pre-travel vaccinations for Taiwan

There are no specific vaccinations required for travel to Taiwan, but expats should ensure that they are up to date with all routine vaccinations.

A yellow fever certificate is required if travelling from an infected area.

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Emergency services in Taiwan

For ambulance or fire services in Taiwan, dial 199. Ambulance dispatchers may not speak English. For police, dial 110.

It's important to be aware of emergency evacuation procedures in the case of an earthquake or typhoon, both of which may occur from time to time.