Health insurance for expats in Cambodia
Comparison of health insurance options for expats — local, international, CFE, direct billing, and trade-offs by length of stay.
- Cost
- 100 USD – 5 000 USD Local 100-500 USD/yr, CFE 800-2,500 USD/yr, international 1,500-5,000 USD/yr
- Duration
- Annual, renewable
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Reading
- 9 min
In 3 bullets
- 3 main options: local insurance (cheap, low coverage), CFE (French equivalent for expats), international insurance (most comprehensive).
- International insurance (Allianz Worldwide Care, AXA Global Healthcare, Cigna, Bupa) is usually the best compromise for long-stay expats with Bangkok evacuation coverage.
- The French general social security (régime général) no longer covers your routine care once a resident abroad > 6 months — hence the value of the CFE or an international plan.
When to subscribe
- Stay < 6 months (T visa): classic travel insurance (CFE Mondassur, ACS Globe Partner Travel, Mondial Assistance).
- Stay ≥ 6 months (EB, ER, ET): switch to long-stay health insurance — CFE or international.
- Family with children: prefer international for maternity coverage, paediatrics and paediatric evacuation.
- Retirees > 65: the CFE is particularly attractive as it does not surcharge age as much as international plans.
Cost and duration
| Insurance type | Annual cost per adult | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Local (Forte / Infinity / Allianz Cambodia) | 100-500 USD | KH hospitals only, low ceiling |
| CFE alone | 800-1,500 USD | Base coverage, French social-security equivalent |
| CFE + top-up | 1,500-2,500 USD | Social security + top-up (95-100% covered) |
| International | 1,500-5,000 USD | Worldwide, direct billing, evacuation included |
- Annual renewal.
- Bangkok evacuation coverage: included in international plans, usually a paid option with local plans.
How to subscribe
1. Local Cambodian insurance
Distributed by brokers in Phnom Penh (Forte, Infinity Insurance, Allianz Cambodia, Manulife Cambodia). Procedure:
- Online or in-branch quote.
- Health questionnaire.
- Annual payment.
- Insurance card + claim number.
Advantages: cheap, direct billing in contracted local hospitals. Limits: low annual ceilings (often 10,000-50,000 USD), no evacuation, no care outside Cambodia.
2. CFE (Caisse des Français de l’Étranger)
Scheme attached to the French health insurance system, reserved for French expatriates. Sign-up at cfe.fr/offre-mondexpat:
- Create an online account.
- Choose benefits (illness / maternity, occupational accidents, retirement).
- Monthly or annual contributions.
- Membership card + personal area access.
Advantages: affordable rate, suited to retirees, covers care in France during visits. Limits: reimbursement on bill (no direct billing in Cambodia), covers at French social-security rates (often far from real international private prices) — hence the value of a top-up plan on top.
3. International insurance (recommended for families and long stays)
- Allianz Worldwide Care, AXA Global Healthcare, Cigna Global, Bupa Global are the most used in Cambodia.
- Individual quote, medical questionnaire, sometimes entry exam depending on age.
- Direct billing at contracted hospitals (Royal Phnom Penh, Sunrise Japan, Bumrungrad Bangkok).
- Medical evacuation included in most long-stay contracts.
Documents to keep
- Insurance card + claim number.
- General conditions (contract): read to understand exclusions, ceilings, deductibles.
- Contribution receipts (useful for tax declarations).
- Before any costly procedure: request prior authorisation by email from your insurer.
Renewal
- Annual, to anticipate 30 days before expiry.
- In case of change of country of residence (e.g. return to France), termination possible with notice.
- Annual rate increase: 5-15% depending on age and medical inflation (international plans rise faster than CFE).
Common pitfalls
FAQ
Can I stay on French social security while living in Cambodia?
No, except via the CFE (which is its expat extension). Once a resident abroad ≥ 3 months, you automatically leave the French general scheme — even if you still pay tax in France.
Does the CFE reimburse care in Bangkok?
Yes, at the equivalent French social-security rate (so partially). It’s useful as a complement to an international plan. The CFE can also cover a return to France for heavy treatment.
Is Cambodian NSSF insurance enough?
No. The National Social Security Fund ( NSSF ) essentially covers occupational accidents and a minimal share of routine care for declared employees. Insufficient for an expat — it’s a complement, not a substitute.
Is my EB visa conditional on health insurance?
No. Cambodia does not require proof of insurance for the EB or ER visa. It is entirely your responsibility.
Which insurance for a digital nomad on a T visa (3 months)?
A long-stay travel insurance (CFE Mondassur, ACS Globe Partner Travel, Chapka, AVI International) at 30-100 USD/month is enough. Long-stay international plans are oversized for < 6 months.
Sources (3)
Every fact in this guide comes from official documents or government sites. An access date is recorded for each source.