We Reviewed AXA Global Health Insurance – What Expats and Digital Nomads Should Know

At Locals Insider, we spend most of the year on the move – working from laptops in apart hotels, villas, and Airbnbs, whether that’s a few months in Thailand, a stint in Southern Europe, or a city base somewhere in between. It’s a lifestyle that offers freedom, but it also comes with a certain level of unpredictability – especially when it comes to healthcare abroad.

That’s where global health insurance becomes less of a “nice to have” and more of a necessity. Providers like AXA are built for this kind of travel – covering you across 180+ countries with plans that can adapt to how long you stay and where you go (from 3-12 months). But with rising costs, varying coverage levels, and strong alternatives on the market, choosing the right policy isn’t always easy to understand. Here’s what you need to know before signing up.

What is AXA Insurance for Expats?

AXA is a multinational insurance and financial services company headquartered in Paris, France. Founded in 1816 as Ancienne Mutuelle, it adopted the AXA name in 1985. Publicly listed, AXA is owned by shareholders and operates in over 50 countries, serving more than 90 million customers globally.  

AXA Global Healthcare provides international private medical insurance designed primarily for expatriates, remote workers, frequent travelers, and globally mobile professionals who require consistent access to healthcare in different countries.  

Policies typically include both routine and emergency treatment, offering flexibility in choosing doctors, hospitals, and treatment locations worldwide. 

What it Covers & Who it Works For  

While Cigna offers different types of coverage for remote workers and digital nomads, AXA offers a single international health insurance policy for everyone.  

You just need to decide which level of coverage to choose (there are five levels) and whether you want a short-term (3-11 months) or an annual policy.  

AXA’s global plan can work for expats moving to a new country for work, digital nomads traveling to multiple countries, or anyone planning to retire abroad. It may be less suitable for those seeking budget-only cover or anyone with significant pre-existing conditions requiring immediate treatment. 

Pricing & Plans: What Level of Coverage Can I Expect?  

AXA offers five levels of coverage: Foundation, Standard, Comprehensive, Prestige, and Prestige+. Here’s what you can expect from each level:  

Each plan comes with the following maximum benefit (the maximum AXA will pay for your claims each year):  

• Foundation = $400,000  

• Standard = $1,600,000  

• Comprehensive = $2,400,000  

• Prestige = $3,200,000  

• Prestige+ = $8,000,000 

Pricing 

The cost of AXA’s health insurance plans depends on your circumstances and the level of cover you require. 

For an illustration of the costs you can expect, we received a quote for a healthy 30-year-old male. The Foundation plan started at $1,020 per year, making it a cheaper entry-level option than the Cigna regional plans.  

But the more coverage you add, the more expensive AXA becomes, as is the case with all global health insurance options. Upgrading to the Comprehensive plan for access to $2,400,000 in annual benefits more than doubled the premium to a $190 per month starting point, before considering deductibles and cost shares.  

AXA more than doubles all its premiums if you need coverage in the USA, so bear this in mind if you’re planning to work as a digital nomad in the Americas.  

One of AXA’s USPs is the option of short-term international health insurance, covering 3-11 months. You can choose the Foundation or Standard plans and only pay for the months that you need, which makes AXA a viable alternative to companies that only offer full, 12-month plans for digital nomads.  

Reviews & Ratings: Does AXA Have a Good Reputation?  

AXA is a global healthcare brand with a good reputation, scoring 4.1 out of 5.0 on Trustpilot from over 1,390 reviews. This puts it on an even keel with Cigna Global and gives you peace of mind that you’ll receive good customer service should you need to make a claim. 

The company has received positive feedback for its quick claim response times, helpful customer support, easy invoice submission, and direct billing with hospitals. In Reddit discussions, we found issues relating to premium increases after year one, but this is common among insurers and can often be resolved by contacting the support team.  

Trustpilot Review: “All my interactions to date with the AXA Global Healthcare team have been prompt, pleasant, and professional. From sorting out billing and payment issues, to managing a claim for surgery, to helping with navigating the process to access the app and online services.” Mark Rhoda-Reis, USA 

Managing Your AXA Health Insurance on Your Phone  

The AXA Global Healthcare app is free to download for all iOS and Android users, letting you manage your health insurance claims and access key policy documents directly on your smartphone or tablet. You can do the following on the app while traveling:  

• Submit claims and pre-authorize treatments  

• Access policy documents and coverage details  

• Find doctors and hospitals from a global provider network  

• Book virtual doctor appointments  

• Access mental health support through the Mind Health service  

• Receive personalized wellbeing content and health tracking tools 

The standout feature of the app, and one of the main reasons to choose AXA, is the Virtual Care service. This lets you speak to qualified doctors remotely and can be extremely helpful if you’re in a country where English isn’t widely spoken.  

AXA vs Cigna: Which is Ideal for You?  

AXA Global Healthcare is often better for expats and families wanting flexible modular plans, strong mental health benefits, and lower premiums when US coverage is excluded.  

Cigna Global suits digital nomads and globally mobile professionals seeking highly customizable plans and a larger worldwide network (200+ countries compared to 180+).  

Both offer excellent mobile apps for on-the-go management, but AXA’s Virtual Care is a differentiator, offering genuinely helpful medical advice to customers on the move across different parts of the world.  

Our Verdict: Is AXA Insurance Right for You?  

AXA is a viable option if you’re seeking a fully comprehensive global health insurance plan, available in over 180 countries. Here’s why it could be a good fit for you and your family:  

• AXA doesn’t just offer annual coverage; fully modular cover is available for 3-11 months, giving you control over your plan for better cost management  
• Virtual Care on the app is a huge win for AXA and can save you time and money while on the road when seeking support for minor illnesses and conditions 
• AXA’s Mind Health support is one of the best in the business and a great way to manage and improve your mental health while traveling 

But due to a few limitations, AXA might not be the most suitable global health insurance product for you:  

Diagnosed chronic conditions are generally not covered, while it can also be difficult to get coverage for pre-existing health conditions  

If you need cover for the USA, AXA is expensive – most premiums are more than doubled when the USA is included in the plan 

AXA Global Health Insurance FAQs (2026)

Explore more health insurance plans for digital nomads.