Country guide — Asia-Pacific
Expat insurance and health insurance in New Zealand
In short
Health insurance is not mandatory for all foreign nationals in New Zealand, but it is explicitly required for Working Holiday Visa holders: Immigration New Zealand requires comprehensive medical insurance for the entire length of stay, though it does not publish a specific minimum amount (unlike Australia or Thailand). Key point: a tourist or Working Holiday Visa holder is not, with rare exceptions, eligible for subsidised public care, and the ACC scheme — which covers anyone present in the country — only covers accidents, never illness. No specific penalty has been found for lacking cover during the stay; the documented risk concerns the visa application itself.
Key figures
- 5,894 French nationals registered in 2025 (5,868 in 2024, +0.44%); actual community estimated at ≈10,000 people.
- Life expectancy at birth: 83 years in 2023.
- Health spending per capita: 4,804.38 USD in 2022.
Local healthcare system
A unified public system since July 2022 under Health New Zealand / Te Whatu Ora. Public hospital care is covered in full or in large part for eligible people; general practice remains subject to a co-payment even for eligible residents. Eligibility for public care is reserved for residents, certain Australians, and holders of a work visa of at least 2 years — tourists and Working Holiday Visa holders (generally 12 months) are excluded.
The ACC scheme covers, regardless of fault, anyone present in the country for accidental injuries, but does not cover illness nor, generally, repatriation. France Diplomatie notes: "ACC is in no way a substitute for travel insurance."
Legal and visa obligations
- France-New Zealand Working Holiday Visa (18-30 years old): comprehensive medical insurance required for the entire length of stay (hospitalisation included), proof of which may be requested at any time. Immigration New Zealand requires "comprehensive medical insurance" without setting a specific minimum amount in the visa's published conditions. Required funds: ≥4,200 NZD. Visa valid for up to 12 months, cost from 770 NZD. See working holiday visa insurance.
- International students: insurance compliant with the Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021, which requires unlimited repatriation/evacuation cover in the event of serious illness or injury as well as cover for care within New Zealand, with no single overall cap set — the exact level of cover is specified by each host institution. See health insurance for students abroad.
- Standard work visa: no specific legal requirement identified, but access to public care is reserved for visas of 2 years or more.
- No health reciprocity agreement with France: Health New Zealand lists such agreements only with Australia and the United Kingdom.
Cost of some medical procedures
Orders of magnitude from specialised sources, not official fee schedules.
| Procedure | Public sector | Private sector |
|---|---|---|
| GP consultation (not eligible) | — | ≈80 to 190 NZD depending on the practice and visa length |
| Hospital emergency care (not eligible) | from 566.72 NZD per visit, ≥1,768.47 NZD beyond 10 hours on site (rates at a public hospital for a short-stay visa holder) | ≈175 to 525 NZD per consultation at a private emergency/unplanned care clinic depending on the facility (e.g. 175 NZD at Anglesea Clinic in Auckland, up to 525 NZD at Shorecare in Auckland for a visitor/non-resident), possible surcharge on public holidays |
| Night of hospitalisation | ≈1,500 to 2,400 NZD/night (non-eligible patient) | ≈2,200 to 4,500+ NZD/night |
| Ambulance (Hato Hone St John) | ≈800 to 1,200 NZD per call-out outside Greater Wellington (free within Greater Wellington, provided by Wellington Free Ambulance) | — |
| MRI / X-ray / blood test | — | MRI/CT scan ≈900 to 2,200 NZD; X-ray ≈150 to 300 NZD; blood test ≈18.50 to 110 NZD per test depending on the exam |
Social security agreements with France
No social security agreement between France and New Zealand — absent from the CLEISS lists (in force, signed, or under negotiation).
- No coordination for pensions, health or unemployment; no CLEISS form applies.
- A specific difficulty for retirees: the New Zealand system in practice limits combining its state pension with a foreign pension. According to a Senate answer (2023), New Zealand had not approached France to negotiate an agreement as of that date. See retirement insurance abroad.
- Voluntary enrolment with CFE remains possible in the absence of any agreement.
Which insurance for my profile
General matrix — does not recommend any specific product or insurer.
| Profile | Regulatory constraint | Points of attention |
|---|---|---|
| Working holiday visa | Comprehensive health insurance mandatory for the entire stay | No specific minimum amount published by Immigration New Zealand; check the acceptable level of cover with the insurer |
| International student | Private insurance expected when applying for the visa | Also check the host institution's own requirements |
| Employee / work visa | Access to public care reserved for visas of 2 years or more | Check the exact visa length and what the employer covers |
| Retiree | No dedicated retiree visa; no access to public care without resident status | Private cover essential; consider CFE as a supplement |
| Family | Each member must have their own cover | Check the requirements specific to each derivative visa |
Hospitals and care network
- Auckland City Hospital (Auckland) — New Zealand's largest public hospital (1,187 beds), leading tertiary facility.
- Wellington Regional Hospital (Wellington) — the region's main tertiary hospital, reference point for the lower North Island.
- Christchurch Hospital (Christchurch) — the South Island's largest tertiary hospital, a major trauma centre.
Practical steps
- Working holiday visa: apply online with Immigration New Zealand, proof of comprehensive insurance and funds (≥4,200 NZD); 80% of applications processed within 2 weeks.
- Before departure, regardless of status: an assistance contract covering medical costs, hospitalisation and repatriation.
- Registration recommended with the roll of French nationals living abroad (Wellington embassy).
- French retiree / pensioner: check in advance the rules on combining pensions with the New Zealand Superannuation.
- Voluntary enrolment with CFE recommended in the absence of a social security agreement.
Frequently asked questions
Is health insurance mandatory for all French nationals moving to New Zealand?
Not in general, but yes explicitly for Working Holiday Visa holders. For other statuses, access to public care mainly depends on the length of the visa.
Can a French national access New Zealand public care for free like a resident?
No, except with a resident visa or a work visa of at least 2 years. Tourists and Working Holiday Visa holders (generally 12 months) are not eligible.
Does the ACC scheme cover me if I fall ill in New Zealand?
No. ACC covers accidental injuries, not illness. France Diplomatie notes that it is in no way a substitute for travel insurance.
Is there a social security agreement between France and New Zealand?
No. This gap particularly affects French retirees, as the New Zealand system limits combining its state pension with a foreign pension.
How much insurance cover should I plan for a Working Holiday Visa in New Zealand?
Immigration New Zealand does not publish a specific minimum amount, unlike Australia or Thailand — check directly with a specialised insurer when applying.
Moving to New Zealand? Get a quote
Written by Expavy
Sources
- France Diplomatie — New Zealand, Health
- CLEISS — Bilateral agreements, list of countries
- Immigration New Zealand — France Working Holiday Visa
- Health New Zealand — Reciprocal health agreements
- ACC — What we cover
- France Diplomatie — Global register of French nationals abroad (carte-registre, 2025 data)
- NZQA — Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021
- RNZ — What you need to know about emergency medical care in New Zealand
- Alea — Healthcare Costs in New Zealand: Expat Guide (2026)
- Hato Hone St John — Ambulance charges explained
- Anglesea Clinic — Fees (non-resident/non-funded patients)
- Shorecare — Fees (non-resident/visitor medical consults)