Cost Guide

Health Insurance Cost in Ecuador for Expats

How much does private health insurance cost in Ecuador? Monthly premiums from $80 (IESS) to $800 (Cigna Global) — broken down by provider, age, and coverage level.

8 providers comparedCosts by age bracketUpdated March 2026

$80/mo

Cheapest (IESS)

$200–$350

Mid-range average

$400–$800

Premium international

50–80%

Less than US insurance

Complete Comparison

Monthly Cost by Provider

All prices in USD per month. Sorted from cheapest to most expensive.

Provider	Type	Age 30	Age 45	Age 55	Age 65	Deductible	Rating
IESS (Social Security) Base coverage for all visa holders (mandatory)	Government	~$80	~$80	~$80	~$80	None	3.2
SafetyWing Digital nomads on a budget	International	$45–$55	$65–$75	$75–$85	Not available	$250	3.7
Seguros Sucre Budget-conscious residents	Local	$70–$120	$100–$180	$140–$220	$180–$250	$100–$500	3.0
Liberty Seguros Residents wanting local insurer with international backing	Local	$90–$150	$130–$220	$180–$270	$220–$300	$150–$1,000	3.6
Seguros Equinoccial (Zurich) Residents wanting best local coverage	Local	$100–$170	$150–$250	$200–$300	$260–$350	$100–$1,000	3.8
IMG (International Medical Group) Mid-budget expats wanting international coverage	International	$150–$220	$220–$320	$300–$400	$380–$450	$250–$5,000	3.9
BMI / Generali Global Health Expats wanting top-tier private hospital access	International	$250–$350	$350–$450	$420–$530	$500–$600	$250–$2,500	4.5
Cigna Global US expats needing US + Ecuador coverage	International	$300–$400	$400–$550	$500–$650	$600–$800	$0–$5,000	4.3

* Prices are estimates for individual coverage. Actual premiums depend on medical history, coverage level, and deductible chosen. IESS rate based on minimum wage declaration.

Provider Details

What You Get at Each Price Point

IESS (Social Security)

Government

Fixed rate based on 17.6% of declared income (min. ~$460/mo). Same cost regardless of age.

$80–$120

per month

Coverage Limit

Unlimited

Deductible

None

Pre-existing

Covered

Visa Compliant

Yes

Direct Billing

Yes

SafetyWing

International

Travel medical only — not full health insurance. Month-to-month, cancel anytime. Age limit 69.

$45–$85

per month

Coverage Limit

$250,000

Deductible

$250

Pre-existing

Excluded

Visa Compliant

Direct Billing

Reimbursement

Seguros Sucre

Local

Government-owned. Lowest rates among private insurers. Basic but reliable coverage.

$70–$250

per month

Coverage Limit

$30K–$200K

Deductible

$100–$500

Pre-existing

Excluded

Visa Compliant

Yes

Direct Billing

Reimbursement

Liberty Seguros

Local

Part of Liberty Mutual Group. Growing network. Competitive mid-range option.

$90–$300

per month

Coverage Limit

$50K–$300K

Deductible

$150–$1,000

Pre-existing

Excluded

Visa Compliant

Yes

Direct Billing

Yes

Seguros Equinoccial (Zurich)

Local

Ecuador's largest insurer. Part of Zurich Group. Broadest hospital network among local options.

$100–$350

per month

Coverage Limit

$50K–$500K

Deductible

$100–$1,000

Pre-existing

Excluded

Visa Compliant

Yes

Direct Billing

Yes

IMG (International Medical Group)

International

Good mid-range international option. Flexible tiers. Reimbursement model — you pay first.

$150–$450

per month

Coverage Limit

$500K–$8M

Deductible

$250–$5,000

Pre-existing

Excluded

Visa Compliant

Yes

Direct Billing

Reimbursement

BMI / Generali Global Health

International

Most popular premium international plan among Ecuador expats. Direct billing at top hospitals.

$250–$600

per month

Coverage Limit

$1M–$5M

Deductible

$250–$2,500

Pre-existing

Excluded

Visa Compliant

Yes

Direct Billing

Yes

Cigna Global

International

Most expensive but most comprehensive. Can include US coverage. 24/7 English support.

$300–$800

per month

Coverage Limit

$1M–Unlimited

Deductible

$0–$5,000

Pre-existing

Excluded

Visa Compliant

Yes

Direct Billing

Reimbursement

Which Tier Is Right For You?

Expat Health Insurance Cost Tiers

Budget

$80–$150/mo

$960–$1,800/yr

IESS alone or IESS + basic local supplemental

Typical Combo

IESS (mandatory)

Seguros Sucre

Pros

+ Visa compliant
+ Pre-existing covered (IESS)
+ Affordable for retirees on fixed income

Cons

– Long wait times at IESS
– Limited English service
– Lower coverage limits on private add-on

Mid-Range

$200–$400/mo

$2,400–$4,800/yr

IESS + solid local or international plan

Typical Combo

IESS + Seguros Equinoccial

IESS + IMG

IESS + Liberty Seguros

Pros

+ Good hospital access
+ Reasonable coverage limits
+ Balance of cost and quality

Cons

– May need to pay upfront (reimbursement)
– Pre-existing still excluded on private plan

Premium

$400–$800/mo

$4,800–$9,600/yr

IESS + top-tier international plan

Typical Combo

IESS + BMI/Generali

IESS + Cigna Global

IESS + Pacific Prime

Pros

+ Direct billing at best hospitals
+ Global coverage for travel
+ English-speaking support
+ High/unlimited coverage limits

Cons

– Significant monthly cost
– Annual increases with age

Common Questions

Health Insurance Cost FAQs

How much does private health insurance cost in Ecuador for expats?

Private health insurance in Ecuador costs $80–$600 per month for expats. IESS (mandatory government insurance) costs ~$80/month. Local private insurers like Seguros Equinoccial cost $100–$350/month. International plans from BMI/Generali or Cigna cost $250–$800/month depending on age and coverage level.

How much does IESS health insurance cost per month?

IESS costs approximately $80 per month for expats who declare the minimum wage base (~$460/month). The rate is 17.6% of your declared income. This is the same regardless of age, making it especially valuable for older expats. IESS covers all healthcare including pre-existing conditions.

What is the cheapest health insurance for expats in Ecuador?

IESS at ~$80/month is the cheapest and is mandatory for visa holders. For supplemental private coverage, SafetyWing starts at $45/month (travel medical only, not visa compliant). Seguros Sucre starts at $70/month for basic local private coverage.

Does health insurance cost more as you get older?

IESS costs the same regardless of age. Private and international insurers increase premiums with age — typically 40–60% more for a 65-year-old compared to a 30-year-old. BMI/Generali costs $250–$350/month at age 30 but $500–$600/month at age 65.

Do I need both IESS and private insurance?

IESS is mandatory for all visa holders. Private insurance is optional but recommended by most expats. The typical strategy: use IESS for visa compliance and pre-existing conditions, plus private insurance ($100–$600/month) for faster access to top hospitals and English-speaking doctors.

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