This updated study analyses the latest global labour data to uncover which countries offer the best benefits for workers. We look at key factors like average weekly working hours, paid annual leave, paid public holidays, minimum wage, maternity and paternity leave, average salary, and labour rights protections.

Why worker benefits matter more than ever

We’ve ranked countries based on workers’ rights, the strength of their Labour Rights Index scores, and statutory entitlements to determine where in the world employees are best supported.

As the global conversation around workplace wellbeing and fair treatment grows louder, our research shows that real progress goes beyond just time off.

Forward-thinking employers are also offering meaningful benefits like group life insurance—an increasingly essential tool for protecting international teams and attracting top talent.

So, how do countries compare when it comes to supporting their workforce? Below, we break down the key data points to reveal which nations are leading the way in 2025.

A strong benefits package gives your business a competitive edge

Discover more about the importance of employee benefits

Which countries have the best workers’ rights?

Countries with the best workers’ rights

1/ Denmark

Workers’ Rights Score: 8.48/10

Denmark ranks at the top globally for workers’ rights, scoring highly for its labour conditions, average salaries, and employee benefits. Denmark consistently ranks among the world’s top nations for protecting workers’ rights. In 2024, it had a Labour Rights Index (LRI) score of 93.5. This reflects its strong commitment to labour protections, high standards of employee welfare, and emphasis on work-life balance.

Denmark provides full legal protection for the right to organise and collective bargaining. In the Centre for Labour Research (CLR) 2024 Report, Denmark also achieved a perfect score of 100/100 in the freedom of association category. This is due to the country’s high levels of unionisation, where approximately 67% of workers are union members, and the broad collective bargaining coverage that extends to nearly four-fifths of employees.

The country is also a global leader in balancing work and lifestyle. The average employee works 27 hours per week, significantly lower than the average across our dataset (44 hours). Workers receive at least five weeks of paid holidays each year, with many receiving more through collective agreements. 

Denmark also stands out in terms of maternity leave. Mothers are entitled to up to 18 weeks of leave, and this generous policy allows families plenty of flexibility in childcare arrangements.

2/ Norway

Workers’ Rights Score: 8.44/10

According to the Centre for Labour Rights, Norway ranks second among the best countries for workers’ rights, earning a Labour Index (LRI) score of 94 out of 100 in 2024. The country offers full legal protections for freedom of association and collective bargaining, scoring a perfect 100 in that category.

Over half (52%) of Norwegian workers are union members, and over two-thirds of the workforce is covered by collective agreements. These agreements are important in maintaining fair wages and working conditions across sectors, especially as Norway does not have a statutory minimum wage.

Norway is one of the best countries for work-life balance, with the average full-time employee working around 33 hours per week. This relatively short workweek is central to Norwegian work culture and supports wellbeing and family life. The average gross annual salary in Norway is estimated to be around US$71,972 (€62,962/£53,292), among some of Europe’s highest.

Employees are entitled to full salary during illness for up to 16 days, after which, if conditions are met, the National Insurance Scheme provides benefits. This ensures employees can access income during medical absences and protects them from financial hardship caused by illness.

3/ Austria

Workers’ Rights Score: 8.20/10

Austria ranks third among the top countries globally for workers’ rights and earned an LRI score of 92 out of 100 in 2024. Austria’s strong labour laws, high collective bargaining coverage, and long-standing partnership agreements between employers, trade unions, and the government reflect this.

According to the CLR 2024 Report, Austria scored a perfect 100, as it offers full protection of freedom of association and collective bargaining. Over a quarter of workers in Austria are union members. Roughly 98% of Austrian employees are covered by these agreements, which ensure good wage standards, working conditions, and benefits and serve as a substitute for a statutory minimum wage.

Workers in Austria enjoy a relatively short working week, with the average full-time employee working around 28 hours a week. This aligns with the nation’s commitment to work-life balance and the well-being of its workforce. 

In terms of income, Austria offers its workers solid compensation to reflect the cost of living, and the average salary is approximately US$71,167 annually (£52,708/€62,472). While the country does not enforce a statutory minimum wage, most sectors have minimum pay rates by job classification for each industry. These typically ensure workers earn at least US$1,382 (£1,023/€1,200) monthly, depending on the industry and job level.

Top 10 countries with the best workers’ rights

There’s more scope now for companies to expand across the globe

Read our tips on managing an international workforce

Which country has the highest Labour Rights Index score?

Labour Rights Index score

Hungary and Greece: 96/100

Greece and Hungary both scored 96/100 in the 2024 Labour Rights Index. They score highly on the Labour Rights Index thanks to strong, modern legal frameworks that align with international standards on union rights, collective bargaining, anti-discrimination, and safe working conditions.

Which country has the highest average salary?

Highest average salary

Luxembourg: US$89,767 (£66,484/€78,799)

Luxembourg’s high average annual salary is driven by its finance-based economy, strong wage protections, automatic indexing, and high public-sector and educational compensation. However, this can vary by industry. For example, hospitality workers earn far less, and low-skilled employees see much lower incomes despite the overall high average.

Could you earn more for doing the same job abroad?

Find out how salaries compare around the world

Which country offers the most maternity leave?

Most maternity leave

United Kingdom: 52 weeks

The UK leads worldwide in total job-protected maternity leave, offering a full year. This includes two weeks mandatory for the mother, and up to 50 of the remainder can be transferred to the father as shared paternity leave. Paid leave, while limited to 39 weeks, still places it third globally. The nation boasts one of the most flexible systems, thanks to its widespread coverage and transferability through shared parental leave.

Which country has the lowest average weekly working hours?

Lowest average weekly working hours

Germany: 25.9 hours per week

Germany’s short work-weeks stem from an approach prioritising work-life balance, supported by culture, policies, and practices. However, this model’s impact on long-term economic growth is debated, leading to discussions on increasing hours or redesigning labour.

Which country has the highest average minimum wage?

Highest average minimum wage

New Zealand: US$34,667 (£25,662/€30,317)

New Zealand has the highest average minimum wage across the board, due to progressive policies, a high cost of living, and strong public support for fair pay. Since 2017, the government has steadily raised the minimum wage to reduce inequality and support low-income workers, making it one of the most generous in the world.

Grocery, fuel, and energy have significantly increased globally

We reveal the countries with the cheapest cost of living

Which country has the most paid leave days per year?

Most paid leave days

France: 48 days

France provides an exceptionally generous amount of paid holidays. This includes 25 working days of statutory annual leave (5 weeks) for full-time employees. As well as 11 national public holidays (13 in Alsace-Moselle), many gain extra RTT (réduction du temps de travail) days when working over the 35-hour week, sometimes adding several more days annually.

Which country has the most paid public holidays?

Most paid public holidays

Columbia: 18 days

Colombia offers 18 paid national holidays each year, 12 religious and 6 civic. Under the Emiliani Law, many of these holidays are shifted to Mondays, creating long weekends that boost tourism and leisure.

What happens if you’re relocating to a remote location?

We look at some of the challenges you could face

International benefits tailor-made for international employers

At William Russell, we have over 30 years’ experience providing international health, life and income protection insurance to employers like you.

Our international employee benefits package offers all three of these policies, with flexible terms and added extras to suit your needs and budget. As William Russell members, your employees can enjoy access to top quality healthcare around the world, plus life and income insurance for total peace of mind. 

Speak to our award-winning team to find out how our international employee benefits can support your business today.

The post Which Countries Offer The Best Benefits For Workers In 2025? appeared first on William Russell.

But where is the best country in Europe for entrepreneurs? To help answer this, we’ve analysed a wide range of indicators—from startup survival rates and coworking space availability to venture capital investment and workforce participation. Whether you’re looking to start fresh or move your business abroad, these insights will help you identify the most promising locations across the Europe.

What makes a country ideal for expat entrepreneurs in Europe?

It’s possible to turn a profit, build a team, and maintain your business standards abroad—especially when you offer attractive employee benefits. But beyond the bottom line, factors like access to a skilled workforce, support for startups, and a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem play a major role.

We explore which countries in Europe offer the strongest foundations for expat entrepreneurs—using data-led insights such as new business density, one-year survival rates, coworking spaces per capita, and levels of venture capital investment.

Why is it so important to offer employee benefits?

Find out more about attracting, retaining, and motivating top talent

What are the best countries for expat entrepreneurs in Europe?

The UK is the best country for expat entrepreneurs in Europe

1/ United Kingdom

Expat Entrepreneur Score: 8.66/10

The UK tops the list thanks to its balanced mix of opportunity, infrastructure, and investment. It has by far the highest venture capital investment in tech, with over £3 billion (US$4 billion) invested in startups headquartered in the UK, over £1 billion (US$2 billion) more than the second-highest country, Germany. 

Additionally, the UK ranked highly for new business density, with 18.62 new firms per 1,000 working people.

2/ Sweden

Expat Entrepreneur Score: 8.01/10

Sweden scores highly on business stability and workforce participation, with a 97.1% one-year survival rate, the best of any country listed. The country’s strong social systems and tech-forward infrastructure appeal to entrepreneurs looking for long-term growth.

Sweden also sees over US$750 million in venture capital investment and has 45 business owners on the Forbes Billionaires List.

3/ Netherlands

Expat Entrepreneur Score: 7.47/10

With the highest workforce participation rate (57.71%) of the top five and a solid 95.7% survival rate, the Netherlands provides a stable, well-connected economy for new startups. 

Its strong digital infrastructure and quality of life help explain why it consistently ranks as one of Europe’s best places for expat entrepreneurs.

4/ Switzerland

Expat Entrepreneur Score: 7.37/10

Switzerland combines high productivity with access to capital. While its survival rate is lower at 82%, it has substantial VC investment (US$879.5 million) and many successful business people.

Despite being a smaller market, Switzerland’s financial strength and business-friendly regulations make it a strong option for expat entrepreneurs.

5/ Cyprus

Expat Entrepreneur Score: 6.77/10

Cyprus punches above its weight for new business creation, with a high new business density (12.79) and a solid survival rate (87.8%). However, its venture capital investment is low (US$500,000), suggesting that gaining funding here is harder.

Cyprus is a rising startup destination, especially appealing to digital nomads and small business founders seeking a Mediterranean base with EU access.

The top 10 best countries for expat entrepreneurs in Europe

Looking beyond Europe?

Explore the best countries to start a business worldwide

Top countries by entrepreneurial performance indicators

Some countries may not rank top overall but excel in areas that matter to entrepreneurs. Below, we highlight which European countries lead across key business categories— from startup density and survival rates to investment, infrastructure and workforce strength.

Let’s look at the top performers in each category…

Estonia has the highest new business density

New business density in Estonia: 24.32

The new business density is the number of new businesses per 1,000 of the working population. Estonia leads with 24.32, around 6 more businesses than second-placed Luxembourg (18.90) and the UK (18.62).

Sweden has the highest one-year survival rate for new businesses

One-year survival rate for new businesses in Sweden: 97.10%

The best country for entrepreneurship overall also has the highest survival rate for new businesses, with almost all new businesses surviving their first year (97.1%). Two other countries have a one-year survival rate over 95%, and these are the Netherlands and Hungary.

The way we think about health in the workplace is changing

We take a look at the future of workplace well-being

Luxembourg has the most coworking spaces per 100,000 people

Number of coworking spaces per 100,000 people in Luxembourg: 10.5

While it may be one of the smallest countries in Europe, Luxembourg leads the continent in coworking spaces per capita, with 10.5 coworking spaces per 100,000 people. This far exceeds that of much larger nations, highlighting the country’s commitment to innovation, flexibility, and startup growth.

Hungary has the highest percentage of its population in the workforce

Percentage of population in the workforce in Hungary: 88.61%

Almost 9 in every 10 (88.61%) Hungarian people are considered to be in the workforce, the highest among all countries studied. Iceland, with nearly two-thirds (62.22%) of the population in the workforce, is in second place, and the Netherlands, with almost 3 in 5 (57.71%), is in third place.

Expanding a business internationally can seem daunting

Find out how an Employer Of Record (EOR) could help

The UK has the most venture capital investment

Venture capital investment in the UK: £3.15 billion

In the modern world, technology is one of the most valuable and competitive industries, and startups in this field are thriving. In Europe, the UK has by far the most venture capital investment at £3.15 billion (US$4.2 billion), far more than second-placed Germany at £1.35 billion (US$1.8 billion) and third-placed France at £1.05 billion (US$1.4 billion).

Germany has the most people on the Forbes Rich List

Number of business owners on the Forbes Rich List in Germany: 121

Germany has produced the highest number of billionaires in Europe, with 121 people on the Forbes Rich List. Klaus-Michael Kühne, honorary chairman of the international transport company Kühne + Nagel, is the richest of these. Italy, with 74 people on the list, is in second place, and the UK is in third, with 55 people on the list.

The number of digital nomads has tripled to around 35 million

Are digital nomads becoming unpopular around the world?

International benefits tailor-made for international employers

There has never been a better time to start a new business abroad. With William Russell you will always receive personal service from our dedicated account management team – we don’t have impersonal call centres, so you and your employees will get straight through to a human being who understands your policy.

We provide international employee benefits for groups of 3-9 employees, 10-39 employees and 40+ employees. Our range of health and protection plans are designed exclusively for expats and international businesses. Gain a competitive advantage with the right insurance benefits package for your employee relocation. Get in touch to find out more.

The post Starting A Business In Europe: The Best Countries For Expat Entrepreneurs appeared first on William Russell.

If you’re dreaming of expat life in 2025, it’s essential to understand how much your new lifestyle might actually cost. So, where does expat life cost the most—and where can your money go further?

What makes a country expensive for expats?

The cost of living can vary dramatically from one destination to another and what seems like a dream move could become a budgeting nightmare if you’re not prepared. From sky-high rent and restaurant bills to unexpected utility costs, your money might not stretch as far as it did back home.

So where are the world’s most expensive countries for expats in 2025—and where can you live well for less? We’ve analysed living expenses in countries around the world to uncover where expats are likely to spend the most—or save the most—in 2025. Our ranking takes into account a range of everyday expenses, including public transport, fuel, internet and utility bills, eating out, and gym memberships.

Understanding these differences can help you plan your relocation more realistically. And remember—if you’re planning to move abroad, don’t forget about income protection insurance. For expats living abroad, it ensures financial security while navigating an unfamiliar country where support systems may be limited or hard to access.

What is income protection insurance and how can it support you?

Our full guide covers everything you need to know

What is the most expensive country for expats?

Switzerland is the most expensive country for expats

1/ Switzerland

Expat Expenditure Score: 9.29/10

Switzerland has the highest cost of living, scoring 9.29 out of 10. The central European nation has the highest average price of a gym membership at £65.74/US$87.40 a month, and the most expensive cinema tickets at £18.15/US$24.13 per ticket on average. It also places second for average public transport tickets (£3.08/US$4.10) and restaurant meals (£99.84/US$132.74).

2/ Iceland

Expat Expenditure Score: 8.48/10

Iceland takes second place for four of the factors we examined. The Nordic nation has the most expensive public transport at £3.77/US$5.01 and petrol costs at £1.84/US$2.44 per litre. It also has the most costly monthly internet bills (£60.44/US$80.36) and eating out costs, at £103/US$136.95 on average for two people. However, it has some of the cheapest utility bills on the list, at £64.31/US$85.50 a month, on average.

3/ Norway

Expat Expenditure Score: 7.72/10

Norway rounds out the top three. The Scandinavian nation ranks in the top third for most of the factors we looked at. However, it has the third-highest public transport costs, at £3.00/US$3.99 for a one-way ticket. The country also ranks in the top five for the price of a restaurant meal, £71.47/US$95.02, and average monthly internet costs around £44.24/US$58.82.

It’s no secret that the UK is suffering a cost of living crisis

We compare the cost of living in the UK vs abroad

Which is the cheapest country for expats?

Mexico is the cheapest country for expats

1/ Mexico

Expat Expenditure Score: 0.67/10

Mexico is the least expensive country in terms of the cost of living, with an overall score of 0.67 out of 10. The North American nation has the cheapest average utility bills and the cheapest gym membership on the list at £46.06/US$61.24 and £25.21/US$33.52 respectively.

2/ Lithuania

Expat Expenditure Score: 2.23/10

Lithuania, in the Baltic region of Europe, is next. The country has the cheapest average internet bill, at £11.64/US$15.47 per month. It also ranks in the top five for public transport costs, at £0.85/US$1.13 for a one-way ticket, giving it an overall score of 2.23 out of 10.

2/ Poland

Expat Expenditure Score: 2.23/10

Lithuania’s neighbour, Poland, is in joint-second place. The country has the second-cheapest cinema tickets, at £5.77/US$7.67 and monthly internet costs at £12.26/US$16.43, and ranks third for its gym membership prices at £27.71/US$36.84 per month.

The most expensive countries for…

Public transport

Iceland – £3.77 for a one-way ticket

When you move abroad, familiarising yourself with your new home is essential, and public transport is the most cost-effective and convenient way to explore your surroundings.

However, if you’re considering relocating to Iceland, it has the most expensive public transport at £3.77/US$5.01 for a one-way ticket on average.

It’s important to think about the quality of healthcare

Discover the countries with the best healthcare in the world

Petrol

Iceland – £1.84 per litre

If you rely on a car to get you around, petrol prices can be a huge factor in your cost of living expenses. Due to its high fuel tax rates, Iceland has the most expensive average petrol prices, at £1.84/US$2.44 per litre.

Utility bills

Austria – £282.19 a month

Necessities like water and electricity are essential for living comfortably. However, utility bills can vary from country to country. Austria has the highest utility bills on the list, averaging £282.19/US$375.19 a month, thanks to increasing infrastructure maintenance costs being passed on to customers.

Life expectancies can differ greatly from country to country

We look at the best countries for living a long and healthy life

Internet bills

Iceland – £60.44 a month

Staying connected with your family and friends back home through video calls and social media can help stop you from feeling homesick as an expat. Due to the lack of competition from internet providers in a country as small as Iceland, it has the most expensive average internet bills, at £60.44/US$80.36 a month.

Gym membership

Switzerland- £65.74 a month

Going to the gym as an expat won’t just keep you healthy. It lets you socialise with locals and other expats, make new friends, and improve your language skills. However, this is a bit more difficult in Switzerland, as it has the highest gym membership fees at £65.74/US$87.40 a month on average.

What can you do if you’re feeling lonely abroad?

Discover 10 ways to beat expat and digital nomad loneliness

Cinema tickets

Switzerland- £18.15

Watching local films or even dubbed international releases can help sharpen your language skills in a fun and immersive way. For those considering a move to Switzerland, the cost of this activity is the highest average cinema ticket price, at £18.15/US$24.13.

Restaurants

Iceland – £103

Visiting restaurants allows you to explore the local cuisine and experience the local culture in your chosen country. However, the average restaurant bill in Iceland will set you back £103/US$136.95 for two people. This is due to the country’s reliance on food imports, which pushes prices up. 

We all know the importance of eating healthily

We explore some of the healthiest diets in the world

Which country spends the highest proportion of its income on the cost of living?

Estonia spends the most on the cost of living

1/ Estonia

14.7% of monthly income spent on the cost of living

Estonia takes the top spot as the country spending the most on the cost of living. Estonians spend around a sixth (14.7%) of their monthly income on essentials. The highest cost is utility bills, averaging £229.95/US$305.74 a month, nearly a tenth (9.4%) of the average monthly income.

2/ Greece

13.9% of monthly income spent on the cost of living

Greece takes second place, with an average income of £1,975/US$2,520 a month, £274.50/US$364.97 of which is spent on the cost of living, or nearly one-sixth (13.9%). The cost of living is so high in Greece due to a sharp increase in inflation caused by rising food and energy prices. From January to July 2024, food prices in Greece rose by 3.9%, 0.6% higher than the EU average.

3/ Slovak Republic

13.6% of monthly income spent on the cost of living

Next is the Slovak Republic, where the average resident spends a seventh (13.6%) of their income on the cost of living. High inflation rates and a lack of real wage growth in recent years have contributed to the country’s high cost of living.

It’s important to look after your health, safety and well-being abroad

We look at how you can protect your life and well-being as an expat

Protect your income, protect your lifestyle

Life abroad can be full of opportunity—but it can also be unpredictable, especially when the cost of living is high. Whether you’re relocating for work or chasing a new adventure, it’s important to safeguard the income that supports your lifestyle.

At William Russell, we’ve spent over 30 years supporting expats around the world with tailored international insurance solutions. Our international income protection insurance gives you a financial safety net if illness or injury stops you from working—so you can keep up with your living costs—wherever life takes you. Speak to our award-winning team today to find out how we can help.

The post The Cost Of Living Abroad In 2025: Most And Least Expensive Countries For Expats appeared first on William Russell.

Introduction

We’re pleased to share with you the changes we’re making to health insurance policies in the UAE starting or renewing on 01 June 2025.

We continually monitor and update our products to ensure they both comply with regulations and continue to offer fair value to our members.

Key changes include:

• Changes to the optional dental benefit
• New excess options for individuals and businesses
• Increase of maximum age for dependent children in line with the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) mandate
• Continuation of the 16% lifetime discount for new individual policies

These changes take effect for all existing members with a renewal date of 01 June 2025 or later, and all new members purchasing a health insurance policy with a start date of 01 June 2025 or later. Please note these changes do not apply to members residing outside the UAE.

General changes

Maximum age increase for eligible dependents

The age for eligible child dependents has been increased from 18 to 24 years old; provided the child is unmarried (as per updated guidance from the DHA).

Once a child turns 25, they need to set up their own policy. We cannot continue their cover under their parent’s policy.

If children on the policy are in full-time education, cheaper premiums may apply (we will require proof of the child being in full-time education).

We’re continuing the 16% lifetime discount for new individual and family policies

We’re continuing the 16% lifetime discount for all individuals and families purchasing a new health insurance policy. All quotes we issue automatically include this discount.

Benefit changes

New dental benefit

The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) recently mandated all health insurance plans offer a minimum level of dental benefit.

From 01 June 2025, all our health plans will provide DHA-mandated dental benefits as standard. Increased levels of cover are available with our Dental Basic and Dental Plus options:

*A 12-month waiting period applies to these benefits.

Dental benefit for individuals

From 01 June 2025, the below, the below dental benefits apply to individual health plans:

Notes on dental cover for individuals

• All dental treatment must be carried out by a dentist in a hospital emergency room or dental surgery.
• Emergency restorative outpatient treatment required to treat or replace sound and natural teeth which are lost or damaged following an accident must be received within 72 hours of the accident.
• A 12-month waiting period applies to dental repair, full/partial dentures, dental bridges, crowns/inlays/onlays and dental implants on Dental Plus.
• Dental Basic is an optional benefit on the Silver plan. It is included as standard on the Gold plan.
• Dental Plus is an optional benefit on Silver and Gold plans.

Dental benefit for businesses

From 01 June 2025, the below, the below dental benefits apply to all flex plans:

From 01 June 2025, the below, the below dental benefits apply to business health plans:

Notes on dental cover for businesses

• All dental treatment must be carried out by a dentist in a hospital emergency room or dental surgery.
• Treatment for damaged crowns, dentures, bridge work or false teeth is only covered under the Dental Plus benefit.
• We only cover orthodontic consultations for children under 18 if your employer has selected Dental Plus including orthodontics.
• A 12-month waiting period applies to dental repair, full/partial dentures, dental bridges, crowns/inlays/onlays and dental implants on Dental Plus.
• A 50% co-insurance and 12-month waiting period applies to orthodontic treatment for children under the age of 18.

We will give current individual and group members the option to choose the level of cover available most similar to their current cover or amend to what best suits their needs.

Excesses and deductibles

We’ve listened to member feedback and we are simplifying the excess options available on our health plans. The excesses we now offer are:

Excess options for individuals

• Nil
• 20% co-pay on all outpatient services (including pharmacy)
• 20% consultation co-pay with a maximum of AED100 per visit

Excess options on businesses

• Nil*
• 10% co-pay on all outpatient services (including pharmacy)*
• 20% co-pay on all outpatient services (including pharmacy)
• 10% consultation co-pay with a maximum of AED50 per visit*
• 20% consultation co-pay with a maximum of AED100 per visit*

*Not available on Flex 1 plan.

Some members may see the name of the excess on their policy change. Please speak to us if you’d like more information.

Pricing

Overview

We’re investing in a long-term pricing model for our health insurance premiums. We aim to create simpler pricing levers and offer fairer, more accurate premiums for our members in Dubai.

Although medical inflation in Dubai stands at 11.5%, we’ve only raised our premiums by 6%. Combined with our 16% lifetime discount for individuals—which we’ve extended for another year—this lower average premium increase makes our pricing highly competitive.

We’re also increasing discounts on larger FMU group policies.

A reminder: the average premium inflation is an average. It doesn’t take into account age-related increases and, while some members will experience premium inflation, others will experience negative premium inflation.

Changes to terms & conditions

There have been no changes to the terms & conditions on health plans in the UAE.

For full details please refer to the relevant plan agreement.

Life insurance in the UAE

We’re exploring the launch of a new protection product in the UAE as part of our ongoing product development. We’re doing this to better meet the evolving needs of our members and provide even more tailored options for international living.

In the meantime, there are no changes to our life product in the UAE — but if you’d like to learn more about what we offer, speak to our Business Development Team today.

The post Changes We’re Making To Our Health Insurance Policies In The UAE Starting Or Renewing On 01 June 2025 appeared first on William Russell.

Perhaps one of the most important benefits we offer is dentistry. That’s because, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 50% of people in the world suffer from oral diseases, and these numbers are on the rise – especially in low- and middle-income countries.

Oral diseases such as tooth decay and gum disease are set to pose a massive health concern in the future. Not only can they affect your quality of life and well-being, they have also been linked to other diseases in the heart, brain and lungs. Yet despite this concern, 39% of people in the UK admit to not going to the dentist regularly.

Accessing dentistry services in a foreign country can be both difficult and expensive. That’s why it’s important to think about choosing a health insurance package that offers dentistry too. Let’s go over some of the benefits of adding dental health insurance to your international health insurance policy.

Dental health benefits: what’s included?

As a William Russell member with international health insurance, your plan will always provide cover for emergency dental restorative treatment that you receive in a hospital (e.g. if you break your teeth in a road traffic accident and require hospitalisation). 

If you have chosen a Silver or Gold plan, you will also be covered for dental treatment following an accident that doesn’t require hospitalisation (e.g., if you break your teeth and later have them repaired at a dentist’s surgery).

You also have the option to add additional dental benefits to your plan, covering you for a wide variety of dental treatments.

Want to add dental cover to your existing policy?

Speak to our award-winning customer service team today

We offer two optional benefits plans, Dental Basic and Dental Plus.

Dental Basic is included as standard on all Gold plans, and is an optional extra for SilverLite and Silver plans. Dental Plus is an optional extra for Gold and Silver plans.

Our dental insurance benefits include cover for a variety of dentistry treatments administered at a private practice, including:

• Bridges
• Crowns
• Fillings
• Root canals
• Scaling and polishing
• Extractions
• Dentures*

Our optional dental benefits are not separate policies. Rather, they can be included alongside your international health insurance policy. That means you can make a claim for any dental treatments covered by your benefit through your health insurance policy.

*Some procedures are only included with Dental Plus. Click here to compare policy options.

Want to find out more about dental insurance benefits?

Learn more about dental benefits from William Russell

5 reasons to add dental benefits to your health insurance

Dental insurance can benefit your life and well-being in many ways. Here are five of the best reasons to consider choosing dental benefits:

1/ Dental health is slowly getting worse

Do you brush your teeth twice a day and floss regularly? It seems that oral health is generally declining around the world. Right now, nearly half the world’s population is suffering from some form of oral disability, including 34% living with tooth decay.

There are many causes for the declining standards of oral health. Chief among them seems to be the increasing amount of sugar in our diets, which is largely found in processed foods, fizzy drinks and alcohol. The Oral Health Foundation in the UK found that 79% of people in Britain eat sugary foods at least three times a day, with 45% also regularly drinking sugary drinks, including tea, coffee, alcohol and carbonated beverages.

Another cause of poor oral health is smoking, and while the number of adult smokers worldwide has dropped significantly in recent years, around 1 in 5 – or 1.25 billion people globally – still use tobacco products regularly.

Another thing to consider is exposure to fluoride. Fluoride helps prevent your teeth from decaying by protecting and remineralising enamel, killing bacteria and stopping plaque from producing acid. Many communities around the world add fluoride to tap water to ensure people are regularly exposed to this helpful mineral. But, if you live in an area that does not add fluoride to tap water, you may need to supplement your fluoride intake in other ways, such as with dissolvable tablets.

All this being said, it’s easy to see why the quality of oral health seems to be declining around the world – and why it’s important for us all to take steps to help ourselves. Having access to the best quality dentistry, no matter where you move in the world, is one way to ensure you can mitigate the risk of oral health conditions. Your dentist will not only treat the symptoms of tooth decay, they’ll help you to take preventative action to protect your teeth too.

2/ The cost of dentistry is skyrocketing

With the cost of living crisis stretching household budgets around the world, and with the cost of healthcare going up generally, it’s more important than ever to ensure you can afford healthcare as and when you need it – and this includes dentistry too.

Research in the UK found that the cost of dentistry has increased between 14–32% over the last two years, with all types of procedures now much more expensive. Even the cost of a routine consultation has jumped 23% from £65/US$80 to £80/US$100.

And based on current trends, it’s likely the cost of dentistry will continue to become more and more expensive. With dentists investing heavily in new technology, an increasing need for specialised treatment, and escalating overheads brought on by the cost of living crisis, your dentist is likely to charge even more in the near future.

That could make the cost of dentistry unaffordable for you and your family, pushing you towards lower-quality treatment or even causing you to avoid going to the dentist altogether.

Choosing dental insurance benefits can help to protect your budget while also ensuring you’ll always have access to high-quality dentistry. Employers can also support their teams’ dental wellbeing by offering group health insurance, which can include dental cover.

Worried about the cost of international health insurance?

Find out how to budget your health insurance when living abroad

3/ Dental emergencies can happen anytime, anywhere

Whether it’s a dental abscess, an infection, gum bleeding or a toothache, you’ll know when a dental emergency strikes – the pain is enough to keep Britons off work for a combined 23 million working days a year, with 10% saying they have had to take a whole week off due to toothache.

In fact, according to the British Medical Journal, one in every 140 medical emergencies is for a dental problem, making them one of the most common causes of acute pain.

Experiencing a dental emergency can be even more concerning if you are living and working in a foreign country. You may not be able to find a dentist who can provide the treatment you need, and you may be liable to pay huge costs if you require an emergency appointment. Even if you are seen, you may then encounter long waiting lists before you are able to receive the necessary treatment.

While your international health insurance policy always provides cover for restorative treatment received in a hospital, our optional dental benefits ensure you’ll be able to cover the cost of non-restorative emergency dental surgery too. With the option of worldwide coverage, you can even be sure that you’ll be able to visit a dentist for an emergency appointment when you’re travelling abroad.

All William Russell plans come with medical evacuation as standard

Learn more about emergency medical evacuation insurance here

4/ Our dentistry needs are becoming more complex

Not only is the population of earth still growing, many of us are now living longer into our old age. The global life expectancy is now around 73 years, and is expected to increase another five years by 2050.

With so many aging people in the world, dentists are finding themselves under pressure to meet the more complex needs of older people. For instance, around 19% of us now wear dentures – that’s almost 1.6 billion people on earth. Older people are also more likely to experience tooth decay and gum disease.

Furthermore, more people than ever are developing long-term conditions associated with aging. Arthritis, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease, for example, can make it harder for older people to care for their teeth and visit their dentist.

Thankfully, dental technology is evolving to meet the ever-growing needs of an older population. Artificial intelligence, 3D printing, teledentistry and advanced laser treatments are just some of the innovations on the horizon. But these technologies require dentists to invest considerable amounts of their time for advanced training, to adapt to new regulatory frameworks, and of course huge financial sums too.

As such, it’s likely that you will start to notice waiting lists growing longer at your local dentist’s surgery, not to mention increasing fees. Choosing dental insurance benefits today can therefore help to ensure you won’t be impacted by these trends – that you can continue to access dental services when you need them, and that the cost of your dentistry can continue to be covered by your health insurance policy. 

This may become especially important as you grow older, and your own dental needs start to become more complex and more frequent.

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5/ Dental cover gives you flexibility

One of the reasons many of us put off going to the dentist is that we simply forget. Scheduling regular dentists appointments into our busy schedules can be difficult, especially for expats living abroad. In the UK, 15% of people admit they only go to the dentist for ‘occasional’ check-ups, while 18% say they only go when they have an immediate need, such as toothache.

If a lack of flexibility is stopping you from visiting your dentist more often, dental insurance benefits help to ensure you will always be able to access dentistry services as and when you need them.

At William Russell, our dental insurance gives you an annual benefit that you can spend on a range of treatments, such as regular check-ups, routine cleaning, dental screenings, and dental procedures such as fillings, extractions and root canal treatments. If you choose our Dental Plus plan, you will also be able to use your budget towards new dentures, dental implants, crowns and dental bridges.

Your dental benefits entitle you to choose any dentist within your coverage zone. You can also opt for a private dentist, ensuring you won’t be subject to long waiting lists. Even in some parts of the UK, the average waiting time to see a public dentist can be as high as four years.

With so much flexibility in your policy, you’ll find it easy to visit your dentist more regularly and get the treatment you need – even when you are living abroad.

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Make sure you’re getting the most out of your dental benefits

Despite rising costs and an ever increasing number of patients with oral health problems, William Russell data shows that our members around the world are actually using their dental benefits less.

Since 2020, the percentage of claims we’ve processed related to dentistry has dropped from just 2% to 1%.

As a William Russell member, you may not realise you are entitled to claim against dental expenses if you have added dental benefits to your policy. Be sure to check your policy wording or contact our award-winning customer service team if you’re not sure.

And remember, with our dental insurance benefits, you are free to visit any dentist at any time and file a claim with us after the work has been completed. So long as the type of procedure is covered by your plan, and your claim is within your annual benefit cash limit, we’ll cover the cost of any dentistry work you’ve had done. All you have to do is fill in our claims form and submit it to us.

This is an especially important time for dental health around the world, with more people than ever suffering from tooth decay and gum disease. Make sure you’re taking care of your oral health by making the most of your dental health insurance benefits from William Russell.

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Dental health insurance, tailor-made for expats

At William Russell, we have over 30 years’ experience providing international health insurance to expats like you.

Our optional dental health insurance benefits give you access to the highest-quality dental care around the world, covering both the costs of regular check-ups and many common procedures. With the option of Dental Basic and Dental Plus plans, you are free to choose a policy that suits your needs and your budget.

Find out more about our dental health insurance benefits, available with our international health insurance policies, and get a quote online in under two minutes.

The post 5 Reasons To Add Dental Benefits To Your International Health Insurance appeared first on William Russell.

It’s important to know that while there are many benefits to dual citizenship, there are also a number of challenges you might face. In this guide, we’ll run through some of the most common questions people ask about dual citizenship – including how it might affect your entitlement to healthcare and health insurance.

Everything you need to know about duel citizenship

Obtaining dual citizenship can be tricky. You can only become a dual citizen of two countries that both agree to allow you to do this.

However, it’s more common than you might think in an increasingly globalised world – for instance, 1,236,000 people in the UK hold dual citizenship (around 2% of the country, or 1 in 50 people).

If you’re an expat who has been living and working abroad for a while, you may be thinking about applying for dual citizenship. Likewise, you may be thinking about dual citizenship if you’re marrying a foreign citizen, if you’ve had a child abroad, or if you’re purchasing property.

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What is dual citizenship and how does it work?

Dual citizenship, also known as multiple citizenship, dual nationality or second citizenship, is when a person holds the legal status of ‘citizen’ in two or more countries. This means the person is:

• Considered a full citizen under the laws of those countries
• Entitled to all the rights of a citizen in all countries, including the right to hold a passport, the right to work, to own property, to vote and the right to consular support
• Also potentially subject to the obligations of citizenship in those countries, including the obligation to pay taxes or to take part in national service

Dual citizenship has a long and complicated history. The Bancroft Treaties signed by the United States and European countries between 1868 to 1937 made it law that a citizen of one country who settles in another must give up their previous citizenship, so by the mid-20th century it was extremely rare to find countries that allowed dual citizenship.

However, as global travel became easier and as legal challenges against citizenship laws started to mount up, many countries warmed to the concept. In 1948, the British Nationality Act permitted dual citizenship in the UK, followed by the Canadian Citizenship Act of 1976.

The Bancroft Treaties collapsed throughout the 1990s, which made it possible for European countries and the US to follow suit. Even today, countries are still updating their citizenship laws to allow dual citizenship – for instance, Germany only started allowing dual citizenship in June 2024.

That said, not every country allows dual citizenship, and in order to become a dual citizen both countries must allow dual citizenship under their own laws. Around 49% of countries in the world allow dual citizenship. However, there may be certain restrictions and barriers, even within those countries.

Rules and eligibility criteria for dual citizenship can vary significantly between countries. It’s important to do your research and always check the specific laws and requirements of both your current nationality and the country where you’re seeking citizenship.

Are you thinking about moving abroad?

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Which countries allow dual citizenship?

Many countries allow dual citizenship, although some countries impose restrictions on who can obtain citizenship and which countries they can combine citizenship with.

The following list contains the 71 countries that recognise and allow full, unrestricted dual citizenship with all other countries in most cases.

*Except with South Sudan

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Which countries don’t allow dual citizenship?

Any country not mentioned above will either not allow dual citizenship or considers it a legal grey area (meaning dual citizenship may technically be possible, but could lead to problems).

The countries that explicitly do not allow dual citizenship are:

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How can I obtain dual citizenship?

In order to obtain dual citizenship, you will first need to meet the citizenship criteria of another country. There are a number of channels by which you can become the citizen of a second country, which include:

Dual citizenship by naturalisation

Naturalisation occurs when you are considered eligible to apply, or automatically enrol for citizenship in another country. It means you have ‘naturalised’ into that country’s society and economy and can legally be considered a part of that country.

Naturalisation typically occurs once you have lived in another country for a certain number of years. Most countries will state a minimum number of years that you must live in that country continuously in order to be eligible for citizenship.

Naturalisation is not always an automatic process. Even after residing in a foreign country for some time, you may still need to complete certain tasks in order to be considered for citizenship.

For instance, in the UK, you must:

• Have lived in the UK for five years or more, or have EU settled status
• Pass the Life in the UK test, which tests your knowledge of the history and political structure of the UK
• Pass an English language test
• Be able to prove you are “of good character”
• Submit your biometric information
• Pay the application fee of £1,630

You can then apply for citizenship at the Home Office. If successful, you will undergo a citizenship ceremony which includes swearing an oath of allegiance to the United Kingdom.

Assuming your country of origin and new home country both allow dual citizenship, you will either:

1. Not have to give up your original citizenship in order to become a citizen of your new home country, or
2. Be able to apply for dual citizenship status through either one, or both government channels of those countries

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Dual citizenship by marriage

Some countries will allow you to become a citizen through marriage. In certain countries, marriage grants you automatic citizenship. However, each country is free to determine the eligibility of individuals who marry, and may impose certain restrictions. 

For instance, you may need to reside in your spouse’s country for a certain period of time, or you may need to undergo a citizenship test. Some countries may also strip you of your citizenship if the marriage ends. The rules for each country may be different for men and women, and certain countries may not recognise homosexual marriages as eligible for granting citizenship.

Assuming both your country of origin and new home country allow dual citizenship, and if you fulfil all of the necessary criteria for citizenship, you should be able to enjoy dual citizenship.

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Dual citizenship by ancestry

Countries will determine the right of newborn children to inherit citizenship based on two principles. The first is jus sanguinis, the right of blood; the second is jus soli, the right of soil. Some countries may observe just one principle, while others may observe both:

• Jus sanguinis means that you can be considered a citizen of a country so long as you are ethnically part of, or descended from that country. For instance, if one or both of your parents is a native citizen, or if you are able to prove descent through historic birth records. This means you can apply for citizenship, even if you were born abroad. Countries that observe jus sanguinis include China, India, Japan, South Korea, the US, Canada and most European countries.
• Jus soli means that you will automatically be considered a citizen of the country you were born in. Jus soli may not apply automatically if you were born to non-citizen parents, and you may need to apply later in life after having grown up in that country. Countries that observe jus soli without restriction include Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil and Pakistan.

Some countries may allow retrospective applications for citizenship based on these principles. For instance, if you were born in the UK to Irish parents and have British citizenship, you can apply for dual Irish citizenship. Likewise, if you were born in the UK to Irish parents and given Irish citizenship, you will later be eligible to apply for dual British citizenship.

In any case, you will need to be aware of the exact laws governing birthright citizenship in the country or countries you wish to apply for citizenship for.

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Dual citizenship by property purchase

Some countries offer citizenship to those who purchase property in that country, also known as ‘citizenship by investment’. Countries that are open to this policy include Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Malta, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Türkiye and the UAE (in some cases).

The exact rules will vary by country, and the route to obtaining citizenship through property purchase is not always straightforward. Most countries will also specify a minimum property value that you must complete a purchase on.

For instance, to gain Maltese citizenship through property purchase you must:

• Be over 18
• Hold a valid residence card
• Be in good health
• Purchase a residential property worth at least €600,000 if you have lived in Malta for 36 months, or €750,000 if you have lived in Malta for 12 months
• Hold the property for at least five years
• Donate €10,000 to an organisation approved by the Community Malta Agency

Some countries offer property purchase as a gateway to citizenship. Non-EU citizens can purchase property in Greece, for example, which offers permanent residency and, after seven years, opens the doors for them to become full citizens.

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If I have dual citizenship, which passport should I use?

Obtaining dual citizenship may allow you to visit countries that your previous passport did not allow you to enter, or to visit countries visa-free. So long as at least one of your passports allows you to enter or exit a territory, this is the passport you should use when travelling to that country. You must ensure you use only one passport for the entire duration of each trip, especially if you will be crossing multiple borders.

When entering or exiting a country that you hold a passport in, you must usually use that country’s passport at immigration control. This means you may need to travel with two or more passports. 

For instance, if you have dual US and British citizenship, and you are travelling from the US to the UK, you will need to show your US passport to leave the US, then show your UK passport to enter the UK – but you may need to show proof of your US exit stamp when arriving in the UK.

If you are unsure which passport to use, it’s best to contact the embassy or consulate of the country or countries you will be visiting.

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How does dual citizenship affect my international health insurance?

While we cannot speak for other health insurance providers, as a William Russell member you will find that your dual citizenship offers you an additional level of flexibility.

Ordinarily, we are only able to provide international health insurance if you are living in a foreign country. We’ve emphasised those words because if you are living in a country where you hold citizenship, we would usually not be able to offer you international health insurance.

However, as a dual citizen, we are able to class you as an expat even if you are living in one of the countries you hold citizenship. This is because we will use your other nationality as your main one for insurance purposes.

So, for instance, if you have dual British and French citizenship and are living in France, we can classify you as a British citizen living abroad, rather than as a French citizen living at home.

This may make it easier for you, as you will not need to switch to local health insurance or rely on state healthcare, and can continue to access the benefits of your William Russell insurance policy.

This rule also counts if you already have an international health insurance policy and are applying for dual citizenship in the country you are living. After your dual nationality is granted, we will continue to classify you as a citizen of your original country for insurance purposes.

If you are a dual national and planning to move to a country where you hold citizenship, you should alert us before you move, as we may need to change the main nationality on your policy. Please note this may affect the cost of your premiums and, if you do not inform us, may also affect your ability to make a claim.

If in doubt, speak to our award-winning customer service team today. They’ll be happy to take you through your policy options.

International health insurance, tailor-made for expats

At William Russell, we have over 30 years’ experience providing international health insurance to expats like you. Our flexible policies give you access to the highest-quality healthcare all over the world, with optional extras to suit your needs and medical evacuation insurance included as standard.

Find out more about our international health insurance policies and get a quote online in under two minutes.

The post Dual Citizenship: Everything You Need To Know As An Expat appeared first on William Russell.

The appeal of living in the countryside is obvious. You’ll enjoy living in plenty of space, perhaps in a larger house with your own garden or plot of land, with ample opportunities for adventure on your doorstep.

However, pastoral living also has its downsides, and one of these is that you may find it harder to access high-quality healthcare. With less access to medical facilities, including emergency support, it’s important to understand your options when moving to a new country, and to have a plan for accessing healthcare if and when you need it.

What challenges do rural hospitals face?

Hospitals in rural and remote areas face a number of challenges that their urban counterparts do not. It’s important to be aware of these challenges, as they may affect your ability to access healthcare when you move abroad. Some of the challenges faced by rural hospitals include:

Smaller hospitals

Research from around the world shows that, while the numbers of hospitals are relatively similar in both urban and rural areas around the world, rural hospitals tend to be just one-third the size of those in cities.

Poorer resources

Urban hospitals tend to be much better equipped than rural hospitals. In India, for instance, 69% of the country’s hospital beds are found in urban hospitals, while in Brazil essential medical technology such as MRI machines are much more highly concentrated in cities, leaving some rural areas without any machines of their own.

Fewer staff

Another challenge faced by rural hospitals is attracting highly-qualified staff. Top healthcare professionals tend to flock to cities, where higher patient volumes and closer proximity to medical schools can help to enhance their careers. This can leave hospitals in rural areas under-stocked or even devoid of certain specialists. In the UK, for instance, rural hospitals have a hard time attracting GPs.

Longer travel times

Patients in rural areas also find it much harder to get to their nearest hospitals. In the USA, rural dwellers live an average of 10.5 miles from their nearest hospitals, while city dwellers usually live within just 4.4 miles. This means urban citizens also have a greater range of options when it comes to choosing a hospital. It also adds additional costs to those living in rural areas, who must pay more for transport to their nearest facilities.

Generally older populations

Another challenge faced by rural hospitals is that they tend to serve a much older population. For instance, in Spain, 11% of people in rural areas are aged 80 and above, compared to just 5% in urban areas. Since older people are more likely to present at hospital, rural hospitals may actually end up experiencing a higher workload.

Poor digital infrastructure

Finally, rural hospitals may face challenges when it comes to aligning themselves with technological standards. They may lack telecommunications infrastructure, or find it hard to employ technology experts, which make it difficult for them to offer the latest digital services. You may therefore find that modern conveniences such as video consultations are less common in rural areas.

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The furthest places on Earth from medical facilities

According to research published in Nature, a few regions on Earth are known for being the furthest away from any suitable medical facilities. These particular areas may involve patients travelling over 24 hours to reach their nearest high-quality medical facilities.

Australian Outback

While Australia’s coastal regions are well-stocked with hospitals, those living inland – and particularly the Gibson desert region in the west of the country – may find it incredibly difficult to access hospitals. Southwestern Tasmania is another region that is not well-stocked with hospitals.

Saudi Arabia

While the Saudi Arabian capital of Riyadh has over 100 hospitals, the rest of the country – particularly the region to the south of the Arabian Peninsula – has limited availability of healthcare services. Those living in the desert regions of Jordan, southern Iraq and northern Yemen may encounter similar difficulties. 

Northern Canada and Alaska

The sparsely populated northern regions of Canada contain very few hospitals. Indeed, of the 1,017 hospitals in Canada, only 28 are in Nunavut and 21 are in Northwest Territories. Yukon has just 8 hospitals for the whole region. It’s a similar story in Alaska, where hospitals tend to be found only in the major towns and cities.

Saharan Region

Those who fall sick in the Sahara Desert are in for a long journey to their nearest hospital. The entire region travelling through Western Sahara and Mauritania, via Mali, Algeria, Niger, Libya, Chad, Sudan and Egypt is a black spot for medical facilities.

Amazon Region

The sparsely populated interior of South America is once again a black spot for hospitals. Those living or visiting the Amazon rainforest region, encompassing northwestern Brazil along with parts of Peru, Colombia and Venezuela, may find themselves in need of a plane ride to their nearest hospital.

Himalayan Region

While India and China have over 100,000 hospitals between them, the Himalayan region that separates them is notoriously poorly stocked. This is particularly true in the Chinese region of Tibet, which has just 7 hospitals in 474,000 square miles.

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New Guinea

The island of New Guinea, which includes the Indonesian province of Papua and the country of Papua New Guinea, has some of the lowest numbers of hospitals in the world. Papua New Guinea faces a particular health crisis, whereby despite 80% of its 10 million population living in isolated areas, rural hospitals are closing rapidly, leaving large regions without good access to healthcare.

Sunda Islands

The Greater and Lesser Sunda Islands, which includes regions such as Java, Borneo and Bali, are spread between the countries of Indonesia and Malaysia and also includes the country of Brunei. Many of the Sunda Islands are well stocked with hospitals (with 14 hospitals to itself, Bali is a popular destination for medical tourism) while others may have no hospital at all. The central provinces of Borneo also do not have a hospital.

Patagonia

The wild region of Patagonia, which straddles Argentina and Chile, is notoriously sparsely populated. As such, hospitals can be very hard to come by, particularly in the southernmost regions.

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What to expect from living in a rural area

If you intend to move to an isolated region in a foreign country, you will need to be prepared to face certain complications when it comes to accessing healthcare. These include:

Long journeys to hospitals

Living in a rural region, there’s a strong probability that your nearest hospital will be a considerable journey away from your home. As such, you may not be able to depend on ambulatory care in an emergency, as ambulances may need to travel a considerable distance to reach you. This can have a significant impact in emergency situations, or if you intend to give birth.

If you intend to live alone, you will need to prepare an emergency response protocol for times when you will not be able to transport yourself to hospital. This may include purchasing a panic alarm, which will allow you to summon the emergency services with just the press of a button. You may also wish to consult with your closest neighbours, in case you need to call on them for emergency support or transport to a hospital.

Being prepared to treat yourself

If you will face a long wait for the emergency services, you or your partner should be prepared to administer first aid while you wait. You may wish to attend a first aid course to ensure you know the necessary skills, such as CPR, getting someone into the recovery position, preventing choking, and bandaging a wound.

You should also keep your home well-stocked with medication and first aid equipment. You may want to ask your GP for additional stock of medication, to ensure you’ll never run out. If you have allergies, you should always keep a supply of EPIPENs around the house. If you have diabetes, make sure you keep a good supply of insulin. And if you suffer from asthma, you should always have a spare inhaler close at hand.

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Less access to specialist services

Rural hospitals tend to be less well equipped, both with highly-trained staff and top-of-the-line medical equipment. You may find that your nearest rural hospital lacks certain types of medical specialists, or equipment like CT and MRI scanners.

In these cases, you will need to be prepared to travel further afield for specialist treatment. Depending how far it is to your next-nearest hospital, this may incur significant expenses.

Higher medical expenses

While the cost of treatment tends to be cheaper in rural hospitals, you may find the cost of secondary expenses to be far higher. If you need to take an ambulance over a long distance, or be transported by air, this can add a significant extra cost to your hospital bill. And, if your nearest hospital is too far to travel there and back from in a single day, you may need to pay extra to book a hotel room for the night.

These costs will become apparent if you need to attend a hospital for routine treatments, such as chemotherapy.

More emergency planning

Living in a remote area, you will need to have a strategy in place for if and when you encounter an emergency. This may involve getting in touch with services such as your local air ambulance (if you will need to be airlifted to hospital), mountain rescue and sea transport services (for instance, if you live on an island, or may require emergency sea or river transport).

Before setting off on your new life in a remote region, it’s important to know who you can contact in your region. This is especially true if you will need to register with these services, and you may also be required to make supplementary insurance payments to these services providers.

International insurance tailor-made for expats

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The importance of medical evacuation (medevac) insurance

If you intend to live in a rural or remote area, you may wish to consider taking out international health insurance that includes medical evacuation insurance.

Medical evacuation insurance may be helpful if:

• You will be living on an island, in a jungle or in a desert area without high-tech medical facilities
• You will be living a long way away from your nearest major city
• You will be living in an area that does not have its own advanced medical facilities

Medical evacuation insurance gives you the peace of mind to know that you will always be able to reach a high-quality hospital, wherever you are. This includes transport by land, sea and air, and even transport into other countries, or to your home country.

Medical evacuation insurance with William Russell

At William Russell, all of our international health insurance policies include medical evacuation insurance as standard.

As a William Russell member, we’ll ensure you’re always able to reach your nearest high-quality medical facility or hospital. Depending on your coverage zone, this policy can extend from your own front door to any remote region anywhere in the world – so you can travel freely with total peace of mind.

With William Russell, your medical evacuation insurance covers the cost of your return transport to a hospital via land, sea or air, plus the cost of a friend or family member you wish to travel with you, and accommodation for your travel companion. We will even transport you across national borders, or back to your home country when necessary.

You also have the option to upgrade to our Medevac Plus policy, which offers extended accommodation for your companion, a lower threshold for evacuation, advanced repatriation costs, plus a medical escort to travel with you if you do not travel with a companion.

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Go anywhere with total peace of mind

At William Russell, we have over 30 years’ experience helping expats just like you settle into their new lives overseas.

We offer flexible policies to suit your needs, offering you access to a network of over 40,000 private medical facilities, hospitals and clinics across the globe, and all of our policies include medical evacuation insurance as standard.

Find out more about our international health insurance policies and get a quote online in under two minutes today.

The post Healthcare In Remote Areas: What You Need To Know appeared first on William Russell.

In this guide, we’ve pulled together everything you need to know about taking out international life insurance as a smoker, vaper and ex-smoker.

Life insurance and smoking

Whether you’re an occasional smoker, a heavy smoker, someone who vapes, or someone who smoked in the past, insurance providers will take this into consideration when assessing the risk level of your application. 

The first step when someone dies abroad is obtaining their death certificate.

Do smokers need life insurance?

Smoking increases your risk of developing life-threatening illnesses such as cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and emphysema, and smokers die on average 10 years younger than non-smokers.

Even so, smokers are just as entitled to take out life insurance as non-smokers – however, you should expect to have to pay more for your premiums, since your life insurance provider will consider you a higher risk.

While you may not like to think about the worst-case scenario, having life insurance ensures your family won’t be left struggling financially if something happens to you.

With William Russell, you can insure your life for up to US$2 million. For added peace of mind, you can also include our optional accidental death and permanent disablement cover when setting up your policy. This provides an extra payout of up to US$1mn if your death was the result of an accident, or a lump-sum of up to US$500,00 if you suffer a serious injury resulting in disability—on top of your core life insurance payout

Ultimately, life insurance cover is all about protecting your family and ensuring they’re looked after. For many expats, there’s comfort in knowing that, if the unexpected happens, their loved ones will be cared for.

How do you know if you need international life insurance?

Here’s how life insurance could benefit you and your family

How does smoking impact my policy?

Smoking can have a noticeable impact on both the cost of your premiums and your eligibility for life insurance. Insurance companies see smokers as a higher risk due to the health issues linked to smoking, like heart disease, cancer, and lung problems.

As a result, you might notice your premiums are higher than for non-smokers.

It’s important to be honest in your application for life insurance. You may be tempted not to declare yourself a smoker on your application in order to secure a lower premium, but it’s very likely your insurer will learn about your smoking habits after your death – especially if you pass away from a smoking-related illness. Remember, pathologists and coroners can easily identify smokers from non-smokers during a post-mortem examination.

If you have not declared yourself a smoker but are later found to have smoked, this could invalidate your claim, not only leaving your family without your life insurance benefit, but also putting to waste all the money you’ve paid in premiums up to that point. 

Being upfront about your smoking habits ensures your policy is valid and will protect your loved ones when it matters most.

Want to know more about how international life insurance works?

Check out our step-by-step guide to international life insurance

Still unsure of whether you should take out international life insurance?

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The cost of life insurance for smokers

The exact cost of life insurance for smokers varies depending not only on how often you smoke, but on factors like age, the amount of cover you need, and your general health. 

Someone who smokes a pack a day will likely pay more than someone who only has the occasional cigarette. Similarly, the type of tobacco product you use – whether it’s cigarettes, cigars, or chewing tobacco – can also influence the premium.

On the other hand, a heavy smoker who is young, in good health, and who chooses a lower level of cover will end up paying less than an older non-smoker with declining health and a high level of cover. It all comes down to your overall risk, rather than any individual factors.

Here are some example premium costs for smokers vs non-smokers with international life insurance from William Russell*:

*These are example 2025 premium prices.

How much life insurance do you need?

Find out with our life benefit calculator

Lying about smoking on your life insurance application

When you apply for life insurance, insurers rely on the information you provide to assess your health risks and determine your premiums. 

If you’re a smoker but you claim to be a non-smoker when you apply for a policy, you’re taking a risk that your insurer won’t pay your beneficiaries’ claim if you die during your policy term.

Your insurer will request your medical records in the event of a claim and, if you have smoked, it’s usually quite easy to tell – especially if your smoking had an impact on your death.

Honesty is always the best approach. If you’re a smoker, you’ll still have access to international life insurance policies tailored to your needs. And if you quit smoking, you can explore reduced premiums in the future.

Do you have assets in more than one country?

Here’s how to write your will as an expat living abroad

Wherever you go, go with total peace of mind

At William Russell, we have over 30 years’ experience of providing international life insurance exclusively for expats like you.

Become a member today to enjoy worldwide coverage, giving you total peace of mind wherever you move to live and work.

The post Can You Get Life Insurance If You Smoke? appeared first on William Russell.

For employers, this shift is an opportunity to attract top talent, boost productivity, and inspire loyalty by creating workplaces where people thrive. However, for international employers, the stakes are even higher – supporting employees across borders, navigating diverse health systems and cultural expectations, and the unique pressures of a global workforce all add complexity and costs to the equation.

In this article, we’ll explore the challenges and trends shaping the future of workplace well-being and how international group health insurance can play a vital role in supporting both employers and employees in this evolving landscape.

The challenges of workplace well-being

Workplace well-being programmes are increasingly more common, but many still fall short of delivering real impact. Superficial solutions, mismatched expectations and evolving workforce dynamics highlight the need for a deeper, more meaningful approach to workplace well-being. 

Let’s take a look at some of the key challenges facing workplace well-being today.

Superficial solutions fall short

Too often, corporate well-being programs rely on generic benefits designed to tick a box rather than meet employees’ real needs. These surface-level initiatives may look good on paper but rarely address the complexities of physical, mental, and emotional health in the workplace.

According to research by WellHub, more than half of employees believe their employers fall short when it comes to providing adequate support. On top of this, 83% of employees say they would consider leaving their current employer due to a lack of focus on workplace well-being.

Source: WellHub

Discover the importance of employee benefits

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The disconnect between expectations and reality

Employees today expect more than individual perks – they want complete packages of benefits that provide consistent, meaningful support for both themselves and their families. 

For example, a single mental health day might provide short-term relief, but it may not address the ongoing challenges of stress, burnout, or chronic conditions. Instead they desire employer-funded access to mental health services, such as therapy. Employers must therefore shift from reactive, one-off gestures to proactive, sustained support systems.

This is especially true of younger generations. Gen Z employees are the most actively engaged with caring for their own mental well-being and will expect their employers to care too.

Source: WellHub

The persistent challenge of mental health

Despite growing awareness, meaningful mental health resources often lag behind. Stigma, lack of access to care, and limited organisational focus create barriers for employees seeking help and support. Without robust, ongoing mental health programs, businesses risk losing productivity and morale, and may see higher employee turnover.

As proof of this, WellHub recently found that 79% of employees with access to employee well-being programs actively use them. Yet despite this demand, only 14% of employees have access to fitness support and 11% have access to mindfulness and meditation resources, showing a huge gap between what employees need and what organisations offer. This disparity highlights the need for employers to reassess their well-being strategies and invest in programs that prioritise holistic health.

There are things your employees can do to protect their mental health

Read our top tips for good mental health for expats working abroad

Hybrid and remote working

Since the pandemic, remote and hybrid work has become a widespread phenomenon. So much so, that many employees now expect to have an element of flexibility in their working contracts.

• In 2019, just 4.7% of UK employees worked from home
• In 2022, 25% of UK employees worked from home at least some of the time
• 13% were working from home all of the time in 2022

There’s no doubt that flexible working has been a game-changer, giving employees a better work-life balance and inspiring them to try the digital nomad lifestyle. 

But it does come with challenges. Remote and hybrid setups can lead to isolation and loneliness, blurred work-life boundaries, and an increased risk of burnout. Companies must find ways to maintain connection and well-being in these new working environments, uniting their employees around a single, consistent workplace culture that factors in the growing appetite for remote working.

Global disparities in well-being support

Not every country has the same attitude to mental and physical well-being in the workplace. Cultural, economic, and healthcare differences across regions present unique challenges for global teams. What works in one country may not resonate in another, making it essential to adapt programs to reflect diverse needs while maintaining a consistent standard of care.

Interested in which countries have the best mental health care in the world? We recently analysed 35 countries in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), to find the countries where expats and digital nomad are most likely to enjoy positive mental well-being. Find our mental health rankings here.

Are you looking to implement mental health policies and benefits?

Discover how to support the mental health of your employees

The shift towards proactive well-being

Well-being at work is changing for the better. Instead of waiting for problems to arise, more employers are embracing a proactive approach – one that focuses on prevention and personalisation. This isn’t just good for employees; it’s a win for businesses too, reducing absences and improving productivity over the long term.

Proactive well-being can take many forms. Think regular health screenings, workshops on managing stress, or weekly yoga sessions in the office. These practical perks encourage employees to take charge of their physical and mental health, not only boosting morale and happiness, but also helping to reduce the risk of illness, and therefore the number of sick days taken.

The next step to proactive well-being is personalisation. Many businesses believe that one-size-fits-all employee well-being programmes are not working, as they recognise that employees have individual needs and priorities. 

As such, personalised approaches are gaining traction, with many companies switching to offering flexible well-being programmes. These give employees a flexible number of credits, which they can spend on the things that suit them. This could be a gym membership, fitness classes, or even creative hobbies like painting or gardening.

Others are introducing tailored workplace policies, such as flexible working arrangements, mental health days, or professional coaching opportunities, allowing employees to pick and choose well-being initiatives that resonate with their unique and changing needs.

Have you thought about offering your employees health cover?

Learn more about the benefits of international group health insurance

Future trends in workplace well-being

As the workplace continues to evolve, so too does the approach to employee well-being. In response to changing work patterns, diverse teams, and increasing employee expectations, businesses are embracing new trends that go beyond traditional health benefits.

Let’s take a look at some of the key trends shaping the future of workplace well-being:

1/ Hybrid work and flexibility

As remote and hybrid working become the norm, benefits are evolving to meet the unique needs of these flexible work arrangements.

Employers are offering more tailored solutions, such as stipends for home office equipment, virtual well-being initiatives, or flexible hours to suit different lifestyles. These changes acknowledge that well-being is not just confined to the office, and that support must be adaptable to where and how employees choose to work.

2/ Holistic well-being models

Well-being is no longer just about physical health – it’s about a more integrated approach. Employers are increasingly recognising that physical, mental, financial, and social health are interconnected. 

Providing resources like financial well-being workshops, mental health apps, and team-building experiences alongside traditional healthcare benefits allow employees to thrive in every area of their lives, creating a more balanced and supportive work environment.

3/ Culturally adaptive programs

In a globalised workforce, one-size-fits-all solutions simply don’t work. To effectively support diverse teams, employee well-being programs must be culturally adaptive. This means considering local health norms, societal challenges, and the varying needs of employees across different regions. 

By offering flexible well-being solutions that respect cultural differences, businesses can ensure every employee feels valued and supported, no matter where they are based.

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4/ Flexible well-being platforms

The future of workplace well-being is about choice. Flexible well-being platforms allow employees to select benefits that align with their unique lifestyles and goals. 

Whether it’s access to mental health resources, fitness classes, or financial planning tools, these platforms let employees curate their own well-being journeys. The result is happier, more engaged employees who feel in control of their personal well-being.

5/ Personalised well-being solutions

Technology is playing a significant role in tailoring support to individual needs. Wearables, health apps, and AI-driven platforms are becoming more sophisticated, allowing businesses to offer personalised well-being solutions. 

By using data analytics, employers can predict and address employee health needs, from recommending stress management tools to identifying potential health risks before they become issues. These data-driven insights enable companies to provide more targeted support, fostering a healthier and more proactive workforce.

6/ Private health cover

Private healthcare is becoming an increasingly popular benefit, especially as employees place more value on quick access to quality care. The demand for private healthcare has grown due to its ability to reduce waiting times, provide broader coverage, and offer a more seamless experience. This is particularly relevant for international employees who may encounter different healthcare systems, making private health insurance a crucial perk.

Offering private healthcare not only boosts employee satisfaction but also ensures that staff, wherever they are, receive the care they need without unnecessary delays.

Is healthcare ever really ‘free’?

Learn more about universal healthcare as an expat

Do employee benefits work?

Employee benefits are more than just perks – they’re an essential part of a business’s strategy to attract, retain, and incentivise top talent.

But the real question is: do they actually work? The short answer is yes, when they are designed and implemented thoughtfully. And the numbers speak for themselves…

• 69% of employees with a well-being program say their overall well-being is good or thriving, compared to just 53% of those without a program
• 59% of employees with a well-being program report that their well-being has improved over the last year, compared to 38% of employees who don’t have a program
• 84% of employees with a well-being program feel they are adequately compensated, compared to just 61% of employees without one
• 79% of employees with a well-being program believe their HR departments genuinely care about them, compared to only 45% of those without a program

Source: WellHub

These stats highlight a key point: benefits designed to support well-being not only boost health and happiness but also help employees feel more valued and appreciated. When employees know their company cares about their well-being, it can lead to greater job satisfaction and loyalty.

It’s important to offer perks and benefits to your employees

Take a look at the best employee benefits to offer your staff

How international group health insurance can help

For businesses with cross-border teams, international group health insurance offers the support and flexibility needed to ensure every employee, no matter where they are based, has access to the care they need. 

International insurance gives your employees access to the best hospitals and medical facilities around the world, making it easier for them to look after their health and well-being.

At William Russell, we’ve been supporting businesses of all sizes with their employee benefits packages for over 30 years. Our international employee benefits give your expat employees access to high-quality healthcare, as well offering financial peace of mind.

With a range of customisable cover options, we have international employee benefits plans for businesses of all shapes and sizes. What’s more, for groups with 20 or more employees, international income protection insurance can be bought through a single application form.

Key features of our international employee benefits include: 

• Global coverage and access to top healthcare networks, ensuring seamless care for employees, whether in their home country or abroad
• 24/7 digital health services, offering employees around-the-clock access to a digital support team
• Tailored solutions for diverse teams, with culturally sensitive healthcare options and benefits that reflect the needs of a global workforce
• Mental health support helping your employees adjust to a new way of life with cover for mental health treatment on our comprehensive plans
• Flexible income protection: we’ll provide up to 80% of your employee’s earnings if they are unable to work due to injury or illness, offering total peace of mind

Have you thought about offering your employees life insurance?

Protect your staff and their loved ones with group life insurance

Find out how we can support your business

At William Russell, we have over 30 years’ experience helping companies around the world provide benefits to their employees.

Our international group health insurance, group life insurance and group income protection insurance can be taken as stand-alone or as a combined benefit package. All William Russell plans provide global cover and are fully portable. 

Speak to our award-winning team to find out how our international employee benefits can support your business today.

The post What Is The Future Of Workplace Well-Being? appeared first on William Russell.

Climate change is amplifying these risks. Rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and environmental shifts are affecting air quality and increasing health concerns worldwide. In this article, we explore how changes in our atmosphere – from air quality, to UV light and global temperatures – are affecting our long-term health, and what this might mean for you.

How air pollution and climate change are impacting our health

The way we breathe is changing. As towns and cities around the world become ever-more congested, we are increasingly breathing in airborne pollutants such as methane and black carbon.

The combination of these short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) contribute both to our own declining health, and to climate change (and it’s double jeopardy, since climate change further affects our health).

Where are the most polluted cities and countries?

In 2023, the 10 most polluted cities on earth according to the real-time Air Quality Index (AQI) were:

Why do you need international health insurance abroad?

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Meanwhile, the 10 most polluted countries overall in 2023 were:

* The AQI (Air Quality Index) measures the total density of pollutants in the air, including carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide and particulates. A higher score indicates more pollutants in the air.

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How and why is air quality changing?

Global air quality is worse than ever. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), almost everyone – 99% of the world – lives in an area that falls below air quality limits. In 2020, air pollution was directly responsible for 3.2 million deaths worldwide.

What is air pollution?

Air pollution is an accumulation of particulates in the atmosphere that are harmful to human beings. Air pollution is measured by determining the density of these particulates within a set volume. The higher the concentration of pollutants, the more polluted the air.

There is no single type of air pollutant. Any particulate that can be carried by air and breathed in by a human can be considered air pollution, and some pollutants are deadlier than others. They may include:

• Carbon monoxide (CO): a colourless, odourless gas produced by the incomplete combustion of carbon-based matter. CO quickly diffuses into our systems, preventing our body’s cells from binding to oxygen. It can be deadly in large concentrations or produce a range of symptoms and illnesses over long exposures.
• Nitrogen oxides (NOX): in particular, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), which is released from the burning of fossil fuels, causes serious breathing problems and irritation, and can exacerbate the symptoms of asthma.
• Lead: lead particulates can be released from everyday products including paints, ceramics, gasoline, batteries and cosmetics. Lead is seriously toxic to young children and unborn foetuses, while in adults long-term exposure can experience cardiovascular problems, lower fertility and decreased kidney function.
• Ozone (O3): smog-like ozone is formed by the reaction of other air-based pollutants, especially carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides. It is photochemical in nature, trapping ultraviolet radiation from the sun, which causes ambient temperatures to rise. It also contributes to breathing difficulties and lung disease.
• Methane: a colourless, odourless gas produced by the burning of fossil fuels, and from livestock and agricultural processes. It can displace atmospheric oxygen, and over long exposures contributes to health problems including cancer, central nervous system damage and birth defects.
• Sulphur dioxide (SO2): a colourless gas largely produced by the burning of fossil fuels. It is widely linked to hospital admissions for breathing difficulties, especially in asthmatics.
• Mould: appearing in areas of high moisture, mould spores enter the atmosphere and cause irritation to the eyes, nose, throat and lungs. Long-term exposure to mould can cause health complications in asthmatic people and those with allergies.

Thinking about moving abroad?

Check out our list of the most-environmentally-friendly countries

What is causing air pollution?

To put it simply, it’s because the world is releasing more pollutants into the air than at any point in human history. This has to do with record levels of fossil fuel burning, as well as an ever-increasing range of pollutants entering circulation. 

Alongside fossil fuels (gas, oil and coal) burned during home and industrial processes or from vehicles, sources of air pollution include:

• Wildfires: a historic 12 million hectares of land burned during 2023. Agricultural, heath and forest fires release large amounts of carbon into the atmosphere, and are only becoming more common as a result of climate change.
• Crop residues: pesticide spraying, ammonia and nitrogen-based fertiliser spreading, and other crop residues are key contributors to air pollution. Our use of pesticides and other agricultural sprays has been gradually increasing since 2000.
• Poor waste management: the world generates 2 billion tons of solid waste per year. Inadequate disposal of this waste is common in developing countries. Waste discarded in landfill releases greenhouse gases, while burning releases particulates into the air.
• Desert dust: sand, whipped up by high winds in desert areas, irritates and exacerbates conditions like asthma. Around 2 billion tons of sand enters the atmosphere every year, with high winds carrying these sands further than ever before.
• Others: increasing use of private vehicles, increasing urbanisation and increasing industrialisation are all touted as secondary factors (since they tend to be linked to fossil fuel consumption) in the declining quality of our air.

How does air pollution contribute to climate change?

Many airborne pollutants are known as ‘greenhouse gases’. They are called this because they trap radiation from the sun inside the earth’s atmosphere. This causes the air to warm up, thus increasing the ambient temperature.

Not all greenhouse gases are bad. It’s thanks to greenhouse gases that Earth is a suitable temperature to support life. However, human activities have increased the density of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere to such a degree that they are directly responsible for the rapid warming of the earth.

Global temperatures have increased 1.3°C on average since the 1800s, and are expected to rise a further 2–4°C by 2100.

This process is known as climate change, or global warming. Climate change is an existential threat to life on earth, as it threatens to make the planet inhospitable. Air pollution in the form of greenhouses is just one of the many causes of climate change, but arguably the most significant – especially when coupled with other causes, such as deforestation (the fewer trees we have, the less carbon dioxide can be replenished as oxygen).

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How does air pollution affect me?

Air pollution is a silent killer. Increased levels of air pollution have been linked to a variety of illnesses, including:

There may be many more diseases that can be either directly or indirectly attributed to air pollution. Research into the impacts of air pollution on human health is still ongoing.

How do I know if I live in an area of high air pollution?

It’s important to know whether you will be moving to, or already live in an area of high air pollution. The real-time Air Quality Index can help you to see air pollution levels across various cities around the world. You can also purchase your own air quality monitors to test the air quality levels inside your home or place of work.

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What can we do about air pollution?

There is no easy answer to solving the global air pollution crisis. Reducing levels of air pollution back to a safe level would require the world to stop most industrial and agricultural processes, transportation, and deforestation. All of this would amount to just one step in the race to reverse climate change.

Global political initiatives are heavily invested in trying to undo the impacts of climate change. The Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC, better known as COP, is an annual meeting of leaders from around the world to discuss climate change priorities. Air pollution is a regular feature on the agenda. 

As a result, many cities and countries are already taking steps to implement changes that are intended to lower air pollution levels and stop the escalation of climate change. Some of these include:

Ultra Low Emission and Clean Air Zones in the UK

The Mayor of London has established an Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) throughout all boroughs of the British capital. Vehicles may only drive in the ULEZ a certain number of times in a year, and drivers from outside the capital must pay a charge to drive their vehicles into London. The ULEZ has made London the world’s largest clean air zone, and helped to reduce air pollution across the city by up to 50%.

In response, many other cities in Britain have implemented similar schemes. These include: Aberdeen, Bath, Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Newcastle, Oxford, Portsmouth, Sheffield and Southampton.

Breathe Warsaw

As the home to 36 of the European Union’s 50 most air polluted cities, Poland has started to take steps to combat poor air quality. One of their ambitious schemes is Breathe Warsaw, launched by the City of Warsaw, Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Clean Air Fund. 

The scheme has manifested in the launch of a new low-emission zone, supporting the phasing-out of coal heating in homes, and a huge data-gathering initiative that has involved placing 165 new air sensors across the city. Warsaw’s aim is to reduce the number of premature deaths in the capital by 55% by 2030.

Green Bangkok 2030

After hundreds of schools were forced to close in 2020 when Bangkok’s air pollution reached dangerous levels, the city has decided not just to meet, but smash the goals set by the Paris Agreement.

The Royal Thai Government has set an ambitious target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 30% by 2030, as well as reorganising the entire city to ensure 10sqm of green space per person, that any person can reach a green space within five minutes from their front door, and that the city has 30% tree coverage.

The first phase of the project will see the opening of 11 new parks and a 15km greenway. These will include outdoor gymnasiums and provide new transport links, encouraging people to walk rather than to take public transit.

Air pollution can affect your mental health too

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Does air pollution affect my health insurance?

While living in an area with high air pollution may affect your health and life expectancy, it is not typically a factor health insurance companies consider when deciding your eligibility or the cost of your premiums. It is unlikely you will be denied health insurance simply because you live in an area known to have higher levels of air pollution.

However, if you live in an area of high air pollution, your health insurance may be affected in other ways. 

For one thing, you will be more likely to require a health insurance policy, as it is more likely you will develop diseases related to air pollution such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma and lung cancer. This means you will also be more likely to make a claim over the course of your life. While your health insurance should cover you, remember that you will need to pay an excess for each new claim.

If you do develop chronic health problems related to air pollution, your health insurer may determine these to be pre-existing conditions. This could make it harder for you to change, upgrade, or take out a new health insurance policy.

Conclusion

Air pollution is a global crisis. Not only does it contribute to global warming, presenting an existential threat to all life on earth, it also contributes to a wide range of health complications.

Living in an area of high air pollution can impact your health in both the short-term and the long-term. There is no treatment for air pollution exposure. It can both lower our quality of life, and contribute to the development of fatal illnesses.

Many places around the world are taking steps to reduce air pollution, but in the meantime it is up to us as individuals to be vigilant and protect our own wellbeing. If you can, choose to live and work in an area with lower air pollution – the less you are exposed to air pollution, the less chance you have of developing an air pollution-related illness.

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Protect your health today

At William Russell, we have over 30 years’ experience providing international health insurance. Our policies offer you access to the best quality medical care all over the world, with flexible options to suit your needs.

Don’t take your health and well-being for granted. Find out more about our international health insurance policies and get a quote online in under two minutes today.

The post Is Air Pollution And Climate Change Affecting Your Health? appeared first on William Russell.