There really is no such thing as free healthcare, especially for U.S. citizens or American expats living overseas. Countries with socialized medical care are thought to offer “free” healthcare. But the cost of healthcare in those countries is built into the expenditures of everyday life for their citizens. This includes compulsory payroll deductions and taxation on goods and services. In many cases, expats are excluded from this local healthcare system. Simply put, U.S. expats are not considered citizens of their host country and, as such, have not contributed to healthcare costs. While many countries have provisions to treat all people who visit hospital emergency departments, regardless of nationality or ability to pay, this is no substitute for an expatriate health plan. Learn more: Countries With Free or Universal Healthcare