April 05, 2018
Ecuador Tourism Ministry to enforce mandatory health insurance for foreigners
If you’re planning on taking a trip to Ecuador this year you better make sure you have an international health insurance policy in place. As from 1st May 2018, all foreigners wishing to enter the country (including the Galapagos Islands) must provide proof of coverage.
The Ecuador
Ministerio de Turismo announced the new law in 2017, with a start date of
February 2018. Much to the confusion of the travel industry, the regulations
weren’t implemented quite as planned, as a 90-day extension was granted in
order to assuage any worries amongst tourists and the current expat population.
Implementation will
take place on 1st May 2018, after which, private health insurance
will become mandatory for all tourists and expats alike before they gain entry.
Anyone applying for an entry visa, renewing an investor visa or arriving at
customs in the airport will be asked for proof.
Information posted
on the ministry’s website www.turismo.gob.ec suggests that mandatory health insurance for tourists will be beneficial
to the development of the country’s tourist industry.
Ecuador is not
alone, a number of countries already insist on health insurance coverage before
entry is granted, including favourite expat and traveller destinations like
Australia. Similar legislation is also under consideration in many more expat and
tourist hotspots. Watch this space for updates.
Located in South
America, flanked by Colombia, Ecuador is best known internationally for
offering WikiLeaks’ head honcho, Julian Assange, sanctuary in its London
embassy. Relatively poor, Ecuador is considered to be on the most popular places
to retire throughout the world thanks to the low cost of living. These new
regulations mean that future retirees will need to take health insurance
provision into consideration when totting up their finances.
As a dedicated expat
health insurance provider supporting clients across 180 countries, Regency for
Expats should be your first port of call for comprehensive expat
health insurance in Ecuador.
We have policies to suit most needs and budgets, which is vital in a world
where health insurance is a becoming a non-negotiable requirement for the
globally mobile.
For more information
and practical advice about relocating and living in Ecuador visit http://www.ecuaassist.com/single-post/2017/05/06/PUBLIC-HEALTH-INSURANCE-IN-ECUADOR-FOR-EXPATS-IESS