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HEALTHCARE SYSTEM

Discover how the system works in Taiwan

The health insurance system in Taiwan is administered by the Bureau of National Health Insurance. Created in 1995, this social insurance scheme aims to cover the entire Taiwanese population for hospitalization, outpatient care, dental care, pregnancy and traditional Chinese medicine. 

Foreign residents also benefit from the system, which becomes mandatory from the day you hold an Alien Residency Card, which records all your medical information. 

The quality of care provided in the main cities is similar to European standards. Medical facilities and equipment are generally good quality. However, outside large cities and in rural areas, the quality of care is very poor. Health centers are overcrowded and are not appropriately equipped. 

There is also a private sector in Taiwan which includes private clinics and hospitals. The quality of care is good and medical teams have often been trained in the USA and speak English, which is quite rare in the public sector. 

Visiting a doctor in Taiwan

Most doctors, GPs and specialists receive patients in their office at the hospital. You just need to make an appointment with the doctor of your choice. If it's difficult to communicate, don't hesitate to ask for assistance from an interpreter. Office visits must be paid at the end of the consultation.   

Don't forget to keep all bills to get reimbursed by your international private health insurance plan. 

Being admitted to hospital in Taiwan

Private hospitals and clinics provide good quality care and medical equipment is modern. Outside Taipei, there are very few private facilities and the quality of care is poor. 

Emergency services
Avoid public ambulance services. Private ambulances and emergency services are good, but you have to pay on admission. 

If you need a referral to a different facility to suit your medical needs, we recommend you use your health insurance provider's medical network.

In case of emergency: use a private ambulance

Buying medication in Taiwan

You will find both international and local brand names in pharmacies in Taiwan.

QUICK FACTS

OFFICIAL NAME

Republic of China

CAPITAL

Taipei

GOVERNMENT

Unitary semi-presidential republic

COMMON LANGUAGES

Taiwanese, Hokkien, Hakka, Formosan languages, Fuzhou dialect

WHV Taiwan

WHV Taiwan

Duration: 1 year maximum  
Cost: About 86€ 
Leadtime: Unknown

Application requirements

Application Requirements are quite similar for all nationalities, however some have to supply more documents. 

To apply for a visa in Taiwan, you have to: 
-  Be aged 18 -30 inclusive
-  Be without dependents
-  Have a valid passport 
-  Have proof of adequate savings
-  Have a clean criminal record 
-  Have a medical certificate proving that you're in good health  
-  Have international health insurance to cover the length of your stay 
-  Have never had a working holiday visa for Taiwan before (1st participation)
-  Be flying to Taiwan within 3 months of getting your visa

How to get your Visa

If you're a French national applying in French:
The first step to getting your visa for Taiwan is to fill in a form online. You need to ask for a visitor's visa.  Next you have to gather together all the documents required and send them with the signed and printed form to the embassy (passport, bank statements, return flight tickets or proof of your capacity to buy them and a check for 86€). 
After that, you will need to book an appointment with the office representing Taipei and present your application. 

Other nationalities:
Please visit the official website to check if your nationality is eligible for a WHV in Taiwan :
https://visawebapp.boca.gov.tw

Stay Covered

The best health insurance solution for your working holiday abroad is Start'Expat - our ready-to go package for international coverage from 1 to 12 months.

Get your health insurance for Taiwan

MSH can help you design the best international health insurance plan to suit your needs.

Going for less than a year?  
We have the right health insurance plan to cover you for 1 to 12 months, whether it's for a personal project, an apprenticeship, a working holiday or any other reason.

Going for a year or more?
Explore our comprehensive and highly flexible health insurance solutions to protect you and your family while you're abroad.

CLIENT STORIES

Client story: I woke up to MSH

Rachel lives in Togo and has been with MSH since 2002. After routine surgery, she fell into a coma that lasted 2 months. Her hospitalization cost more than 200,000 euros - but it was all covered by MSH, without her having to get involved. Thanks to the reactivity of the team and their smooth handling of the situation, Rachel's family were able to avoid any extra stress - as was Rachel when she woke up.  
Client story: they were there for my baby

Laure and Robert moved to Singapore in 2014 for work - but they ended up starting a family there too! She told MSH that she was pregnant and was amazed by all the support she got. First she received a practical guide on pregnancy (what to do at each stage, medical exams etc.) and then a member of the team called her to explain all her guarantees personally and advise her on the best place to give birth. The day her daughter was born, a gift pack arrived with a growth chart and a baby toy, with all good wishes from MSH. And now there's another one on the way...
Client story: my second opinion

Petra was very worried about the surgery she'd been prescribed following an accident at home. Before making her decision, she wanted a second opinion. Thanks to her private health insurance, which included the Second Medical Opinion guarantee, she quickly saw another doctor and got all the answers to her questions. The second doctor agreed that surgery was necessary and Petra went to hospital feeling reassured and confident.

For more information

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