Health insurance

Health Insurance for Students in Argentina

Foreigners entering Argentina say that they have health insurance. Students without permanent residence (the right to live in Argentina for good) get routine care at national public health centres only with insurance or by paying.

Student Insurance Plan • Argentina

POLICY TYPE

Student health insurance

Emergency care

Always given, whatever your status

Routine care at national public centres

Needs insurance or payment

Health Insurance Rules for Argentina

The rules on health care for foreign students in Argentina.

Why You Need Health Insurance

You say you have health insurance when you enter Argentina.
Routine care at national public health centres needs insurance or payment.
Emergency care is always given.

Legal Requirements

Entry: you sign a promise that you have health insurance.
National public health centres: people without permanent residence get routine care only with insurance or by paying first.
Emergencies: care cannot be refused to any foreigner.

Insurance Approaches for Different Students

Insurance before you fly

Buy a health policy that works in Argentina before you travel. You say you have it when you enter.

Ask your university

Check what cover your university asks for and when you must show it.

Without insurance, routine care at national public health centres must be paid for first.

University Rules

Universities set their own insurance rules. Ask your international office what policy and proof it needs.

Getting Health Care in Argentina

How care works for students without permanent residence.

Healthcare System Basics

Emergency care is open to every foreigner.
Permanent residents use public health care like Argentines.
Other foreigners need insurance or payment for routine care at national public centres.

Step-by-Step Care Guides

Emergency

1Call 911 for an ambulance, or 107 in Buenos Aires City.
2Emergency care is given even without insurance.

Routine visit

1Show your health insurance at the health centre.
2Without insurance, national public centres ask you to pay first.

Questions and Emergency Numbers

Answers about health insurance in Argentina, and numbers to save.

Official Government Resources

Argentina's rules on health care for foreigners (Spanish)

The national rules on health care for foreigners and the health insurance promise you sign when you enter.

Visit Resource →

Emergency numbers (Spanish)

The national list of emergency phone numbers.

Visit Resource →

Emergency Contacts

National emergency line

911

Ambulance and police, across Argentina.

SAME, the medical emergency service

107

Buenos Aires City and parts of Buenos Aires Province.

Fire service

100

For fires.

Important: Save the local emergency numbers in your phone before you travel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need health insurance to enter Argentina?

Yes. When you enter Argentina, you sign a promise about why you are visiting and that you have health insurance for your medical needs.

Is public healthcare free for foreign students?

Not for routine care at centres run by the national government. Without permanent residence, you need health insurance or must pay first. Permanent residents use it on the same terms as Argentines.