At a glance
- Public systems: SIS (subsidized) and EsSalud (employer-funded, 9% of salary)
- Insurance mandatory? Only for certain visa types (Rentista, Digital Nomad, Investor)
- Private insurance cost: $40–180/month (local plans) or $4,213–4,806/year (international plans)
- Emergency number: SAMU 106 (free for all, including foreigners)
- Top facility: Clínica Anglo Americana, Lima (JCI-accredited)
- Quality index: Lancet Healthcare Access and Quality score 76/100
Overview of Peru’s healthcare system
Peru operates a dual healthcare system combining public and private options. Foreign residents can access both, though the quality and availability of services varies significantly between major cities and rural areas.
The public system is anchored by two programs: the Seguro Integral de Salud (SIS) and the Seguro Social de Salud (EsSalud). Private healthcare fills the gap with modern facilities and English-speaking staff, particularly in Lima. Understanding your options before you arrive will help you make informed decisions about coverage, costs, and where to seek care.
Public healthcare: SIS and EsSalud
EsSalud (employer-funded)
If you are formally employed in Peru, you are automatically enrolled in EsSalud. Your employer contributes 9% of your gross salary, and coverage extends to your dependents (spouse and children). Self-employed and retired foreign residents can enroll voluntarily.
EsSalud operates over 380 health centers across the country, though more than half are concentrated in Lima. Services include outpatient consultations, hospitalization, surgery, maternity care, and prescriptions. Wait times can be long — up to 40 days for specialist appointments in some facilities.
For emergencies, EsSalud’s hotline is 117.
SIS (subsidized public insurance)
The Seguro Integral de Salud (SIS) has expanded significantly under the SIS Para Todos initiative. While it was originally limited to low-income Peruvians, it now covers a broader population — including over 193,000 foreign citizens (the majority Venezuelan nationals). Foreign residents with legal residency, a carné de extranjería, and proof of address may be eligible to register.
Since October 2024, SIS has also extended coverage to non-resident foreigners undergoing immigration processes who have HIV or tuberculosis, reflecting Peru’s commitment to public health access.
Insurance requirements by visa type
Health insurance is not universally mandatory for all foreign residents in Peru. However, specific visa categories do require proof of coverage as part of the application process.
| Visa type | Insurance required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Work visa | No (EsSalud auto-enrolled) | Employer pays 9% — no separate private policy needed |
| Rentista / Retiree | Yes | Proof of health insurance required with application |
| Digital Nomad | Yes | Mandatory health insurance required |
| Investor | Yes | Private international health insurance typically required |
| Tourist (extended stay) | Recommended | Not mandatory but strongly advised |
International health insurance plans are accepted — you are not required to purchase coverage from a Peruvian insurer. Peru also has a bilateral healthcare agreement with Ecuador, allowing access to public facilities in both countries.
Private healthcare providers and facilities
Private healthcare in Peru’s major cities meets high standards, with modern equipment, shorter wait times, and English-speaking medical staff. Outside of Lima, the quality drops significantly, and language support is limited.
Lima
Clínica Anglo Americana is Lima’s most prominent international facility, accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI). Other well-regarded clinics include Clínica Internacional, Clínica Ricardo Palma, Clínica Javier Prado, and Clínica San Pablo. Two public complexes — Alberto Barton and Guillermo Kaelin — also hold JCI accreditation (reaccredited in 2023 and 2024 respectively).
Outside Lima
Arequipa has Clínica San Pablo, while Cusco offers Clínica Pardo and Clínica Peru Salud. In smaller cities and rural areas, healthcare infrastructure is more limited, and foreign residents may need to travel to Lima for specialized treatments.
Healthcare costs and quality
Peru’s healthcare quality is below OECD averages overall, with a Lancet Healthcare Access and Quality Index score of 76 out of 100. However, private facilities in Lima offer a standard of care comparable to many developed countries, especially for routine and specialist consultations.
| Service | Cost without insurance (USD) |
|---|---|
| General practitioner visit | $25–50 |
| Specialist consultation | $40–80 |
| Hospitalization (per day) | $100–200 |
| Dental implant | $900–1,500 |
Insurance plan costs
Local Peruvian insurers such as Rimac, Pacífico, and Mapfre offer plans ranging from $40–110 per month for basic coverage to $80–180 per month for comprehensive plans. International coverage through providers like Cigna Global typically costs $4,213–4,806 per year for an individual and up to $12,463 per year for a family.
Emergency services
Peru’s national emergency medical service, SAMU, is available by dialing 106. This service is free for everyone, including foreigners regardless of insurance status. All hospitals are legally required to provide stabilizing emergency care to anyone who walks through their doors.
Key emergency numbers: SAMU (medical emergencies) — 106 | Ambulance — 105 | EsSalud emergencies — 117 | Fire — 116
Travel health and vaccinations
No vaccinations are mandatory for foreign residents entering Peru from most countries. However, the CDC and WHO recommend the following for long-term stays: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, and Rabies (for extended rural stays).
Yellow fever vaccination is strongly recommended — and may be required — if you plan to travel to eastern Peru or the Amazon region. It is also required for crossing into Ecuador from Peru.
Pediatric vaccinations are available through the public system, with MINSA, SIS, and EsSalud covering routine childhood immunizations including MMR, DTP, and Hepatitis A and B.
Medications and pharmacies
Most medications are available over the counter in Peru. Antibiotics and controlled substances require a prescription, but there are no foreigner-specific restrictions on purchasing medications. Pharmacies (farmacias and boticas) are widely available in urban areas, with chains like InkaFarma and MiFarma found throughout Lima and major cities.
Telemedicine
Telemedicine is regulated in Peru under Law 30421 of 2016 and its implementing regulation DS 003-2019-SA. Foreign residents can access telemedicine consultations through both public and private providers. This is particularly useful for residents in rural or remote areas where specialist care is limited.
Dental and vision care
Dental and vision care are affordable in Peru, especially in Lima. Private dental clinics offer routine and specialist services at a fraction of North American or European prices. Dental implants, for example, typically cost $900–1,500. Private vision clinics are available in all major cities, and standard eye exams and corrective procedures are competitively priced.
Mental health resources
Mental health services for expats are concentrated in Lima’s private clinics, where English-speaking psychologists and psychiatrists are available. Public mental health resources exist but are less accessible to foreign residents due to language barriers and long waiting lists. Telemedicine platforms offer an alternative for therapy and counseling, particularly for residents outside Lima.
Finding English-speaking doctors
English-speaking medical professionals are available at Lima’s major private clinics, including Clínica Anglo Americana, Clínica Internacional, and Clínica Ricardo Palma. Outside Lima, finding English-speaking doctors is significantly more difficult. Your embassy or consulate can usually provide a list of English-speaking physicians in your area.
Medical evacuation
For serious medical emergencies that exceed the capacity of local facilities, medical evacuation may be necessary — particularly from rural areas or smaller cities. International health insurance plans typically include medical evacuation coverage, which can cover air transport to Lima or to another country with more advanced facilities. If you plan to spend time outside major cities, confirm that your policy includes this benefit.
Challenges for foreign residents
While healthcare in Peru’s private sector is generally good, foreign residents should be aware of several challenges: language barriers at public facilities and smaller private clinics, documentation requirements that can be confusing for newcomers, long wait times in the public system (specialist appointments may take up to 40 days), significant quality variation between Lima and the rest of the country, and occasional medication shortages at public facilities.
Securing private insurance or voluntary EsSalud enrollment early in your relocation process will help you avoid these issues and ensure continuity of care.
