Choosing the right health insurance as a long-term digital nomad is more than a financial decision—it’s a question of mobility, trust, and how much risk you’re willing to carry on your own. While there are dozens of providers offering international medical coverage, only a few are truly designed for people who live in multiple countries throughout the year.
SafetyWing and Genki are two of the most widely used options among location-independent workers. Both offer flexible, subscription-style plans that can be purchased while abroad and renewed on a rolling basis. But beneath the surface, they operate on very different assumptions about what nomads need—and how they want to interact with their insurance.
This comparison breaks down how each provider performs across key categories: pricing, coverage, claims experience, and real-world usability. Whether you're new to long-term travel or looking to upgrade your policy, this guide is designed to help you make a clear, informed decision based on how you actually live.
Who These Providers Are Built For
SafetyWing and Genki both offer international health insurance for digital nomads, but they’re built with different types of travelers in mind.
SafetyWing is designed for location-independent workers who want basic medical coverage at a low monthly cost. It’s built for ease of access: you can sign up while abroad, keep your policy active month to month, and stay protected across multiple countries without needing to notify the insurer every time you move. This makes it a popular choice among newer nomads, budget travelers, and remote freelancers who need emergency care coverage but aren’t looking for advanced features or premium add-ons.
Genki, by contrast, is aimed at digital professionals who expect a more comprehensive and transparent experience. Its platform is built around simplicity and speed, offering clear documentation, a high coverage ceiling, and support for outpatient care, mental health, and telemedicine. It’s particularly useful for travelers who spend long stretches in a single country, those managing ongoing health needs, or anyone who wants the reassurance of modern claims infrastructure.
The differences in pricing, benefits, and user experience all flow from this core distinction: SafetyWing prioritizes affordability and accessibility, while Genki prioritizes coverage depth and service quality.
Pricing Comparison
Both SafetyWing and Genki offer flexible billing options suited to long-term international travel, but their pricing structures reflect different priorities.
SafetyWing operates on a monthly subscription model. The base rate for travelers under 40 starts at approximately $45 per month. Pricing increases with age, and optional add-ons—such as U.S. coverage or coverage for high-risk activities—can raise the monthly premium. You can start or cancel coverage at any time, and your card is billed every 28 days. The structure is simple and easy to manage, especially for travelers who want predictable costs and minimal decision-making.
Genki uses a daily billing system, which gives more granular control over how long you’re covered. Their pricing starts at around €1.20 per day, or roughly €35 per month, depending on age and location. Unlike SafetyWing, Genki includes mental health, outpatient care, and telemedicine in its base plan, which explains the slightly higher daily rate. You can choose your start and end dates during sign-up, and you’re only charged for the days you’re insured.
In short, SafetyWing is optimized for minimalists who want a fixed monthly payment. Genki is designed for travelers who want flexibility without sacrificing coverage quality.
Coverage and Benefits
Coverage is where the differences between SafetyWing and Genki become most apparent. Both offer international health insurance for digital nomads, but the depth and scope of what’s included varies significantly.
SafetyWing’s coverage focuses on emergency medical needs. The plan includes hospital stays, urgent care, ambulance transport, and COVID-19 treatment. Basic dental and emergency evacuation are also included. However, coverage for routine outpatient visits, mental health care, and preventive services is limited or excluded. There’s a maximum medical benefit of $250,000 per policy period. Optional coverage for travel to the United States is available at an added cost. Adventure sports and high-risk activities require a separate add-on.
Genki’s plan is structured more like a comprehensive health insurance policy. It includes inpatient and outpatient care, prescriptions, diagnostics, and mental health services. Telemedicine is available by default, and preventive care is partially covered depending on the region. The medical benefit limit is €1,000,000 per year. Unlike SafetyWing, Genki does not require add-ons for most standard services—it’s built into the base coverage.
If your primary concern is access to doctors, follow-up care, and mental health support, Genki is the more robust option. If you only need protection against major incidents and emergencies, SafetyWing may be sufficient.
Claims Process and User Experience
When it comes to submitting claims and interacting with your provider, the differences between SafetyWing and Genki are as important as the policies themselves.
SafetyWing offers a straightforward claims process through an online portal. To file a claim, you submit documentation such as receipts, invoices, and medical reports via a secure upload form. Reimbursement can take anywhere from several days to a few weeks. While the process is functional, it isn’t particularly fast or interactive. There is no mobile app, and most communication happens by email. For nomads used to dealing with banks, airlines, and services entirely through apps, the interface may feel outdated.
Genki was built with a focus on simplicity and speed. Claims are submitted through a modern dashboard with clear instructions, and reimbursement is typically processed within a few business days. The company provides upfront information on what’s covered and what’s not, so there are fewer surprises. Travelers report a responsive support team and minimal back-and-forth when filing. The platform is optimized for mobile, making it easier to manage care while on the move.
If you value speed, transparency, and a clean user interface, Genki offers a noticeably more refined experience. SafetyWing, while functional, is better suited to those who don’t mind a more manual approach.
Pre-Existing Conditions
One of the most important distinctions between SafetyWing and Genki lies in how they handle pre-existing conditions. For long-term nomads managing chronic health issues or past diagnoses, this can be a deciding factor.
SafetyWing does not cover pre-existing conditions. This includes any illness, injury, or symptom you experienced before your policy started, even if it wasn’t formally diagnosed. Coverage is limited to new, acute events that arise after your policy begins. There are some exceptions for minor conditions that have been stable for a significant period, but these are rare and not guaranteed. If you have ongoing medical needs, this limitation can create significant gaps in your coverage.
Genki takes a more nuanced approach. While it does not offer full coverage for all pre-existing conditions, it allows partial reimbursement in certain cases and clearly outlines what is and isn’t excluded. The application process doesn’t require medical underwriting, but the company provides upfront documentation on how specific conditions are handled. This transparency helps you make a more informed decision before purchasing.
If you need routine care or are managing an ongoing health issue, Genki offers more flexibility. If you’re generally healthy and seeking coverage for unexpected incidents only, SafetyWing may still meet your needs.
Portability and Flexibility
A good nomad insurance plan should adapt to constant movement. For many travelers, the ability to change countries without notifying the provider—or to pause and restart coverage without penalty—is just as important as the medical benefits themselves.
SafetyWing is highly flexible in this regard. You can purchase a policy while already abroad, keep it running continuously as you move between countries, and cancel at any time. There are no restrictions on how many countries you can visit, and you don’t need to provide travel dates or notify them when you relocate. Coverage renews automatically every 28 days until you cancel, making it easy to maintain protection without reapplying.
Genki also offers strong portability, but with a slightly different structure. Coverage is activated by selecting a start and end date at sign-up, and you can pay daily or monthly depending on your preference. You don’t need a fixed address or residency in any country. While Genki doesn’t auto-renew like SafetyWing, it allows you to restart coverage without penalty as long as you're still eligible. This works well for travelers who take breaks between trips or change their plans frequently.
Both providers are built for global mobility. SafetyWing emphasizes simplicity through auto-renewal. Genki gives you more control over how long you're covered and when it starts or ends.
Pros and Cons Summary of SafetyWing vs Genki
Recommendation: Which Should You Choose?
Both SafetyWing and Genki offer real value for long-term digital nomads, but they solve different problems.
Choose SafetyWing if your primary goal is affordable emergency coverage while maintaining maximum flexibility. It’s ideal for new nomads, full-time travelers with minimal health concerns, or anyone who wants a low-maintenance plan that renews automatically and works across borders. The simplicity of setup and flat pricing make it especially attractive if you’re just starting out or watching your monthly budget closely.
Choose Genki if you want deeper protection, faster claims processing, and access to outpatient care, mental health services, or telemedicine. It’s better suited to professionals who spend longer periods in one place, maintain a consistent remote work schedule, or want a modern user experience without the guesswork. If you’ve had gaps in coverage before or need access to reliable care while abroad, Genki offers more structure and clarity.
The best plan depends not only on where you go, but how you live. SafetyWing offers just enough for most. Genki covers what others miss.
Where to Learn More
If you’re comparing insurance options for long-term travel, both providers offer direct enrollment and clear documentation on their websites.
SafetyWing is ideal for nomads seeking flexible, budget-friendly coverage that works across multiple countries with minimal setup. You can learn more or sign up at safetywing.com.
Genki is better suited for travelers who want comprehensive care, including outpatient services, mental health support, and faster claims. You can explore their plans at genki.world.
Choose the provider that matches the way you move—and revisit your coverage when your needs evolve.