08 July 2025

Only 36% of companies offer different health and wellbeing support to employees depending on the country in which they work

Research by Towergate Employee Benefits among UK companies with overseas employees shows that only 36% of companies offer different health and wellbeing support depending upon the country in which their employees are based. Furthermore, the majority, 57%, offer overseas employees exactly the same health and wellbeing support as those based in the UK.

Sarah Dennis, head of international at Towergate Employee Benefits says: “Our research shows that most companies offer the same support to everyone, whether they are working abroad or in the UK. This is not an ideal approach as it does not take into account the different risks and needs in different countries, where health facilities may be lacking compared to the UK, or may be more remote and harder to access.”

Employees abroad have different requirements to those in the UK
Employers need to look at what the different needs might be in the specific countries where their employees are deployed. They need to take into account the specific health risks in each region, such as infectious diseases including malaria and tuberculosis, as well as environmental factors and pollution, how good the medical facilities are, and whether the region is remote. The risks of civil or political unrest must be considered, along with increased threats to mental health. Support also needs to encompass not just physical health but also financial, mental and social wellbeing.

Sarah Dennis explains: “Simply by virtue of working abroad, an employee will have different health and wellbeing needs to a colleague working in the UK. Working away from home can be stressful, isolating, and pose different challenges both mentally and physically, and the support must be designed to meet these needs.”

UK residents working abroad
Any employees who are UK citizens and working on an overseas assignment will need full health and wellbeing support, even when the host country has free and universal healthcare. For example, in Australia, citizens have access to health and hospital services at low or no cost, with a national health insurance scheme. Even with the Reciprocal Health Agreement between the UK and Australia, although urgent hospital treatment is free for UK citizens, payment is still required for many medical needs including to visit a GP, to receive a prescription, get dental treatment, or if an ambulance is needed.¹

So employers need to ensure that all employees working abroad have full and relevant health and wellbeing support, no matter how developed the country may be in which they are based, and despite what care might seem available on the surface. With the example of Australia and the Reciprocal Health Agreement, it would be easy to assume that all care is free, but it is not. A UK citizen needing an ambulance could be hit by a huge bill and then expect this to be reimbursed by their employer.

Local nationals still need healthcare
Employers may be forgiven for assuming that they do not have to worry about providing health and wellbeing support for local nationals employed to work within their own country. This may not, however, be the case.

Not all countries have universal or free healthcare. The USA is the largest country without a free healthcare system. Instead, it uses a system of healthcare insurance packages. Other notable countries with no free healthcare include South Africa, Pakistan, Iran and Egypt. Although China is close to providing universal healthcare, with around 95% of the population covered, there are still costs involved for some elements of this, so it is not free healthcare.²

So even when employing local nationals, an employer still needs to provide employee benefits for these employees. And health and wellbeing support means so much more than just medical cover. Local nationals may also need help with mental health, nutrition guidance, fitness and lifestyle advice and more. Employers need to make sure that this support is in place, to ensure employee wellbeing and, therefore, the wellbeing of the business.

Sarah Dennis concludes: “It is the responsibility of the employer to ensure all employees are properly cared for while at work, wherever this may be. A full and rounded health and wellbeing programme, tailored to the specific circumstances in each country, will ensure that employees are healthy and happy, and that the company is productive and compliant.”

For more information please contact:
Georgina Dunlop
SMUK Marketing and PR
gdunlop@smuk.org.uk
Mob: 07912 178156

Sarah Dennis
Head of International, Towergate Employee Benefits
sarah.dennis@towergate.co.uk
Mob: +44 (0) 7467220043

About Towergate Employee Benefits
Towergate Employee Benefits is one of the UK’s largest independent employee benefits advisers, dedicated to delivering tailored solutions to employers and their employees. The company aims to help employers attract, retain and engage the very best talent, resulting in a healthy, motivated and productive workforce.
 
Specialist advice and solutions from Towergate Employee Benefits include healthcare benefits - such as private medical insurance, cash plans, dental insurance and employee assistance programmes; financial benefits - such as group income protection, group critical illness and life insurance; and additional services such as wellbeing, occupational health and pensions governance, as well as award-winning benefits technology.
 
For global companies, Towergate Employee Benefits offers international private medical insurance, travel insurance, global employee assistance programmes and kidnap and ransom cover; as well as the expertise to manage comprehensive global benefits programmes. Through a worldwide network of partner firms, Towergate Employee Benefits can deliver tailored global benefit design and governance, ensuring business are supported wherever they operate.
 
Towergate Employee Benefits has a nationwide team of specialist advisers with a commitment to service that has been recognised as gold in its accreditation by Investor in Customers. For further information please visit www.towergatehealthandprotection.co.uk/