Bahamas insurance for nomads

The Bahamas runs a public system anchored by Princess Margaret Hospital in Nassau, a 400-bed acute and trauma centre, with Rand Memorial serving Grand Bahama.

Public and private care

Nomads and expats lean heavily on the private side, where Doctors Hospital in Nassau offers a 24-hour emergency room, an ICU and shorter waits. On the smaller Family Islands (the Out Islands), the reality is different: healthcare is limited to small government clinics doing basic outpatient work, and anything serious is stabilised and moved.

Language and emergency numbers

English is the official language, so consultations and paperwork are straightforward. The all-purpose emergency number is 919 (911 also connects in the Bahamas), not the three-digit codes used on some other Caribbean islands. Pharmacies are well stocked in Nassau and Freeport but thin on the Out Islands, so carry essential medication with a doctor's letter. The point that drives the insurance case: complex or life-threatening cases are routinely airlifted, first to Nassau and often onward to Miami, and there is a dedicated recompression chamber near Lyford Cay for diving injuries. Air ambulance operators quote each Bahamas evacuation individually rather than to a fixed price, and a flight to Florida runs into five figures, which is exactly why a policy with medical evacuation is the one to have here.

For short stays the Bahamas is easy.

US citizens can enter visa-free as bona fide visitors for up to eight months, Canadians similarly for stays under eight months (landed immigrants get 30 days), and British and Australian visitors enter visa-free as well, with British tourists commonly cited at up to 90 days. Everyone needs a passport valid for at least six months, a return or onward ticket, proof of funds, and a completed immigration card; the officer at the port sets the exact length. Travel insurance is not a legal entry requirement for tourists, though it is strongly advised given the evacuation reality.

Working remotely on BEATS

To stay longer and work remotely, the route is the Bahamas Extended Access Travel Stay (BEATS), launched in 2020 for professionals and students working or studying online for entities outside the islands. It runs 12 months and can be renewed annually up to three years; the fee is US$25 application plus a US$1,000 permit (US$1,025 total) for a professional, with dependents added at US$25 plus US$500 each. There is no published income threshold, only proof that you can support yourself, and crucially, every applicant and dependent must submit proof of medical insurance that covers the Bahamas. No minimum sum is specified, so given the off-island evacuation reality, prioritise evacuation cover. One honest caveat: BEATS was a pandemic-era programme and is not listed among the standard permits on the Department of Immigration's own site, so its day-to-day status has been reported inconsistently. Confirm it is still being issued before you rely on it, and note there is no Bahamian income or capital gains tax either way. We lay out the details on the Bahamas digital nomad visa page.

• Off-island evacuation. Outside Nassau and Freeport, a serious case means an air ambulance to Nassau or Miami, and a flight to Florida runs into five figures, so medical evacuation cover is the single most important feature here.
• Prepayment at private clinics. Private facilities commonly want a deposit or payment upfront and may not bill your insurer directly, so expect to pay and claim back.
• Hurricane season. The Atlantic season runs June to November; storms can be severe, with power outages and water shortages during and after, so build in flexibility and follow warnings.
• Mosquito-borne disease. Dengue, Zika and chikungunya are present, with risk rising in the June to November rainy season; use repellent and cover up.
• Crime. The US keeps the Bahamas at a Level 2 advisory; most violent crime is in parts of Nassau and Freeport (avoid the "Over the Hill" area south of Shirley Street), so take normal city precautions, especially at night.