Health Insurance When Leaving Canada: Province Rules

Key takeaways

Moving abroad to live: BC covers you to the end of the month you leave; Quebec stops on the day you leave
Ontario and Alberta publish grace periods only for moves to other provinces, so plan for coverage to stop when you leave
Long stays abroad can keep coverage: up to 2 years in Ontario, 24 months once in 5 years in BC, 2 to 4 years in Alberta, with conditions
Quebec residents lose coverage after 183 days or more away in a calendar year, unless an exception applies
Even while covered, provincial plans pay only a small part of emergency care abroad

Why your provincial coverage ends

Canada has no national health card. Each province runs its own plan, and each plan is for people who live in that province. When you move abroad, you stop being a resident and your coverage ends, either right away or after a short grace period.

There are two different situations, and the rules are not the same:

You move abroad to live. Your coverage ends. Some provinces add a short grace period.
You go abroad for a long stay but keep your home in the province. Many plans let you keep coverage for a set time if you tell them before you leave.

Province by province: moving abroad

Plan	If you move abroad	If you come back
BC Medical Services Plan (MSP)	Coverage continues for the rest of the month you leave. Tell Health Insurance BC (HIBC) before you go.	Wait for the rest of the month you return plus two months.
Quebec Health Insurance Plan (RAMQ)	Coverage stops on the day you leave. Tell RAMQ and return your card.	Contact RAMQ; rules depend on your situation.
Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP)	No published grace period for moves abroad. Plan for coverage to stop the day you leave, and tell ServiceOntario.	Ontario has no waiting period for eligible residents.
Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP)	No published grace period for moves abroad. Cancel through a registry agent or AHCIP.	Contact AHCIP when you return.

Checked on official provincial pages on October 5, 2026. We have not yet checked the other provinces and territories. Contact your plan directly.

Use the health coverage gap calculator to find your exact end date and the days you need private cover.

Can I keep provincial coverage during a long stay abroad?

Yes, in many cases, if Canada stays your home and you tell your plan first.

Ontario

You can keep OHIP for up to 2 years if you work abroad full time, study full time, or stay away 7 months or more while Ontario stays your primary home. You must have been in Ontario at least 153 days in each of the two 12-month periods before you leave. If you are outside Ontario more than 212 days in any 12-month period without approval, you may have to reapply.

British Columbia

If you will be away 6 months or more in a calendar year, contact HIBC. An extended absence keeps coverage for up to 24 consecutive months, once in a 60-month period, if you were in Canada for 6 of the 12 months before you leave.

Alberta

Staying outside Canada less than 6 consecutive months is a temporary absence. Snowbirds can be away up to 212 days in 12 months on vacation. Longer stays can keep coverage for up to 2 years (travel, personal visits, education leave) or 4 years (work or missionary service). Tell AHCIP before you leave if you will not be in Alberta 183 days in 12 months.

Quebec

Long-term residents must not be away 183 days or more in a calendar year. People who recently arrived lose coverage for any absence over 21 consecutive days. Exceptions exist; RAMQ asks you to contact them before you leave.

How much does your plan pay while you are abroad?

Very little. Provincial plans pay for emergency care abroad at the rate they would pay at home, which is far below foreign hospital prices.

BC pays up to $75 a day for hospital care outside Canada.
Ontario pays $200 to $400 a day for inpatient care and does not pay to move you back to an Ontario hospital.

So buy travel medical or international health insurance from the day you leave, even if your province still covers you.

How to cover the gap

Your new country may not cover you right away. Some public plans have a waiting period, and employer plans may start after a probation period. Options:

Travel medical insurance: for short gaps. Many policies require you to have provincial coverage when you buy, so buy before your plan ends.
International (expat) health insurance: for longer gaps or if your new country has no public plan for you.
Employer coverage: ask HR the exact start date and if pre-existing conditions are covered.
Destination public plan: some countries let you join quickly. Quebec has social security agreements with several countries, including France, Belgium, Portugal and Sweden; RAMQ can give an attestation that exempts you from the waiting period there.

Read the policy for pre-existing conditions, pregnancy, mental health and medical evacuation. We do not recommend specific insurers.

When you compare policies, check the maximum it pays, the deductible, whether it covers you in Canada on visits home, and whether you can renew it after a claim.

Before you leave: a health checklist

Call your provincial plan with your departure date and ask when coverage ends.
Book doctor, dental and eye appointments while you are still covered.
Get copies of your medical records and vaccination history.
Ask your pharmacist about an extra supply of prescriptions, and check the destination’s rules on bringing medicine.
Buy private cover that starts the day you leave.
Return or cancel your health card as your plan asks.

See the full leaving Canada checklist for tax, banking and status tasks. For how health cards work when you first arrive, see health cards by province.

Coming back to Canada

If you return to live, apply again in your province. Waiting periods differ: BC makes you wait the rest of the month plus two months, while Ontario has removed its waiting period. Buy private cover for any wait, and bring your Canadian address proof to apply quickly. The returning to Canada checklist covers the other steps.

Common questions

Does my provincial health insurance cover me if I move abroad?

Only for a short time, if at all. BC covers you to the end of the month you leave. Quebec stops on the day you leave. Ontario and Alberta do not publish a grace period for moves abroad.

How long can I be out of Ontario and keep OHIP?

Up to 212 days in a 12-month period on normal travel. With approval, up to 2 years for work, study or a long stay, if you meet the 153-day presence rule before you leave.

Can snowbirds keep provincial coverage?

Yes, within limits. Alberta allows up to 212 days in 12 months on vacation. Ontario allows up to 212 days. Quebec residents must not be away 183 days or more in a calendar year.

Do I need to return my health card?

Some plans ask for it. RAMQ asks you to return your card when you move outside Canada. Follow your plan’s instructions.

Will travel insurance cover me after my provincial plan ends?

Many travel policies require valid provincial coverage. If you are moving abroad, look for an international or expat health policy instead.

Sources

Checked against these sources on October 5, 2026. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.

Health insurance when you leave Canada: when your provincial plan ends