International Student · Quebec 2026
Health insurance for international students in Quebec
Are you coming to study in Quebec in 2026? Medical insurance in accordance with university requirements is mandatory upon arrival. Compare the best policies via Assur360’s AMF-certified brokerage and broker partners in 3 minutes.
Why insurance is mandatory
RAMQ does not cover international students upon arrival
International students arriving in Québec are not covered by the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ), unless they are nationals of a country that has signed a social security agreement with Québec (France, Belgium, Portugal, Norway, etc.).
All Quebec universities (McGill, Université de Montréal, Concordia, Université Laval, UQAM, Sherbrooke, etc.) require proof of approved health insurance prior to registration. Without this proof, your registration may be blocked.
40 000+
International Students in QC
$1M
Typical medical coverage
3 min
Online Comparator
$0
Broker fees — 100% free
Who should take out international student insurance?
Student health insurance is mandatory for all international students who come to study in Quebec, with a few exceptions related to social security agreements. Here are the main profiles concerned:
Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral
Regular undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate programs. Insurance covering the entire duration of the study stay, often renewable annually.
Exchange students
Quarterly or annual exchange programs. Some partner universities have their own plans — check before you sign up for any other plan.
CEGEP and technical schools
DEC or DEP programs taken by international students. The same requirements as the academic apply.
Accompanying family members
Spouse, children coming with the international student. Often a separate family policy is required.
What International Student Insurance Covers
🏥
Medical care
Consultations, emergencies, hospitalization, prescription drugs, specialists according to the ceilings.
🚑
Repatriation
Emergency return to your home country in the event of a serious illness or death of a loved one.
🦷
Emergency Dental Care
Treatments following an accident or acute pain. Often limited to a ceiling amount.
👁️
Vision Care
Annual eye exam, glasses or lenses depending on the formula chosen.
🧠
Mental Health
Sessions with psychologist or therapist. Coverage is often limited to a number of sessions per year.
🤰
Maternity
Prenatal follow-up, childbirth, postnatal care according to the formula. Waiting periods to be checked.
How much does international student insurance cost in 2026?
The indicative rates below vary according to the insurer, the age of the student, the length of stay and the coverage chosen. The exact amount is determined after analysis by a partner broker.
| Type of stay | Annual guide price* | Typical Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Long Program (1 year+) | $800 – $1,500Medical | $1 million, repatriation, emergency dental |
| Single session (4 months) | $350 – $600Medical | $500K–$1M, repatriation |
| Family Program | $1,400 – $2,800Family | coverage (student + spouse + children) |
| Ph.D. (multi-yearly) | 700 – $1,300/year | Annual renewal, full coverage |
*2026 indicative ranges, for information purposes. The exact price varies according to the profile, the formula and the insurer chosen.
💡 Key Tip
Subscribe BEFORE you arrive in Quebec
Your coverage should start the day you set foot in Canada, not when you enroll in university. Make an appointment with a partner broker at least 2 weeks before your departure so that the policy is active as soon as you land.
Mandatory plan by Quebec university
Each establishment has its own requirements. Here’s a look at Quebec’s top universities — in any case, an Assur360 broker partner can confirm whether your coverage meets your institution’s criteria.
McGill University
Mandatory International Health Insurance Plan (IHIP) program, unless equivalent coverage approved by International Student Services.
University of Montreal
Compulsory group plan administered by the Federation of Student Associations. Exemption possible with proof of social security agreement.
Concordia University
Mandatory coverage via the International Students Office. Other policies accepted according to strict criteria (duration, ceilings, repatriation).
Laval University
Compulsory scheme for international students except for nationals of a country with an agreement (France, Belgium, Portugal, Norway, etc.).
UQAM and UQ Network
Mandatory health insurance for all international admission. In-house plan or equivalent approved external insurance.
University of Sherbrooke
Health coverage is mandatory for the duration of the stay. Exemption options with international justifications.
Are you coming from France, Belgium or a partner country? Social Security Agreements
Québec has signed social security agreements with several countries. If you are a national of one of these countries, you may be covered by the RAMQ as soon as you arrive, without having to take out private insurance. Countries concerned (non-exhaustive list):
Tentative list — check with the RAMQ or your university. Some agreements cover only emergency care, others cover all services.
Frequently asked questions
Why Compare with Assur360
A comparator backed by an AMF-certified firm
3 minutes flat
Find your international student insurance
Quote compared by an AMF-certified broker partner, usually called back within 24 business hours.