The exceptional healthcare system in Buenos Aires allows expats to access public and private hospitals. Public hospitals have traditionally been open 24/7 and free for all, including international arrivals, but budget cuts and plans to charge non-resident foreigners for public healthcare services are changing this. In general, longer waiting times can be expected at public facilities.

On the other hand, there are numerous excellent private clinics in Buenos Aires, where many doctors have trained abroad, and most can speak English or at least have some basic English skills. Buenos Aires also has specialised German, British, and Italian hospitals. Private hospitals will likely still be considerably cheaper than those in most expats’ home countries, offering top-notch medical facilities, and many doctors are bilingual.

Buenos Aires is a popular destination for medical tourism, particularly cosmetic surgery, and procedures here are performed by professional doctors at a fraction of the cost of those in the US and most European countries.

Healthcare and Health Insurance for Expats in Argentina

Below are some of the most popular hospitals for expats in Buenos Aires.

Hospitals in Buenos Aires

healthcare professionals in a hospital hallway

Sanatorium Mater Dei

Website: www.sanatoriomaterdei.com.ar 
Address: San Martín de Tours 2952 

Sanatorio Otamendi y Miroli

Website: www.otamendi.com.ar 
Address: Azcuénaga 870 

Sanatorio Güemes

Website: www.sg.com.ar 
Address: Av. Córdoba 3933 

Garrahan Hospital of Pediatrics

Website: www.garrahan.gov.ar 
Address: Pichincha 1890 

British Hospital

Website: www.hospitalbritanico.org.ar 
Address: Pedriel 74, 1280AEB

Hospital Alemán

Website: www.hospitalaleman.org.ar 
Address: Av Pueyrredon 1640, C1118AAT

Hospital Italiano

Website: www.hospitalitaliano.org.ar 
Address: Juan D. Perón 4190, C1199ABH

What do expats say about healthcare in Buenos Aires?

"I go to almost any doctor I want to and it's all covered. It is one tremendous advantage to living here compared to the US!"

Read Maggie’s thoughts in her expat interview on living in Buenos Aires.

"The public hospitals are a bit run down, but you can get free healthcare as a foreigner (however, the wait time is very long) and the doctors are well trained."

Read more about Amelia’s life in her expat interview on Buenos Aires.

Further reading

►For more information on health services in the country, see Healthcare in Argentina

Are you an expat living in Buenos Aires?

Expat Arrivals is looking for locals to contribute to this guide, and answer forum questions from others planning their move to Buenos Aires. Please contact us if you'd like to contribute, or fill in our expat interview form to be featured.