How to See a Doctor in Taiwan

Taiwan's healthcare system is remarkably accessible. Unlike many countries, you don't need a referral from a general practitioner to see a specialist. Here's how it works:

Walk-In System

Most clinics (診所) operate on a walk-in basis:

1. Go to any clinic — no appointment needed for most neighborhood clinics
2. Bring your NHI card (or pay out-of-pocket if you don't have one yet)
3. Register at the front desk — you'll get a queue number
4. Wait to be called — typically 10-30 minutes
5. See the doctor — consultations are usually brief (3-10 minutes)
6. Pick up medication — either at the clinic's pharmacy or a nearby pharmacy

Making Appointments

For hospitals (醫院), especially large medical centers, appointments are recommended:

• Online booking — most hospitals have online systems (usually in Chinese)
• Phone booking — call the hospital's appointment line
• In-person registration — arrive early (before 8:00 AM) for same-day registration
• App booking — some hospitals have their own apps

Tip: For hospitals, try to book a morning session (上午). Afternoon sessions (下午) often run late, and evening sessions (夜間) have longer waits.

Language Tips

Most doctors in Taiwan can communicate in basic English, especially at larger hospitals. However:

• Bring a Chinese-speaking friend if your condition is complex
• Write down your symptoms in both English and Chinese before your visit
• Major hospitals in Taipei often have international patient departments with English service
• Google Translate works well for medical terms in real-time

Hospital Types: Clinic vs Hospital

Taiwan has a clear hierarchy of medical facilities:

Which One Should You Go To?

Start with a clinic for most issues. They're cheaper (lower co-pay), faster (less waiting), and more convenient (everywhere in your neighborhood).

Go to a hospital if:

• The clinic refers you
• You need surgery, hospitalization, or advanced imaging (MRI, CT)
• It's an emergency (go directly to a hospital ER)

Cost difference: Seeing a specialist at a medical center without a referral costs an extra NT$420 in co-pay, compared to NT$50 at a clinic.

Recommended Hospitals with English Services

Medical Costs: With and Without NHI

NHI (National Health Insurance) dramatically reduces your medical costs. Here's a comparison:

Clinic Visit (Common Cold)

Hospital Outpatient (Specialist)

Emergency Room

Hospitalization (Per Day, Standard Ward)

When Do You Get NHI?

• Employed: Your employer enrolls you on day one
• ARC holder (not employed): After 6 months of continuous residence, you can enroll at your local district office
• Student: After 6 months, or immediately if enrolled in a degree program at certain universities

For NHI premium calculations, see NHI Premium Calculator.

Pharmacies and Over-the-Counter Medicine

Types of Pharmacies

Common OTC Medications Available Without Prescription

Important Notes

• Antibiotics require a prescription — you cannot buy them over the counter
• Some medications from your home country may be restricted in Taiwan. Check before bringing them in.
• Convenience stores (7-11, FamilyMart) sell basic items like Panadol, bandages, and cold patches, but not most medications
• Chinese medicine pharmacies (中藥房) sell traditional Chinese medicine. Quality varies — stick to licensed ones.

Dental Care for Foreigners

Dental care in Taiwan is affordable, even without NHI:

With NHI

NHI covers:

• Tooth extraction — covered (co-pay only)
• Filling cavities — covered (co-pay only)
• Cleaning (scaling) — covered once every 6 months
• Root canal — covered
• X-rays — covered

NHI does NOT cover:

• Braces (orthodontics) — NT$80,000~150,000
• Teeth whitening — NT$10,000~30,000
• Dental implants — NT$50,000~100,000 per implant
• Porcelain crowns — NT$15,000~25,000 per tooth
• Invisalign — NT$150,000~300,000

Without NHI

Finding an English-Speaking Dentist

• International dental clinics in Taipei cater to foreigners (higher prices but full English service)
• University hospital dental departments often have English-speaking dentists
• Ask in expat Facebook groups for recommendations in your area

Mental Health Resources in English

Mental health support is increasingly available in Taiwan, including in English:

Counseling and Therapy

English-Speaking Mental Health Professionals

• Taipei City Community Counseling Center — offers English counseling sessions
• International Community Radio Taipei (ICRT) — occasionally lists mental health resources
• Taiwan Association of Clinical Psychology — can refer English-speaking psychologists
• Expat community recommendations — Facebook groups are a good source

Crisis Hotlines

Important: If you're in crisis and need English support, contact your country's representative office in Taiwan. Most maintain lists of English-speaking mental health professionals and can help connect you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see a doctor in Taiwan without NHI?

Yes. You can visit any clinic or hospital and pay out-of-pocket. Costs are still very affordable compared to most Western countries. A typical clinic visit costs NT$500~1,000 without NHI.

How do I get a health check-up?

Most hospitals offer health check-up packages (健康檢查):

• Basic package: NT$3,000~8,000 (blood tests, X-ray, vision, hearing)
• Comprehensive package: NT$15,000~50,000 (includes CT, MRI, tumor markers, etc.)
• Some packages are partially covered by NHI (one free adult check-up per year for those over 40)

Can I use my home country's insurance in Taiwan?

It depends on your policy. Many international health insurance plans cover treatment in Taiwan, but:

• You usually need to pay upfront and submit receipts for reimbursement
• Get itemized receipts in English if possible (ask the hospital's international department)
• Medical certificates and records can be issued in English upon request

Are vaccines available in Taiwan?

Yes. Common vaccines available at clinics and hospitals:

• Flu shot — free for eligible groups (over 65, under 6, pregnant women), otherwise NT$600~1,000
• COVID-19 — free at designated locations
• HPV — NT$5,000~6,000 per dose (3 doses needed)
• Hepatitis A/B — NT$500~1,000 per dose

What's the difference between Chinese medicine and Western medicine?

Taiwan offers both Western medicine (西醫) and Traditional Chinese Medicine (中醫), and both are covered by NHI:

• Western medicine: same as what you're used to — pharmaceuticals, surgery, modern diagnostics
• Chinese medicine: herbal medicine, acupuncture, cupping, tui-na massage
• Many Taiwanese use both systems. Chinese medicine is particularly popular for chronic conditions, rehabilitation, and preventive care.

Related Articles

• NHI Premium Calculator
• Cost of Living Calculator
• ARC Application Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to make an appointment?

For clinics (診所), no appointment is needed — just walk in, register at the front desk, and wait for your number to be called. Most neighborhood clinics operate on a first-come, first-served basis with wait times of 10-30 minutes. For hospitals, especially large medical centers, appointments are strongly recommended. You can book online through the hospital's website, by phone, or via their app. Without an appointment at a busy hospital, you may wait 1-3 hours or be turned away if the doctor's slots are full. For urgent but non-emergency issues, walk-in hospital registration is available if you arrive early (before 8:00 AM).

Can doctors speak English?

Many doctors in Taiwan can communicate in basic to intermediate English, especially those trained at major medical centers. Doctors at large hospitals in Taipei (such as NTU Hospital, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, and Mackay Memorial Hospital) generally have better English skills. Some hospitals have dedicated international patient departments with full English service. At smaller neighborhood clinics, English ability varies — some doctors speak fluently while others may struggle with medical terminology in English. For complex medical situations, it's advisable to bring a Chinese-speaking friend or write down your symptoms in both English and Chinese beforehand. Google Translate also works well in real-time for medical conversations.

How much does a clinic visit cost?

With NHI, a typical clinic visit costs NT$100~200 total — this includes a registration fee (NT$50150) and a co-pay (NT$50). Medication is covered by NHI at no additional charge beyond a small prescription co-pay. Without NHI, the same visit costs approximately NT$550~1,250, as you'll need to pay the full consultation fee (NT$300600) and medication costs (NT$200~500) out-of-pocket. Even without NHI, Taiwan's clinic costs are very affordable compared to most Western countries. Specialist visits at hospitals are more expensive: with NHI the co-pay ranges from NT$170 (regional hospital) to NT$420 (medical center without referral).

Where do I go for emergencies?

For life-threatening emergencies, call 119 for an ambulance or go directly to the nearest hospital emergency room (急診室). All district hospitals, regional hospitals, and medical centers have 24/7 emergency departments. Do NOT go to a clinic for emergencies — clinics are not equipped for serious conditions and most close by 9:00 PM. At the ER, bring your NHI card (if you have one) and any current medications. With NHI, emergency co-pays range from NT$150 (district hospital) to NT$750 (medical center without referral). Without NHI, expect to pay NT$2,500~6,500 for a basic ER visit. If unsure whether your situation is an emergency, you can call 119 for guidance. For non-life-threatening issues outside clinic hours, some hospitals offer evening and weekend outpatient clinics as a cheaper alternative to the ER.

Related Reading

• Taiwan NHI for Foreigners: How Much Does Health Insurance Cost? — NHI coverage details
• Emergency Numbers & Services in Taiwan for Foreigners (2026) — Emergency medical services
• Insurance in Taiwan for Foreigners: NHI, Private & Travel Insurance (2026) — Private supplemental insurance
• Maternity & Parental Leave Benefits in Taiwan for Foreigners (2026) — Maternal healthcare