In a recent discussion on The Checkup with Doctor Mike podcast, American physician Dr. Zeke Emanuel shared his views on which countries in Europe offer some of the best healthcare systems in the world. When asked hypothetically where he would choose to live based on the quality of medical care, Emanuel pointed to three European nations that stand out for their health services and patient care and notably none were in the United States.
Netherlands: Coordinated and Accessible Care
Emanuel praised the Netherlands as one of his top choices, highlighting the strong emphasis on primary care. In the Dutch system, general practitioners play a central role in managing patient health and coordinating access to specialists. Costs are controlled and patients can choose from different health insurers, helping to balance quality and efficiency. Nurses and doctors work collaboratively to support mental health needs and are accessible at all hours, with shared access to medical records streamlining care. The Netherlands has a reputation for excellence in healthcare delivery. Independent rankings and health indices have regularly placed the country near the top among European health systems, with high performance in areas like patient rights, access to treatment, prevention, and outcomes.
Germany: Comprehensive Services and Infrastructure
Another nation highlighted by Emanuel was Germany, which combines a large, well-resourced healthcare sector with widespread access for residents. Germany’s system is structured around mandatory health insurance that allows patients to choose providers while ensuring broad coverage. It is known for specialist availability, advanced hospital care, and investment in medical infrastructure. Across Europe, Germany often ranks among the leading countries for healthcare quality and accessibility, with robust public funding and strong patient outcomes compared with many other nations.
Norway: Strong Public Funding and Outcomes
Emanuel’s third recommendation was Norway, a country with a government-funded universal healthcare system that strives to ensure services are available to all residents. Norway’s model is financed primarily through taxation and emphasises preventive care, equitable access, and high overall health outcomes. Norway consistently performs well in European healthcare comparisons, often ranking near the top for life expectancy, service quality, and patient satisfaction.
Why These Countries Stand Out
All three nations — the Netherlands, Germany, and Norway — share some key strengths that contribute to their strong healthcare systems:
- Universal or near-universal access for residents through public insurance or well-regulated insurance markets.
- Emphasis on primary and preventive care, helping catch health issues early and reduce strain on specialist and hospital services. Balanced spending with strong outcomes, meaning efficient use of resources without compromising quality for patients. These characteristics are often seen in Europe’s highest-performing health systems, where governments take an active role in regulating costs, ensuring access, and improving public health outcomes.
Europe’s Broader Health Landscape
While Emanuel’s recommendations focus on three specific countries, broader international rankings also show that many European nations perform strongly in healthcare overall. Countries like Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Germany, and Norway frequently appear near the top of global indexes that measure quality, accessibility, efficiency, and patient satisfaction. This reflects the varied approaches across Europe — from comprehensive public systems to mixed models that blend public and private insurance — that still aim to deliver high standards of care to populations.
Final Thought
While no system is perfect, Dr. Emanuel’s perspective underscores the idea that healthcare quality can vary sharply between countries, influenced by policy choices, funding priorities, and organisational structures. For many people around the world, understanding these differences can be crucial when considering where to live or how to improve their own national health systems.
