New research reveals how high earners, including high net worth individuals, across the UK, France and Germany are investing in longer, healthier lives — and what this signals for the future of global healthcare.
A study of 800 affluent, internationally mobile professionals across the UK, France and Germany, conducted by Obsurvant on behalf of AXA Global Healthcare, March 2026.
What do we mean by longevity-focused healthcare? For the purposes of this study, longevity-focused care includes:
In short: anything aimed at extending not just lifespan, but healthspan — the number of years lived in good health.
For the world’s wealthiest, longevity has become the defining asset of the decade. Not property, not equity — time. Specifically, healthy time: years of peak cognitive function, physical capability and quality of life. And like any serious asset, it is being actively managed, not left to chance.
This study, conducted across the UK, France and Germany in March 2026, captures how this plays out in spending, behaviour and access among 800 high-earning, internationally mobile individuals — a group whose habits and priorities track closely with those of the ultra-wealthy. Average annual spend on longevity-focused healthcare now stands at £9,793 in the UK, €11,100 in France and €15,300 in Germany. Between 85% and 94% of respondents across all three markets are already actively investing, and between 36% and 47% have sought longevity care abroad.
What follows is the first cross-market picture of how that investment plays out in practice — and what it means for anyone serious about protecting and extending their healthy lifespan.
Xavier Lestrade, Managing Director, AXA Health International
The table below summarises findings across all three markets. Full market deep-dives follow.
*Exchange rate: £1 = €1.16. All figures converted for reference only.
Longevity treatments as defined in the survey: see definition above.
Source: The Longevity Mindset Study 2026, conducted by Obsurvant on behalf of AXA Global Healthcare, March 2026. 800 respondents across the UK (259), France (269) and Germany (272).
More than 8 in ten high-earning (85%), internationally mobile individuals based in the UK invested in longevity treatments last year, and nearly three quarters (74%) plan to increase their spend over the next three years, including 5% who haven't started yet but intend to. That gives the UK the strongest growth momentum of the three markets surveyed.
What the UK data points to is a shift in how high-earning individuals think about health: less reactive, more deliberate. Longevity investment has moved from a niche activity for the ultra-wealthy into something high-earning individuals plan for as a matter of course. For those who move between countries for work, that planning increasingly extends to where they seek care, not just how much they spend on it.
High-earning, internationally mobile individuals based in the UK spend an average of £9,793 (€11,360)* per year on longevity treatments.
15% of this group spend more than £10,000 annually on longevity treatments.
8% exceed £50,000 per year on longevity treatments.
Three quarters of respondents based in the UK have either already sought care abroad or are open to doing so. What draws them is a mix of quality and access – and for nearly one in four, the chance to reach treatments that aren't yet available where they are based:
More than half (53%) expect to gain at least six additional years of healthy life. Average expected gain: 8.3 years.
France’s healthcare system is among the strongest in the world, and for most of the people surveyed — high-earning, internationally mobile individuals based in France — it remains the foundation of their longevity care. What has shifted, however, is the expectation that it should be the only option.
Among high earners who travel for work, expectations around speed of access and the range of available treatments have outpaced what any single system can offer. Cross-border healthcare is no longer a last resort; in fact, it’s a practical consideration they actively weigh.
Average annual spend on longevity treatments is €11,100 (£9,569).
14% of this group spend more than €11,600 annually on longevity treatments.
3% spend more than €116,000 annually.
90% have invested in the past year.
90% show active engagement.
72% plan to increase spending.
While the UK records the highest rate of respondents who have already sought longevity care abroad, French respondents also show strong engagement with cross-border healthcare: 41% have already travelled for treatment, with a further 37% open to doing so. Their motivations span cost, convenience and clinical access, including:
Almost half (46%) expect to gain at least six additional years of healthy life. Average expected gain: 7.1 years.
High-earning, internationally mobile individuals based in Germany don’t just spend more on longevity, they spend differently. Alongside fitness, the second most common category is longevity-directed medications and supplements – including some still under investigation, as cited by 42% of respondents.
Compare this to high earners in France and the UK, among whom 25% and 16% respectively cited spend on longevity-orientated medications, and it’s clear that Germany’s high-earners approach longevity less as a lifestyle and more as a clinical project.
Average annual spend on longevity treatments is €15,300 (£13,190).
17% of this group spend more than €11,700 annually on longevity treatments.
15% spend more than €29,000 annually.
6% spend over €117,000 annually.
94% have invested in the past 12 months.
68% plan to increase investment.
Eight in ten respondents based in Germany have either already sought care abroad or would consider doing so — a higher proportion than in the UK or France. For those who have done so, the pull is a combination of cost and access to cutting-edge treatments:
Average expected gain: 6.7 additional years of healthy life.
“The data highlights a clear shift: longevity is becoming an active investment priority for high earners and high-net-worth individuals, not a passive outcome of healthcare. What stands out is how many people are already seeking care beyond their home country’s borders — and how many more are open to doing so. Cost, waiting times and access to specialist expertise are all factors. For those living and working across more than one country, having coverage that works seamlessly across multiple healthcare systems is no longer a luxury. It’s how they protect and realise their health ambitions.”
Xavier Lestrade, Managing Director, AXA Health International
The data from this study reflects a simple truth: for high earners and high-net-worth individuals who live and work across multiple countries, the question is no longer whether to invest in longevity — it’s whether your healthcare access can keep pace with your ambitions.
For this group of people, access to consistent, high-quality healthcare — wherever they are based — is a practical concern, not an afterthought. The most committed longevity investors in this study are already crossing borders for care: seeking the best diagnostics, the right specialists, and in some cases, treatments not yet available at home. Fragmented, country-specific cover is a liability when your health strategy spans multiple healthcare systems.
AXA Global Healthcare provides premium private healthcare insurance designed for people who demand more from their healthcare. Our plans give you access to leading specialists, advanced diagnostics, mental health support and preventative care — across borders, without complexity. Whether you’re managing your health in one country or five, your cover moves with you.
For those investing seriously in their long-term health, the right international cover isn’t a cost — it’s part of the strategy.
The Longevity Mindset Study 2026 was conducted by Obsurvant on behalf of AXA Global Healthcare. Fieldwork was carried out in March 2026 across three markets:
All respondents were in the top 10% of earners, at senior manager level or above, and travel internationally at least once per year. This sample serves as a proxy audience for high-net-worth individuals: top earners with international mobility and used as a practical stand-in for a population that is difficult to reach through traditional survey methods.
*Exchange rate: £1 = €1.16.
The Longevity Mindset Study 2026 surveyed 800 high-earning, internationally mobile individuals across the UK, France and Germany. Below are some of the most common questions about what the data shows, and what it means for high earners planning their health beyond borders
Q1: How much do high earners spend on longevity treatments?
High earners are already committing significant annual budgets to longevity-focused healthcare. Average spend stands at £9,793 in the UK, €11,100 in France, and €15,300 in Germany.
Spending varies widely within each market, with a proportion investing well above these averages, including high-value outliers exceeding £50,000 or €100,000 annually.
Q2: Which country’s professionals invest most in longevity? (2026)
High-earning, internationally mobile individuals based in Germany lead in overall spending, investing an average of €15,300 per year — more than a third higher than those based in the UK or France. The research records this difference but does not explain the reasons behind it.
Germany shows the highest levels of engagement, with 94% of respondents actively investing in longevity.
Q3: What longevity treatments are most popular among high earners?
Across all three markets, the most common areas of investment are fitness, mental health and stress management, and nutrition. There is also strong uptake of continuous health monitoring (such as wearables), advanced diagnostic screening, and longevity-directed medications and supplements. Specialist and concierge-led care is a smaller but growing category.
Q4: Why are high earners travelling abroad for healthcare?
The main drivers of cross-border healthcare are consistent across markets: quality of care, cost, access to leading specialists, and shorter waiting times. Many individuals also travel to access treatments not yet available in their home country or to gain earlier access to emerging therapies.
Q5: How do I protect my health investment when I move abroad or travel frequently?
Protecting your health investment means ensuring continuity of care across borders. This includes access to medical records, consistent treatment pathways, and the ability to see specialists in different countries without disruption. For high-earning, internationally mobile individuals, this often involves choosing health cover that works across multiple healthcare systems rather than being limited to one country.
Q6: What should I look for in health insurance if I’m investing in longevity treatments abroad?
Key considerations include international coverage, access to a broad network of specialists, and flexibility to receive treatment in multiple countries.
You should also consider how easily you can access diagnostics, consultations and follow-up care across borders, particularly if your healthcare approach includes preventative and specialist-led interventions.
Q7: Is international health insurance worth it for high earners?
For high earners investing in longevity, international health insurance can provide greater flexibility and access. As more individuals seek care across borders, having coverage that supports treatment in multiple countries can ensure that healthcare decisions are based on quality and availability.
Q8: What does longevity investment mean for international health insurance?
Longevity investment extends beyond routine treatment to include prevention, optimisation and specialist care.
This creates a need for health insurance that can support a wider range of services, from diagnostics and consultations to cross-border treatment, while keeping care connected and consistent.
Q9: Can I get health insurance that covers me in the UK, France and Germany?
Yes. International private medical insurance plans are designed to provide coverage across multiple countries, including the UK, France and Germany. This allows high-earning, internationally mobile individuals to access care where it best meets their needs, without being restricted to a single healthcare system.
Q10: How are high earners planning to increase their health investment in the next three years? (2026)
Growth intent is strong across all three markets. In the UK, 74% of high-earning, internationally mobile individuals plan to increase their investment, the highest of the three markets. France and Germany also show clear upward trends, with 72% and 68% respectively planning to spend more on longevity-focused healthcare.
Q11: What are the most common reasons high earners seek healthcare abroad?
The most common reasons cited in the research include cost savings, shorter waiting times, access to advanced technology, and the ability to see leading specialists. Early access to emerging therapies is also a significant factor for many high-earning, internationally mobile individuals.
Q12: How many years of healthy life do high earners expect to gain from longevity investment? (2026)
Expected gains vary by market. UK high earners report the highest expectations, with an average of 8.3 additional healthy years. In France, the average expected gain is 7.1 years, while in Germany it is 6.7 years, reflecting slightly more conservative expectations despite higher levels of spending.
Q13: What’s the difference between lifespan and healthspan, and why does it matter?
Lifespan refers to total years lived. Healthspan refers to the years spent in good health, free from serious illness or significant physical decline.
The spending recorded in The Longevity Mindset Study 2026 is directed primarily at extending healthspan. This is reflected in the categories individuals are investing in: preventative diagnostics, metabolic health programmes, continuous monitoring and mental wellbeing. For this group, the goal is years well-lived, not simply years added.
Q14: How does AXA Global Healthcare support cross-border healthcare access?
We support individuals with cross-border healthcare1 by combining access to a global network of more than two million medical providers2 with 24/7 multilingual support, virtual doctor appointments3 , and direct settlement of eligible medical bills.2
Members can access treatment and wellbeing services worldwherever they are in the world, including mental health support and second medical opinions through our Mind Health service4, while medical evacuation and repatriation services help ensure they can reach appropriate emergency care if local treatment is unavailable.
Whether you need to top-up local health cover or just want access to the best medical treatment available, our long and short-term health cover is flexibly designed to meet your, and your family’s, health and wellbeing needs.
We know your business is unique, which is why we offer a choice of products based on the size and needs of your workforce. With you, we’ll craft each product into the healthcare solution you need. We’re the global healthcare specialists for AXA, one of the world’s leading insurance brands.1 So, whether your employees are expats or locals travelling for work, you can be confident we’ll be by their side.
The contents of this article is based on the research for The Longevity Mindset Study 2026, conducted by Obsurvant on behalf of AXA Global Healthcare, March 2026. 800 respondents across the UK (259), France (269) and Germany (272).
* All Euro figures are converted for reference only. Based on exchange rate: £1 = €1.16. March 2026
1 The AXA group of companies have been providing cross-border health insurance plans since 1963.
2 The AXA Select medical provider network covers 192 countries and includes 2 million facilities where we can settle bills directly, as of February 2026.
3 The Virtual Doctor service is provided by Teladoc Health and is part of the Virtual Care from AXA offering. Telephone appointments can be booked 24/7, 365. Callbacks are typically within 24 hours. Operating hours vary according to region. For availability in your local market and further information on the Virtual Doctor service, please click here.
4 The Mind Health service is provided by Teladoc Health and is part of the Virtual Care from AXA offering. The service provides up to six sessions with a psychologist per non-emergency mind health concern, per year. For further information about the Mind Health service, including consultation availability, please click here.