Getting Health Insurance as a Foreigner in France

Created: Dec 29, 2023 | Updated: Feb 8, 2024

It is expected that you should be concerned about your well-being, and this does not change even when your location changes. As a foreigner in any country, it is necessary to make sure quality health care is accessible to you and your family. Unforeseen health challenges happen all the time and this births the need for health insurance as a foreigner to reduce the cost of treatments and medications. In France, there are different ways a foreigner can access health insurance and it is important to understand how to access it. Whether you’re a student, expatriate, or a visitor, here’s a handy guide on securing health coverage in France.

About the French Healthcare System

France has a universal healthcare system, known as "Assurance Maladie" (Health Insurance), which covers the entire population. It is funded through a combination of employer (13%) and employee (7%) contributions, general taxation, and social security contributions. The French Social Security system plays a central role in healthcare funding. It reimburses a significant portion of medical expenses, including doctor visits, hospital stays, and prescription medications. Patients typically pay a portion of the costs, known as the "ticket modérateur".

The government covers part of the payment for medical treatments and tests, but the patient is responsible for covering the rest. 70-100% of the necessary medical bills are covered by the French state health insurance, depending on the ailment. Low-income earners and long-term sick patients usually receive 100% coverage.

Once you are registered for healthcare either as a French citizen or a foreigner, you will receive a “Carte Vitale”. This is a smart health insurance card that carries your information. When you visit a doctor, you swipe your Carte Vitale to make a payment to the social security system. Then you will be reimbursed after about five days.

Many people in France also opt for supplementary health insurance, known as "mutuelle" or "complémentaire santé". This additional coverage helps cover the remaining costs not reimbursed by the Social Security system. It may cover dental care, vision care, and alternative medicine. Patients in France have the freedom to choose their healthcare providers, including doctors, specialists, and hospitals. This freedom of choice is a fundamental aspect of the French healthcare system.

How to get Health Insurance in France as a Foreigner

All French residents must have some form of health insurance, whether public, private or both. The Caisse Primaire d’Assurance Maladie (CPAM) is the foundation of the French Healthcare system and is very accessible to every legal resident. You can choose either public or private healthcare but CPAM covers you regardless of which one you choose.

Register for Healthcare as a Foreigner in France

REGISTERING IN PERSON:

The first step is to visit your local CPAM office and register for a social security number. To do so, you will have to gather and submit the following documents:

Your international passport or any other valid ID.
Visa (if applicable).
A vital record (marriage certificate, birth certificate or your family record book).
Proof of income.
Proof of residence for at least three months.
Certificate of enrolment (for students).
Copies of your utility bills such as water or electricity bills.

It is important to note that foreign documents that are not in French need to be translated for them to be valid for your registration. To do this, you should consult the services of a certified translator in France. A certified translator will help you accurately translate your documents into French.

After your registration, you should receive your Carte Vitale within a week. In some cases, it could take between 6-10 weeks.

REGISTERING ONLINE:

1. Create an account on the Ameli.fr website with your French postal address.

2. Gather the paperwork we listed above and include any other ones requested by the system.

3. Download your provisional certificate of affiliation to the French Social Security System.

4. Finish your registration by uploading the remaining documents requested by the system such as:

Your vital record.
Your residency permit or visa validation certificate.
Your French banking information slip.

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5. You will receive your official certificate of affiliation to the French Social Security System after which your account on the l’Assurance Maladie website will be closed and your details will be transferred to your local CPAM branch.

6. Afterward, order your health insurance card by creating an account with l’Assurance Maladie. Your account login details will be sent to you via post. After receiving your login details, order your Carte Vitale and manage your reimbursements online.

Health Insurance for European Citizens in France

If you are from any of the 27 European Union countries, the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is a free card that gives you access to state-provided healthcare during your visit to any EU country, including France. You will have the same rights to healthcare as the citizens of France when you have this card.

The EHIC covers essential medical treatments and emergencies. It's important to note that this card is not a substitute for travel insurance, which may cover additional expenses such as repatriation and non-urgent healthcare.

Taking Advantage of the French Healthcare System After Registration

During your stay in France, all you need is your unique French social security number. Your Carte Vitale holds this social security information and it is your key to accessing healthcare and reimbursements. Sometimes, getting your Carte Vitale may take longer than expected, so it is recommended to ask for an ‘attestation de couverture sociale’ (Temporary French Health Insurance Card). You can use this while you wait for your permanent card. Once you receive the permanent card, show it at any healthcare facility and there will be no issues with accessing health insurance. You can also use this card at pharmacies to be reimbursed for any medication you purchase.

You should seek advice on how to register for a médecin traitant (local/treatment doctor) at your local CPAM office, doing this will give you better reimbursement rates. It is a well-known fact that French doctors usually take their time to attend to their patients. You can book an appointment with your doctor online with the Annuaire santé website which comes only in French, although a good browser will be able to help you translate most of the page. You can search for different healthcare professionals, procedures and even healthcare facilities by location. The search results also show the costs and reimbursement rates for each service.

Health insurance for foreigners in France

Health Insurance For European or Swiss Families

If you move to France with your spouse or children, they have to all be covered by health insurance immediately after they enter the country. Before leaving your country, contact the health insurance office in your country before your family arrives in France to know if each person will be covered while in France through the EHIC, or if they will have to get an S1 form to transfer their health insurance rights from your country to France.

If you are registered with French state health insurance, you can add any of your children under 18 to your account to be covered by French health insurance.

Health Insurance for Non-European Families

If you arrive with your family and have a Long Term Visa, or a Passeport Talent and a French employment contract you should request registration with French State health insurance for them and yourself at the same time at the nearest CPAM. This should be done as soon as you obtain your employment contract. If your family arrives in France after you, you can send their registration requests when they arrive.

If your spouse becomes employed in France during his/her stay, they have to register with the French state health insurance system by completing the S1 form for health insurance coverage.

Healthcare and Insurance for Women in France

In France, you don’t need a doctor’s referral to visit a Gynecologist. They are fully available and accessible through public health insurance. You can find one on the l’Assurance Maladie website or through a database of feminine doctors.

You can get contraception with 65% reimbursement as long as you have a doctor’s prescription although emergency contraception is available without a prescription. Still, this may not be covered by health insurance. You can also get routine screenings for Cervical cancer if you are up to 25, and for breast cancer if you are up to 50 years old.

Your health insurance covers most of your pregnancy costs, but you must declare your pregnancy to Camieg and Family Allowance Fund (Caisse d’Allocations Familiales – CAF) within the first 14 weeks of your pregnancy.

Termination of pregnancies is legal within the first 14 weeks of pregnancy in France although doctors have the right to refuse, but they have to refer you to centre de planification et d’education familial (family planning center).

Healthcare and Insurance for Children in France

Children, from 18 years and younger are all eligible for healthcare, irrespective of their origin. From the time they are born, they are expected to undergo 20 mandatory screenings until they are 16 to check for health issues like sickle cell anaemia, cystic fibrosis, hearing problems, visual problems, language and learning disorders, diabetes and any other health complications in children.

For children 0-13 years, there are detailed, mandatory vaccination schedules for diseases like Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio, Whooping cough, Hemophilus influenza B, Hepatitis B and several other illnesses.

Healthcare and Insurance for Seniors

The French healthcare system covers every resident, including seniors who are one of the priority groups for regular health checkups and vaccinations. Public healthcare will handle a large portion of the costs although private health insurance will provide better and quicker access to specialists and care.

There are retirement homes for seniors over 60 and they offer residential support and medical care even for people suffering from neurodegenerative diseases.

For more advice and support on senior care in France, you can visit a local information point dedicated to older people.

Conclusion

Securing health insurance in France is a step in the right direction to ensure your well-being and peace of mind. Whether you're a student, expat, or professional, it is important to prioritize your health at all costs by investing in the right health insurance plan. Put your and your family’s health first and enjoy the assurance that comes with proper health coverage.

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