If you have experienced the health care in France or know of someone who has benefitted, you will agree that the healthcare and service provided is amongst the best in the world. Compared to long waiting lists in the UK and some other countries the medical attention provided in France is immediate, caring and thorough.

Any person in France needing medical or emergency treatment in hospital will be given it. If you are not entitled to a carte vitale then you will be expected to pay for the treatment.

If you are entitled to a carte vitale then a percentage of the hospitalisation, cost of consultations with doctors, dentists and specialists will be reimbursed. The percentage is dependant on certain medical circumstances, whether or not the person has affiliated to that practitioner as his/her medecin traitant, and whether he has a mutuelle or top up insurance. You will be prompted to choose a medecin traitant by the social security if you have not already done so.

Complementary insurance or a mutuelle is usually taken out as a top up insurance for the difference between the full amount and the amount reimbursed by the social security. This is not obligatory. There are various companies offering this or you can opt for one suggested by the social security.

There is very little difference to be found between the private and the public health care. The difference in cost is negligible and the care is the same.

We would suggest that on arrival in France you visit a local doctor to make his acquaintance and register with him.

House visits at night are now being screened via the SAMU who will send a doctor or emergency services depending on the problem. This is due to abuse of the system and wasted calls. Do not however hesitate to contact the SAMU if you need a doctor in the middle of the night or the weekend. There is someone who will ask you relevant questions and send someone best suited to deal with the situation.

All children will require medical certificates for school and for any sports they will be participating in. The health system in France is currently undergoing a huge change - we will endeavour to update our information as soon as it is available.

This is applicable to all EU nationals resident in France and classed as “inactive“.

“Inactive” means anyone not having reached retirement age or not entitled to either an E106 or E109 and not working.

Following the EU directive 2004/38 transposed in France by law 24 juillet 2006 and decree 2007-371 dated 21 march 2007 bringing France into line with other EU countries it is now rumoured but not confirmed that the situation of those expats already subscribed to the CMU (Couverture Maladie Universelle) as at 30th Sept 2007 will remain unchanged.
If this is confirmed this means that “inactive” expats already resident in France and registered with the CMU by the previous legislation (the State Health Insurance system) as at 30th Sept 2007, will be allowed to remain in the current system.
However if this is not confirmed then all “inactive” expats will have to subscribe to private health insurance. This may well include those living in France as at 30th Sept 2007 on an E106. Currently there is an extension of the CMU cover until the 31st March 2008 to obtain a private medical cover unless the “inactive” status changes.

New ”inactive” comers will be required to have private medical insurance before or on arrival in France.

Working expats (employed or self employed) who are up to date with their social charges, will not be affected by the ruling. Anyone working legally is automatically covered by the State Healthcare system, and can subscribe to a personal top up health plan if required.

E106, E109, E121 holders should register with the French Authorities CPAM (Caisse Primaire d’Assurances Maladie) on arrival in France and take further instructions from them on their entitlement.

Find the local CPAM office nearest to you.

To speak to someone :
CPAM English speaking help line + 33 (0)8 20 90 42 12
CLEISS + 33 (0)1 45 26 33 41
Read more on the affiliation to the CMU for Inactive EU Nationals

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Disclaimer: The information contained within this website is non-contractual and is subject to change without warning.