How to obtain a carte Vitale and the benefits it gives

The carte Vitale is a plastic credit-card-sized card that is used to simplify health reimbursements. It is supplied by your Cpam or, for those in some work sectors, another caisse.

It guarantees reimbursement of the state’s share of the costs within five days and contains a chip with details of your health cover rights. It is swiped by doctors you consult and pharmacists. Once you have obtained your social security number you can apply for your card.

If you have applied but it has not yet been delivered, you will have to use the old paper reimbursements system, which involves getting paper feuilles de soins forms from the doctor or pharmacist and sending / delivering them to your Cpam.

The Ameli website states that it takes around three weeks for the card to be supplied, but experience suggests the time is variable depending on how efficient your Cpam / caisse is.

 An Assurance Maladie spokesman said someone with an S1, for example, giving the right to French healthcare (see Chapter 3) merely has to ask their Cpam for a card and it should be sent within weeks if they submit the form quickly.

Newcomers are typically sent a paper form in the post which can be used to apply for the card, however, you can also apply via your Ameli account. 

Click on mon compte > mes démarches > ma carte Vitale > commander ma carte Vitale. In this section you will be prompted to enter or to select the beneficiary (you). 

Ensure your personal information is correct and upload a digital passport-style photo of yourself as well as a scan of an ID document. The system will ask you to validate all the details entered before allowing you to file your request.

If you already have a social security number, you can order your carte Vitale on your smartphone, through the Ameli app, which you can download from the App Store or Google Play. The process is the same regardless of the platform you use.

Children born in France are 'attached' to the carte Vitale of the parent who registers their birth. It is also recommended to request that they are added to the other parent's card as well. This is done via the Ameli account of the parent with whom the child is already registered, or on this paper form. This form can also be used to 'attach' children who were born abroad to a parent's card. The parent/s can then use their own card when accompanying the child to a medical appointment.

Parents can also order a card for their 'attached' children from the age of 15 (in certain cases 12). If they do not do this a form will be posted to the child when they reach the age of 16 so they can be registered in the system in their own right.

If you need a document showing you have healthcare rights while waiting for your card, you can print off an attestation de droits at your Ameli account or request one on the phone at 3646, or visit your Cpam.

If you lose your card, you should inform your Cpam immediately and request a replacement.

An app version of the carte Vitale (appCV) is being rolled out in France and can be used in place of a physical card. 

It is also planned that people will be able to store their card on the France Identité app in the course of 2025 – this app is at present only for French citizens. There are though no plans to stop the use of physical cards – the digital versions would be an option.

Your card has no expiry date but it is recommended that you ‘update’ (mettre à jour) your carte Vitale annually to ensure reliable and accurate reimbursement. This can be done using machines in pharmacies or at certain Cpam offices. This is also required after notifying your Cpam of a change of details such as a marriage, birth, new address etc.