Digital rollout of French health cards expanded: how to get one

Residents across France are now able to download a digital version of their Carte Vitale health card via a smartphone app, which is available nationwide.

Recent updates have expanded eligibility for the system. The app now supports additional EU identity cards, including German and Italian national ID cards, alongside French, Belgian, Spanish and Portuguese cards already accepted as proof of identity. 

The update also extends access to 16 and 17-year-olds, who can now obtain a digital version of their Carte Vitale in their own right in eligible cases.

It is the final step in a years-long process to digitise the health cards, however there are no plans to end physical versions, which continue to be accepted at all pharmacies and doctor surgeries.

Indeed, not all medical facilities are currently equipped to accept digital versions of the card. Adoption varies depending on local equipment and software, although most pharmacies are now able to scan the digital version, while coverage among GPs remains more uneven.

The digital app, simply called ‘Carte Vitale’, is available on smartphones (via the Apple App Store or Google Play on Android devices) and is free to download.

Available to almost all

The app has been developed through a phased rollout since 2023, gradually expanding across departments before becoming available nationwide in 2025.

Earlier stages were linked to the France Identité system, which digitises several official documents including identity cards and driving licences. However, France Identité is only available to French nationals holding newer biometric (post-2021) national ID cards.

This initially meant that many foreign residents – and citizens with older ID cards – were unable to activate the digital Carte Vitale via this route.

Following subsequent updates, access has been broadened to include a wider range of EU identity documents, now including German and Italian cards alongside Belgian, Spanish and Portuguese ones, and eligibility has also been extended to 16 and 17-year-olds where applicable.

While there have been plans to expand France Identité further, including to non-citizens, progress on this front has remained limited as of early 2026.

How does the app work for people with residency cards?

After downloading the app you will be required to enter a code sent to the email address linked to your online Ameli health account. If you do not yet have an online health account, you must contact your insurance provider to set this up before continuing.

You then need to input data from your Carte Vitale (or scan the physical card with your smartphone), scan your identity card using your phone camera, and also carry out a facial recognition scan using the app.

Some users report that the facial photo taken by the app is used permanently and, once accepted, is difficult to change, so users should ensure they are prepared before completing this step.

Alternatively, users who are eligible can authenticate via France Identité, which may streamline the process for those with compatible French identity cards.

You then need to set up a PIN code to access the digital version of the card through your phone.

Full confirmation that the app is set up can take up to 48 hours.

Testing the process

Reports from users indicate that occasional technical issues can still occur, particularly during identity card scanning or the facial recognition stage, depending on device type and lighting conditions.

Earlier in the rollout, access was also limited by identity document compatibility, with only a small number of EU identity cards initially accepted. This has now been expanded to include German and Italian identity cards, alongside French, Belgian, Spanish and Portuguese documents.

Connexion readers have previously noted inconsistencies in eligibility during earlier phases of deployment, particularly between EU citizens with residency cards and those relying solely on passports, although these constraints have eased with broader document acceptance.

Have you downloaded the app and used it? Let us know your experience via feedback@connexionfrance.com