French MPs back new health fee for ‘visitor visas’ and target Americans

Retirees with visitor visas from the US and elsewhere outside the European Union may soon have to pay a fee towards their healthcare costs under a measure adopted by MPs (députés) on Saturday (November 8) as part of the ongoing 2026 budget negotiations.

Visiter (visiteur) visas, which are typically used by foreign residents living off pensions and investments, as opposed to working in France, currently make their holders eligible for France’s Protection universelle maladie (Puma) - universal health coverage - after three months of residence, even if they do not pay French taxes or social charges.

“This measure addresses a real anomaly,” said François Gernigon, an MP from the centrist Horizons party, who tabled the amendment. 

“Today, some foreign nationals can live in France, access public healthcare without any contribution, and in some cases without paying any tax. Certain agencies, especially in the United States, even promote France as a destination for retirees by promising free access to the French health system.”

British retirees in France are not expected to be affected. Those receiving a UK state pension remain covered under the post-Brexit S1 healthcare scheme, through which the UK reimburses France for their treatment.

The new fee targets long-stay “visitor” visa holders from countries without reciprocal agreements - such as the United States - who can currently access Puma after three months without contributing to the system.

Widespread support

The amendment was adopted by 176 votes to 79, with support from MPs in the ruling centrist bloc, the right and the far right. 

Left-wing parties voted overwhelmingly against it, calling it discriminatory and politically motivated.

The measure, which was included in the prospective 2026 social security budget must still pass scrutiny for the wider 2026 budget and could also be rejected by the Senate

A sub-amendment ensures that refugees and citizens of countries covered by bilateral social security agreements would not be affected. The exact level of the new contribution will be set by government decree.

Public Accounts Minister Amélie de Montchalin did not oppose the measure but acknowledged the issue of unequal treatment under existing international conventions. 

“It is true that some nationals of G20 countries can be exempt from income tax, CSG and other contributions,” she said. “The government takes this seriously and intends to revise these agreements so that all make a fair contribution.”

The change will primarily affect non-European retirees living in France on long-stay visitor visas, particularly Americans, who have become one of the largest groups of such residents. 

Many currently gain access to France’s state healthcare system after three months without paying into it, as long as they can show stable income and private health cover on arrival.

Once the decree is issued, long-stay visitor visa holders from outside the EU will have to pay the new minimum fee to maintain access to Puma.