What income level allows access to France’s free or low-cost top-up insurance?
A recent change has simplified access for certain benefit recipients
Published
Reader question: I have heard that France provides free health top-up insurance for people on lower incomes. Who can benefit from it?
Yes, France’s complémentaire santé solidaire (C2S) helps people with limited resources cover healthcare costs that are not reimbursed by the state health system. It can be free or require a small contribution depending on income.
It replaced the former CMU-C and ACS schemes in 2019 and provides access to additional healthcare cover without the cost of a standard private mutuelle.
People who qualify generally do not have to pay the remaining share of healthcare costs after state reimbursement. They also benefit from measures such as third-party payment (tiers payant), meaning they do not usually need to pay upfront for covered treatment.
The scheme can also help with costs linked to hospital stays, medicines, glasses, dental care, hearing aids and certain medical equipment, within the limits set by the programme.
The latest change
Meanwhile, since July 1, 2026, access to C2S has been simplified for some recipients of social benefits.
The change mainly concerns C2S that requires a small financial contribution. Before this date, certain recipients of benefits such as the supplementary disability allowance (ASI), solidarity allowance for the elderly (Aspa) and disabled adult allowance (AAH) could already benefit from a simplified process.
However, the system has now been extended to include some recipients of two additional benefits: the specific solidarity allowance (ASS) and the young commitment contract allowance (ACEJ).
Eligible ASS recipients who live alone without dependent children, and eligible ACEJ recipients whose household is not taxable (or who belong to a non-taxable household), can now be contacted directly by their health insurance fund and offered C2S with a contribution.
They do not need to complete the usual income declaration process for this initial access.
A separate rule applies to people receiving the active solidarity income (RSA): they are automatically granted free C2S unless they object.
Can foreign residents apply?
Foreign residents can apply for the C2S if they meet the general eligibility conditions.
Foreign nationals generally need to have the right to reside in France, be covered by the French healthcare system and have lived in France continuously for more than three months.
They must also meet the income conditions for C2S.
What income is allowed?
Income limits depend on the number of people in your household and your place of residence.
In mainland France, for a single person household applying for C2S, annual income must be:
€10,421 or less: C2S is free.
between €10,421 and €14,069: C2S is available with a financial contribution.
For a household of two people, the limits are:
€15,632 or less: free C2S.
between €15,632 and €21,103: C2S with a contribution.
The limits increase for larger households.
The calculation is based on resources received during the 12-month period before the application.
Applications can be made online through an Ameli account or by contacting your local health insurance fund (CPAM).
Applicants must provide information about their household situation and income. The health insurance fund should normally provide a decision within two months of receiving the application.
There is also a C2S eligibility simulator in case anyone is unsure whether they qualify.
