Understanding healthcare when moving to France

Starting a new life in France? Understanding and integrating into the French healthcare system can feel complex. From registering with the state health insurance body to understanding reimbursements and finding top-up health cover, there are several steps to take.

Getting the right support can make all the difference. For example, Cigna Healthcare offers flexible international health insurance designed for expats, helping access care with confidence. 

Here we look at some key points for understanding healthcare when moving to France, and why you may need to seek private insurance.

Read more about Cigna Healthcare’s flexible international health insurance designed for expats

Qualifying for public health insurance

Since 2016, France has run a statutory health insurance system called the Protection Universelle Maladie (PUMA), which guarantees universal medical care either fully or partly funded by both the state and social security for all people residing in France. This includes nationals and non-nationals.

To qualify for Puma, you must generally have resided legally in France in a stable and uninterrupted manner for more than three months (salaried employees are automatically eligible).

Cigna Healthcare’s expat health insurance in France can help cover you until you can apply for public healthcare or before you become a resident. Cigna Healthcare has designed their health insurance to provide expats with the right support from day one: 

●      Access to over two million healthcare providers worldwide,

●      Claims reimbursed in five working days after all necessary documentation is received,

●      No premium increase after making a claim.

Read more about Cigna Healthcare’s flexible international health insurance designed for expats

Getting into the healthcare system

When you come to France, one of your first steps should be to register with the local Cpam (Caisse primaire d’assurance maladie – 'main sickness insurance payment fund'), which in most cases will be your local state health insurance body dealing with your health reimbursements.

You can apply by sending this form to your Cpam with any supporting documents listed on the second page. Note that a different process applies to people with an S1 form.

Cpams can be contacted via 3646 or you can visit in person during working hours.

Registration is not essential for certain early-retirees who opt to rely on comprehensive private health cover.

Non-EU citizens moving over may need a private health insurance policy for the first year while their Cpam cover is processed.

Once having applied you will be sent a temporary French social security number in the post, followed by a document called the attestation de droits, which proves you are in the system. You should then be sent a carte Vitale - a green plastic credit-card-sized card used to simplify health reimbursements.

Finding top-up health insurance

French public healthcare may only cover a percentage of treatment fees and you may want to take out extra insurance to help cover remaining costs.

Read more about Cigna Healthcare’s flexible international health insurance designed for expats

About 95% of French residents have top-up health insurance policies, often known as mutuelles or a complémentaire santé.

Some common aspects of care require part of the costs to be paid upfront and then reimbursed by the state and/or the patient's private insurance provider.

You can take out a policy from a dedicated health insurance firm such as Cigna Healthcare, which caters especially for English speaking expatriates.

With Cigna Healthcare’s cover that adapts to your life in France and beyond, you can focus on enjoying your new start.