When my husband dies will I lose access to healthcare in France through his S1?

Reader Question: I live in France with my husband and my healthcare comes through his S1. If he dies, do I lose my rights? 

When someone is an EU or UK state pensioner or recipient of certain exportable benefits in France, they are able to obtain an 'S1' from from the country that pays their pension, meaning that country pays France for the healthcare costs.

The form also applies to people who live in France but work in the EU or UK. 

As in your case, close family members can also be covered under the form. 

However, if they become eligible for an S1 in their own right they should apply for it themselves, or if they become eligible for French healthcare coverage through a French pension or working in France.

If your partner dies and you were under their S1 coverage, you are usually covered for an additional year. 

You should contact your local 'Caisse primaire d'assurance maladie' or Cpam as soon as possible to arrange coverage under your own rights, however. 

This is possible under the 'Puma' rules, which offer French healthcare to anyone living in France with settled residency. Note that in 2026, an additional healthcare 'fee' may affect some people using this system. 

If you already have an 'Ameli' account you can find information for your Cpam there and contact them directly. Alternatively, call 3646 (if in France) or (00) 33 184 90 36 46 if abroad.

You can make a telephone appointment or an in-person one. 

You should let them know you have a social security number and are wanting to switch your coverage from a dependant (ayant-droit) under the S1 form, to being covered through 'Puma'.