Can I get sport activities on prescription in France?

Reader question: I remember reading about ‘sport on prescription’ in the past. Has anything moved on? Who is eligible now?

Physical activity has become increasingly recognised in France as part of preventative and therapeutic healthcare, with more people now eligible for ‘sport on prescription’.

However, having a prescription does not necessarily mean sessions will be reimbursed.

Originally aimed at people with an ALD (recognised long-term health condition), the scheme was widened in 2022 to include people with chronic illnesses, certain health risk factors or loss of autonomy.

When prescribed by a doctor, the resulting programme is known as activité physique adaptée (APA), or adapted physical activity.

Those eligible include people with one of the main ‘ALD 30’ conditions, such as cancer, Parkinsons or diabetes, as well as those with other chronic conditions or risk factors including obesity, high blood pressure and a sedentary lifestyle.

Certain people with loss of autonomy also qualify.

The doctor uses a special prescription form to set out health objectives – such as weight control or improved muscle strength or lung capacity – and any precautions.

The patient can then have their physical capabilities and motivation assessed and an individual programme drawn up, specifying appropriate activities, frequency, duration and intensity.

These could include swimming, cycling, Pilates, yoga, gymnastics or stretching.

Nina Commandré, an APA instructor at Sport-Santé-labelled Elancia fitness centre in Brive (Corrèze), said individual tailoring is vital, with the focus on health rather than “performance goals”.

“We’ll discuss their aims and any health restrictions, take body measurements and carry out physical tests,” she said.

Members are given an electronic ‘key’ that configures gym equipment to their programme and their progress is regularly reviewed. Ms Commandré also offers one-to-one weekly coaching.

She said Sport-Santé-labelled centres are audited, follow health and safety standards and have specially-trained coaches. 

Her centre also works closely with healthcare professionals. “I get in touch with them directly when ‘sport on prescription’ is being introduced so we can carry out complementary work,” she said.

APA is not generally reimbursed by Assurance Maladie but some mutuelles contribute, while some councils, including Paris and Strasbourg, have local funding.

Since March 2026, Assurance Maladie cover has also been available for some patients with complex obesity as part of a specific coordinated healthcare pathway.

Trials are under way in Brittany, Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur involving cancer patients.

Some regions also fund small-group education programmes covering overall quality of life, including physical activity, nutrition and sleep, Ms Commandré said.

Speaking to your GP is a good starting point. They may ask you to visit a local maison Sport-Santé which can assess people and direct them towards appropriate activities and qualified providers.

It is also possible to approach these directly and they can help people who simply want to become active safely as well as helping people navigate APA pathways.

Sport-Santé centres such as Elancia are also not only for people with prescriptions but cater for people seeking generally to maintain health and prevent illness.

Ms Commandré said members range from people in their 20s and 30s to wheelchair users and older people. One is 86 and does toning and strength work.

“There’s no limit as long as we’ve assessed the person properly from the start,” she said.