Practical health

My French health journey: no-pain knee replacement took 90 minutes

Graham Barton, 68, moved from the UK to Brittany in 2018, and discovered soon afterwards that he required surgery to replace his joint. He explains what the process involves in France

Strepsils, Olbas Oil, TCP: Find French equivalents to common remedies

Moving to France means navigating pharmacies and hunting down alternatives to treat everyday ailments

Does France now accept UK health qualifications for doctors to work in France?

Brexit led to the ending of cross-recognition of many qualifications

practical

Is French flour usually fortified with iron?

Rules are different from those in other countries such as UK and US

IVF treatment in France made me discover strength I never knew I had

One in 25 of all births in the country result from fertility treatment

When can you seek a second medical opinion in France?

Some mutuelles include cover for a specific service related to this

How to save money on seeing a specialist doctor in France

Some specialists charge more than others for the same service

Thermal cure funding confirmed in France for 2026

Cure thermale is a prescribed medical treatment using fresh spring water in an approved centre

Is new healthcare fee for Americans still on the way in France?

Last year French MP told how he put forward plan aimed at ‘visitor visa’ holders

Flu epidemic still widespread in France, but pressure on health services eases

Winter infections pass their peak, latest data shows

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

Settled residents in France can access healthcare through 'Puma' system

Can I ask for branded medicine instead of generic at a French pharmacy?

Non-brand drugs are generally cheaper but contain similar ingredients

How to lower the amount you pay for insurance in France

‘Big three’ insurances all set to see costs rise in 2026

Is insurance from a GHIC health card sufficient for visiting second home in France?

Health cards provide ‘medically necessary’ coverage

New health fee: which countries have a bilateral social security agreement with France?

Some retirees living in France on ‘visitor visas’ may soon face proposed new charge

Why are mutuelle and French health insurance not sharing information?

Automatic sharing of information between insurers is common

Why are authorities asking about our address to join French social security?

Short-term rentals are not always accepted as valid proof of time spent in France

French pharmacies attract American visitors with their lower prices

Pharmacists say some tourists are buying medication in France - both prescription and over-the-counter - to save money

Covid-19 cases rise in France ahead of vaccination campaign launch

‘Frankenstein’ variant causes growing number of hospital admissions, data from France’s public health agency shows

Can UK travellers get French health insurance?

Many travellers will have British 'GHIC' healthcards

French pharmacies run out of Covid tests as cases soar

A vaccination campaign against Covid begins in France on October 14

I received a health certificate from French immigration office – what should I do with it?

Some people moving to France require a medical check

More than 500 native chikungunya cases in France since May - where?

A popular seaside town has become the unwitting centre of an unprecedented outbreak

How to find mental health support in France

English-speaking practitioners are available

Is it possible to receive a French pension and hold an S1?

This is a common situation for people who have worked both in France and in the UK

Is adult whooping cough vaccine in France covered by social security?

France’s vaccine calendar outlines expected top-ups

How to keep hospital fees to a minimum in France

The system is one of the best in the world but can appear opaque

Longevity in France? We have an app for that

FriLi will help with chronic pain and a health monitoring

Can medicine be shipped to France from overseas?

It is easier to bring medicine for personal use through border yourself

12 million people in France have high LDL cholesterol – what this means

The lifestyle factors and treatments explained

Can I order glasses online from the UK and have them sent to France?

French prescriptions are usually accepted in the UK

Is it true that French workers who fall sick on holiday can reclaim leave?

France’s supreme court, the Cour de cassation, ruled on the matter in 1996

Health focus: French skin cancer campaign warns: ‘Don’t grill like sausages’

Statistics show that sunbathing causes 80,000 skin cancers and 2,000 deaths per year

What is letter from French health insurance about ‘franchise’ payments?

Everyone in the healthcare system must pay solidarity fees for appointments and medicines

Explained: How a centre de rééducation can help you in France

These centres aid recovery and improve quality of life for patients

How foreign residents can be reimbursed for healthcare when on holiday out of France

We review who needs a Ceam, an Ehic, Ghic or private insurance

Bed bugs infestations on rise in France: how to protect yourself

Reported cases surged by 50% in June compared with June 2024

Mosquitoes in France: readers share what works to stop bites

Consumer study finds the best out popular repellents – while Connexion readers shared their own tricks, from bat boxes to Ayurvedic soap

Official guidance released on summer medication use in France

Tips include what to do when travelling and when to consult a doctor

How can non-French speakers give blood in France?

Rules around donating blood are strict to protect donors and patients alike

Can six-month visa holders in France get a carte Vitale?

Short-term visitors usually use alternative means of accessing healthcare

Explained: Healthcare help for lower-income households in France

The complémentaire santé solidaire system aims to make quality healthcare accessible to all

How to deal with shoulder pain in France

Around 20% of adults suffer from it any given day

What to do with your unused or expired medicine in France

French people are becoming more eco-friendly when disposing of medical tablets, capsules, creams, sprays and more

Is it possible to get a long prescription in France before extended stay in the UK?

Medicines are usually only provided for one month at a time

Digital carte Vitale: we try it out as a French residency card holder

Smartphone app can be set up in several ways, including by – some – residency card holders

What is in the law proposed to ease France's GP shortages

Medical 'deserts' affect many rural areas in particular

What are the pros and cons of holding an S1 form for healthcare in France?

If moving to France, you can apply for an S1 90 days before moving

List: Key points of France’s end-of-life law

MPs vote to give certain patients the legal right to end their lives in cases of severe and incurable illness

How French doctor sectors impact what patients pay

GPs and other specialists are grouped into three sectors that determine how much they can charge and how much patients are reimbursed

Health alert as giant African ticks spread northwards in France

Potentially deadly ticks, known for their heat-sensing 'stalking', are spreading beyond the Mediterranean

More than a million people to receive €44 payout from French mutuelle

Major insurer offers payout after bumper year

French MPs back plan to make new doctors set up in underserved areas

The controversial bill has been adopted in parliament, but many medical professionals are opposed

France declares mental health a national priority

Investment aims to tackle stigma as one in five is affected

Mass recall of blood pressure medication across France

Labelling error on blister packet could lead to overdose of medicine

Why 500,000 people in France will soon be getting a call from health officials

A new campaign will target certain individuals with particular health conditions

How to receive personalised healthcare reminders in France

The reminders are designed to prevent people from forgetting to book important medical appointments

Doctors threaten strike against bill mandating where they work in France

The new bill aims to combat ‘medical deserts’ but young doctors say it will ‘deteriorate access’

France considers linking health reimbursements to income to curb deficit

State auditors urge reform as government faces €15.3bn shortfall in 2024

What to do if your local pharmacy in France is out of stock of your medicine

Pharmacies may be able to direct you to nearby stores where drug is available

Glasses, dentistry, hearing aids: Major changes to reimbursement rules proposed

‘We have to change healthcare spending to make our system sustainable,’ says mutuelle top-up boss

Warning over overuse of anxiety and insomnia medication in France

France is second biggest user in Europe of this type of prescribed medication

French hospital blacklists patients who do not turn up to appointments

One hospital division alone saw 1,000 no-shows in 2024

How long does it take to get a French carte Vitale?

Readers share experiences and tips - please add yours to survey

11 million people in France suffer from migraines - what help is available?

A third of sufferers never consult their GP about the problem

How to cope when a bout of ill health interrupts your new life in France

Columnist Cynthia Spillman gives her advice on staying positive

Retirees in France worst hit by mutuelle fee rises

Rates for individual policies have risen 25% in the past three years - try these tips to cut costs

Can non-French retirees obtain an Ehic card?

Some residents in France still benefit from UK international health card

What the latest World Health Organization report says about France

France has low obesity and heart disease rates but cancer diagnoses are high

Carte Vitale is now available digitally across France - is it available to foreign residents?

Users must have access to France Identité application, limiting who can digitise their health card

Are patients of a retiring French GP automatically signed up with new doctor?

It can be difficult to find a médecin traitant in some rural areas

Is it possible to get a carte Vitale in France without a social security number?

Refunds may be possible for medical expenses paid out whilst waiting for healthcard

Who is affected by France’s latest meningitis vaccination campaign?

The start of the year saw cases on the increase

Osteoarthritis: Women in France are not requesting the help they need

They are twice as likely as men to suffer from the painful breakdown of cartilage

Tip to find affordable top-up health insurance in France

Local mutuelles communales schemes can offer cost-effective health coverage for residents