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
practical 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
Reader feedback: How long does it take to get a carte Vitale in France? It took much longer than the official advice of two to three weeks for most respondents in our 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? Osteoarthritis: Women in France are not requesting the help they need Tip to find affordable top-up health insurance in France
Remember to check French doctors' Optam contract - or risk paying more Mutelle top-ups do not necessarily reimburse patients for care from practitioners who have not signed a sector 1 Option de Pratique Tarifaire Maîtrisée Launch of ‘secure medical prescriptions’ in France for certain painkillers - what are new rules? What is a Ghic card and does it work in France Meningitis cases in France are at ‘exceptionally high’ level Digital health cards, prescriptions, no-show fees: what impacts you as France’s 2025 health budget is finally approved Did you know? La Poste will pick up medicines from a pharmacy and deliver them to you
Pre-Brexit Ehics ending: what visitors to France need to do Some 1.8 million UK Ehics are estimated to come up for renewal this year
Renewal and updates: what are the rules for French health cards? Does our top-up insurance have to match the card dates?
How to find a dentist in France Your options for finding routine and emergency dental care as well as English speaking practitioners
How much does health insurance cost in France? Cover ranges from free of charge to up to several thousand euros for premium private cover
What is a mutuelle in France? It is advisable to get a private, top-up health insurance policy if you have moved from the UK or US
French health authority issues pneumococcal vaccine recommendation for over 65s Four seasonal vaccines are now recommended for this age group
Covid-19 tests are still reimbursed in France - but not for long Reimbursement for most will stop after the epidemic season, but some have criticised the move
Health insurance in France: See average mutuelle cost for retirees after new rises Prices have been rising steadily for several years with older people hardest hit
Faster health check for Britons moving to France Senior Ofii official explains immigration medical checks can now be completed by a GP to reduce post-Brexit waiting times
How to save money on mutuelle cover in France The cost of top-up health insurance is set to rise further in 2025
Flu: French health authorities extend vaccination campaign as cases soar Vulnerable groups are being urged to get vaccinated as three forms of virus circulate
Are pharmacies in France closed on Sundays? What if I need medicine urgently? Stocking up on medicines before the weekend is a good idea
Explained: France’s ‘power of attorney’ equivalent France's mandat de protection future allows a named person to make decisions on your behalf if you become unable to do so
People in France can have 12 mental health support sessions per year reimbursed Referrals by a doctor are no longer required
How hospital charges work in France and what is and is not covered by the state Those without a top-up mutuelle insurance can see significantly higher fees
How do I deal with my sciatica and back pain in France? Around 150,000 cases of sciatica are recorded each year in France
Are shingles vaccines free for people in the French health system? A new vaccine was recommended by health authorities last year
Why your carte Vitale health card may have stopped working in France We look at possible reasons and solutions if you have difficulties this January
How much do doctors earn in France? Self-employed doctors are the highest paid of all ‘liberal’ professions in the country
Change to printed information leaflets for several medicines used in France QR codes will allow details to be updated and include videos of how to take medicine
New rules aim to ease lack of dentists in many rural parts of France Practices opening in areas with an existing high number of dentists will not receive state reimbursement
Healthcare: What's new in France in 2025 Certain specialist tariffs will rise in July 2025, impacting insurance premiums and healthcare access
French top-up insurance to increase by 6% in 2025 Ageing population and reduced state coverage cited as some of reasons behind hike
Is there financial help to purchase a mobility scooter in France? Some UK disability benefits remain for Britons living across the Channel
Must I telephone first before going to hospital emergency centre in France? The health ministry wants to reduce the strain on hospital services
Is appointment information automatically added to online French health space? Documents can be found online for healthcare professionals and patients to see
What is changing for daily life in France this December? A rise in fees for doctor consultations is a key change. There is also the opening of a new stretch of toll-barrier free - but paying - motorway
New date set for stricter painkiller prescription rules in France Introduction of ‘secure prescriptions’ for tramadol and codeine delayed after some pharmacists said they were not ready
Why do some French GPs charge more than others? The price of a consultation is rising in December - but some already bill patients at €30 instead of €26.50
Marathon effort boosts cancer support in France Runners join Nice-Cannes Marathon to fund English-language cancer support services in Alpes-Maritimes
Child health booklets in France will be updated to include risks of screen time Report by experts recommends banning screens for children under the age of three
Many French hospitals trial fingertip test for heart disease Test takes 15 minutes and can detect early signs of the disease
French study tests psychedelics in alcoholism therapy A groundbreaking experiment explores how psilocybin can be used to combat depressive symptoms in alcohol recovery
Strepsils, Olbas Oil, TCP: Find French equivalents to common remedies Moving to France means navigating pharmacies and hunting down alternatives to treat everyday ailments
French carmarker provides solution for noisy roads Engineers utilise vehicle noise-cancelling data to identify road noise and reduce environmental impact
Moving to France: how does a retiree apply for a health card? The card is linked to your social security number, which you must apply for first
EU citizens have difficulty obtaining French digital health cards The paperwork required to sign up for the service is available to residency card holders and French citizens but not to other EU residents of France
French hospitals’ revolutionary exoskeleton enables wheelchair-bound patients to walk The technology improves their health and independence - and may soon be available for use in homes
Are foreign nursing qualifications recognised in France? Brexit changed rules for Britons relocating to France
How do I ask for free French flu voucher if I did not receive one? The 2024/2025 vaccination season has begun
GRAPH: Variation in flu vaccination rates in France in last 16 years Figures have fallen for three successive years, including for over 65s
Allergy tracking app to ease shopping difficulties created by French students Innovative app by students helps allergy sufferers scan products and share tips, enhancing supermarket experiences.
I had cataract surgery in France After her vision deteriorated in one eye, Finistère resident Ann Edwards, 80, had to go into hospital for an cataract operation. Here, she talks about the procedure and post-op check-ups
Explained: what is the official France Identité app and can foreigners use it? Health cards are to soon be included, the French prime minister recently announced
French-made hospital respirator revolutionises global healthcare Cost-effective, open-source machine was developed during the Covid crisis and now aids patients worldwide
Ditch diets, stay active and self-care: Enjoy life the French way Columnist Cynthia Spillman explains the secret of healthy living in France
What is a French attestation des droits? Is it necessary to have one? Schools and nurseries often ask parents to provide this document
Could reimbursement rates for medical consultations be lowered in France? Cost-cutting measure is reported to be under review. Any reduction is likely to see insurance costs rise
Visualise: Data on workers’ sick-leave days in France Sick-leave is costing more and more each year, with authorities keen to reduce strain on healthcare budget
Is medicinal cannabis legal in France and is CBD available in high-street shops? There are ongoing trials assessing the benefits of cannabis for certain serious illnesses
What are the rules for driving a mobility scooter in France? The regulations can vary dependent upon the vehicle’s maximum speed
Ceam or Ghic: Which health card is right for Britons in France? The choice is dependent upon which country funds your healthcare
Reminder: French medical analysis laboratories are on strike Unions claim funding cuts will weaken services
Are there English-speaking dentists in France? France does suffer from so-called ‘medical deserts’ which can affect all professions
€1 franchise fee proposed for medical devices in France Adding the fee could save the state at least €259 million in healthcare costs, a new report claims
French medical laboratories issue strike notice for September Unions say budget cuts of almost 10% may force closures, but state health authorities argue budget was already agreed
What essential health screenings are available for free in France? Preventative cancer testing is provided but often depends on age, gender and pre-existing conditions
110,000 boxes of antibiotics recalled in France Pharmacists must return stocks, but individuals should not in theory have any faulty medicines in their homes
Are Mpox (monkeypox) vaccines available in France? Spread of new variant of virus is causing concern across world
Travelling outside France? Check which jabs you need If you are heading for far-flung destinations, it is vital to have the right vaccinations