Practical health

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

practical

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

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

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? Connexion readers share experiences and tips

We invited readers who have applied to complete a survey on the process

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

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?

Stricter rules are being put in place to fight addiction and falsified prescriptions

What is a Ghic card and does it work in France

Cards cover medical necessary health costs

Meningitis cases in France are at ‘exceptionally high’ level

Winter flu cases may be behind current hike with 90 cases recorded last month

Digital health cards, prescriptions, no-show fees: what impacts you as France’s 2025 health budget is finally approved

Healthcare will cost state over €265 billion in 2025 estimates budget

Did you know? La Poste will pick up medicines from a pharmacy and deliver them to you

Postal service is one of numerous services that are part of growing medical delivery sector

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