Expat’s Guide to Healthcare in France

Understanding and enrolling in the French local healthcare system is one of the most important  and often most confusing aspects of moving to another country. That’s especially true for Americans, since US healthcare operates so differently from nearly every other system in the world.

At EasyStart, we know all the ins and outs of the French system to guide you through every step, no matter where you’re arriving from. 

Read on to learn about the Healthcare system in France, private and supplementary health insurance, emergency medical care, and how to get coverage as an expat.

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Overview of the French healthcare system

Let’s start by clearing up a common misconception about healthcare in France: France does not have socialized medicine. 

It does, however, have an excellent universal public healthcare system. 

The Protection Universelle Maladie (PUMA) works like a single-payer model where the state acts as the main insurance provider and guarantees access to essential care for all residents.

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Is healthcare free in France?

Healthcare in France isn’t free, but it is heavily subsidized and much more affordable than in many other countries.

Consultation fees and medication costs are somewhat regulated, so prices stay down and are consistent across providers and regions.

Employers and individuals contribute through social security payments and the state reimburses most of the cost of routine healthcare. 

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‍Here’s the typical cost of going to the doctor in France:

• The doctor charges 30€
• Assurance Maladie (social security) reimburses 19€
• You pay 11€ out of pocket

And with supplementary insurance, a mutuelle, you could pay even less, sometimes nothing at all.

It’s also worth noting that long-term conditions and emergency hospitalisations can be covered up to 100%.

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‍Is France’s healthcare system the best in the world?

Thanks to a focus on preventive care, comprehensive coverage, and medical innovation, the French healthcare system is consistently ranked as one of the world’s best. Many screenings and vaccines are free, sick leave and family leave are generous, and residents receive strong support throughout treatment and recovery.

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‍L’Assurance Maladie, the national health insurance provider, covers:

• GP and specialist consultations (on referral)
• Hospital stays
• Rehabilitation and follow-up care
• Prescription medications

France is also a leader in medical research, home to breakthroughs like Louis Pasteur’s work on vaccines and infectious diseases, and more recently, the world’s first partial face transplant.

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‍Who can access healthcare in France?

France’s public healthcare system is accessible to nearly all legal residents, including international students, workers, business owners, and retirees. And in emergencies, public hospitals treat everyone, even visitors.

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‍Public healthcare for expats

Expats living in France long-term are entitled to the same public healthcare benefits as French citizens once they’re registered with the social security system. After enrollment, you’ll receive reimbursements for doctor visits, prescriptions, hospital care, and more through Assurance Maladie.

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‍Eligibility for foreigners and expats

To qualify for public healthcare as a retiree or not working (for instance, on a Long-Stay Visitor Visa), you must have lived in France legally for three consecutive months. Once this requirement is met, you can apply for social security through CPAM and request your Carte Vitale, the card used to process reimbursements automatically.

You’ll need to provide, among others, proof of identity, legal residence, and address in France when applying.

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‍Health insurance for Non-EU Expats

If you’re moving to France from outside the EU, you’ll most likely need private health insurance for your visa application and during your first three months in the country depending on your type of visa.

Once you meet the initial residency requirement, you can then apply for public coverage through PUMA (more on that in a minute).

Even after joining the public system, you may want to subscribe to a mutuelle, a supplementary insurance plan that covers the portion of medical costs the state doesn’t reimburse. 

It’s certainly not required, but this type of private health insurance is very popular in France and can significantly reduce out-of-pocket expenses, particularly for dental, vision, and mental health services.

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‍The French healthcare system: PUMA and Social Security

France’s universal healthcare coverage system, PUMA, is built on the principle that healthcare is a right. 

Based on residency rather than employment, it ensures that anyone living in France legally can access emergency and long-term medical care.

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What PUMA (Protection Universelle Maladie) covers for residents:

PUMA guarantees access to essential healthcare services, including:

• General physician visits
• Specialist consultations (usually with a referral)
• Treatment for long-term conditions
• Hospital care
• Maternity care and childbirth
• Prescription medications
• Preventive services (vaccines, screenings, etc.)

‍How to register with CPAM ‍

Once you’ve legally lived in France for three months (if you’re retired or not working), you can apply for healthcare coverage through your local Caisse Primaire d’Assurance Maladie (CPAM).

This is the first step toward entering the national healthcare system and getting your French social security number.

To complete your application, you’ll need to provide documents such as your passport, birth certificate, proof of address and legal residence in France (visa or carte de séjour) along with certified translations. You’ll also need a French bank account to receive reimbursements.

After submitting your file, the CPAM assigns you a temporary social security number while they review your application. If you’re approved, you’ll receive your permanent French social security number and can then request your Carte Vitale (public health insurance card).

It can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months to receive your French social security number.

‍Need help? EasyStart can prepare your French healthcare application for you!

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‍How to get your Carte Vitale?

Once you’re issued your French social security number, the final step is requesting your Carte Vitale.

To request your healthcare coverage card, you’ll need to:

• Complete another form
• Provide an ID photo
• Provide proof of ID
• Submit any other requested documents on a case by case basis

=> You can expect to receive your Carte Vitale in the mail within two to four months. 

While the process may be long, having a Carte Vitale makes getting healthcare in France so much faster, easier, and more affordable.

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 Rules for workers, students, and retirees

The steps for enrolling in France’s public healthcare vary slightly depending on whether you’re employed, enrolled in school, or retired.

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Employees

If you’re employed in France, your employer will usually handle your social security registration when you start your job. Once your rights are opened, you’ll receive your French social security number and can request your Carte Vitale. If you’re self-employed, you’ll be affiliated to the healthcare system through the payment of your own URSSAF contributions.

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Students

Students have to apply to CPAM upon their arrival in France. You’ll need to provide proof of enrollment and accommodation when applying.

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Retirees

If you’re retiring to France from outside the EU, you’ll need private health insurance for your visa and during your first three months in the country. After that, you can apply for PUMA coverage through CPAM (as described above). 

Since processing times vary, many retirees choose to keep private insurance until their Carte Vitale arrives to ensure there’s no lapse in coverage.

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Accessing healthcare in France: What to do and expect

At this point, if you already got your French social security number and your Carte Vitale, you can now find a doctor and enjoy all the benefits of France’s healthcare system.

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How to find a doctor in France?

You’re free to choose any general practitioner as your doctor (medecin traitant = primary physician). Online platforms like Doctolib are one of the best and easiest ways to find doctors, read reviews, and book appointments.

Declaring a medecin traitant is important as it can save you a lot of money by increasing your reimbursement rates and helping coordinate specialist and follow-up care.

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Specialists and hospitals

To pay the least out-of-pocket and get the best reimbursement from l’Assurance Maladie, you’ll want a referral from your primary physician (medecin traitant) to see a specialist.

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Secteur 1 specialists follow the nationally regulated rates, while Secteur 2 doctors can charge additional fees (depassements d’honoraires). These extra costs are only partially reimbursed by the public system, which is why many residents have a mutuelle to help cover the difference.

It’s always worth checking a specialist’s sector before making an appointment to know what prices to expect.

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Emergency medical care in France

In case of a medical emergency in France, call:

• 112 - EU-wide emergency number (best option for English speakers)
• 15 - SAMU (ambulance/medical emergency service)
• 18 - Fire department (fires and accidents)

Emergency rooms (urgences) will treat everyone, regardless of residency or insurance status. For urgent but non-life-threatening needs, many areas also have after-hours medical clinics (maisons médicales de garde).

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 Healthcare costs and reimbursements

One of the biggest advantages of the French healthcare system is its pricing transparency. 

Most medical fees follow national guidelines, and you’ll be automatically reimbursed directly to your bank account when using your Carte Vitale.

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Standard consultation fees

Standard costs for medical care in France in 2025:

• A general practitioner (GP) visit costs approx. 30€
• Specialist fees vary depending on their sector and specialty, with Secteur 1 doctors following regulated rates and Secteur 2 doctors allowed to charge additional fees (depassements d’honoraires)
• Hospital stays follow standardized daily rates, with long-term conditions often covered at 100%

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Social Security reimbursement rates

Reimbursement depends on the type of care, but most services fall within these ranges:

• 70% of GP and specialist visits
• 80–100% of hospital care
• 100% for approved long-term conditions
• 15–65% of prescription medication costs

The remaining amount is what patients cover themselves or through supplementary insurance, their mutuelle.

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What is a mutuelle? Supplementary health insurance in France

A mutuelle is private, complementary health insurance which helps cover the portion of costs the French public health insurance doesn’t reimburse.

Mutuelles are very popular in France, and subscribing to one tailored to your healthcare needs can make everyday care even more affordable.

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What does a mutuelle cover?

Individual plans vary, but most provide additional coverage for:

• Dental and vision care
• Specialist fees with dépassements d’honoraires
• Hospital comfort (private rooms, etc)
• Physiotherapy, osteopathy, and other treatments

Higher-tier plans may also include extra maternity benefits, wellness services, or mental health care. 

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Cost of a mutuelle

On average, a mutuelle costs 30–70€ per month, depending on age, location, and coverage level. Families and retirees may pay more, especially if they need more significant dental or vision benefits.

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Employer vs private options

If you work for a French company, your employer is legally required to offer you a mutuelle and cover at least 50% of your monthly premium.

Self-employed workers, students, and retirees can purchase private plans directly and tailor coverage to their needs and budget.

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Ready to move to France?

France offers one of the world’s most accessible and affordable healthcare systems, and once you’re registered, getting care is surprisingly simple. The key is preparing ahead.

Make sure you have visa-friendly private insurance if you need it, gather the documents and translations you’ll need for your CPAM application, and plan to request your Carte Vitale as soon as you’re eligible.

Subscribing to a mutuelle too will also help keep your out-of-pocket costs low.

If you’d like support along the way, EasyStart is here to help you navigate the paperwork so you can focus on settling into your new life.

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