Tips for getting cover as a British national

Before arriving in France and beginning the process of joining the state system, you should ensure you have private health insurance covering medical costs. This is particularly important during the initial period before you become eligible for French healthcare.

If you urgently need to see a doctor, it is also possible to pay fees directly. In many cases, consultation costs are relatively modest.

If you plan to make France your home, you will need to join the French system. It is advisable to apply once you have proof of residency in order to obtain a social security number.

Most people (with some exceptions, such as agricultural workers) are affiliated to a local body called the caisse primaire d’assurance maladie (CPAM).

Retirees / early retirees

UK pensioners living in France may be entitled to healthcare cover funded by the UK via an S1 form, depending on their circumstances. This allows registration with the French system and access to healthcare on the same basis as residents, using a carte Vitale.

The first step is to register with French social security and obtain a social security number by submitting the required documents, including proof of residency, to your local CPAM. This is usually done after three months of settled residence.

Once registered, you can then apply for a carte Vitale, which simplifies reimbursements.

For those not covered via an S1, access to the system is still possible under Protection Universelle Maladie (Puma).

Some retirees or early retirees who are not working and who have significant income from investments or property may have to pay a contribution towards healthcare costs (cotisation subsidiaire maladie), calculated based on their income.

Examples of relevant income include rental income, investment income (shares, savings), and capital gains. Retirement pensions are not included in this calculation.

Students

Students studying in France for more than three months can register with French social security to obtain a number and access healthcare with a carte Vitale.

Self-employed or employed

If you work in France, you are eligible to join the system and obtain a carte Vitale.

Self-employed workers must register their activity and pay social contributions (cotisations sociales) themselves.

Employees are covered via contributions deducted directly from their salary.

Those with very low earned income but substantial non-work income may still be required to pay a healthcare contribution under Puma rules.

Dependants

A spouse or partner (married, civil partner, or in some cases a long-term dependant) generally joins the system in their own right.

Children are covered under their parents’ healthcare, although from the age of 16 they can register independently.

Emergencies

Emergency treatment is available at hospital emergency departments (urgences). For urgent assistance, you can contact:

• 15 – medical emergencies (Samu)

• 18 – fire brigade (pompiers)

• 112 – European emergency number

Current guidance is to call 15 in most medical emergencies so that services can assess the situation and direct the appropriate response.