Can six-month visa holders in France get a carte Vitale?
Short-term visitors usually use alternative means of accessing healthcare
Health cards are for people who spend the majority of their time in France
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Reader Question: Can second-home owners on six-month long-stay visas obtain a carte Vitale? I have heard that it may be possible after spending the first three months continuously in the country.
Unfortunately, it is not appropriate for second-home owners who are not established residents in France to apply for a carte Vitale.
To be eligible for a carte Vitale you need to have established your home in France and must first obtain a French social security number.
You can only get this if you either work in France, have an S1 form because you are a UK/EU state pensioner, or otherwise you can prove that you live in the country in a ‘stable and regular manner’.
In practice, three months’ residency is indeed looked for, for the latter. This can be proved through bills, etc, and the request is made through Assurance Maladie – read more in our article here.
Technically, you may be able to apply for social security (applying for a carte Vitale is a second stage, after joining French social security), however it would not be recommended to try to do so.
Firstly, the application from start to finish often takes at least several months, and if you are on a six-month visa the process may not be complete by the time your visa expires.
More than half of respondents to a recent Connexion poll said it took them at least 10 months to receive their carte Vitale after applying for a social security number.
Even if you received your card quickly, you may not be able to keep it for long.
People signed up to France’s healthcare system are asked to let Assurance Maladie know that they are leaving France, which includes them giving up healthcare rights and usually returning their carte Vitale.
This applies both to French citizens and foreign residents of France, and in your situation would likely need to be done at the end of any six-month visa, as you are not a long-term resident.
What should I do?
The system was not designed to be used by temporary visa-holders. Note, however, for people on a one-year visa who are planning to renew these and stay in France, it is possible and recommended to obtain a carte Vitale as soon as possible.
Short-term visa holders are instead encouraged to take out health insurance covering their stay in France, and for some visas, this is a pre-requisite.
Many insurers offer these policies for short-term visitors, and you should be carefully compared to see what is best for you.
Britons with an EHIC/GHIC card are covered for ‘medically necessary healthcare’ in France, and includes those visiting a second home on a six-month visa.
However, this only covers you up to the basic French state reimbursement levels.
It can be topped-up with additional insurance coverage – and it is recommended to take this out – but will provide you with emergency healthcare if you need it.
