Health

Can six-month visa holders in France get a carte Vitale?

Short-term visitors usually use alternative means of accessing healthcare

What the new French nursing law will change for patients

Law looks to increase power of nurses to combat low levels of care in medical deserts

Explained: Healthcare help for lower-income households in France

The complémentaire santé solidaire system aims to make quality healthcare accessible to all

news

French carte Vitale must now be presented at pharmacy to receive certain medicines

Pharmacists should ‘systematically’ ask patients for their health card when dispensing prescriptions

Fees for some medical appointments are rising in France from July 1, 2025

It follows first set of rises in December last year

Local chikungunya case in Occitanie prompts control measures

It is the second domestic case recorded in mainland France in as many weeks

French health minister wants to ban screens for children under 3… but how?

Also communication campaigns will promote greater awareness amongst parents and caregivers on dangers of screen time

How to deal with shoulder pain in France

Around 20% of adults suffer from it any given day

First domestic case of chikungunya recorded in mainland France in 2025: Prevention tips

Hundreds of cases have been imported in recent months after an outbreak in Réunion. The disease is spread by tiger mosquitoes that are now prevalent in France

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

I am sick of having to justify my country’s politics to people in France

Columnist Cynthia Spillman offers advice on how to deal with troubling politics in your home country

Digital carte Vitale application now available in many French departments

Application is available in half of mainland French departments and can be used by foreign residents

Changes to sick-leave requests to take place from July in France

State looks to combat fraud surrounding fake sick-leave forms

Is there cause for concern over new Covid variant identified in France?

The NB.1.8.1 strain has been observed four times since March

Advice issued as France saw over 1,200 drowning incidents last summer

90% of deaths concerned adult swimmers

Mutuelle costs rising again, with seniors worst hit - how to find affordable options

Costs are up 2% overall in 2025, but there are ways to bring the price down

French lawmakers define conditions for assisted dying in end-of-life bill

Eligibility criteria and how patients will need to make a request detailed

Number of reimbursed sessions with a psychologist increases in France

People can benefit from 12 consultations without requiring a referral from their GP

How long is the average wait in French hospital emergency departments near you?

A quarter of patients in one area can wait nearly 12 hours in the emergency ward

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

What is happening with France’s assisted dying debate?

A new bill that could legalise euthanasia has reached the Assemblée nationale

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

Warning over fraud risk after leak of user data at French medical laboratory chain

Personal details of patients were stolen in a cyberattack but medical records were reportedly untouched

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

Tap water banned for ‘fragile people’ in 11 French communes due to pollution

The prefectural ban is set to remain in place until at least December 31

Rise in measles cases in France as one death recorded

15% of cases thought to have been contracted overseas including from the UK

Alert launched in France over ticks - where are they commonly found?

Ticks can become active from early spring, researchers say, but not all areas are equally affected

Why it may be hard to get a doctor’s appointment this week in France

Major strike action is planned in protest over new healthcare bill

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

Health reimbursements linked to income supported by French state auditor

The controversial move aligns with prime minister's plans to cut costs

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

QR code to replace paper instructions for 100 medicines in France in new trial

Paracetamol and cholesterol medication to be included in scheme that launches this autumn

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

Ski collision accidents soar in France: skiers reminded of rules

‘We are alarmed by the high level and severity of accidents’, a health authority warns

Spring 2025 Covid booster vaccination: Who is this recommended for in France?

Several groups are advised to receive the vaccine after a surge in cases last summer

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

French inventor develops new air purifier after daughter’s asthma attack

Particles in the air attach themselves to ionised air from the machine causing them to fall to the ground

What is being proposed to help people in areas that lack doctors in France

The new law on doctor location is set to improve ‘healthcare equality’, but doctors are critical

Residents asked to join fight against tiger mosquitoes

It comes as the pests continue to proliferate and spread disease

11 million people in France suffer from migraines - what help is available?

A third of sufferers never consult their GP about the problem

Map: Number of doctors in France rises (slightly), see best and worst areas now

The rise comes amid the growing issue of ‘medical deserts’ in rural areas

Stomach flu cases surge in France: six regions particularly affected

The number of hospital and GP visits for seasonal gastroenteritis is almost at record levels, say health chiefs

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

Important step made towards general use of medical cannabis in France

Proponents say the move is a ‘welcome relief for patients’ but some uncertainties remain

How long are waits at French emergency units - new statistics released

We also look at how wait times compare with the UK and the US

Assess your health with new official online platform in France

The platform will help to create a national ‘barometer of commitment to physical activity’

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

Rise in measles cases in France: map shows areas most affected

We look at common symptoms and advice to limit spread of disease

Change to nurses’ role in France: How could patients be affected?

It comes after MPs passed a bill to expand the role, and improve provision in medical ‘deserts’

Map: Top 10 French departments best for health in new 2025 ranking

The results are based on factors including the number of cycle lanes, and hospitals per 10,000 residents

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

Only one in 10 people in France have ‘ideal’ cardiovascular health, says new report

Cardiovascular disease is the second leading cause of death in France

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

Collective legal action taken against French low-cost dentist chain

More than 1,500 patients claim to have been left mutilated or without teeth after botched interventions

Map: How well (or not) each French area is served by health workers

The map shows how each area compares to the national average for access to professionals including GPs, midwives and physiotherapists

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

Map shows communes least, and most, exposed to pesticides in France

Environmental groups are calling for users to write to the health ministry to call for less pesticide exposure and more access to organic food