France offers universal healthcare to its citizens. It is renowned for its comprehensiveness, ensuring that everyone – regardless of income level – has at least partial healthcare coverage. For anyone relocating to France, it is important to understand how the system works if you are looking to access French healthcare.

Temporary Healthcare Cover and Private Healthcare cover are possible options for anyone who is not in the French healthcare system; note, it is mandatory for all residents of France to have insurance cover, covering all or part of their healthcare costs. If you have lived in France for a period of at least three months, you can apply to join the system.

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible for French healthcare, you must have a valid residence permit or be a French citizen. If you’re employed, your employer will generally contribute to your healthcare insurance and help you access it. If you’re self-employed, you need to register with the social security fund known as the Caisses primaires d’assurance maladie (CPAM). Students often have the option of joining their parents’ insurance plan or purchasing a student-specific healthcare policy.

UK retirees can join the French healthcare system with a S1 form. The S1 form is a document issued by the UK government that certifies your entitlement to healthcare in another EU or EEA country. If your stay in France is temporary, you can use your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) to access healthcare for temporary stays, usually up to 90 days.

Does French healthcare cover all costs?

Although France has a universal healthcare system, it does not cover 100% of your medical costs. Therefore, it is essential to choose health insurance cover that bridges that gap, giving you peace of mind from any unexpected bills. Top-Up Health Cover (often referred to as the mutuelle or complementary cover) is the best way to achieve this.

AXA Top-Up Health Cover

The team at AXA Marthon can help you select the appropriate Top-Up Health Cover for you and your family. If you live in France, are over 60 or you are self-employed, benefit from our 10% discount on Top-Up health insurance.

What’s more, buy 2, 3 or 4 policies – and we’ll reimburse you the cost of the most expensive contract for the number of contracts taken out. For example, if you take out 3 contracts you will get 3 free months on the most expensive contract.

Insurance France is the trading name of AXA Marthon. We are an English and French speaking AXA agency, taking care of your insurance so you can enjoy your life in France.

To find out more please contact us below for a free, no-obligation quotation:

Phone: +33 (0)5 45 70 43 76

Email: agence.florentmorin@axa.fr

Website: insurancefrance.fr