It is quite useful to understand how the French healthcare system works before you move. Knowing that you have healthcare in place and understanding the system is important to stay safe, and will also give you peace of mind as you settle into your new home. With that in mind, here are 10 things to note about French healthcare services.
1. Public healthcare
France has a universal system of healthcare that ensures that any legal resident in France is covered by public healthcare.
Expats from any EU country, or Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein who are only staying in the country for a short time can apply for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). It provides temporary access to certain types of healthcare in these counties, including treatment for long-term and pre-existing conditions, as well as routine maternity care. However, it is not a long-term solution and it does not replace travel insurance or cover private healthcare costs. After Brexit, the UK has issued the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). Note that it isn't valid in Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.
2. Public health insurance for expats
By law, French residents must have health insurance in place, and this can be either private or state-funded. In 2016, the French government introduced Protection Universelle Maladie (PUMA), a new health insurance scheme, funded by deductions from income tax returns, to help foreign residents access healthcare.
The system has significantly simplified the process of applying for healthcare as an expat, and guarantees access to healthcare and state-funded reimbursements for anybody who has lived in France for more than three months, and who intends to live in the country for at least 183 days per year.
3. Private health insurance
Though France’s public health system is excellent, private health insurances continue to play an important role. As the state only refunds about 70% of a patient’s medical costs, many are signed up to a 'mutuelle' -a semi-private insurance body- often through their employer, which tops up the remaining amount to be paid.
If you choose to take out a full private insurance plan such as those offered by AXA – Global Healthcare , then you can get access to services that aren't included in state-funded healthcare such as:
- Dental and optical care
- Physiotherapy
- Choice between physicians & medical facilities
- Medical repatriation
- An international plan, so you're covered wherever you travel in the world
4. Registering for public healthcare
If you have lived in France for at least three months, you can register for healthcare via your local Caisse Primaire Assurance Maladie (CPAM) office. When doing so, you will need to present documents such as a valid passport, proof of long-term residence, birth certificate, proof of address and evidence of income.
Expats from the UK and the US will also need to gain a long-stay visa to live in France permanently, and must register with the Office of Immigration and Integration (OFII) within three months of arriving. Once successfully registered, you can ask for a 'Carte Vitale' (France’s health insurance card), which explains their rights and entitlement to automatic reimbursement for medical costs.
5. Standard of care
The French health system has been ranked one of the highest in the world. Patients experience short waiting times and excellent levels of care.
6. General Practitioners (GPs) and specialists
Virtually every town has a ‘cabinet’ (GP practice / doctor’s surgery). Many operate as private surgeries or offices, though joint practices are common. It is possible to get state funding for specialist appointments, but patients must have been referred by their doctor first.
7. Medicine and pharmacies
If you receive a prescription for an ailment or condition, then these medicines can be obtained from the pharmacy (‘la pharmacie’). Pharmacies are common in France and for the majority of drugs – even over-the-counter drugs – this is the only place to find them. French pharmacies are usually open from 9am-6pm Monday to Saturday, but ‘pharmacies de garde’ (late-night pharmacies) are also common in major French cities: some are open 7 days a week and until midnight or even 1 or 2 a.m.
8. Hospitals
There are two main types of hospital in France: ‘les hôpitaux’, which are public hospitals, and ‘cliniques’, which are private. Doctors can refer patients to either of these facilities. At most, patients might have to pay up to EUR 18 to cover their board and lodging costs at a public hospital, as 80% of hospital charges are paid for by the state.
10. Emergencies
In serious medical emergencies, expats can contact the Service d’Aide Médicale d’Urgence (SAMU) – a publicly run service that provides ambulances and specialist medical care across France. The free number to call is 15 for medical emergencies (SAMU) or 112, the number for any emergency valid in all EU countries.
In summary
The French medical system is efficiently designed to ensure that expats can access good and affordable healthcare while living and working in France – either by registering under PUMA or taking out private healthcare insurance.
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Presented by AXA.
AXA – Global Healthcare (EU) Limited. Registered in Ireland number 630468. Registered Office: Wolfe Tone House, Wolfe Tone Street, Dublin 1. AXA – Global Healthcare (EU) Limited is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. AXA – Global Healthcare (UK) Limited. Registered in England (No. 03039521). Registered Office: 20 Gracechurch Street, London, EC3V 0BG, United Kingdom. AXA – Global Healthcare (UK) Limited is authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Sources:
https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/3303358?sommaire=3353488#titre-bloc-3
https://ec.europa.eu/health/sites/health/files/state/docs/2019_chp_fr_english.pdf
https://www.commonwealthfund.org/international-health-policy-center/countries/france
https://www.welcometofrance.com/en/fiche/registering-for-social-security
https://www.cleiss.fr/docs/regimes/regime_france/an_index.html
https://ec.europa.eu/digital-single-market/en/112-france