Healthcare in France

The public medical insurance system, known as Sécurité Sociale, provides basic coverage to those who qualify and is funded by tax contributions deducted from salaries.

Expats employed in France, those who are self-employed but make the necessary contributions, and those who have reached official retirement age in their home country, can all make use of the French public healthcare system once they have registered at their local social security office. Many employers will do this on behalf of their foreign employees, but it is ultimately the responsibility of the individual to ensure that it is done properly.

The public system covers a major portion of medical bills. Most patients use private supplemental insurance to cover the remainder of their medical fees. Certain chronic illnesses, such as diabetes and cancer, are completely covered by the state, including surgery, doctor’s appointments and drugs.

Expats should make it a priority to register with a local general practitioner (GP) shortly after arriving in France. Doing so will ensure that expats receive the maximum state contribution for the appointment. Similarly, specialist consultations booked through a GP referral receive a higher state contribution than independently booked specialist appointments (with a few exceptions).

It is worth noting that payment is required upfront for some appointments, and patients are only reimbursed at a later date.

Private top-up medical insurance is popular in France and is used to cover the balance of state healthcare costs or any additional administrative fees.

During short-term visits of up to 90 days, EU citizens can use their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to access state healthcare. UK citizens can make use of their Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), which replaced the EHIC for UK citizens post-Brexit.

Expats who are not from the EU and do not pay into the French public healthcare system will need to take out comprehensive private medical insurance for the duration of their stay in the country.

Most of France’s hospitals are part of the public healthcare system. An excellent quality of care is available at these institutions, so there’s little need to use the private system for better service. However, one aspect that makes private healthcare more appealing is the lack of waiting lists. In the public sector, waiting lists for specialists can stretch for months.

Expats may also want to opt for extras that aren’t covered by public medical insurance, such as private rooms in public hospitals or specialities like eye care and dentistry. Private medical insurance can cover these costs.

The quality of private healthcare in France is similar to that of the public system. The main difference is shorter waiting times. Costs are higher, though, so expats should invest in private medical insurance if they plan to go this route.

Pharmacies in France are plentiful. In large cities like Paris, expats will also find 24-hour and late-night pharmacies. Pharmacies can be identified by their large illuminated cross sign, which is normally green. Note that over-the-counter medicine, including painkillers, cold medicine, vitamins and supplements, can only be sold in a pharmacy.

Expats should not have trouble bringing prescription medication into France for personal use. It is always advisable to travel with an original prescription. Expats should ensure they know the generic names for any medication they use regularly, as brand names tend to vary from country to country. 

There are no specific vaccinations required to enter France, though expats should ensure all routine vaccinations are kept up to date. This includes those for measles, mumps, rubella and diphtheria.

In an emergency, dial 112. This is the general EU number. Operators can assist in a number of languages.

Emergency services in France are efficient and reliable. Most emergency response services in France are managed by the Service d'Aide Médicale d'Urgence (SAMU), a government organisation. The local emergency number for SAMU ambulances is 15. Expats should not have trouble finding an ambulance quickly in the major urban areas, but rural areas may have slower response times.