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Getting Into the French Health System

Get your carte Vitale, understand what the state reimburses, choose a mutuelle and know who to call in an emergency.

Once you've lived in France steadily for three months (or straight away if you work), you can join the state health insurance, the Assurance Maladie, by registering with your local CPAM, much of it online at ameli.fr. It reimburses about 70% of a GP visit if you've declared a médecin traitant, minus a small flat fee, and a mutuelle (top-up insurance) covers most of the rest; private-sector employers must offer one and pay at least half. In an emergency call 15 for the SAMU or 112, and every area has a pharmacie de garde open at night and on Sundays.

Scrabble tiles spelling 'health insurance' on a calendar beside blue pills, symbolizing medication schedule.
Photo: Leeloo The First on Pexels
  1. 1

    Est-ce que j'ai besoin d'une mutuelle, ou la Sécu suffit ?

    Do I need top-up insurance, or is the state system enough?

  2. 2

    L'Assurance Maladie rembourse 70 % d'une consultation.

    The state reimburses 70% of a GP visit.

  3. 3

    Comment est-ce que j'obtiens la carte Vitale ?

    How do I get a carte Vitale?

  4. 4

    Il faut vous inscrire auprès de la CPAM.

    You have to register with the CPAM.

    Tip: This is the local branch of the state health insurer.

  5. 5

    Vous pouvez tout faire sur le site ameli.

    You can do everything on the ameli website.

  6. 6

    Il vous faudra un justificatif de domicile et un acte de naissance.

    You'll need proof of address and a birth certificate.

  7. 7

    Vous avez déclaré un médecin traitant ?

    Have you declared a regular GP?

  8. 8

    Est-ce qu'il faut passer par le médecin traitant pour voir un spécialiste ?

    Do I have to go through my GP to see a specialist?

  9. 9

    Sinon, vous serez moins bien remboursé.

    Otherwise, you'll be reimbursed less.

  10. 10

    Mon employeur doit me proposer une mutuelle ?

    Does my employer have to offer me a mutuelle?

    Tip: Private-sector employers must offer one and pay at least half.

  11. 11

    Ça coûte combien par mois ?

    How much is it a month?

  12. 12

    Ça dépend des garanties que vous choisissez.

    It depends on the level of cover you choose.

  13. 13

    Elle rembourse les lunettes et le dentiste ?

    Does it cover glasses and the dentist?

  14. 14

    Il y a une participation forfaitaire de 2 € par consultation.

    There's a 2-euro flat fee on every visit.

  15. 15

    Avec la carte Vitale, vous n'avancez pas les frais à la pharmacie.

    With the carte Vitale, you don't pay up front at the pharmacy.

  16. 16

    Je fais comment si c'est une urgence le week-end ?

    What do I do if it's an emergency at the weekend?

  17. 17

    Appelez le 15, c'est le SAMU.

    Call 15, that's the emergency medical service.

  18. 18

    Il y a toujours une pharmacie de garde.

    There's always a pharmacy on duty.

  19. 19

    Je voudrais comparer plusieurs offres avant de me décider.

    I'd like to compare a few offers before I decide.

  20. 20

    Je peux résilier quand je veux ?

    Can I cancel whenever I want?

    Tip: For a policy you take out yourself, French law lets you end it at any time after the first year.