Relocating to France is exciting – delicious food, picturesque villages and a culture rich with charm. But while you’re choosing tiles for your dream kitchen or sampling croissants, it’s essential not to overlook one very practical concern: getting access to French healthcare.
The French healthcare system is widely respected for its quality, efficiency and universal coverage. However, it also has its quirks – and navigating it as a newcomer, or even as a returning resident, takes a bit of planning. Whether you’re retiring to the countryside or relocating with a young family, this guide explains how to access and manage healthcare in France in 2025.
Contents
- Understanding state healthcare in France
- Registering for healthcare as a resident
- Declaring your GP – your médecin traitant
- What healthcare costs and what’s reimbursed
- Getting ready before you move
- What to do when you arrive in France
- S1 forms and healthcare entitlements
- Do I need private health insurance in France?
- Frequently asked questions
Arranging access to French healthcare is an essential part of moving to France
Understanding state healthcare in France
France’s public healthcare system consistently ranks among the best in the world, supported by one of Europe’s highest healthcare spending rates per capita (OECD, 2023). Under the system, all legal residents who register are entitled to subsidised access to French healthcare – from GP appointments to hospital treatments.
The system is largely funded through social contributions made by employees, employers and the self-employed. This means that once you’re contributing to the French social security system – or registered via alternate routes like the S1 form – you become eligible for l’Assurance Maladie, the public health insurance.
If you qualify, you’ll receive a carte vitale, a green plastic card with a smart chip that makes payment and reimbursement fast and automatic at pharmacies, doctors’ clinics and hospitals. Every treatment or prescription you receive while using the card will be logged securely and reviewed for reimbursement.
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Registering for French healthcare as a resident
For access to French healthcare, you’ll first need to register with the country’s social security system. If you’re working in France, your employer is responsible for setting this up. If you’re self-employed, you’ll need to register with URSSAF (the agency that collects social contributions).
Don’t worry if you won’t be working and are moving for lifestyle reasons – retirees, for example. If you’ve lived in France for at least three consecutive months and plan to stay more than six months in a calendar year, you can apply for healthcare under the Protection Universelle Maladie (PUMA) scheme.
The application involves several steps and requires proof of residency, income and previous insurance arrangements. The process is usually managed through your local CPAM (Caisse Primaire d’Assurance Maladie) office.
If you’re receiving a UK state pension, you may be eligible to apply with an S1 form. This allows you access to French healthcare paid for by the UK. In this case, you’ll still register through CPAM but your entitlements are funded by your home country.
Declaring your GP – your médecin traitant
One of the most important things you can do after registering is select a primary doctor – your médecin traitant. This is usually a general practitioner (GP), although it can also be a specialist. They act as your point of contact for day-to-day access to French healthcare and specialist referrals.
Declaring a médecin traitant isn’t just good practice – it can substantially increase your reimbursements from the state. Without a declared GP, the reimbursement rate drops, even for routine care.
You can choose your doctor freely. If they agree to become your main GP, they’ll help fill out the form (Déclaration de choix du médecin traitant) and submit it to CPAM. If they don’t handle the paperwork, you can send it yourself by post or register online via your personal Ameli account.
Parents must register on behalf of children under 16, but each family member can choose their own GP. You’re free to change your physician later if needed.
What healthcare costs and what’s reimbursed
One of the standout features of French healthcare is its transparency. Costs are set by the state under an official tariff system called tarif de convention. Your out-of-pocket cost depends on two things: your entitlement under the system and whether your doctor follows the pricing convention.
Doctors and clinics are grouped into sectors:
- Secteur 1: These practitioners charge the official rates set by the state. Reimbursement for these fees is consistent and often automatic through your carte vitale.
- Secteur 2: These clinicians can charge higher fees known as dépassements. These additional charges are common with specialists, particularly in Paris and other high-demand areas. Reimbursement here may be lower unless you carry top-up insurance.
Typically, you will be reimbursed around 70% of the official fee for standard GP visits, with 80% or more covered for hospital stays. Medications on prescription are refunded between 30% and 100% of their cost, depending on their classification and necessity.
For most appointments and treatments, you’re expected to pay the fee directly. Reimbursement happens later, either credited to your bank account or deducted from the cost at the pharmacy or clinic via your carte vitale.
Getting ready before you move
Before leaving your home country, take the time to prepare. When you access French healthcare, you will find high quality professionals, but there’s an assumption that you’ll have documentation and a care plan already in place – especially if you have long-term conditions.
Write to your GP and request full printed copies of your medical records, including your immunisation history, allergy details and prescription list. These may take several weeks to produce and should be translated into French or summarised in simple English.
If you’re taking prescription medication, speak to your doctor about how to manage access once you move. Many medicines are available in France under different brand names – your GP can help identify the right alternatives.
You should also confirm whether your vaccinations align with French recommendations. The French government regularly updates health travel advice and local vaccination schedules through their health portal. It’s also worth checking the UK Foreign Office for region-specific risks if you’re buying in more rural or overseas parts of France.
What to do when you arrive in France
Once you land in France with your belongings, property deeds and fresh croissants, it’s time to turn your attention back to arranging access to French healthcare. Some of the first tasks may feel mundane, but they’ll give you security and convenience down the line.
Start by researching doctors near your new home. Even small villages typically have one or more practicing physicians working out of a local clinic (Cabinet médical). Look up local hospitals and urgent care facilities and note French emergency numbers – 15 for medical emergencies, 112 for general EU-wide help.
Aim to register with a médecin traitant soon and book a routine appointment to go over your history. This provides your new doctor with insight into your background and kicks off your file in the French system.
It’s also a wise move to prepare a home emergency folder. Include contact details for local services, copies of ID and your carte vitale, allergy information in French and English, and any household members’ medications.
S1 forms and healthcare entitlements
If you’re retiring abroad or moving without an income-earning role, you may qualify for healthcare support from your home country. This is most relevant to UK passport holders eligible for the S1 scheme.
The S1 form allows gets you access to French healthcare on the same basis as a local resident, but the UK continues to foot the bill. This scheme extends to state pensioners, certain benefit recipients and eligible cross-border commuters.
Once granted your S1, it must be registered with your local CPAM office. Don’t delay – healthcare cover won’t begin until registration is complete. After acceptance, you’ll receive your carte vitale and enjoy the full benefits of France’s system.
If you arrive in France without an S1 and won’t be employed, you’ll need to wait three months before applying via PUMA. Once accepted, you’ll begin making contributions to Urssaf based on your income level. It’s a fair and simple system once you’re in but prepare for some paperwork early on.
Do I need private health insurance in France?
While the French healthcare system is generous, it’s not 100% free – which is why most residents carry complementary private insurance known as a mutuelle. These policies help fill the gap left by the state, covering things like hospital charges, private rooms or full medication refunds.
Mutuelle policies vary based on age, pre-existing conditions (though no medical exam is required), and desired coverage level. For example, if you see specialists in Secteur 2 or want dental or optical cover, a good mutuelle could reduce your costs dramatically.
Another option is full international health insurance, particularly for early retirees, high net worth individuals or non-EU residents waiting on their PUMA application. These policies are more expensive but offer full private treatment access and fast care.
Shopping around is essential – comparison sites like LeLynx.fr or Assurland.fr can guide you through quotes. And remember, policies renew annually, so you’re free to switch if your needs change after settling.
Next steps
Your health is too important to leave to chance. Registering for access to French healthcare isn’t just a box to tick – it’s an essential part of protecting your well-being as you begin your new life.
At Your Overseas Home, we’re here to help every step of the way. Whether you need help understanding social security contributions, choosing an insurance policy or connecting with bilingual medical professionals, we’ll support you with clear advice and expert contacts.
Thinking of making the move? Book a free property consultation today to start planning your new life with confidence.
Frequently asked questions about healthcare in France
Do I need to register for healthcare when moving to France?
Yes. Legal residents must register with the French social security system to access public healthcare. If you’re working, your employer usually handles it. Retirees and non-working residents can apply via PUMA after living in France for at least three months.
What is the carte vitale and how do I get one?
The carte vitale is a smart card that links you to the French public healthcare system. Once registered with your local CPAM office, you’ll receive this card, which allows automatic reimbursement at pharmacies and clinics.
Do I need private health insurance in France?
While not mandatory, most residents take out a mutuelle (top-up insurance) to cover costs not reimbursed by the state, such as hospital stays, dental care and specialist consultations. International insurance may be helpful for early retirees or those awaiting PUMA approval.
What is an S1 form and who is eligible?
The S1 form is for UK nationals entitled to healthcare funded by the UK while living in France—mainly state pensioners. Registering it with CPAM grants you access to French healthcare as if you were a local resident.
How much does healthcare cost in France?
Most doctor visits cost €25–€30, of which around 70% is reimbursed by the state. Hospital stays and prescriptions are also partly reimbursed. A mutuelle can help cover the remaining portion or additional fees charged by private doctors.
