Health insurance of a foreigner on holiday (or short stay) in France

Verified 11 May 2023 - Legal and Administrative Information Directorate (Prime Minister)

Citizen of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland

You wish to make a short stay in France as a insured national of the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland? You must hold a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). This allows you to benefit from the care of your care in France by accessing the French health system more easily. To obtain this card, and before leaving for France, you must apply to your health insurance organization.

To benefit from the EHIC, you must:

  • Be insured by a social security scheme of a member country the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland,
  • And stay temporarily in France.

It doesn't matter:

  • Your status (worker, student, pensioner, entitled ...)
  • And the reason for your stay (weekend, holidays, studies, language or professional stay...).

You must ask for your EHIC before you leave, with the competent health insurance body in your country of affiliation.

Every person in your family should have their own EHIC, including your children.

Please note

In some European countries, the EHIC is confused with the national health insurance card. Ask your health insurance organization in your country.

Your EHIC allows you to:

  • Receive unplanned and medically necessary care in France (care that cannot wait for your return to your country)
  • Be reimbursed for your health expenses (medical, pharmaceutical, dental, hospitalization and laboratory tests).

You can address in France to a contracted doctor or a contracted or approved care facility. You have the same access conditions as the French insured.

Depending on the professional consulted (liberal doctor, mutual health center or public hospital for example), you may or may not have to advance the costs.

If the doctor or hospital in France refuses your EHIC, you can ask your health insurance organization to intervene.

If your approach does not solve the problem, you can ask Solvit for help.

Submit a complaint to Solvit

If you pay the trader, you will be able to get a refund once you return to your country, from your affiliation organization, on presentation of invoices and proof of payment. Your organization will tell you what to do.

You can also be reimbursed in France from the primary health insurance fund of the place of care on presentation of proof (medical prescription, care sheet...). Inquire at the local credit union.

Who shall I contact

Please note

You can search according to your place of stay the healthcare professionals and their rates.

The different reimbursement rates for health expenses can also be consulted (part of the expenditure is generally borne by the insured person).

If you have forgotten your EHIC, you can be treated in France but you must make advance of all your medical expenses, including your hospital care.

Once back in your country, you will be able to get a refund from your health insurance agency. Keep your invoices and receipts. They'll be asked of you.

United Kingdom national

Are you a national of the United Kingdom and would like to come to France? You must have the comprehensive health insurance card issued by the United Kingdom. This card replaces the EHIC. Only persons whose EHIC has expired need to apply for this comprehensive health insurance card from their health insurance fund in the UK.

You must apply for the GHIC from your UK sickness insurance fund.

That request has to be made before coming to France.

FYI  

Since 11 January 2021, the GHIC has replaced the EHIC issued by the United Kingdom. The EHIC remains valid in France until the card expires. Only persons whose EHIC has expired need to apply for the comprehensive health insurance card.

Benefits in kind shall cover:

  • Medical expenses
  • Pharmaceutical costs
  • Costs of dental care and dentures
  • Hospitalization costs
  • Costs of laboratory tests and tests
  • Medical transportation costs.

Your health insurance fund can issue you a “replacement certificate” (Provisional Replacement Certificate or PRC).

This certificate, issued for a limited period of validity, can then be used under the same conditions as the GHIC.

The signed, dated care sheet, along with the prescription and a copy of your GHIC or CRP card, must be given to the CPAM of the place where you received your care.

You will need to specify your permanent address and bank details (bank name, address, SWIFT code, account number with IBAN or BIC).

As a general rule, the health insurance fund does not reimburse all expenses.

Who shall I contact

Please note

You can search according to your place of stay the healthcare professionals and their rates.

The different reimbursement rates for health expenses can also be consulted (part of the expenditure is generally borne by the insured person).

National of another country

Are you a national of another country and would like to stay in France? The rules are not the same depending on your country of origin.

If you are a citizen of a country that does not belong to the European Economic Area and if you are not a UK national, you should get in touch with your UK health insurance before coming to France. This way, you will know if and under what conditions they are taking care of the patients abroad.

You may be advised to take out private insurance.

Who can help me?

Find who can answer your questions in your region

  • Center for European and International Social Security Liaison (Cleiss)

    General information on social security abroad and assistance in the application of individuals

    By telephone

    +33 (0) 1 45 26 33 41

    Hotline:

    • mondays and wednesdays: 9am to 12.30pm
    • tuesday and thursday: 1:30 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.
    • Wednesday from 9 am to 12:30 pm.

    By E-mail

    Access to contact form