Vital Card
Verified 11 January 2023 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
Vital Card: Mobile App Coming
Published on 11 January 2023
The decree no. 2022-1719 of 28 december 2022 provides for the creation of a Vitale card as a mobile application by December 31, 2025.
What is the Vitale card? It is a personal, confidential, secure and free card. It allows you to be identified with the Health Insurance. This map chip contains the information you need to support your care. You no longer need to mail your care sheet. You get refunded faster.
The healthcare professional you consult (doctor, dentist, etc.) uses your Vital Card to establish an electronic care sheet (which replaces paper care sheet).
This care sheet is required to support your consultation.
The information is transmitted directly to your health insurance organization by the healthcare professional.
So, you are reimbursed in a week without having to make any steps.
In some cases, the Vitale card may allow you not to advance the costs: this is called the paying third party.
Please note
To benefit from the support of your medical care during a trip or a short stay in Europe, you can request the European Social Security Card (EHIC).
This Vitale card also allows you to:
- Access to Health Insurance online services
- View, populate, or close your pharmaceutical dossier.
General case
Obtaining a Vital card requires a social security number.
Each health insurance organization ensures your identity and your rights to cover your health costs.
This card attests to your registration and your rights to health insurance.
It is valid everywhere in France.
Please note
It is possible to order a Vitale card to your child from the age of 12, from the Ameli account only.
French pensioner living abroad
You are retired from the French social security system and live abroad, you have a right to health insurance. As a result, you can see your health expenses covered during your temporary stays in France.
However, if you reside in a non-EU country EEE and Switzerland, certain conditions may be required to reimburse you for your treatment during your stay in France.
Simply register:
- On the Ameli website
- Or contact the Center national des retraites français de l'foreigner (CNAREFE).
Who shall I contact
Center national des retraites français de l'foreigner (CNAREFE)
By mail
CNAREFE Health Insurance
77605 Marne-la-Vallée Cedex 3
By telephone
+ 33 811 701 005
Monday to Friday from 8 am to 5 pm (French time)
The Vitale card is issued for free by Health Insurance.
You can order a Vitale card from your Ameli account or by post.
If you apply for a Vital Card for your child as young as 12, this can only be done through your Ameli account.
General case
Your first Vital Card
You can order your Vital Card:
- Online from your Ameli account
- By mail.
From the age of 16, the Health Insurance addresses a form “My new Vital Card”. However, it is not necessary to return this form if the Vitale card request was made from the Ameli account.
FYI
The Vitale card can be ordered, from 15 years old, in the Ameli account of the parent to which the child is attached.
When the Vital Card is sent to you, you will receive a paper copy of the information stored on it.
FYI
This document is useful if you ever lose your Vital Card or need to justify your rights.
In case of error or inaccuracy on the paper copy, you must report it to your health insurance organization.
Your first Vitale card when you arrive in France
As soon as you have obtained your final social security number, you can :
- Order a Vitale card directly online from your Ameli account
- Or fill in and return the "My new Vital Card" form.
The card will be addressed to you.
When the Vital Card is sent to you, you will receive a paper copy of the information stored on it.
FYI
This document is useful if you ever lose your Vital Card or need to justify your rights.
In case of error or inaccuracy on the paper copy, you must report it to your health insurance organization.
Your child is between 12 and 16 years old
You can order a Vital card for your child.
Request a Vitale card (general diet)
When the Vital Card is sent to you, you will receive a paper copy of the information stored on it.
FYI
This document is useful if you ever lose your Vital Card or need to justify your rights.
In case of error or inaccuracy on the paper copy, you must report it to your health insurance organization.
If you find an error in your identity (surname, first names, gender, date or place of birth), you must request correction using this online service:
The vital card is issued without a validity period but must be updated.
However, the end of entitlement to benefits under the sickness insurance scheme makes it impossible to use the life card. You must return this card to the organization that issued it.
You need to update your Vital Card:
- At least once a year.
- And whenever there is a change in personal or professional circumstances, after informing your health insurance organization.
Example :
Move, change of email address, birth, long-term illness, change of attending doctor, change of organization ensuring the payment of your health expenses.
To update the Vital map, kiosks are available at the following locations:
- Health insurance bodies
- Pharmacies
- Some health care facilities
If you are unable to travel, contact your health insurance provider by phone or mail.
General case
Online
You can file your declaration on your Ameli account and receive a new Vital Card within 2 weeks:
Vital Card Loss, Theft or Malfunction Report (General Scheme)
While waiting to retrieve your Vital card, you can get a certificate of entitlements.
Please note
You can also report loss or theft from the Ameli smartphone and tablet app.
On the spot
A template for a declaration of honor is available on the Ameli website.
Vital Card: Loss, Theft or Malfunction - Statement of Honor (General Scheme)
You must deliver the declaration to your CPAM and receive a new Vital Card within 3 weeks.
Please note
While waiting to retrieve your Vital card, you can get a certificate of entitlements.
By mail
A template for a declaration of honor is available.
Vital Card: Loss, Theft or Malfunction - Statement of Honor (General Scheme)
You must send it to your CPAM and receive a new Vital Card within 3 weeks.
Please note
While waiting to retrieve your Vital card, you can get a certificate of entitlements.
General case
Online
If your card does not work, report it to your health insurance organization in order to receive a new card.
Vital Card Loss, Theft or Malfunction Report (General Scheme)
Please note
While waiting to retrieve your Vital card, you can get a certificate of entitlements.
By mail
If you are an employee covered by the general social security scheme, you can use the declaration on the honor of malfunctioning.
You must attach your defective card to your mail.
This document is to be returned to your health insurance fund.
Please note
While waiting to retrieve your Vital card, you can get a certificate of entitlements.
Fraudulent calls
Telephone solicitations use fraudulently the name of the health insurance.
36 46 is the only number to contact your primary health insurance fund.
Your interlocutor will never ask you for your bank details (bank account number, RIB, bank card number...) on this occasion.
You must not follow up on these calls.
Example :
A message on your answering machine asking you to call back your “Health Insurance”.
Its purpose is to make you call a heavily overcharged number and thus to take money from you indirectly. You should not call back as this is an attempt to defraud.
Fraudulent emails
These fraudulent emails are presented as originating from Health Insurance: they use the Health Insurance logo and display the link of the Ameli website.
Emails that Health Insurance may send to you in your personal email (regarding a request or request you made) always ask you to log in to your Ameli account. It is only in this secure space that messages and supporting documents are exchanged with the Health Insurance.
Don't respond to these fraudulent emails and delete them from your mailbox.
If you have already provided your bank details (e.g. credit card numbers), notify your bank promptly to oppose.
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
If you are dependent on the general diet
Primary health insurance fund (CPAM)If you are dependent on the farm plan
Mutual Social Agricultural Organization (MSA)
Content and operation of the Vitale card
Content and operation of the Vitale card
FAQ
Service-Public.fr
National Health Insurance Fund (Cnam)
National Health Insurance Fund (Cnam)
National Health Insurance Fund (Cnam)