Vital Card
Verified 09 December 2022 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
What is the Vitale card? It is a personal, confidential, secure and free card. It allows you to identify yourself with Health Insurance. This card smart contains the information necessary to support your care. So you don't need to mail your care sheet. You get reimbursed faster.
The healthcare professional you see (doctor, dentist, etc.) uses your Vitale card to establish an electronic health record (which replaces the paper care sheet).
This worksheet is required to support your consultation.
The information is sent directly to your health insurance organisation by the healthcare professional.
This way, you are refunded in one week without having to take any steps.
In some cases, the Vitale card may allow you not to advance the fees: this is what is called the paying third party.
Please note
To take care of your medical care during a trip or a short stay Europe, you can request European Social Security Card (EHIC).
General case
Obtaining a Vital Card requires a social security number.
This card certifies your registration and health insurance rights.
It is valid throughout 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 pensioners living abroad
You are retired from the French social security system and live abroad, you have a right to sickness insurance. You can therefore see your health expenses covered during your temporary stays in France.
However, if you live in a country outside EEA and Switzerland certain conditions may be required for the reimbursement of your care during your stay in France.
Just register:
- On the Ameli site
- Or contact the French foreigner Retirement Centre (CNAREFE).
Who shall I contact
- French foreigner Pensioners' National Centre (CNAREFE)
By mail
CNAREFE Health Insurance
77605 Marne-la-Vallée Cedex 3
By phone
+ 33 811 701 005
Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm (French time)
Vitale card issued free through Medicare.
You can order a Vitale card from your Ameli account or by post.
If you request a vital card for your child from the age of 12, this request can only be made through your Ameli account.
General case
Your first Vitale card
You can order your Vitale card:
- Online from your Ameli account
- By mail.
From the age of 16, the health insurance company sends a "My new life card" form. However, it is not useful to return this form if the request for a Vitale card has been made from the Ameli account.
FYI
The Vitale card can be ordered from 15 years old in the Ameli account of the parent to whom the child is attached.
When the Vitale card is addressed to you, you receive a paper copy of the information stored on it.
FYI
This document is useful if you ever lose your Vitale card or if you have to prove your rights.
In case of error or inaccuracy on the paper copy, you must report it to your health insurance organisation.
Your first Vitale card when you arrive in France
Once you have obtained your final Social Security number, you can ::
- Order a Vitale card directly online from your Ameli account
- Or complete and return the form "My new Vitale card".
The card will be addressed to you.
When the Vitale card is addressed to you, you receive a paper copy of the information stored on it.
FYI
This document is useful if you ever lose your Vitale card or if you have to prove your rights.
In case of error or inaccuracy on the paper copy, you must report it to your health insurance organisation.
Your child is between 12 and 16
You can order a Vitale card for your child.
Request a Vital Card (General Speed)
When the Vitale card is addressed to you, you receive a paper copy of the information stored on it.
FYI
This document is useful if you ever lose your Vitale card or if you have to prove your rights.
In case of error or inaccuracy on the paper copy, you must report it to your health insurance organisation.
If you notice an error regarding your identity (surname, first name, sex, 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.
You need to update your Vitale card:
- At least once a year.
- And every time you change your personal or professional situation, after having informed your health insurance organisation.
Example :
Moving, birth, long-term illness
To update the Vitale card, terminals are available in the following locations:
- Health insurance organisations
- Pharmacies
- Some health facilities
If you are unable to travel, contact your health insurance organisation by phone or mail.
General case
Online
You can make your declaration on your Ameli account and receive a new Vitale card within 2 weeks:
Declaration of Loss, Theft or Failure of a Vital Card (General Speed)
While waiting to collect your Vitale card, you can get a certificate of rights.
Please note
You can also report loss or theft from the Ameli app for smartphone and tablet.
On site
A template for a declaration of honour is available on the Ameli website.
Vital Card: Loss, Theft or Malfunction - Declaration on Honour (General Diet)
You must submit the declaration to your CPAM and receive a new Vitale card within 3 weeks.
Please note
While waiting to collect your Vitale card, you can get a certificate of rights.
By mail
A template for a declaration of honour is available.
Vital Card: Loss, Theft or Malfunction - Declaration on Honour (General Diet)
You must send it to your CPAM and receive a new Vitale card within 3 weeks.
Please note
While waiting to collect your Vitale card, you can get a certificate of rights.
General case
Online
If your card does not work, report it to your health insurance organisation in order to receive a new card.
Declaration of Loss, Theft or Failure of a Vital Card (General Speed)
Please note
While waiting to collect your Vitale card, you can get a certificate of rights.
By mail
If you are an employee under the general social security system, you can use the statement on the honour of malfunction.
You must attach your faulty card to your mail.
This document is to be returned to your health insurance fund.
Please note
While waiting to collect your Vitale card, you can get a certificate of rights.
Fraud calls
Phone walkers use fraudulently the name of Health Insurance.
36 46 is the only number to reach your primary health insurance fund.
Your contact person will never ask you for your bank account number, RIB, bank card number...
You don't have to 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 number that is highly overtaxed and thus to extract money indirectly from you. You don't have to call back because it's an attempt to scam.
Fraudulent emails
These fraudulent emails appear to be from Health Insurance: they use the Health Insurance logo and post the link of the Ameli website.
The e-mails that Health Insurance can send to you in your personal e-mail (concerning an action or request you have made) always ask you to log in to your Ameli account. It is only in this secure space that the exchange of messages and supporting documents with Health Insurance takes place.
Don't reply to these fraudulent emails and delete them from your mailbox.
If you have already provided your bank details (e.g. credit card numbers), please notify your bank promptly to oppose.
- Social Security Code: Article L161-31Content and operation of the Vitale card
- Social Security Code: Articles R161-33-1 to R161-33-11Content and operation of the Vitale card
- Order of 14 March 2007 concerning the conditions for issuing and managing health insurance cards
- Order of 14 March 2007 concerning the physical and logical specifications of the health insurance card and the data contained in this card
- Decree No. 2019-528 of 27 May 2019 on the testing of a "health insurance e-card"
FAQ
- Repayment of treatment abroad (vacation or short stay)Service-Public.fr
- Vital CardNational Health Insurance Fund (Cnam)
- Health insurance: status changes to reportNational Health Insurance Fund (Cnam)
- Retirement abroad: your support (PDF - 2.0 MB)National Health Insurance Fund (Cnam)