Contraception
Verified 31 March 2025 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
What is contraception? This is the whole range of measures to prevent pregnancy. There are different types of contraception. The best known are the contraceptive pill and the condom. They are for women and men. The reimbursement depends in particular on the chosen device. We're giving you the regulations to know.
Devices | Features |
---|---|
Intrauterine device (IUD) | A device placed inside the uterus by a doctor or midwife. Effective for 4 to 10 years, depending on the model. There are 2 types: hormonal or copper. |
Pill | Tablet to be taken daily at regular times for 21 or 28 days |
Patch | Stick to your skin once a week and renew each week for 3 weeks. There are no patches to stick to the 4e week, which causes menstrual periods to occur. Allows you to be protected even during the downtime. |
Implant | Cylindrical 4 cm stick inserted under the skin of the arm, under local anesthesia by a doctor or midwife. It can be left in place for 3 years. |
Vaginal ring | A flexible ring to place yourself inside the vagina, such as a tampon. It should be left in place for 3 weeks. At the beginning of the 4e week, the ring should be removed, causing menses to appear. Allows you to be protected even during the downtime. |
Diaphragm and cervical cap | Silicone cup to place yourself inside the vagina. It is used in combination with a spermicidal product. The cape is a silicone dome that covers the cervix. These devices can be placed at the time of intercourse but also several hours before and should be kept for 8 hours after intercourse. |
External “male” and internal “female” condom | The external condom is placed on the penis before penetration, while the internal condom can be placed inside the vagina or anus several hours before sexual intercourse |
Spermicides | Gel and egg to be placed inside the vagina a few minutes before each intercourse thus destroying sperm |
Injectable progestins | Intramuscular injection every 3 months by a doctor, midwife or nurse |
Permanent contraception | Surgery in men (vasectomy) or women (tubal ligation). These methods are considered irreversible. |
You may obtain information or be prescribed contraception by:
- A doctor
- Or a midwife in a city office or sexual health center.
Who shall I contact
Doctors, midwives, and sexual health centers are empowered to prescribe all forms of contraception.
One ordinance is needed for the following contraceptives:
- Intrauterine device (IUD)
- Pill
- Patch
- Implant
- Vaginal ring
- Diaphragm and cervical cap (spermicides that accompany diaphragm use are bought at a pharmacy without a prescription)
- Progestins for injection.
The consent of the parents or legal representative is not required for the prescription, dispensing or administration of contraceptives to underage girls.
This refund rate may vary depending on age.
Please note
The condoms are distributed free of charge in sexual health centers and in free anonymous screening centers (CeGGID).
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You're under 26
Contraceptive devices | Support rate |
---|---|
Intrauterine device (IUD) | TO 100% |
Pill | Some pills are reimbursed by the Health Insurance at 100% |
Patch | No |
Implant | TO 100% |
Vaginal ring | No |
Cervical cap | No |
Diaphragm | TO 100% |
External brand condom: External condom latex-free Manix Sensitivity brand | TO 100% without a prescription for everyone without minimum age (including beneficiaries of state medical aid and EU nationals) |
Internal brand condom: | TO 100% without prescription for all without minimum age (including beneficiaries of state medical aid and EU nationals) |
Spermicides | No |
Injectable progestins | TO 100% |
Permanent contraception | TO 80% |
FYI
The mutual societies (health supplements) may, if necessary, cover all or part of the costs which are not reimbursed by the health insurance if the contract so provides. Ask your mutual insurance company for more information.
Some contraceptives are free in sexual health centers:
- For underage girls wishing to keep secret
- And for adult women who do not have health insurance.
The following costs related to contraception for children under 26 years of age are covered by the Health Insurance, without advance payment :
- Follow-up visit by a doctor or midwife on 1re year of access to contraception
- Annual consultation carried out, from 2e year of access to contraception by a doctor or midwife for a prescription of contraception or for laboratory tests related to contraception
- Certain birth control tests (fasting glucose, total cholesterol, and triglycerides), done once a year
- Acts leading to the insertion, change or withdrawal of a contraceptive
- Supply of refundable contraceptives in pharmacies on presentation of a medical prescription.
Please note
The Health Insurance also covers 100% long-term sexual health consultation (without advance payment). It is accessible to all young people, girls and boys, up to the age of 25.
You're 26 and older
Contraceptive devices | Support rate |
---|---|
Intrauterine device (IUD) | TO 65% |
Pill | Some pills are reimbursed by the Health Insurance at 65% |
Patch | No |
Implant | TO 65% |
Vaginal ring | No |
Cervical cap | No |
Diaphragm | TO 65% |
External brand condom: External condom latex-free Manix Sensitivity brand | TO 60% on prescription |
Internal brand condom: | TO 60% on prescription |
Spermicides | No |
Injectable progestins | TO 65% |
Permanent contraception | TO 80% |
FYI
The mutual societies (health supplements) may, if necessary, cover all or part of the costs which are not reimbursed by the health insurance if the contract so provides. You should ask your mutual insurance company.
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
Categories of contraceptives
Delivery of contraceptives by planning centers
Delivery of contraceptives by pharmacies
Contraceptive reimbursement, free condoms for under 26s (L160-14)
No advance payment (Article L162-4-5)
Delivery of contraceptives by midwives
Reimbursed price for male condoms
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Ministry of Health