French Health Issues
Lobbying for your healthcare rights in France and the EU
Existing residents should note that access for EU expatriates to the French healthcare system has been restricted since the introduction of new French Government rulings in late 2007. However, these new regulations do not affect those who are of UK state retirement age and who hold an E121 form, or those who plan to work in France.
However, some early retirees are affected, including those who initially hold E106 forms, issued by the UK government.
For general information see the British Embassy website
If you are working or self employed in France
If you have been continuously resident in France for five years or more
If you were affiliated to CMU on or before 23 November 2007
If you have a valid form E106
or it has recently expired
If you have a valid form E109
If your form E109 expires
If you have a valid form E121
If your form E121 is withdrawn
No change. You will be entitled to remain within the state healthcare system. This applies to both those who are already resident in France and those who may move to France in the future.
If you have been continuously resident in France for a period of five years or more, you will be able to join the state healthcare system, on the same basis as a French national, regardless of your previous circumstances. This right is not affected by holidays and return visits to the UK of short duration (see below). Article 16 of Directive 2004/38/EC states that
"Enjoyment of permanent residence by Union citizens who have chosen to settle long term in the host Member State would strengthen the feeling of Union citizenship and is a key element in promoting social cohesion, which is one of the fundamental objectives of the Union. A right of permanent residence should therefore be laid down for all Union citizens and their family members who have resided in the host Member State in compliance with the conditions laid down in this Directive during a continuous period of five years without becoming subject to an expulsion measure. Continuity of residence shall not be affected by temporary absences not exceeding a total of six months a year, or by absences of a longer duration for compulsory military service, or by one absence of a maximum of twelve consecutive months for important reasons such as pregnancy and childbirth, serious illness, study or vocational training, or a posting in another Member State or a third country."
For the text of the French Government statement see here
Also see here for the EU Directive
The French Government has stated that persons legally resident in France before 23 November 2007 will be entitled to remain in or join the CMU.
See here
For the people who have yet to achieve five years of regular and uninterrupted residence, access to the CMU should be granted only when, having acquired a right to reside, these nationals know an accident of the life leading them to lose their resources or their health insurance.
Nevertheless, the Community nationals who were already benefiting from the basic CMU before the 23/11/07 will be able to continue to do so. (translation courtesy of Yahoo Babel Fish)
See the translation of a letter from the French Health Minister to the British Embassy dated 23rd January 2008 here.
You are entitled to state healthcare by virtue of your form E106 until that form expires.
If you were to suffer an “accident of life” (such as a divorce, death of a spouse, or an illness which prevented you from obtaining private health care), in the interim period, then you may be able to gain access to CMU, as per the statement issued by the health department in December.
No change. You are entitled to state healthcare by virtue of your form E109 until that form expires.
If you became resident in France after 23 November 2007, upon expiry of form E109 you will be obliged to obtain private health insurance until either you have been resident in France for five years, receive cover under form E121 or are able to “piggy-back” onto a partner’s form E106.
If you were to suffer an “accident of life” (such as a divorce, death of a spouse, or an illness which prevented you from obtaining private health care, in the interim period, then you may be able to gain access to CMU, as per the statement issued by the health department in December.
If you were resident in France on or before 23 November 2007, then the position is unclear.
However, the view of the British Embassy is that all EU citizens, resident in France on or before 23 November 2007 will be entitled to affiliate to CMU.
No change. You are entitled to state healthcare by virtue of your form E121 until that form expires.
If for any reason your form E121 is withdrawn, for example, because your lose your entitlement to UK disability benefit, then:
If you became resident in France after 23rd November 2007, upon the withdrawal of form E121 you will be obliged to obtain private health insurance until either you have been resident in France for five years, receive cover under a subsequent form E121 or are able to “piggy-back” onto a partner’s form E106 or E121.
If you were resident in France on or before 23rd November 2007, then the position is unclear, but:
The view of the British Embassy is that all EU citizens, resident in France on or before 23rd November 2007 will be entitled to affiliate to CMU.
Equally, as it is unlikely that either category would be able to obtain private healthcare on E121 expiry, to cover their conditions, then they may be granted CMU entry under the “accident of life” provisions, outlined in the December statement.
