French Health Issues
Lobbying for your healthcare rights in France and the EU
One of the conditions for being allowed to reside in France is that you should not be a burden on the French Health System. Details of the residence rules and regulations are here
The French Health System
It is helpful to have an understanding of the basics of the French health system before buying either type of insurance. More information on the system can be found here. A review of the French Health System can also be found on the Internet French Property website.
If you are not covered by an E form or working, you will need private health insurance to cover the cost of medical treatment until you have achieved 5 years “regular” residence in France. Details of the residence rules and regulations are here
For detailed information on private health insurance, see here.
If you are working in France, you will have to pay contributions from your income towards the French health system. The French social security system will pay for a percentage of the cost any treatment you receive.
If you are covered by an E-form such as an E106, E109 or E121, the British government will reimburse the French government for that part of your health costs normally met by the French social security system.
If neither of the above circumstances applies to you but you have been properly resident in France for more than 5 years or were living legally in the country before 23.11.2007, you can join the Couverture Maladie Universelle (CMU). This will allow you to enter the French health system.
In each case, you will have to pay the full cost of medical treatment and will then be reimbursed for a proportion of the cost your treatment by the state. The amount you get back is covered by a complex set of rules depending on what treatment you receive and from whom. You will still have to find the difference between this and the full cost of your treatment, which can be substantial.
Although it is not mandatory, most people take out a top-up insurance to cover the difference between the state reimbursement and the full cost of the treatment. Some examples of how this works are given in the section on top-up insurance.
For detailed information on top-up insurance, see here.
