France provides social security (healthcare) coverage to international students, it is one of the few countries in the world to do so.
Registration to the national social security system is free and mandatory for all students of French higher education institutions.
Here’s an overview of what you need to know..
Last update: 7 Dec 2021
introduction
Registering to French social security is one of the administrative procedures you need to accomplish soon after you arrive in France
Here's a recap of the administrative procedures:
Who?
Holders of a French student visa
- Long-stay visas valid as a residence permit (visa long séjour valant titre de séjour VLS-TS)
- Temporary long-stay visas (visa de long séjour temporaire VLS-T)
*Learn more about the different types of long-stay visas here
Important note: If you are in France as a student but not at a French higher education institution ➜ Please verify with your school/institution if your enrolment qualifies you to subscribe to French social security.
- Some examples — you are taking up language classes, certificate courses, or other non-degree programs
Why?
To receive a partial reimbursement (an average of 70%) of your health and medical expenses. These will be credited to your French bank account). Here are some examples of the possible health and medical expenses:
- visits to the doctor, medical check-ups
- purchase of prescription medications (some basic medicines are included too)
- lab work (blood tests, x-rays, ultrasound, MRI scan, etc.)
- dental/medical operations and procedures
When?
As soon as possible, after the academic registration in your higher education institution. You will need the certificat de scolarité issued by your French higher education institution as part of the documents to be submitted.
How?
Go to https://etudiant-etranger.ameli.fr (available in French, English and Spanish).
How much?
It’s free of charge. French and international students don't need to pay to register for French social security.
Campus France video tutorial - Social security registration
online registration to social security
Good news!
The registration process is done online through the dedicated website - https://etudiant-etranger.ameli.fr
Take note!
If at the time you register online, you do not have an official certificate of enrolment (attestation de scolarité), your admission letter/certificate of pre-enrolment will be accepted for your temporary social security registration. Then once you have the official attestation on hand, you'll just have to replace the previously uploaded one.
All the other documents that are asked for are mandatory.
Note: The information presented is accurate as of Jul 2021. Please note that the steps may change as time passes.
So, how does it work?
After completing your online registration (see above), you will be provided with a social security number (numéro de sécurité sociale) that is found in the proof of social security membership (attestation d'affiliation à la sécurité sociale).
In case of illness or an accident, your expenses will be reimbursed (to your French bank account)
- On average, social security covers about 70% of the medical expenses
💡Tip 💡
Make sure to watch the video tutorial below to familiarize yourself with the assurance maladie system and how it works. The tutorial also introduces you to important health insurance related terms and phrases that are important to remember
You will also be given instructions on how to retrieve your health insurance card (carte Vitale)
- Bring this whenever going to the doctor, the hospital, dentist, or to the pharmacy
- If you have not yet received your carte Vitale, don't worry! Your attestation d'affiliation à la sécurité sociale is a valid document and it will be accepted by health care providers
Campus France video tutorial - How does the assurance maladie work?
Important note:
The entire process can take some time, but there’s no need to panic. You will be provided with a temporary proof of social security membership (attestation provisoire d’affiliation à la Sécurité sociale) after your online registration.
Your coverage is backdated from the date you completed your registration at your higher education institution. Your health and medical expenses will be covered starting that date (even if you have not yet received your carte Vitale).
Example: You have completed your HEI registration on September 2, your social security coverage is active starting this date.
What is a mutuelle?
A mutuelle is complementary insurance that covers all or part of the difference between what you have to pay and the social security refund (remember, sécurité sociale covers up to 70%). It is not mandatory, but we do recommend it for your added security and peace of mind.
Where can you purchase it?
- Student healthcare insurance providers (mutuelles étudiantes)
- Insurance companies
- Banks
💡Tips 💡
- Ask your French HEI for assistance, they may have partner providers with discounts or added benefits
- Visit the welcome desks (guichets uniques) at the start of the academic year. Many mutuelles will be there to present their services and you can subscribe immediately
- Check that the complementary insurance you choose offers additional coverage such as civil liability, travel, accident, repatriation, home/rental insurance. See an example below
for additional information
- Download the Assurance Maladie flyer found in the Document section at the bottom of this page
- Take a look at the information on the Campus France international site
