Accessing healthcare in France

You will be treated on the same basis as a resident of France. Remember, each country’s health system is different and might not include all the things you would expect to get free of charge from the NHS. This may mean that you have to make a patient contribution to the cost of your care. You may be able to seek reimbursement for this cost when you are back in the UK.

It is important that you ensure you are treated by a state healthcare provider as you will not be covered for private healthcare. You should be particularly careful if the healthcare arrangements have been made by a hotel or travel representative.

Non-EEA nationals are covered in France.

Where to get information while in France

The Centre des Liaisons Europeennes et Internationales de Securite Sociale (CLEISS) will be able to provide information.

Centre des Liaisons Europeennes et Internationales de Securite Sociale (CLEISS)
11 Rue de la Tour des Dames
75436 Paris Cedex 09

Telephone: 0033 1 45 26 33 41

Website: www.cleiss.fr

Information can also be obtained from the 'Caisse Primaire D‘Assurance Maladie’ (CPAM) office that covers the area you are staying.

You can also get advice in English from the ameli.fr website. Email or call their helpline if you have any questions regarding your social security insurance, benefits and healthcare rights in France.

Emergency numbers

In case you find yourself in an emergency during your stay in France, dial 15. You can also use 112, which is the equivalent for the European Union. You might want to save the number in your phone.

Treatment, coverage and costs

Before making an appointment with a doctor or dentist make sure that they are registered with the state healthcare provider in France (conventionné ie). ‘Conventionné’ practitioners can fall into either of the following two categories:

Secteur 1: practitioners who charge the official social security rate or
Secteur 2: practitioners who charge an extra fee on top of the official rate

Doctors

You must pay the doctor directly. The doctor then will fill out a treatment form (feuille de soins) and a prescription if necessary. The treatment form is necessary to claim any refunds. You can claim back around 70% of the standard treatment cost. The standard rate for a consultation with a general practitioner is 21 Euros and 25 Euros for a consultation with a specialist. These charges are non-refundable in France but you may be able to seek reimbursement when you are back in the UK.

Dentists

You must pay the dentists direct who will then fill out a treatment form (feuille de soins) and a prescription if necessary. The form is necessary to claim any refunds. You can claim back around 70% of the standard treatment cost. This is non-refundable in France but you may be able to seek reimbursement when you are back in the UK.

Hospital treatment

If you are admitted to hospital, make sure you present your EHIC or your ‘carte vitale’ on admission. This will save you from paying any refundable costs up front and ensure you only pay the patient contribution.

Generally, you will only have to pay a 20% co-payment towards your treatment, sometimes it will be free. Inpatients will have to pay a daily hospital charge of 16 Euros. If you are admitted to hospital and receive any major medical treatment, you will be charged a flat-rate contribution of €18 in addition to the daily hospital charge or the 20% co-payment. These charges are non-refundable in France but you may be able to seek reimbursement when you are back in the UK.

If you are admitted to a private hospital or clinic, try to ensure that it is also registered to provide state healthcare.

Prescriptions

You should choose a pharmacy that is working within the French healthcare system. With your prescription, you should receive a treatment form (feuille de soins) – you cannot claim a refund without it.

Prescribed medicines are only reimbursable if they are listed as reimbursable pharmaceutical products. Reimbursement rates vary between 15% and 100 % of the sale price.
This is non-refundable in France but you may be able to seek reimbursement when you are back in the UK.

For more information on which medicines you can claim back contact CLEISS.

Ambulance

In France, a doctor has to confirm that you are really in need of an ambulance service. Alternatively, you could use a light medical vehicle (vehicule sanitaire leger - VSL) to get to hospital.

Ambulance charges are due if you are being admitted or discharged from hospital. This is non-refundable in France but you may be able to seek reimbursement when you are back in the UK.

Air Ambulance

The availability of air ambulance services varies and depends on the nature of the emergency.

Making healthcare arrangements in advance

The most common treatments or conditions that require advanced arrangements are listed below. For all other conditions or treatments, you should consult your doctor. Remember, for all treatments abroad you must present your EHIC.

Dialysis

You need to speak to the co-ordinator in your UK Dialysis Unit who will contact the dialysis unit in France nearest to where you will be staying. The provision of dialysis will be subject to availability in France.

Leisure or business - using your EHIC in France

Your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) will enable you to access state provided healthcare at a reduced cost or sometimes free. It will cover you for treatment that is needed in order to allow you to continue your stay until your planned return. It also covers you for treatment of pre-existing medical conditions and for routine maternity care provided the reason for your visit is not specifically to give birth.

How to claim refunds

Reimbursements are claimed from the local CPAM office (Caisse Primaire D‘Assurance Maladie) in France. You will need to provide the treatment form (feuille de soins), copies of receipts and prescriptions, a copy of your EHIC, your address of residence and your bank details, including IBAN and BIC. Confirmation of your refund will be sent to your home address.

If you have had to pay for the cost of your care and have been unable to claim a refund during your stay in France you should contact the Overseas Healthcare Team (Newcastle) on 0191 218 1999 (Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm) on your return to the UK. However, this process will take longer than claiming for a refund in France.

Living in France

If you're receiving a UK state pension, or in receipt of long-term incapacity benefit, you may be entitled to state healthcare paid for by the UK. You will need to apply for an E121, which you should then present to the French health authorities.

However, if you move to France to live but not work and do not receive a UK benefit, you may be eligible for up to two-and-a-half years of state healthcare cover, paid for by the UK. In this case, you will need to apply for an E106.

For more details on how to apply for an E121 or E106, visit the 'Moving abroad' section.

How to register your E121 or E106

In both cases, you will need to contact the local CPAM office in France, which will issue you a health insurance card (carte vitale). The card is evidence that you are entitled to receive healthcare as a French resident. Information is also available online on the l'Assurance Maladie website. However, the information is only available in French.

How to register with a GP

If you are living in France, you are advised to register with a doctor. Your entitlement on either state provide healthcare or reimbursements is depending on it. Children under 16 do not need to register and can consult a doctor of their choice.

Working in France

This section applies if you have been issued with an E106.

How to register your E106

You will need to contact the local CPAM office in France, which will issue you a health insurance card (carte vitale). The card is evidence that you are entitled to receive healthcare as a French resident. Information is also available online on the l'Assurance Maladie website. However, the information is only available in French.

How to register with a GP

If you are working in France, you are advised to register with a doctor. Your entitlement on either state provide healthcare or reimbursements is depending on it. Children under 16 do not need to register and can consult a doctor of their choice.