If you haven't come to France to be a salaried worker with a French employer, or if you are not a student registered in France, or if you are not a trainee with the CIES, you cannot automatically benefit from Social Security [17] cover. In order to have social security cover and to be covered in case of accidents, you must subscribe to an insurance company in you country of origin and draw up a personal insurance policy for France.

Social Security Cover in your country of origin

Countries of the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA)

If you are a national of the EU and you benefit form a social protection system in your country of origin, you can be reimbursed for the medical costs incurred in France. In order to do this, before leaving, you need to get hold of an E128 form from your assurer. If need be, you must keep your receipts of your medical fees accompanied by the form from the International Relations department of the "Caisse Primaire d'Assurance Maladie" (CPAM) [6] in your region, which will reimburse you on the basis of the Social Security tariffs. The "ticket modérateur" (deterrent fee)[20] remains to be paid by you or can be covered by a complementary insurance [2] (see Complementary Health Insurance ).

Countries that signed the Reciprocity Agreement with the French Social Security Department

A certain number of countries, outside the EU have signed an agreement of reciprocity with France. If you come from one of these countries, and you benefit from a social security cover, you can be reimbursed for your medical costs incurred in France. Before leaving your country of origin, contact your social security body to see if the agreement includes health insurance. If this is the case, you can obtain your reimbursement of medical costs by presenting all receipts and proof of affiliation in your country of origin, to the International Relations department of the Caisse Primaire d'Assurance Maladie (CPAM).

Insurance policy taken out your country of origin

Before leaving your country, it is sometimes possible to draw up a contract with an insurance company in your country of origin which covers your for your stay in France. In this case, get hold of an "attestation de prise en charge" (proof of cover) [4] by the company which will allow you to take out a new insurance policy in France.

previous