The French social security system (also known as AMELI, CPAM or Sécurité Sociale) guarantees that part of your health-related expenses will be covered.
Overview of the French social security system
French social security covers 70% of most healthcare costs.
To supplement this reimbursement, there are private health insurances: mutuelles.
Mutuelles are optional, so you need to find out for yourself about the many options on offer, depending on your specific needs and personal situation.
In all cases, we strongly advise you to take out a complementary mutual or private insurance policy.
Examples of student mutual insurances: LMDE, Smeno, SMERRA, HEYME...
Who needs to register with the social security system?
Most countries of the European Union: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland have access to the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). If you have access to the EHIC, you don't need to apply for French social security.
Your EHIC must be valid for the entire duration of your stay.
If you don't come from one of the countries mentioned above, don't have access to the EHIC, or have an S1 form, you must register online for social security.
The formalities
You must register in order to benefit from the French social security system:
https://etudiant-etranger.ameli.fr/#/
Step 1: Your registration
You will need the following documents to complete your registration:
- A valid identity card or passport.
- Your visa
- A certificate of enrolment (to be requested from the school responsible for your programme)
- A French bank statement (RIB)
- Proof of civil status: your birth certificate translated into French.
- Visa validation
Step 2: Checking supporting documents
Once the supporting documents have been validated, you can download the following documents from your space:
- Welcome Pack
- Temporary certificate
Once you have reached this stage, you will also be able to declare a general practioner and suscribe to a mutuelle to ensure better medical care and cover your health costs.
Stage 3: Your registration
This step can take 3 to 6 months.
When your registration is complete, you will receive a letter by post from the Assurance Maladie: your Carte Vitale application form.
You will then need to complete it, provide a passport photo and return it to the Caisse Primaire d'Assurance Maladie in your place of residence.
As soon as you are registered, you will also be able to open your AMELI account:
- If you already have your carte vitale: with your bank details and Carte Vitale, go to AMELI website and fill in the information requested.
- You do not yet have your carte vitale: you must contact your Caisse Primaire d'Assurance Maladie on 3646 or 09 74 75 36 46 (dedicated line for English-speaking customers) with your bank details. An advisor will text you your temporary access code for your AMELI account.
EXAMPLE OF SOCIAL SECURITY/MUTUAL INSURANCE REIMBURSEMENT :
For a consultation with a general practionner:
The consultation rate used as a basis for reimbursement is €25.
After deducting a €1 fixed contribution from this amount:
Assurance Maladie reimburses 70%, i.e. €16.50
The complementary health insurance or mutuelle reimburses the remaining 30%, i.e. €7.50.
Contact information:
Dijon🦉:
1 Boulevard de Champagne, 21000 Dijon
By phone 3646 from monday to friday 08.30 am until 5.30 pm (french speaking line)
or +33 9 74 75 36 46 (english speaking line).
Lyon 🦁:
CPAM du Rhône, 69907 Lyon Cedex 20.
By phone 3646 from monday to friday 08.30 am until 5.30 pm (french speaking line)
or +33 9 74 75 36 46 (english speaking line).