In France, Health Insurance is mandatory for students and for people employed in France. It is also accessible to visiting PhD students and researchers for stays of more than 6 months.
Also called “Sécurité Sociale” and “Assurance Maladie”, this public body is managed by various health insurance funds, such as CPAM and MGEN.
The Caisses d’Assurance Maladie (health insurance funds) cover a portion of healthcare costs, with the remainder partly reimbursed by a “complementary health insurance” or “mutuelle”, which is optional and subject to a monthly fee.
Depending on your nationality, status and situation, you will need to take different steps to join the French health insurance system.
l’assurance
Maladie
Apply for the French Health Insurance
YOU ARE A CITIZEN OF AN EEA* COUNTRY OR SWITZERLAND:
(27 EU member states + Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein)
Scroll down the situation that best corresponds to your own case in order to obtain more details. If you have any doubts, feel free to contact your EURAXESS Center : drie-euraxess-contact@univ-lorraine.fr.
PHD STUDENT ENROLLED in a higher education or research establishment IN FRANCE, either with a scholarship or self-funded, WITHOUT A SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER
You are in possession of a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
A valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) issued by an EU/EEA country exempts you from having to apply for the French Health Insurance. The EHIC is individual, nominative and free, and must cover at least the whole of the current academic year. Remember to request it from the social welfare agency in your country of residence before you leave, and to renew it if necessary.
This card will enable you to claim reimbursement of your health expenses in France under the same conditions and at the same rates as in your country of residence.
To request reimbursement for your health expenses in France, you must send the following documents to the CPAM in your place of residence:
- Copy of your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) (or provisional certificate)
- Proof of residence in France
- Copy of your valid passport or ID (both sides)
- Certificate of enrollment for the current university year
- “Feuille de soins papier“ (Paper medical treatment form)
- IBAN (International Bank Account Number)
- Attestation on honor stating that you remain financially dependent on your parents.
Be sure to supply good-quality photocopies.
Please go to Ameli.fr and enter the zip code of your place of residence in France to find the address of your CPAM.
Remember to check the validity dates of your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before you arrive in France.
For more information, please visit the European Commission’s website: Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion → How to use the card
You have an S1 form
If you have an S1 form, you must send your application by post to your local CPAM.
The following documents are required:
- Nominative certificate of enrollment, issued when you register with the university. It must specify the period of enrollment and university year.
- Copy of your valid passport or ID (both sides)
- Proof of residence in France
- Form S1 issued by the social welfare agency in your country of residence
- Proof of civil status in original language: full copy of birth certificate, birth certificate with filiation, family record book, marriage certificate
- A Relevé d’Identité Bancaire (RIB) or IBAN (International Bank Account Number) in your name. We strongly recommend that you open a bank account in France to facilitate reimbursements.
Be sure to supply good-quality photocopies.
Please go to Ameli.fr and enter the zip code of your place of residence in France to find the address of your CPAM.
You do not have an EHIC or S1 form
If you have neither an EHIC nor an S1 form, you can apply for French Health insurance on the portal: https://etudiant-etranger.ameli.fr/#/. Your request will be forwarded to the CPAM in your place of residence in France.
The following documents are required:
- Nominative certificate of enrollment, issued when you register with the university. It must specify the period of enrollment and university year.
- Copy of your valid passport or ID (both sides)
- Proof of residence in France
- Proof of resources downloadable from Ameli.fr, duly completed and signed
- Proof of civil status in original language: full copy of birth certificate, birth certificate with filiation, family record book, marriage certificate
- A Relevé d’Identité Bancaire (RIB) or IBAN (International Bank Account Number) in your name. We strongly recommend that you open a bank account in France to facilitate reimbursements.
Be sure to supply good-quality photocopies.
Please go to Ameli.fr and enter the zip code of your place of residence in France to find the address of your CPAM.
PHD STUDENT or RESEARCHER EMPLOYED by a university or another research institution IN FRANCE
You do not have a Social Security number in France
Your employer will register you with MGEN if you live in Meurthe-et-Moselle (54), Meuse (55) or Vosges (88), or with the local CPAM if you live in Moselle (57).
Please contact the Human Resources manager in charge of your application to request confirmation.
You already have a Social Security number in France
If you have already obtained a definitive Social Security number (NIR) during a previous stay in France, you will need to request the reactivation of your rights or the updating of your situation from the MGEN if you live in Meurthe-et-Moselle (54), Meuse (55) or Vosges (88), or from the local CPAM if you live in Moselle (57).
To do so, you will need to complete a paper application to be sent to your local Caisse d’Assurance Maladie (MGEN or CPAM, depending on your département of residence), along with the following documents:
- Cerfa 15763*02 form downloadable from the Service Public website
- Copy of your valid passport or ID (both sides)
- Proof of civil status in original language: full copy of birth certificate, birth certificate with filiation, family record book, marriage certificate
- Copy of your employment contract and your 1st payslip
- A Relevé d’Identité Bancaire (RIB) or IBAN (International Bank Account Number) in your name. We strongly recommend that you open a bank account in France to facilitate reimbursements.
Be sure to supply good-quality photocopies.
Please go to MGEN.fr to find the address of your local MGEN or to Ameli.fr (enter the zip code of your place of residence in France) to find the address of your local CPAM.
VISITING PHD STUDENT or RESEARCHER (PhD student NOT enrolled in France/researcher NOT employed in France)
With a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), you don’t need to apply for the French Health insurance system. The EHIC is individual, nominative and free, and must cover the duration of your stay in France.
Remember to request it from the social welfare agency in your country of residence before you leave, and to renew it if necessary.
This card will enable you to claim reimbursement of your health expenses in France under the same conditions and at the same rates as in your country of residence.
Remember to check the validity dates of your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before you arrive in France.
For more information, please vsit the European Commission’s website: Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion → How to use the card
SPOUSE of a PhD student or a researcher (either ENROLLED, EMPLOYED or INVITED in France)
You are the spouse of a PhD student or a researcher either enrolled, employed or invited in France, and are of EU/EEA/Swiss nationality
You are coming to France for a STAY OF LESS THAN 1 YEAR
A valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) issued by an EU/EEA country exempts you from having to apply for the French Health Insurance. The EHIC is individual, nominative and free, and must cover the whole period of your stay in France. Remember to request it from the social welfare agency in your country of residence before you leave, and to renew it if necessary.
This card will enable you to claim reimbursement of your health expenses in France under the same conditions and at the same rates as in your country of residence.
Remember to check the validity dates of your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before you arrive in France.
For more information, please visit the European Commission’s website: Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion → How to use the card
You are coming to France for a STAY OF MORE THAN 1 YEAR
It is possible to benefit from the French Health Insurance under the Protection Universelle Maladie (PUMA) scheme, in order to be reimbursed on the basis of the French Social Security scheme.
You will need to complete a paper application form and send it to the Caisse d’Assurance Maladie in your place of residence, along with the following documents:
- Cerfa 15763*02 form downloadable from the Service Public website
- Copy of your valid passport or ID (both sides)
- Proof of civil status in original language: full copy of birth certificate, birth certificate with filiation, family record book, marriage certificate
- Proof of residence showing that you have been living in France on a stable and regular basis for more than 3 months
- A Relevé d’Identité Bancaire (RIB) or IBAN (International Bank Account Number) in your name. We strongly recommend that you open a bank account in France to facilitate reimbursements.
Be sure to supply good-quality photocopies.
Please go to Ameli.fr and enter the zip code of your place of residence in France to find the address of your CPAM.
Please note:
- If you are a student in France, you can apply for the French Health Insurance at: https://etudiant-etranger.ameli.fr/.
- If you are employed in France, please contact your employer to find out which procedure best suits your situation.
You are the spouse of a PhD student or a researcher either enrolled, employed or invited in France, and you are of non-European nationality
It is possible to benefit from the French Health Insurance under the Protection Universelle Maladie (PUMA) scheme, in order to be reimbursed on the basis of the French Social Security scheme.
You will need to complete a paper application form and send it to the Caisse d’Assurance Maladie in your place of residence, along with the following documents:
- Cerfa 15763*02 form downloadable from the Service Public website
- Copy of your valid passport
- Valid VLS-TS or residence permit
- Proof of civil status in original language: full copy of birth certificate, birth certificate with filiation, family record book, marriage certificate
- Proof of residence showing that you have been living in France on a stable and regular basis for more than 3 months
- A Relevé d’Identité Bancaire (RIB) or IBAN (International Bank Account Number) in your name. We strongly recommend that you open a bank account in France to facilitate reimbursements.
Be sure to supply good-quality photocopies.
Please go to Ameli.fr and enter the zip code of your place of residence in France to find the address of your CPAM.
Please note:
- If you are a student in France, you can apply for the French Health Insurance at: https://etudiant-etranger.ameli.fr/.
- If you are employed in France, please contact your employer to find out which procedure best suits your situation.
Affiliation of MINOR CHILD(REN) with the French Health Insurance system
If you have come to France with one or more minor children, you can apply to your health insurance fund (MGEN or CPAM, depending on the case) for your dependent minor children to be attached to your health insurance, if you or your spouse have open rights.
To do so, you will need to complete a paper application to be sent to your local Caisse d’Assurance Maladie (MGEN or CPAM, depending on your département of residence), along with the following documents:
- Cerfa 14445*02 form downloadable from the Service Public website
- Copy of your valid passport or ID (both sides) if the child is of EU/EEA nationality
- Proof of civil status in original language: full copy of birth certificate, birth certificate with filiation
Be sure to supply good-quality photocopies.
Please go to MGEN.fr to find the address of your local MGEN or to Ameli.fr (enter the zip code of your place of residence in France) to find the address of your local CPAM.
YOU ARE a citizen of a non-European country
Scroll down the situation that best corresponds to your own case in order to obtain more details. If you have any doubts, feel free to contact your EURAXESS Center : drie-euraxess-contact@univ-lorraine.fr.
PHD STUDENT ENROLLED in a higher education or research establishment IN FRANCE, either with a scholarship or self-funded, WITH A “STUDENT“ STATUS, WITHOUT A SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER
If you are a PhD student with a scholarship or self-funded, enrolled in a higher education or research establishment in France, of non-European nationality and holding a “Student” VLS-TS or residence permit, you can apply for affiliation to the French health insurance scheme via the portal: https://etudiant-etranger.ameli.fr/#/ if you do not yet have any rights opened in France. You will then be affiliated to the CPAM in your place of residence.
The following documents are required:
- Nominative certificate of enrollment, issued when you register with the university. It must specify the period of enrollment and university year.
- Copy of your valid passport
- “Student“ visa
- “Student“ residence permit or confirmation of validation of your VLS-TS or recepisse of application for a “Student“ residence permit
- Proof of civil status in original language: full copy of birth certificate, birth certificate with filiation, family record book, marriage certificate
- A Relevé d’Identité Bancaire (RIB) or IBAN (International Bank Account Number) in your name. We strongly recommend that you open a bank account in France to facilitate reimbursements.
Be sure to supply good-quality photocopies.
Please go to Ameli.fr and enter the zip code of your place of residence in France to find the address of your CPAM.
Please note: This procedure does not apply to you if you are a PhD student employed in France (doctoral contract, CIFRE, ATER…).
PHD STUDENT or RESEARCHER EMPLOYED in France, with a “Talent RESEARCHER“ or “Scientifique-Chercheur“ status
If you are a PhD student or researcher employed by a higher education or research establishment in France, of non-European nationality, and have obtained a hosting agreement to apply for a visa/residence permit under the “Talent Researcher” or “Scientifique-Chercheur” status (for Algerian nationals), the procedure will differ if you have already obtained a Social Security number in France during a previous stay, or if this is your first affiliation.
You do not have a Social Security number in France
If you have never obtained a Social Security number in France, your employer will proceed to your affiliation with the CPAM of Paris if you hold a “Talent Researcher” visa or residence permit and are employed in France.
You will need to send in the documents required to complete your application file, which will be requested by the HR manager in charge of your file.
Please contact the Human Resources manager in charge of your file to request confirmation.
You already have a Social Security number in France
Your previous Social Security rights in France have been closed
You have obtained a definitive Social Security number (NIR) or a provisional Social Security number (NIA) during a previous stay in France, and your Social Security rights have been closed: you need to apply for new rights directly to the CPAM of Paris if you hold a visa or residence permit with “Talent Researcher” status and are employed in France, or to the local CPAM if you hold a Certificat de Résidence pour Algérien (CRA) with “Scientifique-Chercheur” status.
You will find below the procedure for sending your application, depending on your status.
“Talent Researcher” status
To request the reopening of your Social Security rights, you will need to complete an application, to be sent to the CPAM of Paris, along with the following documents:
- Cerfa 15763*02 form downloadable from the Service Public website
- Copy of your valid passport
- Copy of valid VLS-TS or residence permit with “Talent Researcher“ status
- Copy of your employment contract or 1st payslip or hosting agreement (except for CIFRE contracts: provide employment contract and payslip)
- A Relevé d’Identité Bancaire (RIB) or IBAN (International Bank Account Number) in your name. We strongly recommend that you open a bank account in France to facilitate reimbursements.
Be sure to supply good-quality photocopies.
By postal mail with tracking to the following address:
CPAM de Paris
TSA 99998
75948 PARIS CEDEX 19
or online on the Dépôt Doc CPAM 75 website.
FAQ : Workshop
Paris CPAM Transfer
January 18th 2024
“Scientifique-Chercheur” status
You will need to complete a paper application and send it to the CPAM in your place of residence.
Please go to Ameli.fr and enter the zip code of your place of residence in France to find the address of your CPAM.
This application must be accompanied by the following documents:
- Cerfa 15763*02 form downloadable from the Service Public website
- Copy of your valid passport
- Copy of valid residence permit with “Scientifique-Chercheur“ status
- Copy of your employment contract or 1st payslip or hosting agreement (except for CIFRE contracts: provide employment contract and payslip)
- A Relevé d’Identité Bancaire (RIB) or IBAN (International Bank Account Number) in your name. We strongly recommend that you open a bank account in France to facilitate reimbursements.
Be sure to supply good-quality photocopies.
Please go to Ameli.fr and enter the zip code of your place of residence in France to find the address of your CPAM.
Your Social Security rights in France are open (valid)
If you are a non-European national, have a permanent Social Security number (NIR), and your rights are still active with a CPAM, you must update your Ameli.fr account if you change your address.
“Talent Researcher“ Status
Once you have updated your address on Ameli.fr (in case of relocation), you must request the transfer of your file to the Paris CPAM if you hold (or will hold) a “Talent Researcher” residence permit and are employed in France.
This application must be accompanied by the following documents:
- Cerfa 750 form downloadable from the Service Public website
- Copy of your valid passport
- Copy of valid VLS-TS or residence permit with “Talent Researcher“ status
- Copy of your employment contract or 1st payslip or hosting agreement (except for CIFRE contracts: provide employment contract and payslip)
- A Relevé d’Identité Bancaire (RIB) or IBAN (International Bank Account Number) in your name. We strongly recommend that you open a bank account in France to facilitate reimbursements.
Be sure to supply good-quality photocopies.
By postal mail with tracking to the following address:
CPAM de Paris
TSA 99998
75948 PARIS CEDEX 19
or online on the Dépôt Doc CPAM 75 website.
Paris CPAM Transfer
January 18th 2024
“Scientifique-Chercheur“ Status
If you are a PhD student or researcher of Algerian nationality with “Scientifique-Chercheur” status affiliated with a CPAM, you simply need to update your file on Ameli.fr if you move and inform your CPAM of any change in your situation.
INVITED PHD STUDENT or RESEARCHER (not enrolled in France, not employed in France), WITH A RESEARCH GRANT
If you are an invited PhD student or researcher, a non-European national, and have obtained a grant or funding for your research stay in France, your eligibility for French Health insurance will depend on the length of your stay in France.
You are coming for a STAY OF LESS THAN OR EQUAL TO 6 MONTHS in France
We strongly advise you to take out private health insurance/repatriation insurance valid for France in your country of residence before your departure. This insurance must be valid for the entire duration of your stay in France.
You will not be eligible for French Health insurance for stays of less than six months, as you will neither be enrolled in an educational institution in France nor employed in France
You are coming for a STAY OF MORE THAN 6 MONTHS in France
You are eligible for Health insurance based on your residence in France, starting three months and one day after your arrival in France, under the Universal Health Coverage (PUMA) programme. To do so, you will need to complete a paper application and send it to the health insurance fund (Caisse d’Assurance Maladie) in your place of residence, along with the following documents:
- Cerfa form 15763*02, which can be downloaded from the Service Public website
- Copy of your valid passport
- Copy of valid VLS-TS or residence permit
- Proof of civil status in the original language accompanied by a translation: full copy of your birth certificate, birth certificate extract with parentage, family record book, marriage certificate
- Proof of address showing that you have been living in France on a stable and regular basis for more than 3 months
- A bank account identification form (RIB) in your name. Please note: we recommend that you open a bank account in France to facilitate reimbursements.
Be sure to supply good-quality photocopies.
Please visit the website Ameli.fr and enter the postcode of your place of residence in France to find the address of your CPAM.
SPOUSE of a PhD student or researcher, with “TALENT FAMILLE“ or “CONJOINT DE SCIENTIFIQUE“ Status
Depending on the situation in France of your spouse who holds a “Talent Chercheur“ or “Scientifique-Chercheur“ visa or residence permit, the registration procedure will be different.
You are the non-European SPOUSE of a PhD student or researcher with a “Talent Chercheur“ or “Scientifique-Chercheur“ status EMPLOYED IN FRANCE
If you are the spouse of a PhD student or researcher with a “Talent Chercheur“ or “Scientifique-Chercheur“ status employed in France, you can apply for Social Security affiliation in France without delay, as soon as you obtain your residence permit.
“Conjoint de Scientifique“ status
If you are the spouse of a PhD student or researcher “Scientifique-Chercheur“ employed in France, you can apply for Social Security coverage in France as soon as you obtain your residence permit.
You will need to complete a paper application form and send it to the CPAM in your place of residence. Please visit the Ameli.fr website and enter the postcode of your place of residence in France to find the address of your CPAM, along with the following documents:
- Cerfa 15763*02 form can be downloaded from the Service Public website
- Copy of your valid passport
- Copy of your valid residence permit with “Conjoint de Scientifique“ status
- Proof of civil status in the original language, accompanied by a translation: full copy of birth certificate, birth certificate with filiation, family record book
- Copy of your marriage certificate
- Copy of the hosting agreement and of your spouse’s residence permit “Scientifique-Chercheur“
- A bank account identification document (RIB) in your name. Please note: we recommend that you open a bank account in France to facilitate reimbursements.
Be sure to supply good-quality photocopies.
Please visit the website Ameli.fr and enter the postcode of your place of residence in France to find the address of your CPAM.
“Talent Famille“ status
If you are the spouse of a PhD student or researcher with a “Talent Chercheur“ status employed in France, you can apply for social security coverage in France without delay, as soon as you obtain your residence permit.
To do so, you will need to complete an application form and send it to the CPAM of Paris, along with the following documents:
- Form Cerfa 15763*02, which can be downloaded from the Service Public website
- Copy of valid passport
- Copy of valid residence permit with “Talent Famille“ status
- Proof of civil status in the original language, accompanied by a translation: full copy of birth certificate, birth certificate with filiation, family record book
- Copy of your marriage certificate
- Copy of the hosting agreement and of your spouse’s residence permit “Talent Chercheur“
- A bank account identification form (RIB) in your name. Please note that we recommend that you open a bank account in France to facilitate reimbursements.
Be sure to supply good-quality photocopies.
By postal mail with tracking to the following address:
CPAM de Paris
TSA 99998
75948 PARIS CEDEX 19
or online on the Dépôt Doc CPAM 75 website.
You are the non-European SPOUSE of a PhD student or researcher with a “Talent Chercheur“ or “Scientifique-Chercheur“ status INVITED IN FRANCE for a stay of more than 6 months
You are eligible for Health insurance based on your residence in France, starting three months and one day after your arrival in France, under the Universal Health Coverage (PUMA) program. To do so, you will need to complete a paper application and send it to the Health insurance fund (Caisse d’Assurance Maladie) in your place of residence, along with the following documents:
- Form Cerfa 15763*02, which can be downloaded from the Service Public website
- Copy of valid passport
- Copy of valid residence permit with “Talent Famille“ or “Conjoint de Scientifique“ status
- Proof of civil status in the original language, accompanied by a translation: full copy of birth certificate, birth certificate with filiation, family record book
- Copy of your marriage certificate
- Proof of address showing that you have been living in France on a stable and regular basis for more than 3 months
- A bank account identification form (RIB) in your name. Please note that we recommend that you open a bank account in France to facilitate reimbursements.
Be sure to supply good-quality photocopies.
Please visit the website Ameli.fr and enter the postcode of your place of residence in France to find the address of your CPAM.
Spouse of a doctoral student or guest scholarship holder coming for a stay of less than 3 months, or remaining employed by their home institution: you will not be eligible for health insurance in France. You will need to take out private health/repatriation insurance valid for France in your country of residence before your departure. This insurance must be valid for the entire duration of your stay in France.
Affiliation of MINOR CHILD(REN) with the French Health Insurance system
If you have come to France with one or more minor children, you can apply to your health insurance fund for your dependent minor children to be attached to your health insurance, if you or your spouse have open rights.
To do so, you will need to complete a paper application to be sent to your Caisse d’Assurance Maladie, along with the following documents:
- Cerfa 14445*02 form downloadable from the Service Public website
- Copy of each child’s valid passport
- Proof of civil status in original language, accompanied by a translation: full copy of birth certificate, birth certificate with filiation
Be sure to supply good-quality photocopies.
Please visit the website Ameli.fr and enter the postcode of your place of residence in France to find the address of your CPAM.
Please note!
Once your application has been processed (online or on paper), you will receive a letter from the CPAM or MGEN (for European staff) within one month with a temporary number. This letter will also explain the procedure for obtaining your Health Insurance card (carte Vitale).
Please ensure that you always notify your administration department (Human Resources or the Administrative Manager of your laboratory) of your new address if you move. The address to which the CPAM letter will be sent is the address you provided when you applied for your online or paper application.
Special cases!
- PhD students who are Quebec residents: you must request Form SE 401-Q-102 bis or SE 401-Q-106 to be exempted from being affiliated with the French Health Insurance system. For more information, please contact the Health Insurance fund in your place of residence or click here. For more information on bilateral agreements with Canada, click here.
Making an appointment with a doctor
In order to receive the best possible reimbursement and access the healthcare system in France, you must declare a General Practitioner (GP) of your choice. During your first consultation with this doctor, if you are satisfied with them, you will need to ask them to register as your GP.
To make an appointment with a general practitioner or specialist doctor, we recommend that you consult the directory of healthcare practitioners on Ameli.fr.
Most practitioners are also listed on the Doctolib platform (website, app), where you can book appointments online, check which languages the practitioner speaks, and more.
You can also book an appointment at the MGEN medical and dental centre in Nancy, which is open to everyone.
Please refer to the Welcome! Article Complementary or mutual health insurance
See the Campus France tutorials:
See the health insurance tutorials
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