This section aims to give general information on access to medical treatment in France - as this may differ based on your country of origin, seek advice from the appropriate agencies to ensure the information you have is current.

UK citizens visiting France need to show an EHIC (European Health Insurance card - the replacement for the E111) to obtain free or reduced-cost emergency treatment. As soon as they have permanent residence, however, the EHIC is no longer valid and private health insurance must be taken out. For more detailed information on social security provision, you can contact:

Centre des Liaisons Europeennes et Internationales de Securite Sociale (CLEISS)
11 rue de la Tour des Dames
75436 Paris Cedex 09
Tel: 1 45 26 33 41

In France, medical treatment can be expensive and most countries will not contribute to the cost of treatment incurred abroad by their citizens. If you are not covered through contributions to the French system or by standard EU Social Security arrangements then you should arrange sufficient private insurance to cover the full cost of any emergency.

Even if you are covered under EU Social Security arrangements you should still take out some private insurance (called a Mutuelle in France) to cover the 20-30 per cent contribution normally required by the French Social Security scheme. This element of the treatment cost is your personal responsibility as the patient and will not be refunded.

Note: If you need advice concerning health/life insurance, or would like to request a free, no-obligation quote, please use our enquiry form