Health Insurance in France — Social Security, Ameli, Mutuelle & Medical Care
A practical 2026 health insurance guide for international students in Paris and France. Learn how French social security works, how to register on Ameli, what documents you need, how reimbursements work, when to choose a mutuelle, how to find English-speaking doctors, and what to do in a medical emergency.
Understand your health coverage before you need a doctor.
French healthcare is high quality, but the system can be confusing at first. Start with your eligibility, register with Ameli if required, choose a doctor, and consider a mutuelle for better reimbursements.
Know which health coverage applies to you
International students in France do not all follow the same procedure. Your nationality, country of social coverage, and length of stay determine whether you use an existing European card or register with the French social security system.
EU / EEA / Swiss students
Request a valid European Health Insurance Card before leaving your home country. With a valid EHIC, you normally do not need to register for French student social security.
Non-EU students
Most non-European students must register online with French social security through the official Ameli international student portal after arrival in France.
Quebec / special cases
Some students may have specific bilateral arrangements, such as Quebec RAMQ coverage. Check your home institution, Campus France, and the official French health insurance guidance before arrival.
Important distinction
The CVEC is not health insurance. It is a student and campus life contribution. Your health coverage is handled separately through your EHIC, French social security, or private insurance depending on your situation.
Register with French social security on Ameli
If you are a non-EU international student, registration is free and completed online through the official student portal. You usually register once you have arrived in France and after you have an address and proof of enrolment.
Official Ameli student portal
Use this website to register as an international student and obtain French health insurance coverage during your studies.
- Create your personal account
- Upload the required documents
- Download your provisional certificate
- Follow your file until your social security number is certified
Ameli English guidance
Ameli provides English-language guidance explaining the registration process for foreign students, the Carte Vitale, reimbursements, and the médecin traitant.
Documents you may need for health insurance registration
Identity and residence
- Passport or national identity document
- Valid student visa or residence permit where applicable
- Proof of address in France
- French phone number and email address
Academic documents
- Certificate of enrolment for the current academic year
- Student certificate from your institution
- Any additional document requested by Ameli or CPAM
Payment and civil status
- French or SEPA bank details, called RIB or IBAN
- Birth certificate, sometimes with parent details
- Official translation if required
- Provisional certificate once your application starts
How medical reimbursement works in France
French social security reimburses part of eligible healthcare costs based on official reimbursement rates. For a standard doctor consultation, reimbursement depends on the care pathway, the official tariff, and whether you have declared a primary care doctor.
Carte Vitale
The Carte Vitale is your French health insurance card. Once you have your certified social security number, you can create an Ameli account and follow the process to request your card.
Feuille de soins
If a doctor cannot use your Carte Vitale, ask for a paper claim form called a feuille de soins. Keep it carefully, as it may be needed for reimbursement.
Médecin traitant
Declaring a primary care doctor, called médecin traitant, helps you follow the coordinated care pathway and can improve your reimbursement level.
Why reimbursements can vary
The amount you receive back depends on the official reimbursement base, the type of doctor, whether the doctor charges extra fees, whether you are inside the coordinated care pathway, and whether you have a complementary insurance policy.
Should you take a mutuelle?
A mutuelle is complementary health insurance. It is usually optional, but often useful because French social security does not reimburse everything. A mutuelle can reduce out-of-pocket costs for consultations, specialists, dental care, glasses, hospitalisation, and other expenses.
When it may be useful
- You expect regular medical care
- You need glasses, dental care, or specialist visits
- You want better hospital coverage
- You want lower out-of-pocket risk
Compare before buying
Compare student mutuals, insurance companies, banks, and online insurers. Check reimbursement levels, waiting periods, hospital coverage, civil liability, cancellation rules, and exclusions.
CSS support
Students with low income may check whether they are eligible for Complémentaire santé solidaire, a public complementary health support scheme.
How to find doctors, specialists and English-speaking providers
Doctolib
Doctolib is one of the most widely used medical appointment platforms in France. You can search by specialty, location, availability, consultation type, and sometimes language spoken.
Santé.fr
Santé.fr is a public health directory and information portal. It can help you find healthcare services, pharmacies, vaccination points, and public health resources.
English-speaking doctors
When booking, check the language filter if available. If you need a specialist and cannot find one, contact student services for guidance.
Appointment tip
General practitioners can sometimes be available quickly, while specialists may require several weeks. If your situation is urgent, do not wait for a routine appointment: use emergency services or urgent care.
What to do in a medical emergency
112 — European emergency
Call 112 for any serious emergency anywhere in the European Union when you are unsure which service to call.
15 — SAMU
Call 15 for urgent medical emergencies, serious illness, ambulance needs, or life-threatening health situations.
18 — Fire brigade
Call 18 for fire, accidents, rescue situations, or emergencies where firefighters may need to intervene.
17 — Police
Call 17 for police emergencies, immediate danger, violence, theft, assault, or a public safety issue.
114 — SMS emergency
114 is the emergency number for deaf, hard-of-hearing, aphasic or speech-impaired people, accessible by SMS and other adapted channels.
SOS Médecins
For non-life-threatening urgent medical visits at home, SOS Médecins may be available depending on your location. In Paris, check SOS Médecins.
Contraception, sexual health and confidential advice
Planning Familial
Planning Familial offers information and support on contraception, sexuality, relationships, pregnancy, abortion, sexual violence, and confidential health questions.
Pharmacies
Pharmacies are important first points of contact in France. They can provide advice, non-prescription medicines, emergency contraception, and guidance on whether you should see a doctor.
Tips for navigating the French medical system
Before your first appointment
- Bring ID, your student certificate, and your health documents
- Bring your Carte Vitale or provisional certificate if available
- Check whether the doctor accepts bank cards
- Ask the price before confirming if you are unsure
During the appointment
- Ask whether the doctor can become your médecin traitant
- Ask for a feuille de soins if your Carte Vitale cannot be used
- Keep prescriptions, invoices, and medical documents
- Ask how to follow up if symptoms continue
After the appointment
- Track reimbursements in your Ameli account
- Send paper documents to CPAM if required
- Keep copies of all medical documents
- Update your address and bank details when needed
Best student rule
Do not wait until you are sick to understand the system. Register early, keep your documents organized, declare a médecin traitant, and save emergency numbers in your phone.
Continue your Student Guide
Health insurance is only one part of settling in France. Use the other Student Guide resources to prepare your visa, housing, transport, banking and daily life in Paris.