French Work Visas
Learn how expats can obtain work visas in France, including through working holiday programs, seasonal worker programs, and the Blue Card.
Health Insurance for Foreigners in France
Foreigners in France can get health coverage through the French public healthcare system, a complementary mutuelle, or private international health insurance. A global medical plan may be a good option if you are not yet eligible for public coverage, want private medical coverage, or need coverage in France and other countries.
Health Insurance Options for Foreigners in France
Foreigners in France have three main options for long-term health coverage: French public health insurance, a complementary mutuelle, and international health insurance.
Those who meet the relevant employment or residency requirements may qualify for public coverage through Protection universelle maladie (PUMa). Once enrolled, they can use a Carte Vitale to process eligible healthcare costs and reimbursements. However, the public system does not cover all healthcare expenses, so many residents use a mutuelle, a complementary policy that helps cover the remaining eligible costs.
Global health plans are another option. They are standalone private medical policies rather than supplements to the French public system. They provide private medical coverage in France and other countries within your selected area.
For more information about PUMa, eligibility, registration, reimbursements, and the Carte Vitale, see our Healthcare System in France guide.
Find the Best International Medical Insurance
- Compare multiple quotes from top insurers
- Get expert advice at no additional cost
- Find the right plan for your needs and budget
What Coverage Do You Need?
The coverage you need depends on your residency, employment, eligibility for French public healthcare, and whether you need protection outside France.
Your Situation | Coverage Option | Key Feature |
Ineligible for the French public system | A private or international health plan | Provides protection while you establish longer-term coverage |
Eligible for public coverage | French public health insurance | Helps cover eligible healthcare costs in France |
Want additional coverage alongside the public system | A mutuelle | Helps cover eligible costs not fully reimbursed by the public system |
Need protection in multiple countries | An international health plan | Provides broader medical coverage in France and other countries |
Visiting France temporarily | A travel medical plan | Designed primarily for unexpected illness or injury during a trip |
Visiting France for a Short Stay?
Short-term visitors have different coverage needs. Depending on your nationality and visa requirements, you may need travel insurance for France rather than a long-term health plan.
Eligible visitors from the EU, EEA, and Switzerland may be able to use a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to access medically necessary state healthcare during a temporary stay in France. Eligible UK visitors may be able to use a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). However, these cards do not replace travel insurance, so travelers should consider whether they need additional coverage for their trip.
The Best Expat Health Insurance in France
We recommend the following expat health plans for France for their comprehensive coverage, strong international benefits, and access to global provider networks.
Cigna Global Insurance Plan
Cigna Global offers flexible international health coverage for expats living in France. Its modular plan design lets you select a level and add optional benefits based on your healthcare needs and budget.
Cigna Global Insurance Plan
- Flexible plans tailored to your needs and budget
- 1.5M+ providers in 200+ countries
- 24/7 multilingual customer support
BCBS Global Solutions Worldwide Premier
For U.S. citizens moving to France, BCBS Global Solutions Worldwide Premier is a strong choice for international health coverage.
The plan provides global medical benefits and access to healthcare providers worldwide, including the Blue Cross Blue Shield network in the United States. This is particularly valuable for American expats who want access to a familiar provider network when they return home.
BCBS Global Solutions Worldwide Premier
- Unlimited annual and lifetime coverage
- Pre-existing conditions covered with prior insurance
- For U.S. citizens abroad or foreign nationals in the U.S.
Not sure which plan is right for you? Compare Cigna Global and BCBS Global Solutions to review their coverage and benefits side by side.
What Does International Coverage Include?
International health plans provide private medical coverage in France and other countries, depending on the geographic area you select.
Benefits can include inpatient and outpatient treatment, doctor and specialist visits, diagnostic tests, prescriptions, and mental health services. Some plans also offer optional benefits such as dental, vision, and maternity coverage.
Benefits, exclusions, limits, and geographic areas vary by policy. For a more detailed explanation of benefits and plan options, see our International Health Insurance guide.
Using Hospitals and Private Healthcare in France
With a global medical plan, how you access and pay for hospital care in France and other private medical care depends on your insurer and policy.
Some insurers can arrange direct billing with eligible hospitals and medical facilities. In other cases, you may need to pay for treatment and submit a claim for reimbursement. Certain treatments may also require pre-authorization.
If access to particular private hospitals, doctors, or specialists is important to you, check the insurer’s provider network and policy terms before choosing a plan.
How Much Is Health Insurance in France?
The cost of global health insurance in France varies based on your age, insurer, deductible, coverage level, and geographic area. Adding benefits such as outpatient care, dental, vision, or maternity can also increase the premium.
Plans that include medical treatment in the United States may cost more than policies that exclude U.S. coverage. Choosing a higher deductible can generally lower your premium, although you will pay more toward eligible treatment yourself.
When comparing plans, consider the coverage and benefits you receive rather than price alone. For an accurate cost, request a personalized quote based on your circumstances.
Is International Coverage Worth It in France?
If you qualify for French public health insurance and a mutuelle provides the additional coverage you need, that combination may be sufficient.
A global health plan may be worth considering if you are not yet eligible for the public system, prefer private medical care, or need protection across multiple countries. Unlike a mutuelle, which complements the French public system, a global plan provides separate private coverage. This can be useful for frequent travelers, families living abroad, and people retiring in France who continue to spend time abroad.
The key consideration is where and how you want to be covered: either primarily within the French healthcare system or through private coverage that follows you overseas.
How to Apply for Health Insurance in France
How you apply for health coverage in France depends on whether you are joining the French public system, purchasing a mutuelle, or choosing a global medical plan.
Apply for French Public Health Insurance
If you are eligible for the French public healthcare system, you can apply through Protection Universelle Maladie (PUMa). See our French Healthcare System guide for information about eligibility, registration, CPAM, and the Carte Vitale.
Arrange a Mutuelle
If you are enrolled in the French public system, you can also purchase a mutuelle to help cover eligible healthcare costs that are not fully reimbursed. Compare available policies based on the additional coverage and reimbursement levels you need.
Apply for a Global Health Plan
If you need private or international coverage, compare global medical plans based on your needs in France and abroad, benefit levels, deductibles, provider networks, direct billing arrangements, exclusions, and budget. If you need maternity, dental, or vision coverage, check whether these benefits are included or available as optional extras.
Once you have an idea of the coverage you need, get a quote to compare your options. After selecting a plan, complete the insurer’s application and provide any required information about your age, country of residence, geographic area, and health history. Before enrolling, review the policy terms, exclusions, and effective date.
Why Work With an International Insurance Broker?
Working with a broker can simplify the process by allowing you to compare plans and costs from multiple insurers rather than being limited to one provider.
International Citizens Insurance’s licensed advisors can help you compare your options and find coverage that fits your needs and budget at no additional cost.
Find the Best International Medical Insurance
- Compare multiple quotes from top insurers
- Get expert advice at no additional cost
- Find the right plan for your needs and budget
Health Insurance in France FAQs
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Yes. People living or working in France generally need health coverage, but how you obtain it depends on your residence, employment, nationality, and immigration status. You may qualify for the French public healthcare system or need private coverage, depending on your circumstances.
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Yes. You can arrange a private or global health plan before moving to France, with coverage starting as soon as you need it. French public healthcare generally requires you to meet eligibility requirements after you begin working or residing in the country, so private coverage may be useful when you first arrive.
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Not necessarily. If you qualify for the French public system, you may rely on it and add a mutuelle to help cover eligible costs not fully reimbursed by the public system. A global health plan may be useful if you want additional private medical benefits or coverage across multiple countries.
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No. A mutuelle is a complementary plan designed to help cover eligible healthcare costs not fully reimbursed by the French public healthcare system. A global medical plan is standalone private coverage that may cover you in France and other countries, depending on the policy and coverage area.
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Yes, but they serve different purposes. A mutuelle complements the French public system, while international health plans provide separate private medical coverage. Which approach is appropriate depends on your eligibility, the benefits you need, your budget, and whether you need coverage outside France.