3. Couverture Maladie Universelle (CMU)

The CMU is a system of health insurance cover in France established by the French Government in 2000 for those who do not otherswise have health insurance, to ensure those all persons regularly resident in France were eligible for medical insurance cover, whatever their circumstances.

Early retirees from within the EU have access to the CMU at the expiry of their E106/S1 cover. You can read more at Health Insurance for Early Retirees in France.

If you are not from within the EU, then you will need to demonstrate that you have a right to live in France through a carte de séjour of at least three months validity, although we are finding that local health authorities are interpreting the regulations in different ways, with some insisting on at least 5 years residence in all cases.

1. 3.1. Contribution Level into CMU
2. 3.2. Application Process for CMU
3. 3.3. Free Health Insurance (CMU-C)
4. 3.4. Assistance with Voluntary Insurance

3.1. Contribution Level to the 'Couverture Maladie Universelle (CMU)'

Accordingly, you will pay 8% of your net income above this figure - your income after deduction of eligible allowances as determined by the tax authority.

The income figure used for determining the amount you pay is the revenu fiscal de reference as advised on your French tax return.

Thus, if your income is €15,000 a year, you deduct the CMU threshold of €9,029. This leaves €5,971 as the base figure used for your 8% contribution to the CMU. As a result, it will cost you €477 pa for health insurance cover.

The reference period for determining your income depends on the date in the year when you make your application.

If your application is presented before 30 Sept, then the reference period is the current year, minus two years; if presented after 30 Sept, the reference period is the current year, minus one year.

Thus, for an application made between 1 Oct 10 to 30 Sept 012, the reference period will be the calendar year ending December 2009.

Payments are made quarterly with the first payment due in the quarter following your registration. The payment is collected by the social security contributions collection agency, called URSSAF.

If your household income is below a certain threshold, then affiliation to the CMU is free. In this event you need to apply for CMU Protection Complémentaire.