3. Couverture Maladie Universelle (CMU)

The CMU is a system of health insurance cover in France established by the French Government in 2000 to ensure those all persons regularly resident in France were eligible for medical insurance cover, whatever their circumstances.

As originally enacted, this included those from abroad who had a permanent right of residence in France.

However, the rights of early retirees from the EU to join the CMU have now been restricted.

Only those with at least 5 years legal residence in France, those eligible on medical grounds, or other 'accident of life', and those who qualify as a result of cessation of their business or employment, can join la CMU. Students from abroad studying in France also have access to the CMU.

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.

The legal basis of access to the CMU by those from abroad seems to us fraught with legal ambiguities, not helped by the fact that local officials often seem to know less about the law than the applicants themselves!

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.

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 09 to 30 Sept 010, the reference period will be the calender year ending December 2008.

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.