2. Registering with the Health Service in France

1. 2.1. Form E106 Health Cover
   2.2. Business Owners
   2.3. Working in UK & Living in France
   2.4. Persons of Retirement Age
   2.5. Early Retirees
   2.6. Visitors and Tourists
   2.7. French European Health Insurance Card

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2.6. Health Cover for Visitors and Tourists to France - EHIC

2.6.1. European Health Insurance Card

Visitors to France from the EEA and Switzerland are entitled to receive reduced cost, or sometimes free health treatment, through reciprocal health agreements that have been entered into between the countries.

In the past, in order to gain access to treatment that was reimbursable, those visiting France as tourists have been required to complete a Form E111.

Since 2004 this has now been replaced by the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).

Every member of the family who is travelling will need their own card and, in the case of those from the UK, the card is valid for up to five years.

The EHIC is not a passport to unlimited health care in France. The entitlement is to such health care as is 'necessary', on the assumption that you will be expected to receive continuing treatment when you return home.

You can apply for an EHIC by phone or by post or through the post office in the UK. You can also make an On-Line Application

2.6.2. Reimbursement of Costs

If you need medical treatment whilst you are in France as a visitor, then you will normally need to pay for the treatment. You will be given a receipt (called a feuille de soins), which you can use to obtain a refund.

If you are hospitalised during your stay you will normally find that around two-thirds of the costs are picked up directly through the social security system, although there will be residual costs you will be asked to pay, in the same manner as if you were resident in France.

To make application for a refund for medical treatment you need to go to the local office of the Caisse Primaire d'Assurance-Maladie (CPAM) or send the form to them with details of your EHIC. You will need to sign and date the receipt form, failing which you will not obtain reimbursement.

Not all the acosts will be refunded and the precise amount will depend on the circumstances. As a general rule, you will be refunded about two thirds of the costs, although most medicines are funded at a lower rate.

If you have taken out travel insurance it may provide cover for those residual costs not covered under the EHIC system.

To be able to get a fuller picture of the levels of reimbursement that apply in France you need to read our subsequent pages on the operation of the health service in France, as the picture is a complicated one.

2.6.3. Non-EEA Visitors to France

If you are visiting from outside of the EEA then you need to establish if any reciprocal agreement exists between your home country and France. If necessary, you will need to take out private health insurance for the visit.

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