2. Health Insurance Cover in France

1. 2.1. E106/S1 Health Insurance Cover
2. 2.2. Health Cover for Self-Employed
3. 2.3. Health Cover for Cross Border Workers
4. 2.4. E121/S1 Health Cover for Retired Persons
5. 2.5. Health Cover for Early Retirees
6. 2.6. European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
7. 2.7. Travelling Abroad from France

2.6. European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)

2.6.1. Applying for European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)

Visitors to France from the European Economic Area (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Since 2004 this has now been replaced by the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).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.

To quote from the UK National Health Service guidance on use of the EHIC: 'Presenting the EHIC entitles you to treatment that may become necessary during your trip, but doesn't allow you to go abroad specifically to receive medical care. However, maternity care, renal dialysis and managing the symptoms of pre-existing or chronic conditions that arise while abroad are all covered by the EHIC.'

It will not cover the costs of private healthcare, or services that are not part of the French state healthcare system, or the costs of being brought back to the UK.

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. The details of your local CPAM should be in the French yellow pages, the pages jaunes, or ask at your local mairie.

Not all the costs will be refunded, and the precise amount will depend on the circumstances. In this respect, you will be treated in the same manner as any other resident of the country. As a general rule, you will be refunded about two thirds of the costs, although most medicines are funded at a lower rate.

You may be able to seek reimbursement for that part of the cost not reimbursed by the French authorities when you are back in the UK if you are not able to do so in France (limited to the equivalent cost on the NHS).

In the same manner, 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.