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

2.4. Health Cover in France for Persons of Retirement Age

A 'retired person' as someone with no professional activity, who is of the age of retirement of their country of origin, and in receipt of a State pension.

We can also include in this category those persons under the age of retirement, but in receipt of long term incapacity benefit.

If you are relocating from within the EEA and you are a retired and in receipt of a state pension, or you suffer from long term incapacity then, in order to register with the French health service, you will need to bring with you Form E121 from the social security authority in your home country. This form should be presented to your local Caisse Primaire d’Assurance Maladie.

Someone on long term incapacity benefit is likely to be entitled to receive full reimbursement of all the medical costs relating to their condition, provided it is classified as a Affection de Longue Durée – (ALD) by the French medical authorities.

A 'dependant' younger spouse of someone reaching State retirement age is also granted cover under an E121.

The definition of just what is regarded as being 'dependant' includes all those in a married relationship or in a civil partnership. Thus, even though your spouse may have an independant source of income, they would be admitted as a dependant. Only in the case of those not married, or in a civil partnership, would it normally be necessary to prove financial dependancy.

The decision as to who is dependant is not made by the French authorities, but by your country of origin. Some local health authorities in France have been known to contest dependancy status, but the cases have been rare, and generally not upheld.

In the event that the holder of an E121 dies before their 'dependant' younger spouse reaches retirement age, then the surviving partner will continue to retain health cover through the E121 for 12 months.

If you have not reached retirement age by the end of this period, then you can make application to the French health authorities to be admitted to the State health insurance system, on grounds of 'accident of life' provisions, which also cover the dependant spouse in the event of divorce. You would be required to pay health contributions, but these would be related to income, and those on a low income would be entitled to free cover.

On this basis, a dependant younger spouse of a retired person should always be able to obtain State health cover in France.