Insurance for your stay in France

Insurance for foreign nationals in France: which one should you choose?

When choosing health and assistance insurance for foreign nationals in France, check the length of your stay, whether your medical costs are covered by the French health insurance scheme or your home country’s scheme, and what proof of insurance is required for your visa, if you need one.

A trip of a few weeks within the Schengen Area or a stay of several months in France do not entail the same requirements. For a short stay requiring a Schengen visa, the insurance certificate must confirm that the cover meets the visa requirements: medical and repatriation cover, minimum cover amount, dates and territory covered. For a longer stay, it is necessary to determine how consultations, medical tests and any hospitalisation will be covered for the entire duration of the stay.

The term ‘insurance for foreign nationals in France’ therefore covers several types of cover: travel insurance, private health insurance or cover that supplements an existing policy. Thus, insurance for foreign nationals in France may cover medical expenses incurred whilst travelling, serve as primary health cover, or provide assistance cover in addition to an existing policy.

What sort of insurance do foreigners need for a short stay in France?

When applying for a short-stay Schengen visa, the insurance must cover emergency medical and hospital treatment as well as repatriation, including in the event of death, with a minimum cover of €30,000, throughout the Schengen Area and for the entire duration of the planned stay.

These requirements are set out in Article 15 of the Visa Code. A short-stay visa allows the holder to stay for a maximum of 90 days within any 180-day period. This limit does not mean that every visa automatically grants 90 days: the duration of stay granted and the validity dates are stated on the visa sticker.

Before submitting your visa application, check that your Schengen travel insurance certificate is issued in your name and confirms that you have valid cover for the entire duration of your stay and throughout the Schengen Area. Also check what the policy actually covers in the event of an emergency consultation, hospitalisation or repatriation. The sum of €30,000 is a minimum requirement for the visa; it does not, on its own, describe the full scope of cover.

Depending on your nationality and circumstances, you may be exempt from the requirement for a short-stay visa. It is still advisable to check the supporting documents required to enter France and the cover you already have. The France-Visas visa assistant helps you find out which formalities apply to your plans.

What health insurance should a foreign national choose if they are staying in France for several months?

If your medical treatment is not covered by the French national health insurance scheme or any other applicable scheme, private health insurance may cover the costs during your stay, subject to the terms and limits of the policy.

In this case, health insurance for foreign nationals in France acts as your primary health cover. When choosing a policy, check what consultations, tests, medicines and hospital stays are covered, as well as the maximum limits, excesses and exclusions. Check the start date and duration of cover: insurance designed for emergencies during a short trip may not necessarily meet the needs of a stay lasting several months.

The terms used in health insurance also refer to different ways of operating:

• Insurance that covers costs from the very first euro pays out for covered expenses without waiting for reimbursement from a statutory scheme, subject to the terms and conditions of the policy and any excesses. However, this does not mean that you will never have to pay upfront.
• Supplementary health insurance complements the reimbursements provided by the health scheme to which you are entitled. It therefore does not serve the same purpose as primary cover intended for someone who is not entitled to the French health insurance scheme.

For a stay of more than 90 days, a long-stay visa may be required, depending on your nationality and circumstances. The supporting documents required vary depending on the purpose of your visit: study, work, or a private or family visit.

Can a foreign national in France be covered by the French health insurance scheme?

Yes, depending on the individual’s circumstances: carrying out a professional activity or having a stable and regular place of residence in France may, in particular, entitle the individual to healthcare cover.

Checking your entitlement is a necessary first step before choosing a private long-term care insurance policy. The Assurance Maladie website provides details on the conditions of universal health cover and the procedures for claiming your entitlement.

A distinction must be made between this situation and that of a person who is entitled to French health insurance but whose registration process is still ongoing. Not having a Vitale card does not necessarily mean you are not entitled to cover: the French health insurance scheme states that a provisional identification number may already allow you to receive benefits on a temporary basis. If in doubt, ask your health insurance fund to confirm your status and the date from which your entitlement begins.

Certain situations call for specific checks:

• If you are insured in an EU or EEA country, or in Switzerland: during a temporary stay in France, a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) may entitle you to cover for medically necessary treatment in accordance with French regulations.
• If you are coming to study in France, the steps you need to take depend, amongst other things, on your country of origin and your current health cover. The French health insurance scheme (Assurance Maladie) sets out the procedures for international students, including the situations in which the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) can be used.
• You are covered by a social security agreement: its provisions depend on the country in question and your circumstances. You can use the CLEISS website to find out which rules apply.

Being entitled to medical cover does not mean that all risks associated with your stay are covered. An EHIC, for example, is no substitute for insurance that provides repatriation assistance.

What does travel insurance for foreign nationals in France cover?

Depending on the policy taken out, travel insurance for foreign nationals in France may combine medical cover with assistance and third-party liability cover.

To find out what cover you have taken out or what you’re missing, look at each area of cover separately:

• Medical expenses: what treatment is covered, under what circumstances, and up to what limit?
• Hospitalisation: can the insurer cover the costs directly, or do you have to pay upfront?
• Repatriation assistance: in what circumstances can it be arranged, and which service should you contact?
• Personal liability insurance: what types of damage caused to a third party are covered? Liability arising from professional activities or work placements must be checked separately.

This guide is also useful if you already have overseas travel insurance in France: simply knowing the name of a cover does not tell you its limits, exclusions or the procedure to follow to make a claim.

Schengen insurance: how do you choose a policy at the right price?

To find affordable Schengen visa insurance, compare prices for the same travel dates, checking the cover required for the visa, excesses and exclusions.

First, check the visa requirements, then compare the cover, excesses and premiums for the same travel dates. It’s understandable to want to find affordable Schengen visa insurance. However, make sure it covers emergency treatment, hospitalisation and repatriation in accordance with the applicable requirements, throughout the relevant territory and for the entire duration of your trip. A cheaper Schengen travel insurance policy may be suitable, provided that its limits and exclusions also match your circumstances.

Europax, our Schengen travel insurance, has been designed for these short stays and visa applications: it provides €30,000’s worth of cover for emergency medical expenses, repatriation at actual cost and personal liability cover. The price varies depending on the length of stay and the country of origin; please check the terms and conditions and excesses before taking out a policy.

How can I take out insurance for foreign nationals in France online?

You can get a quote and take out insurance for foreign nationals in France online, after checking the terms and conditions, the dates and the geographical scope of cover for your chosen policy.

Start by selecting a policy that suits your plans: a short stay in France (and, more broadly, within the Schengen Area) or a stay of several months in France. Fill in the details required to get a quote, then review the table of cover and the terms and conditions of the policy before finalising your application.

The details of the insured person must be accurate, in particular their identity and the dates of cover. If you are taking out the policy on behalf of a relative, check the options for third-party policyholders and use the details of the person who will be insured. The policyholder and the beneficiary of the insurance are not necessarily the same person.

Once you have taken out the policy, collect your insurance certificate and check the details it contains. This document serves as proof of your cover for any procedures that require it. Keep it with your policy and the contact details for the relevant departments in case you need to get in touch.

Insurance for foreign nationals in France: what supporting documents do you need to provide?

Please have your insurance certificate, the contact details for the assistance service and, if you are covered by a health scheme, proof of your entitlement to healthcare cover, to hand.

Keep your insurance certificate, the terms and conditions of your policy and the contact details for the assistance service. If you are covered by a health insurance scheme, also keep proof of your entitlement: your National Health Insurance certificate, the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or a document issued under an applicable agreement.

For a private or family visit lasting less than three months, a non-European national staying with a private individual must, unless exempt, hold a certificate of accommodation applied for by their host at the town hall. This proof of accommodation is separate from the travel insurance certificate: one does not replace the other. Exceptions and the necessary procedures are detailed on the French Public Service website.

If you need to see a doctor or are admitted to hospital, follow the procedure set out in your insurance policy and keep your prescriptions, invoices and proof of payment. If you require hospitalisation or assistance, contact the service specified in your policy as soon as the situation allows. These steps are useful whether you are preparing to arrive in France or are already staying there.

Can you take out insurance for foreign nationals once you are in France?

It depends on the policy: some insurance policies must be taken out before departure, whilst others allow you to take them out once you are in France, subject to their terms and conditions.

If you are already in the country, check your eligibility, the start date and any waiting periods before taking out a policy. A new insurance policy does not guarantee cover for a health condition that has already arisen. Our advisers can help you find a solution tailored to your situation.

Do you need help choosing insurance for your trip to France?

Our ACS advisers are here to help you compare the different levels of cover and choose the policy best suited to your trip!

Whether you’re looking for Schengen visa insurance for a few weeks or private health insurance for expats in France for several months, we’ll be delighted to help you, from choosing your insurance policy to guiding you through the steps to take should you need to make a claim during your stay. Any questions? Our fantastic advisers are available by email or phone.