Health insurance in France for European patients
Scheduled treatments in France: who pays when you are a European patient ?
There is an agreement among European Union countries that allows citizens to receive scheduled medical care in France and vice versa. This agreement also includes countries like Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. The principle of free movement of people regarding healthcare in Europe ensures that individuals can receive treatment in any of the signatory countries, with the same rights as citizens of the country where the care is provided.
Health insurance in France for foreigners
Patients will be reimbursed based on the regulations of the country where the treatment is administered. All member states and the non-member states included in this agreement guarantee patient mobility. The social security systems of these countries are coordinated to achieve these objectives. However, there are specific conditions that apply.
How to benefit from social security (Assurance maladie) when you are a foreigner ?
Patients from Europe who are insured under their own country's social security system can come to France for treatment. They will receive support from the French social security system under the same conditions as French patients.
International foreign patients coming from Europe
However, you must obtain approval from your local social security system (from your country of origin), which will decide whether to cover your treatment in France. This decision may depend on several factors:
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Is the treatment typically covered by the social security system in your country?
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Does the required treatment need to be provided urgently and cannot be offered in your country within a reasonable timeframe?
Reimbursement
To determine how and to what extent you will be reimbursed, it is important to contact your local health fund in your country of residence. They will be the ones to authorize procedures such as :
S2 form
If approved, your local health fund will issue you an S2 document, which replaces the previously used E112 form. This document certifies your entitlement to care and allows you to schedule treatment in a European country (if you are a European citizen) under the same conditions as citizens of that country. It also applies to British citizens following the post-Brexit negotiations.
✍️ Focus : British citizens can continue to arrange treatment in France and be reimbursed by their health insurance.
How to obtain the S2 form?
The first step is to contact your local health insurance to determine if it can authorize scheduled treatment in France.
Guaranteed Coverage for Europeans, Including the French
Once issued, this document assures European patients that they will be reimbursed for all or part of the medical care received in another European country. It provides the same guarantee for French patients seeking treatment elsewhere in Europe.
Stay in France for health and medical reasons
Patients interested in receiving treatment in France must submit a request to their social security authority in their country of residence.
Authorization can be granted in several cases:
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The planned treatment is included in the list of covered treatments under the legislation of the applicant's country of residence;
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The required treatment cannot be provided within an acceptable timeframe in the patient's country of residence;
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The treatment is urgently needed and of a vital nature.
If the social security institution in the country of residence approves the request, it will issue an S2 certificate. This certificate grants the right to scheduled medical care in France.
Coverage conditions: hospitalization costs
Beneficiaries of the S2 document should verify the conditions of support. It is possible that the healthcare provider (hospital, doctor, etc.) accommodating the foreign patient does not offer full reimbursement.
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FAQ
How to seek treatment for a foreign parent in France? Visa
It is possible to bring your mother to France for treatment. To do so, you must schedule the treatment and check if the patient's country of origin has an agreement with France. Such agreements exist between most European countries, whether or not they are EU members. For other countries, it is necessary to verify if there is a specific agreement between the two states : as a foreigner from a non-European country seeking medical treatment in France, how can you proceed? If no agreement exists, the patient should check with their health insurance provider to see if they will cover the treatment. If not, the individual must demonstrate that they can fully pay for the chosen medical service. Additionally, a specific visa application may be required for 'health reasons'.
Can a foreigner receive treatment in France?
Anyone can potentially schedule treatment in France. If you are European, you are covered by the scheduled care system and the S2 form, subject to authorisation from your social security provider. For those coming from outside Europe, you can access healthcare in France if your country has a bilateral agreement with France that covers medical expenses. If no such agreement exists, you will need to prove your financial solvency and be prepared to pay for the treatments yourself or through your health insurance.
How to get treatment in France without a Vitale card (Carte de sécurité sociale Ameli) ?
Individuals seeking treatment in France do not need a Vitale card. The Vitale card is for French citizens and residents who are affiliated with the French Social Security system, which requires having a French social security number.
State medical aid (Aide médicale d’Etat, AME) : what is it?
State medical aid (AME) is designed to facilitate access to healthcare in France for individuals in irregular situations who have been in France for over three months (excluding Mayotte). Eligibility is based on income. The AME does not cover family members residing abroad. There is also a humanitarian care system for one-off treatments, which requires approval from the Ministry of Social Action. Few applications are accepted each year, according to public authorities.
Are we reimbursed for treatment received while travelling in Europe?
If you require urgent care while travelling in Europe, it is generally covered by the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). This does not require prior authorisation. By presenting this card to a healthcare provider, you will receive treatment under the same conditions as local social security beneficiaries.
Travel
However, you must have health insurance in your home country. Be aware that there may be additional charges. For British citizens, the post-Brexit agreements allow for the use of the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), equivalent to the EHIC. Presenting this card grants you third-party payment services; however, private healthcare providers are not obligated to accept it.
Article écrit le 09/07/2024, vérifié par Pierre Luton, Expert journalist, specialized in health and social news and SEO referencing.