Good News: France's Healthcare is World-Class and Affordable
Once enrolled in the French system, you'll pay far less for healthcare than in the US. Most GP consultations cost €26.50, reimbursed at 70% by the state and the remaining 30% by your mutuelle (supplemental insurance). Specialist care, hospital stays and chronic condition treatment are highly subsidized.
Step 1 — Enroll in Sécurité Sociale (CPAM)
As a legal resident of France, you are entitled to enroll in the Assurance Maladie (French health insurance) through your local CPAM (Caisse Primaire d'Assurance Maladie).
- Employees: Your employer enrolls you automatically via the URSSAF/DSN system
- Self-employed / Auto-entrepreneurs: Register through the ameli.fr portal after business registration
- Inactive residents (retirees, spouses, students): Apply via PUMA — Protection Universelle Maladie — even without income
- New arrivals: You need 3 months of legal residency before PUMA eligibility in most cases
- You'll receive a Carte Vitale (green health card) within a few weeks — keep it with you at all doctor visits
Ameli.fr — Official Enrollment Portal
Register for Sécurité Sociale and manage your health account
Step 2 — Get a Mutuelle (Top-Up Insurance)
The Sécurité Sociale covers 70% of most healthcare costs. A mutuelle complémentaire covers most or all of the remainder. Without one, you pay the 30% co-pay out of pocket.
Employer Mutuelle
If you're employed in France, your employer must provide a group mutuelle and pay at least 50% of the premium. This is often the best option — take it.
Individual Mutuelle
Self-employed and freelancers must purchase their own. Popular providers include Harmonie Mutuelle, MGEN, April, and Allianz. Prices range from €40–€150/month depending on coverage level.
CSS — Complémentaire Santé Solidaire
Free or low-cost mutuelle for people with modest income. Check eligibility at complementaire-sante-solidaire.gouv.fr
Expat International Insurance
Cigna Global, AXA Global, MSH International, and others offer expat-specific plans that bridge US and French coverage — useful if you travel frequently to the US.
Step 3 — Choose Your Médecin Traitant (Primary Doctor)
- You must designate a médecin traitant (GP) to get full reimbursement rates
- Without a declared médecin traitant, your reimbursement rate drops to 30% instead of 70%
- You can change your médecin traitant anytime through ameli.fr
- To find English-speaking doctors: use Doctolib.fr (filter by "English") or search the US Embassy Paris list
- Sector 1 doctors: Charge the official rate (€26.50 consultation). Best for reimbursement.
- Sector 2 doctors: Can charge above the official rate. Mutuelle usually covers the difference.
Emergency Care
Call 15 (SAMU — medical emergencies), 18 (fire/rescue), or 112 (European emergency number). Emergency room (Urgences) care is free regardless of your insurance status. Show your Carte Vitale if you have it.
US Health Insurance While Living in France
- Most US health insurance plans do not cover routine care in France
- Medicare does not cover you outside the US
- If you have employer-sponsored US insurance, check if it has international emergency coverage
- Consider keeping a US insurance plan only if you visit the US regularly and need coverage there
- ACA Marketplace plans: You may still be eligible to purchase, but coverage is US-only
- Best practice: Use French Sécu + mutuelle as primary; keep a US plan only for US visits if needed
Essential Healthcare Resources
Ameli.fr — Your Health Account
Official French health insurance portal — manage your coverage, find doctors, get reimbursements
Doctolib — Book Doctor Appointments Online
France's leading medical appointment platform. Filter by English-speaking doctors.
US Embassy Paris — Medical Resources
List of English-speaking doctors, hospitals and healthcare information
Expatica — Healthcare in France Guide
Practical guide covering insurance, doctors and the French system for expats
Retirement in France
Healthcare for retired Americans in France