French health insurance, called l’Assurance Maladie, is the public healthcare system in France. It is managed by CPAM (Caisse Primaire d’Assurance Maladie).
Once registered, residents receive a social security number (numéro de sécurité sociale) and a Carte Vitale, which is used to process medical reimbursements. The website ameli.fr lets you submit claims, track reimbursements, and request a Carte Vitale.
An Attestation de droits is an official document that proves you are covered by French health insurance.
After registering with CPAM, legal residents who have lived in France for at least three months can have 70% to 100% of medical costs covered, depending on the type of care.
1. Criteria to Check Your Qualification
- Legal resident in France for at least 3 months
- Valid residence permit or long-stay visa (for non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens)
- Employed or self-employed in France, or enrolled as a student
- Not covered by another country’s social security system (unless under EU agreements)
- For children: Attached to an insured parent’s coverage
- For retirees/pensioners: Proof of pension (e.g., S1 form for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens)
2. Documents You Need to Prepare
- Completed “Demande d’ouverture des droits à l’assurance maladie” S1106 form (Cerfa N° 15763). Download English version S1106.
- Copy of a valid passport or ID (with identity and validity pages)
- Copy of your birth certificate with filiation (translated into French by a sworn translator).
- If you do not have a birth certificate because you became a citizen through naturalization, you may submit a copy of your Certificate of Naturalization. Meanwhile, you must also provide an official document that lists your parents’ names. All the documents must be translated into French by a sworn translator.
- Depending on the CPAM office, an apostille may be required for your birth certificate or naturalization certificate. This apostille can be obtained in your home country. However, the French translation of the document must be done in France.
- Proof of residence in France (e.g., utility bill, rental agreement, or 3 consecutive rent receipts)
- For employees: Employment contract or recent payslip
- For non-employees: Proof of 3+ months residency (e.g., utility bills, rental agreement)
- Bank details (RIB with IBAN for reimbursements)
- For students: French student card or enrollment certificate
- For EU/EEA/Swiss citizens: Form E104, E106, or E121 (S1) if applicable
- For family members: “Demande de rattachement des enfants mineurs” form (for children under 18)
3. Phone Number for Appointment
- To schedule an appointment with your local CPAM office, please call by phone.
- For French service, call 36 46. For English-speaking assistance, call 09 74 75 36 46. Phone lines are open Monday to Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- It can be difficult to get through, so try calling during off-peak hours if possible.
- At the appointment, submit your documents to the local CPAM staff.
- Students: Register online at etudiant-etranger.ameli.fr
4. Processing Time
- Temporary social security number: 2–8 weeks
- Permanent social security number: 2–6 months after temporary number
- Carte Vitale: 2–3 weeks after permanent number (online request) or 3–4 weeks (by post)
- Total process: ~3–9 months, depending on CPAM and application complexity
5. Next Steps
- Submit additional documents as requested by mail
- Receive a temporary (provisional) social security number by mail. You can use temporary number for medical reimbursements (submit feuilles de soins to CPAM)
- Receive a permanent social security number and “Ma nouvelle carte Vitale” form
- Order Carte Vitale by mail with the form you received and attach a photo. It is recommended to order by mail, not online.
- Once you receive your Carte Vitale, register on the ameli.fr website using the numbers printed on the card. If you encounter errors during registration, they may be caused by your browser’s automatic translation. It is recommended to use the French version of the website.
- After registering, you can download your Attestation de droits (needed for residence permit renewal) and manage reimbursements and other services online.
- Visit doctolib.fr to find a doctor and book an appointment
- Update Carte Vitale annually at pharmacy or CPAM terminals
- Never respond to any text message or email from the ‘securité sociale’ telling you to update your carte Vitale, and particularly asking for your credit card, bank details or any other information.