French health insurance, known as l’Assurance Maladie, is a state-run system providing medical coverage to residents, managed by CPAM (Caisse Primaire d’Assurance Maladie). Residents receive a social security number (numéro de sécurité sociale) to access benefits and a Carte Vitale, a smart card for medical reimbursements. The ameli.fr website allows users to manage claims, track reimbursements, and order a Carte Vitale. An Attestation de Droits is a document proving your health insurance entitlement. The system covers 70–100% of medical costs for legal residents (3+ months in France) after registering with CPAM.
1. Documents You Need to Prepare
- Completed “Demande d’ouverture des droits à l’assurance maladie” form (Cerfa N° 15763*01)
- Copy of valid passport or ID (with identity and validity pages)
- Short-form birth certificate with filiation (translated into French by a sworn translator if required)
- 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)
2. 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)
3. Website to Submit or Phone Number for Appointment
- Submission: Send documents to local CPAM (find address via ameli.fr by entering postcode)
- Students: Register online at etudiant-etranger.ameli.fr
- Phone for inquiries/appointments: 36 46 (French) or 09 74 75 36 46 (English, Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.)
- Website for general info: 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 application to local CPAM by mail or in person (if appointment available)
- Receive temporary social security number by mail
- Use temporary number for medical reimbursements (submit feuilles de soins to CPAM)
- Receive permanent social security number and “Ma nouvelle carte Vitale” form
- Order Carte Vitale online via ameli.fr (upload photo, ID) or by mail (attach photo, form)
- Create ameli.fr account with permanent number to manage reimbursements and track application
- Update Carte Vitale annually at pharmacy or CPAM terminals