Getting French health insurance as an EU citizen

Which route applies to you, and what to prepare before you arrive.

Based on official French sources, last checked October 2026.

Steps

1. 1

   Step 1: Find your route

   French law (Article L160-1 of the Code de la sécurité sociale) covers anyone who works in France or, if they do not work, lives there in a stable and regular way. The system is called PUMa (protection universelle maladie).

   • You work in France (employed or self-employed): you are covered through your work.
   • You do not work (for example retired, or living on savings): you are covered because you live in France in a stable and regular way, but the rules are stricter for EU citizens (see Step 4).
   • Studying? Students have their own rules (see "If you are a student").
2. 2

   Step 2: Prepare your documents before you arrive

   • A valid passport or national ID card.
   • A birth certificate extract that shows your parents' names (or a full copy). You need it for your final social security number, and it can be slow to get from abroad, so ask for it early.
   • Depending on your country, the document may need an apostille or legalisation, and a translation by a sworn translator unless it is multilingual.
3. 3

   Step 3: If you work in France

   Your employer files the hiring declaration (DPAE), which starts the social-security formalities. If you have never been registered in France, your employer can request your social security number online. A paper route with form S1106 also exists.

   • You first receive a provisional number. It gives you the same rights as a final number, except that you cannot use direct payment at the doctor (tiers payant).
   • Once your final number is issued, you can create an ameli account and order your Carte Vitale.
4. 4

   Step 4: If you do not work

   You apply for the opening of your rights with form S1106 at the CPAM of your home town. Send a copy of your ID and proof of your situation.

   • Time of residence: the rule asks for proof that you have lived in France without interruption for more than three months (Article D160-2). There are exceptions without a waiting time, for example for family members of an insured person.
   • Not automatic for EU citizens: according to CLEISS, the French centre for international social security, access to PUMa is not automatic for EU citizens who are not covered by a health system in their home country through work, a pension or similar. In the first five years of residence the CPAM looks at each case. Keep your private or home-country cover until your French cover is confirmed.
   • Right of residence: if you do not work, staying in France for more than three months requires enough money to support yourself and health insurance (service-public.gouv.fr).
5. 5

   Step 5: Wait for your numbers and your card

   • Provisional number (NIA): you receive a letter with a temporary identification number. With it you cannot yet get a Carte Vitale or open an ameli account.
   • Final number: the CPAM needs your birth certificate. It sends the file to Insee, which verifies your identity. When this is done, you receive a letter that explains how to get your Carte Vitale.
   • Do not skip the birth certificate: if it is missing, your rights can be suspended after 6 months and ended after 9 months.