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Disclaimer
Please note that the information given in this article, whilst believed to be as accurate as possible at the time of writing, is general information only, and no liability can be accepted. Before acting on the information that follows, please ensure that you take expert advice form the relevant authorities.
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France is good for your health
France is good for your health. That's official, and it's easy to see why. In most parts of the country there's a great climate (Weather in France), with plenty of health boosting sunshine, low levels of pollution, shorter hours of work (Jobs in France) and superb, locally grown seasonal produce forming the basis of an olive oil and red wine lubricated Mediterranean diet (Buying and cooking French food). Everywhere you look there are healthy, lively people who have passed their eightieth birthdays and beyond, tending their gardens, polishing their petanque balls and, more often than you care to admit, overtaking you on their bicycles! Yes, France is a great place to live if you want to last to a healthy, ripe old age. But what if you do happen to fall ill? How does France rate then, and what do you have to do in order to benefit from the health care in place in your adopted country?
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Health care in France - a good system
The health care system in France is accepted as excellent throughout most of Europe, and it certainly looks as though, at the time of writing, it has many advantages over the English system, which has come in for some considerable criticism over the last few years. It is, in many respects, quite different from English health care, and it can take a while to accustom yourself to the way that things work. Once you get used to it, however, you will almost certainly find that the system in France is effective and simple enough to operate.
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EHIC and health care in France – for those still resident in the UK
When you initially decide to buy a property in France and to spend time there (Why buy property in France, Life in France), if you are still working and your main residence is still the UK, you need to apply for the EHIC (European Health Insurance Card). This is the health insurance card that replaces the old E111 form. There are several ways of applying for this card, but the fastest is to apply on-line using the link provided on the department of health's website, www.dh.gov.uk. The on-line option promises that you will receive your card within seven days of your application. Other ways to apply are through the post (pick up forms at your local main post office and post them to EHIC Applications, PO Box 1115, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE99 ISW), or by telephone, on 0845 606 2030.
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What health care entitlement does EHIC offer in France?
The EHIC card will entitle you to the same level of health care that any naturalised person or a national of that country would normally benefit from. This applies throughout Europe, but the level of care offered in each individual country is different, and it is important to understand that in France, the free health care entitlement is set at around 70% of the total cost of treatment. The remainder has to be paid for privately or through a top up insurance policy, which you would also need to set up privately (see below). The EHIC card will provide the basic cover for three to five years, and remember it is only valid for those whose main residence is in the UK, not for those who have made a permanent move. Once cover has expired, you would have to re-apply for a new EHIC.
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E106/S1 form and health care in France - for those wanting to become residents of France
If you are going to be living permanently in France ie: France is your main place of residence, you will need to apply for an E106/S1 form instead of the EHIC. This you can get from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), The Pension Service, International Pension Centre, Tyneview Park, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE98 1BA, or telephone 0191 21 87777. You must have paid enough National Insurance (NI) contributions in the last two years in the UK to qualify, and the card you get lasts up to two years, though this time limit does vary, depending on the amount of NI contributions made to date. As with the EHIC, this will cover up to 70% of health care costs, the remainder can be paid with a top up policy. As soon as possible, however, you need to take the first steps in becoming fully integrated into the French system before your entitlement under the E106/S1 runs out. When registered in the French system, you will obtain your carte vitale (see below), though it must be noted that a carte vitale is not issued at all in some departments to people who are on E106/S1.
** SEE UPDATE BELOW **
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E121/S1 form and health care in France
If you have retired and are of UK state retirement age and on a UK state pension, or are receiving long term incapacity benefit (or its new title of Employment Support Allowance or ESA), you need to apply for a form E121/S1. This entitles you to essential health care in France, as long as your main residence is now France and not the UK. It is worth pointing out here, that if you are part of a married couple (including common law marriages), and only one of you fulfill the age and pension requirements, both of you would be covered. It is also advisable to check exactly what "essential care" means, however, as although the usual doctor's and hospital bills are covered, extras such as nursing fees may not be included in this. Routine and emergency health care is normally covered up to 70%, with the remainder having to be paid by the individual or through a top up policy. And as with those with E106/S1 cover, you should apply for your carte vitale before your E121/S1 runs out (see below). (Retirement in Perpignan, Retirement in France.) ** SEE UPDATE BELOW **
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Health care in France and the carte vitale
The carte vitale is your passport to health care in France, and is an ID card and means of automatic notification to the central system for reimbursements. It is given along with a paper attestation, which must be presented with the carte vitale at all times. Those who may apply to join the French health system and get an attestation and carte vitale include those who have moved to France permanently and have become French residents, those who have reached the UK state retirement age and are in receipt of a UK state pension (Getting your UK pension paid in France), and those on long term incapacity benefit (now ESA) or severe disablement allowance. People who work in France are also eligible. So if you register a business in France (Owning Gîtes and Chambres D'Hotes (B&Bs) in France), or take employment, you will be entered into the French health care system as you will be paying your contributions in the same way as any French citizen.** SEE UPDATE BELOW **
Please note that a carte vitale must be updated regularly. It is also worthless if membership to the French health system ceases, for example on expiry of an E106/S1 or a change of circumstance for holders of an E121/S1 (ESA withdrawn for example).
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How to register for French health care
To gain acceptance into the French health care system you must prove your entitlement from Britain. This should be done before your E106/S1 or E121/S1 cover runs out. You can register for French health care by going to your local French health care and social security (CPAM) office. Your membership and your entitlements in the French health care system are attested on a paper attestation, which comes along with the carte vitale when your application has been accepted.
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New style cartes vitales now in force
And a note for those who already have an old style carte vitale, you will need to update it to the new photo card. It looks pretty similar to the old one, but with the addition of a passport style photo. To apply for your new card (you don't have to return the old one with the application, so as long as it is still working you can continue to use it until the new one arrives) write to your chosen health insurer or CPAM. You also need to update your mutuelle if there have been any changes in the number of people insured, for example, if your children have left France to go to university or to work in another country and are placing themselves in the UK health system.
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Cover through the carte vitale and what you use it for
Once you have a carte vitale you will use it when you visit your doctor, when you pick up prescriptions from the pharmacy, or when you have other necessary medical treatments such as physiotherapy or if you are hospitalised (Health Care in France: a French Hospital Experience). It will cover roughly 70% of the costs of these situations, although this can vary. As with the health care cover provided by the EHIC and the E106/S1 and E121/S1 forms, top up insurance policies can be bought privately to pay for the remaining 30% of the fees. (There are some medicines that are not covered under the entitlement, such as those considered "luxury" medicines and items, and there are also certain situations and treatments that must be paid for by the recipient.) This state health care cover is called Couverture Maladie Universelle or CMU.
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How does a carte vitale work in France
The carte vitale is a swipe card, very similar to the credit or debit card in your wallet. It contains all the details of you and your family's medical rights to treatment and is as vital as its name suggests! When it arrives, it comes with a paper attestation which is also of utmost importance, as mentioned previously, so don't detach the card and throw away the paper as I did with my first one! You will need this paper part for postal claims, and in certain circumstances you can use it to prove your right to health care if you do not have the card for any reason. In fact the carte vitale is actually worthless without a supporting attestation. The attestation is often asked for by specialists and others who are not linked to the carte vitale system. And while the carte vitale is a payment card, unless updated and supported by an attestation as to your current and existing rights and entitlements, it is completely worthless.
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Residents of France and cartes vitales
For those now resident in France, you will need proof of your national insurance payments from the last two years of your residency in the UK, and if these are deemed to have been sufficient you will be entered into the French system immediately and sent a carte vitale. If your payments have not been sufficient, you may be able to claim under the French social security system. This can be done by producing a letter from the authorities in the UK to state that you no longer have any entitlement in Britain, and that you are now the responsibility of France.
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Reimbursement and health care in France
The health care in France, whilst accurately described as around 70% free, does not work quite as you might expect. When you visit your doctor, for example, you are expected to pay the fee of €22 (this is the cost at the time of writing, it is, of course, subject to change) at the time of the consultation, and your carte vitale is then swiped. The money is reimbursed directly into your bank account, usually in the next few days. Prescriptions are dealt with according to what they consist of, and also according to the type of top up policy you have, if indeed you have one. Often you will find that once your card has been swiped and your attestation for your top up policy presented and noted, you will not have to pay any money at all.
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Top up policies
Top up policies are bought in order to cover the extra 30% that is not covered by the EHIC, E106/S1 form, E121/S1 form or carte vitale. The type of top up you require varies according to your situation and needs, and it is best to take individual advice on this. There are starter type top ups, that work alongside an EHIC, and which can be bought in the UK. There are many different companies offering policies, or mutuelles as they are often called, and these tend to vary according to the work that you do, if you work, with different policies for teachers, artisans, office workers etc. Top ups, also known as complimentaires, can be arranged through your insurance broker.
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Choices in health care in France - finding a doctor
France believes in freedom of choice for the individual when it comes to health care, and unlike in the UK you are free to choose the health care professional who you think best suits your needs. Therefore if you are told that you need an operation, you can stipulate the hospital and surgical team by whom you wish to be treated. This freedom of choice used to extend to the choice of GP, with patients attending one practice for one visit, then choosing to see another at the next. Recent changes however, mean that you are now encouraged (financially, with better reimbursement) to register with one doctor... or at least, one practice. You can find GPs and hospitals by asking the Mairie, neighbours, looking through the Pages Jaune and the internet. More often than not though, they are found by asking other ex-pats for English-speaking doctors.
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Different practices of health care in France - how GPs operate
GPs operate quite differently in France from in England too. They are usually extremely thorough, so if you visit your doctor to discuss a sore finger you are likely to find yourself being given a full examination, and sent for a blood test into the bargain! Blood tests are not performed in the surgery, but in a Laboratoire Analysées in a nearby town, where you walk in with your prescription and have the test immediately. If you need vaccinations, you pick up the vaccine from a pharmacy (with your prescription) and keep it in the fridge at home until you go back to the doctor.
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English-speaking emergency health service
And just a brief word about calling for a doctor or ambulance in an emergency situation. If you are not comfortable speaking in French or still find the language difficult to understand, there is a number you can ring which offers an English-speaking service. This is 112. This number is for all emergency services.
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Health care in France to change
Everything in France is subject to radical change at this time, as the new president Nicholas Sarkozy is beginning to make his presence felt (Sarkozy and French property owners). A very recent announcement has become a source of concern for certain ex-pats, as it appears that those who are neither working nor entitled to retirement care may lose their rights to health care in France. So anyone who is subsidising their life in France by working "on the black", without being declared to pay taxes or social charges, is likely to be caught out by this change. ** SEE UPDATE BELOW **
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Keep a close eye on developments to do with health care in France
At the time of writing it is still a little unclear as to what will happen, but if think you may fall into this bracket for any reason you will need to keep a close eye on developments, and if you are working unregistered there has never, perhaps, been a better reason to legalise your position and start paying into the system. (For further advice you could try the English speaking CPAM help line 0033 (0)8 20 90 42 12.) For many years the French health care system has been perhaps over generous, at its own expense, offering benefits such as tummy tucks (on the state!) for mothers of more than two children, and other similar non essential treatments. Slowly but surely the French government is rationalising the system, having realised that it has to become more self supporting if France is to survive economically. But most people need not worry, for although the health care system is liable to change in respect of its funding, due to European agreements the majority of ex-pats should be able to find suitable cover for their needs in France. ** SEE UPDATE BELOW **
Additional articles which may be of interest:
Benefits in France for UK ex-pats
Tax in France
Learning French
Banking in France
French Education System - Schools in France
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*** IMPORTANT UPDATE FOR THOSE UNDER RETIREMENT AGE AND THOSE NOT REGISTERED TO WORK IN FRANCE ***
Added 21 February 2008
In September 2007 the French government decreed that ex-pats who had moved to France having taken early retirement and not working, would not be able to be covered by the French carte vitale system, but would instead have to take out their own private medical insurance to cover costs. Needless to say this was not just inconvenient for many, but absolutely terrifying for those who suffered from debilitating illnesses and would not be able to get such cover even if they could afford it. A lot of them were also in a "No Going Back" situation, having sold property in England to move to France, and found themselves facing the prospect of being unable to afford a decent property in the UK to return to, thanks to spiralling property prices.
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E106 + E121 form holders
As health cover was provided for those not working and retiring early, or receiving long term incapacity benefit or severe disability allowance, for up to two and a half years after the initial move through the "E106" or "E121" form system, many were covered but watching the end of their cover approaching fast, with rising panic. Fortunately, though, the pressure brought to bear on the French government has produced results. Seemingly belatedly recognising the unfairness of the retroactive policy, France changed the "no health care" ruling to cover only those who had not moved to France before November 23rd 2007.
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The important date - 23 November 2007
Thus, those ex-pats who have been in France from before this date and are in the possession of an E106 form, can apply for a carte vitale and health care in the normal way. For those who were receiving long term incapacity benefit or severe disability allowance and possessed an E121 form before this date, it is currently stated that due consideration will be given to their cases. And all who were affiliated to CMU and receiving state health care cover before 23rd November 2007 are able to remain in the system, regardless of status.
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Changes from November 23 2007
Changes effective from November 2007 now mean that non-working immigrants into France from the UK who are under state retirement age will not be eligible for affiliation to CPAM (Caisse Primaire d'Assurance Maladie) if they do not have one of the various E forms issued by HMRC or the DWP, until they have been fully resident in France for five years. The E forms, usually E106/S1 or E109, are issued on the basis of your recent NI contributions record. This means that there is likely to be a gap of at least three years after the E form expires when private health care will be needed.
But once a French resident, and having lived in France for an uninterrupted period of five years or more, they will be entitled to affiliate to CPAM, have a carte vitale and thus health care.
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** FURTHER UPDATE FOR THOSE UNDER RETIREMENT AGE AND THOSE NOT REGISTERED TO WORK IN FRANCE **
Added July 2011
The following article addresses changes that are occurring in French health care for ex-pat early retirees:
Health care in France - another U-turn by Sarkozy
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About the author
Joanna Simm moved to the Languedoc area of south-west France in October 2004 having found her property through French Property Links. Information in this article was also provided by Rob Hesketh.
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your questions...
1. A question about the supply of medical equipment in France (added 7/11/07)...
Have read all your articles on moving to France and found them more than helpful. We want to move next year when my niece's B&B has been completed in St Junian. And I hope we can purchase a two bed property with down stairs bedroom and shower room for my wheelchair bound husband in the village. He has got MS and has had it for sixteen years. My sister and her husband are moving with her daughter and family, so it's important for us that we are near them. We live in a bungalow and have the necessary equipment ie: electronic bed and ceiling hoist, and a shower commode chair that can be wheeled from the bedroom to the shower room. I am his full time carer, though carers do come in in the morning to wash and dress him, I take over the rest of the time. What I need to know is, would the French system be the same in supplying the equipment?
Joanna Simms, author of the above article, replies...
I have just spoken to my doctor's wife who is American and so can explain things in English. What you will need to do to put help in place is to contact the Caisse de Primaire in your main town (CPAM...), who will ask you to have an interview to which you will need to bring more paperwork than you thought ever existed. Bring every document you have ever owned relating to your husband's condition and needs. If your French isn't really good, it's worth getting an inetrpreter, as the forms and terms can confuse even the French. After this, there will be care available, equipment, home care etc. though you might have to pay a little towards it, depending on your financial circumstances. But the standard of health care is excellent and equipment state of the art in most cases.
My doctor's wife tells me that there is a new system being set up to provide more English speaking care and admin too, in France in general, and she says she will also try to contact a patient of her husband's whose wife needs a lot of home care, to see if there is any more she can tell me that might be relevant.
I hope this helps, and that all goes well for you in the move... and best wishes!
2. Help needed (added 12/3/09)...
We are in desperate need of help from someone. We have been in France since the end of 2007. Unfortunately we were a bit nomadic as the house we had intended to buy had to be sold before we had exchanged contracts on our home in England. We had in fact done quite a bit of research before we decided to come, but, obviously we did not do enough!! We tried to get the E121 form before we left England but were told that we could not get one until a month before we left. As you know, a house isn't sold until contracts have been exchanged, so this was rather difficult. However, we did phone to give a temporary address, but nothing arrived. We moved to our present address in April and once again tried to get the E121. It did eventually arrive in July and we took it immediately to the CPAM office. We had photo copied all the relevant birth certificates etc so that we could give the originals to the office. However, they said that they wanted the photo copies. Then two to three weeks later we had a phone call to say that they wanted the originals, so off we go again and do a swap. Eight weeks went by and we decided to go into the office to ask about the carte vitale, and they said that my birth certificate was not right and wanted another. E-mails to England and after many more weeks, I had a new certificate. We are still without the carte vitale.
The point is that we were told that we could not claim back any money until we had this card, and I have needed medicine and also a hospital visit which we have had to pay for - almost 500 Euros so far. We cannot find out what we should do even when we telephone England. Then someone lent us a book about France and it states that we can get "free" medicine with the E121. How? We had to leave the forms with the CPAM office, and were told that the cards which we have had for holidays in Europe were not valid after three months. We are getting conflicting statements it seems. We are both in our seventies, and live in an area where we are the only English people, so have no English people to ask questions, or to advise us.
Please, having been on the internet all morning, and having seen your site, is it possible that you can help us in any way? Any information regarding this problem would be very much appreciated.
Our reply...
Thanks for contacting us. I am sorry to hear of your problems, and have been in touch with my colleague in France who says the following:
"This is complicated and I am not an expert on health care, but I know a friend here who had a similar problem so I will try to find out what she did. I know she finally has the carte vitale... and I know that she kept nagging them for the card... he who shouts loudest gets seen first!
But I would also say this sort of long winded bureaucratic paper work is so typical in France! Also, you can get temporary health insurance. But the good news is that when you finally get the carte vitale, they are very good about repaying anything that is owed... as long as you were eligible for the cover at the time."
So if my colleague is able to find out more from her friend I will get back to you as soon as possible, but in the meantime I suggest you keep chasing the CPAM office no matter what, and keep good records and all receipts for all the treatment you have had to have. As my colleague says, this should be refunded once you get your carte vitale, it just may take time. (And may also depend on exactly what treatment you had, as roughly only 70% of costs are covered, top-up policies are usually taken out for the remaining 30% of costs.)
3. A question about cartes vitales (added 13/8/09)...
Are you able to help me? We had a business in France but retired from it two years ago. We obviously already have a carte vitale and we intend to stay living here in France. Is it true that we have to apply for an extension to our carte vitale or does our carte stay with us indefinitely. Thanks for your help, if possible.
Jo Rhodes, editor of French Property Links replies...
Thanks for contacting us. From what I understand, I would expect that if you are French residents and retired, your carte vitales would be valid indefinitely. But as I am not an expert in this matter, I would advise you to contact your local French health care and social security (CPAM) office.
I have also been in touch with my colleague Joanna in France to see if she knows more, but she just has the following to say:
"I don't know for sure, but I had thought that if you stop a business in France, then you lose your carte vitale. However, I don't know how it works when you retire. I believe retired people are eligible, as long as they meet the regulations... which have recently changed. Trouble is, they keep changing the rules on this one...but I am sure you will be eligible for one as you have been in France a while and been working... so I should have thought that normal retirement rules apply."
I am sorry we cannot be of more help.
Update to above reply...
Further to the above, my colleague has received some information which may be of use to you, sent in from a friend:
"Not sure how it works with a business but whilst you are working you contribute to the system for medical services via ASSAF (I think) then top up with insurance. When you reach retirement age (65 years) a letter from Pension department in England is required. Then there are no more contributions to be made just the normal insurance top up. You keep the same carte vitale."
4. A question about cartes vitales and the auto entrepreneur scheme (added 24/12/09)...
Hello - I have read your page on health care in France and have a question which hasn't been answered.
We have been in France for 20 months and each have a carte vitale on the strength of my husband's E106 but these are due to run out at the end of this year. I started an "auto entreprise" on the 1st Dec and assumed that when I make any money and pay my 20-odd % "cotisations sociales" this would entitle us to keep our cartes vitales on the strength of my earnings.
I have just been to CPAM and been told that we won't be covered after the end of the year and I have to contribute to a mutuelle, but that is not what the auto entrepreneur information says. How do I keep my carte vitale (or other form of health cover) and if I don't earn anything and therefore don't pay anything, do I still get health cover? If not, what do I have to do to make sure that I and my husband have adequate health cover.
I have a friend who told me that auto entreprise didn't entitle me to a carte vitale but that isn't my understanding of the situation. The problem is that I can't find anybody to give me a definitive answer!
I hope you can help. If you can't answer the question directly, please can you advise me where to go to get the whole thing explained.
Jo Rhodes, editor of French Property Links replies...
Thanks for contacting us. I have been in touch with my colleague who lives in France and she has the following to say:
"This sounds so typical of any new system here in France... nobody knows how it is going to actually work, let alone the French authorities! I would have thought that the carte vitale would come along with the auto enterprise, but as you say, if you haven't declared any earnings or paid any cotisations I have no idea what will happen. The system is so new, I don't think the authorities have worked it out at all yet.
Perhaps the best placed to advise would be your insurance company who should know what you will need, as presumably you have taken out top up cover to complement your existing carte vitale.
CPAM are notoriously confusing. We didn't understand our position here in France until we went to the insurers after registering our business.
The other person who may be able to explain things is your doctor in France, ours is very helpful in all these aspects."
I myself am under the impression that as long as you earn some money within a twelve month period, under the auto entrepreneur scheme you would be entitled to a carte vitale, but you would still need to supplement this with top up cover or mutuelle, as you need to do anyway with cartes vitales. If you didn't earn money within this period, you wouldn't be entitled to health care in France, via this scheme.
I'm sorry we cannot be of more help, but perhaps your insurance company and/or your doctor may be able to help, as my colleague suggests?
An update about the auto entrepreneur scheme (added 13/1/10)...
The visitor to our site who asked the above question has very kindly provided us with an update:
It is the RSI (Régime Sociale des Indépendants) who deal with the carte vitale for auto entrepreneurs. You pay your social contributions for the "régime obligatoire" to a mutuelle who then pay the RSI and that's how you get your carte vitale. CPAM are only for salaried people.
I spoke to a very helpful man in our local Secu office who gave me a local (Carcassonne) address for RSI which turned out to be the office of Aude Mutuelle (AM). However, they sorted me out.
When you sign up as an auto entrepreneur online, there is a drop-down list of mutuelles from which to choose. The one you choose is then your "regime obligatoire" organisation but it seems that it takes up to three months for them to register you with the RSI and get in touch. Unfortunately, I just chose the first one on the list which was RAM and their nearest office is in Montpellier, which is not very close to me. Because I opted for them I have to use them for the first year but after that I can change to AM who are more local for me. If you want to change, you have to give three months notice so AM said they will be in touch in September. However, you don't have to use the same mutuelle for the "regime complementaire" so I signed up with them for that.
Because I pointed out that my carte vitale was about to run out, they directed me to the RSI office in Carcassonne who were also very helpful and (having also said it takes up to three months for the mutuelle you choose to do the necessary) said they would relaunch my RAM dossier and in the meantime I should simply keep any "feuille de soins" and reclaim any costs once RAM have updated my carte vitale.
In a nutshell, if like me you feel your French is good enough for face to face but not over the telephone, I think it's worth doing a "dummy" sign-up to get the list of "official" mutuelles you'll be offered when you sign up, then find out where they have offices so that you can pick a local one (the RO contributions are the same whichever one you choose). Above all, be aware that it takes up to three months to get your carte vitale in order when you sign up as an auto entrepreneur.
5. A question about a carte vitale for a young person (added 28/12/10)...
Hello, I wonder if you can advise. My husband and I moved to France earlier this year 2010 at which time our son, Joe, was at university in the UK. He has been studying languages and has been lucky enough to get a job in the tourism industry in France starting in December (difficult to get a job in the UK at the moment). Until then he is staying with us. We are informed by the relevant authorities in Newcastle On Tyne that he is not entitled to any health care in France as he has not paid any NI contributions yet only just having completed his full-time education. There is a gap where he has no carte vitale until he starts work here. Can he apply for his carte vitale before he starts work in France, how soon after starting work will he be issued with a CV and will he have to apply or does it happen automatically? All the advice I've read seems to apply to people in the process of retiring or who have previously worked in the UK and are entitled to E106/S1. He will be working for French company in a ski resort and will of course want to be covered medically as soon as possible. Thank you very much in anticipation.
Jo Rhodes, editor of French Property Links replies...
Thanks for contacting us. I have asked my colleague Joanna in France about your son's situation and am still awaiting a reply, but in the meantime a few thoughts occur to me:
1. If your son is still a UK resident, is he not eligible for an EHIC, which would cover a certain amount of French state health care? A top-up policy would also be needed though. (https://www.ehic.org.uk/Internet/home.do)
2. If not eligible for an EHIC or any other E form due to him not having paid any NI contributions, then private medical insurance or travel insurance would be the only options I can think of which would cover him until he can get his CV.
3. I understand that he can apply for a CV through the French company he is working for once he has worked 40 hours in a month for them. This should be done by them, though it would be perhaps sensible for him to make sure it is applied for and received.
I am sorry I am not able to help further, but should my colleague be able to offer any additional advice, I will of course be in touch.
6. A question about visits to the dentist (added 14/4/11)...
I'm not sure if you can help me but I'm currently living and working in France and I have a valid carte vitale. I was just wondering if this card covers normal visits to the dentist as well as any work that might have to be done when you are there (cavities, cleaning ect.) without another type of insurance.
Jo Rhodes, editor of French Property Links replies...
Thanks for contacting us. I have been in touch with my colleague in France who says:
"We have been told that the carte vitale covers the usual percentage of the fee, and the mutuelle top up is needed for the rest. I imagine if you don't have a mutuelle, you can just pay the difference."
I would also say that I understand that it very much depends on what work is being done. If it is standard treatment as you describe, I believe 70% of the cost would normally be covered, but if it is specialist treatment then sometimes none of this is covered. You would need to check with your dentist I think, if you think you might need any more extensive work done.
7. A question about cartes vitales (added 14/4/11)...
My husband and I applied for cartes vitales on 7/12/10 when we took all paperwork to a CPAM office and were assured everything was ok. We received on 26/1/11 an attestation because they said there was a problem with the fabrication of the cards. I have now been asked for certified translations of our birth certificates. Two friends that I spoke to were not asked for this. What are the rules on this? We are both British. Hoping you can be of help.
Jo Rhodes, editor of French Property Links replies...
Thanks for contacting us. I have been in contact with my colleague Joanna in France who says:
"This seems to be a new thing. I know a lot of folk who have been asked for certified translations for various things like birth certificates, that never used to be needed. I would try to get away without getting it certified and supply an ordinary translation, but if you have to do it, I'm afraid you will have to accept it and provide one."
Sorry if this was not the answer you were looking for, but good luck with sorting it all out.
An update to the above reply...
Thanks for your response. I have since managed to find a telephone number for the CPAM advice line in English. The person was very helpful, unlike the local office, and assured me there was a free inhouse translation service. She is going to contact the local office and get back to me in under five days. The number is 0811363646 available 9-18.00 hrs.
8. A question about divorce and cartes vitales (added 8/9/11)...
I have lived with my husband and children for seven and a half years. We recently divorced, I am now living with my children. My ex husband worked and we had a carte vitale card etc and no worries. Now I have not worked here and need my own carte vitale soon. Would you know if I could actually get one, if so, who do I ask and how do I apply. The children are registered with me at the moment on the marital carte vitale which will cease one year after the divorce. Hope that all makes sense and I look forward to your reply.
Jo Rhodes, editor of French Property Links replies...
Thanks for contacting us. I would suggest you contact your local French health care and social security (CPAM) office to find out how you go about getting a new carte vitale. I would think that as you have been a resident in France for more than five years, this shouldn't be a problem.
9. A question about marriage and cartes vitales (added 8/9/11)...
Hello - I am retired and have had a carte vital for five years. I recently married a retired Canadian who has no carte vitale. As a married couple can we claim using my carte?
Jo Rhodes, editor of French Property Links replies...
Thanks for contacting us. I think that your husband will have to check with your local French health care and social security (CPAM) office, as to his eligibility to health care in France. Just because he is now married to you does not mean he is covered by your carte vitale automatically. Criteria have to be met and it is CPAM who makes these decisions.
10. A question about advice on certain health issues (added 11/10/11)...
Hi, I wonder if you could help me. We are thinking of coming to France for either a three month period or a longer term. We intend to keep our property in England and there are several health issues we have and wondered if you could advise where best we could turn for advice. There is an area or medical area which we need to address prior to our visit to France. My wife has Arthritis which needs to be monitored on a regular basis. She is only 58 and although she is retired now I believe does not qualify for free health care in France. Can you advise where we can go to get advice?
Jo Rhodes, editor of French Property Links replies...
Thanks for contacting us. In the first instance, for temporary health care cover in France, I would suggest you look at the Department of Health's website about EHICs (http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/MediaCentre/Factsheets/DH_123856) and also the NHS website (http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcareabroad/Pages/Healthcareabroad.aspx), which has a number to call if you would prefer to talk to someone about the cover provided.
If you are thinking of moving permanently to France, you may wish to also call an English speaking CPAM (French health care) service on +33 8 20 90 42 12 for advice.
And finally, you may also wish to read (if you haven't already), our article " Health care in France - another U-turn by Sarkozy"
(http://www.frenchpropertylinks.com/essential/health-care-in-france.html), which outlines recent changes in the health care laws in France.
11. A question about access to health care (added 11/10/11)...
As a retired British couple currently living in South Africa, where we have remained for over 30 years, we are giving thought to re-locating to France. We both have UK Passports and receive part Retirement Pensions, and would welcome any advice regarding our eligibility for access to British National Health and other Social Security Benefits.
We would be most appreciative of any help you may provide in this regard.
Jo Rhodes, editor of French Property Links replies...
Thanks for contacting us, though in your situation I would advise that you contact the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in the UK to find out exactly what you would be entitled to, and how you go about getting access to health care and other benefits in France. Their details are as follows:
International Pension Centre
Tyneview Park
Whitley Road
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE98 1BA
Phone +44 191 218 7777 (Monday to Friday 8am-8pm)
Website: www.nidirect.gov.uk/index/contacts/contacts-az.htm/international-pension-centre
12. A question from an auto entrepreneur (added 8/12/11)...
Hi there - very interesting website. I am one of the early auto entrepreneurs now retired and having to go through the the re-application of my carte vitale. I am now 65 years of age and became an auto entrepreneur for around just under two years (July 2009 to Feb 2011 - I had a carte vitale at that stage as a UK pensioner). I was initially worried about rocking the boat re: this as the business was only to be a short term solution. I officially retired in February 2011 and although I have the carte vitale provided by the RSI until January of next year, I decided to pay a visit to CEPAM to see what the situation is. My French is not good - I have been told that I must fill in a form, take my birth, marriage and bank details to CEPAM and the form E121 or its equivalent. Surely I do not have to go back to Newcastle again for this form as I have already been through the process. I have lived in France since the end of 2003 and been registered since the first month. I have paid all my taxes etc. to date. She also asked me if I had a French pension. Any help you can give me would be much appreciated.
Jo Rhodes, editor of French Property Links replies...
Thanks for contacting us. It does seem odd for you to have to produce your E121/S1 form, having lived in France since 2003. Have you tried the English speaking CPAM (French health care) service on +33 8 20 90 42 12 for advice, if your French is limited?
You could also contact the following agents, who may be able to help, as I understand they know all about cartes vitales:
Claire Martinet or Frank Haloche
Agent General
37 Rue Amiral Courbet
53500 ERNEE
Tel: 02 43 05 21 82
Email: 4005417@agents.allianz.fr
They speak excellent English and explain things clearly at all times and are very helpful. I wish you luck with sorting this out.
An update...
After I emailed you I found the telephone number of the CPAM English helpline. She said I had to re-apply formally and I needed the marriage and birth certificate, utility bill, application form filled in and E121 (I still have the original) and finally my bank details (which they already have,) so pensioner auto entrepreneurs who are already registered with CPAM, and are now with RSI or similar - have all this to go through again on "retirement" - she reckoned that I should get the new card in around three weeks. The worse thing about France is the amount of repetitive admin you have to go through to do simple things, no wonder they get snowed under - and of course the new laws relating to auto entrepreneurs have caused so much confusion - it was a simple idea but sadly nothing is simple in France. You see it everyday in the forums, eg: initially AE's were promised three years free from taxe professionelle providing they paid their tax up front as I did, but now everyone, myself included are getting bills for this tax and well within the time limit promised.
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