A Guide to French Healthcare for Expats
Your Carte Vitale Is Just the Start: The French Healthcare Guide for Expats
Already in France — or about to arrive — and trying to figure out how the health system actually works? This guide breaks it all down in plain English, from getting your Carte Vitale to booking a doctor on Doctolib, understanding what you'll be reimbursed, and knowing your rights when you're sick.
The French health system is genuinely excellent. But it has its own logic, its own vocabulary, and rules that aren't obvious unless someone explains them. This guide does exactly that.
What's Covered:
- How to register for Assurance Maladie and what your numéro de Sécurité Sociale actually means
- The Carte Vitale — what it is, how to get it, what to do before it arrives
- How to find a primary doctor
- What Doctolib is and how to use it
- How French reimbursements works
- Reimbursement rates
- Pharmacies
- Secteur 1, 2 & 3 doctors
- Mutuelle (top-up insurance)
- How to track everything
- Sick leave rights in France
Who It's For:
- Expats newly arrived in France who need to get set up with healthcare
- Americans and non-EU nationals who have no reference point for how the French system works
- Anyone who has a Carte Vitale but still doesn't fully understand how to use it
- EU expats who want to make sure they're maximising their coverage and not overpaying
Delivery: Instant digital download (PDF). Ready to read on your phone, tablet, or laptop — or print and keep as a reference.
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At Keys to France we welcome all nationalities that are living in France or wanting to move.
Yes, you'll fill out a pre-call questionnaire before the advisory call. Providing detailed answers will allow us to better understand your specific situation and ensure the consultation is as effective and personalized as possible. You dont need to prepare anything for the free call.
If you require additional support, we offer full file preparation services. During the call, we’ll discuss visa options, requirements, and provide guidance for you to proceed independently. However, if more in-depth help is needed, you can add one of our comprehensive services by contacting us.
No, there are no additional fees for our services. However, please note that the visa, appointment, and any other government fees are not not covered by us.
French Visas
Getting a visa is not difficult as long as you meet all the requirements. Most visa rejections are due to damaged or invalid passport, incorrect documents, insufficient funds, criminal record, previous overstay in the Schengen area and blurry photograph.
Your total stay in the Schengen area must be no more than 90 days in every 180 days. It does not matter how many countries you visit. The 180-day period keeps 'rolling'. For each day you are in the Schengen zone, you need to consider the preceding 180 days to determine if you are within the 90-day limit. For any given date. A full day is counted even if you are in the zone for 20 minutes.
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
French Citizenship
- Being born in France or a French overseas territory.
- Having parents who are French.
- Being adopted by a French parent.
- Marrying a French citizen.
- Naturalisation through French residency.
- Justify that you are working.
- Have a valid residence permit.
- Prove your integration into French society.
- Residing in France for at least 5 years.
- Be over 18 years old.
These are the main requirements but there are exceptions for certain circumstances.
No, you need to have been married for four years to a French national. However, you can live and work in France during those 4 years on a family visa.
French Administrative Tasks
If you legally live in France and meet the residency or work requirements, you may be eligible for French Social Security and a Carte Vitale. Eligibility depends on your visa status (work, family, student, self-employed, etc.) and proof of stable residence in France. We guide you through the application, help prepare the correct documents, and follow up until your rights are opened. Book now!
If you are on a short stay visa there is generally no issue. All driving licences issued by a state not belonging to the EU or the EEA are generally valid on French territory during the 12 months following the date of establishment of normal residence in France. After that, if your country has an agreement with France, you can exchange your license for a French one. If not, you will need to apply for a French license. Contract us for support!
Even if you have the correct visa type, you can't start running a business in France until you register for a business number (SIRET/SIREN). Let us help you get set up!
Most international CVs are not adapted to French hiring standards. A French CV has specific formatting, length, and content expectations. We review your CV, adapt it to French norms, and ensure it aligns with what recruiters and employers in France actually look for. Send us your CV!
You need a French fiscal number if you live in France, own property, earn income, or need to complete administrative steps. First-time applicants must request it manually through the tax office. We help you submit the correct request, avoid delays, and obtain your fiscal number as smoothly as possible. Let's get started!