Expat's Guide to Healthcare in France

If good healthcare, a relaxed lifestyle, and all the modern comforts you enjoy at home are among your top priorities, then France should be on your radar. Learn more about healthcare in our FREE Retire in France report: intliving.com/francereport
With talk of fine wine, incredible food, and lower housing costs, it’s easy to overlook one of the top reasons to consider a move to France: the healthcare system. Available to anyone after three months of residence, the system has no pre-existing condition limitations, age restrictions, or entry fees. Costs are incredibly low, and care is modern and reliable: bit.ly/38Jwc8m.
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[@internationalliving]

Inside International Living’s special FREE report on France-you’ll find out why this diverse country is one of the best retirement havens in the world: intliving.com/francereport

[@DeanRamser]

Salut! I wonder how the healthcare in France compares with healthcare in Italy? Specifically Multiple Schlerosis care and treatment. or is Switzerland better than both countries? Thank you! Merci!

[@michaelgill8397]

Thank you very much.😊

[@NothingBeingEverythingforNoOne]

I’m a French citizen and a legal US resident for over 40 years. When it comes to the medical system and benefits in the US I’ve come to be utterly disgusted with the heartless GREED driving and embedded into the entire medical and pharmaceutical industries in this country. An absolute disgrace and shame. 😠 Especially now that I’m quickly approaching retirement age, my wife and I have decided to retire in France very soon. Growing old in the US will keep getting a worse and worse nightmare, unless of course, you have a few millions saved for retirement, otherwise you’d better stay healthy, if not you’re f@&!?@&!! A terribly sad and depressing state of affairs for anyone living and especially growing old in the US…

[@delphzouzou4520]

Yes but why are you talking about how great is the healthcare system and also saying that "they have high taxes, blablabla". You pay taxes and you receive back in public services, which is totally normal. In fact in France we pay half of what American pay in healthcare. So there are less taxes in the USA, but at the end of the day you pay twice what we pay for a lesser service.

[@user-sj6tn7nw6b]

GREAT TIPS!!!! THANKS!!!!

[@elizabethnilsson1815]

I bet that you just like us here DO NOT RUNING TO THE HOSPITAL ALL THE TIME JUST BECAUSE IT IS FREE. It just gives a such a relaxing feeling for to not to be worry about.

[@lulu6618]

Superb information and video. Thank you

[@jennysoto7063]

Great info. Thanks

[@carolinebielskis4255]

Fantastic. Thank you for such thorough and comprehensive information. I am an American citizen, in the process of obtaining dual citizenship with Lithuania, through my immigrant grandfather. I plan to live in France part-time, and possibly full-time eventually. I'm also learning the language. The questions you've answered about the Healthcare System have been on my mind. I also appreciate you mentioning that you are able to work in france, with no problem, with dual citizenship with a Schengen country, and also the bit about the tax structure. I've read a lot of information, but you've laid it out in simple terms. :)

[@mikeperri7246]

Excellent. Very informative. My impression is that for Americans making comparisons with the American health care system, the French system would sound fantastic. So comparing a poor system with a good one, is one comparison. But what about comparing it with another comparably good system? As an Australian who experienced French health care a couple of times during travel, I can say in my personal experience, the French system as good as our very good Australian universal health care system. I fell quite ill once in whilst long-staying in the regional town of Limoux in Roussillon-Languedoc and another whilst in Paris. I received excellent health care in both locations. I felt really safe and well looked after.

[@joeshmooo5327]

Did you have to pay for the services you received?

[@mattlennert]

Tuula, we have followed your videos and writing in IL for a couple of years now, and they have played a key role in our decision to move to France in 2023. This video seals the deal. Such great and thorough information. Thank you so much. Matt

[@tuularampont9341]

Oh my goodness, that is great news! So excited for you Matt. Thank you for your kind feedback, really thrilled that my writing and videos have been helpful. Best of luck on your journey to France!

[@ottestad]

Hi Tuula, thank you for all your content. Have been following for a while, trying to convince the wife that Provence is the next move. I take some blood pressure meds, I was wondering how easy it is to transfer a known prescription from the US to France, or does one have to see a French doctor in order to get equivalent pills there. With great appreciation

[@sacroyalty]

@matt did you make it out?

[@mattlennert]

@@sacroyalty No, not quite yet. Markets and money shifts have us delayed now until May of 2024, but we will persevere!

[@fp2374]

I am an American living in France as French for over 21 years! The best health system in the world according to the WHO! Of course nothing is perfect but is the best. Taxes! depends I pay 30% tax rate cheap too compare to the high paying taxes of some US States. La vie est belle !!!

[@cineffect]

Finding a well paying job or starting a successful business is easier on Mars than in France. 😂

[@fp2374]

nope I found mine on the internet from the usa if up to your experience in a particular field@@cineffect

[@fp2374]

Great my experience is the opposite !!! 60k in USA and 125k in France!@Dms-sn8qj

[@cineffect]

@Dms-sn8qj I am not working in France, I am not a masochist 😂

[@angelrose7906]

Best information I've found in a long time.

[@jonyork9143]

Thank you so much! I too have been looking for these answers. So helpful!

[@jorgegustavoortiz7717]

Awesome info, thanks so much for sharing...!

[@aftabbukhari9893]

We are following you for a while now and this video is hands down one of your best ones.

[@YT-Viewer]

Thank you. This was very helpful. Looks like a beautiful area that you live and work in.

[@farazdoan1689]

I don’t think you can get a Health Care with a standard long term visa! I have a one year long term visa but that didn’t qualify me for Carte Vital!!!! There is so much more to this!

[@jamesmitchell7050]

There are two long-term visas. One is VLS and the other is VLS-TS. The first one is not renewable. The second one is renewable and qualifies you for the Healthcare system after 3 months in France.

[@akagabi]

Wow thank you so much for the infromation!

[@mariebeunaiche241]

Excellent information. I’ve been searching for these answers so thank you for the succinct and clear explanations.

[@dianespianostudio6938]

Excellent video. Very clear and concise video. We have visited France 8 times and plan to go again soon. This is good information for us. Love your area of France.

[@acope4953]

Loved it! Sharing this video with my sisters!

[@internationalliving]

Thanks for watching!

[@checkeredflagfilms]

Thanks. Well Done. Very informative.

[@leeward1717]

Great info - thank you!

[@donnahuyett1019]

Excellent video, very thorough! As we plan on our moving to France a key consideration is addressing my wife's Type 1 diabetes and her related insulin and specific brands of tubeless insulin pumps. Short of inquiring with every private insurance company and their pump coverage, is there a health insurance department, agency, trade association or possibly a healthcare concierge company that could possibly identify those health insurance companies meet our needs? Thank you, much appreciated.

[@aidashvygina8620]

Merci beaucoup pour votre vidéo très utile! ❤

[@garyg6000]

Great information. Thank you.

[@campingalan]

Awesome video! Thank you very much for sharing your experience and covering the health care system there. We have only lightly considered France for an expat area, but I have to say that it is moving up rapidly in the consideration range! We used to live over in Germany for my work and really enjoyed every visit to France! I used to joke that we would go over to the Alsace region more than we would go to downtown Stuttgart, which we lived in the suburbs there.

[@tuularampont9341]

I know a few expats who work in Germany and moved to Alsace for retirement - they pop over the border on the weekends, it’s a nice plan!

[@campingalan]

@@tuularampont9341 In Mexico, I could probably live on tacos. In Alsace, it would be tart flambe's.

[@tuularampont9341]

I could do both too 😊

[@campingalan]

@@tuularampont9341 We may be on to something that nobody else has thought about!

[@LongStep]

great content. Thank You.

[@henrychow2537]

Thank you for the information. Do you have a video on long term care system in France? thanks.

[@dhaband]

Have you done a video on Spain’s healthcare?

[@sylvaserourian8381]

Thank you for sharing this very informative video with us! I'm so glad I found your channel!

[@svetlanamcardle661]

Great information!

[@internationalliving]

Thanks for watching Svetlana!

[@yannip2083]

How much is the average top up insurance for a single retiree?

[@katherron8789]

So if we are retiring abroad on our pensions, savings and investment accounts which will pay us enough to live in France, are those considered taxable incomes in France? And what is the average fee per person yearly for the universal health care?

[@elizabethglenbentley7882]

How does Toulon compare to Nice? Are there biological dentists who remove amalgam fillings? Love yr video.

[@samhurton9308]

Hi Tuula, it's a great and informative video, much appreciated. I with my wife are planning to retire in France. As I understand for the first 3 months we need to have our own international health insurance. Could you please give us some details on it - how difficult is it to arrange for 65 year old couple, what are conditions and price range if you have any idea. Any suggestions with possible provider or how to look for the one with reasonable rates?

[@maryfurman698]

Good question.

[@jacquelinebrooks2184]

What about coverage for eye care and hearing?

[@samritalohani]

Thank you so much for this informative video 🙏. I know you said no issues w pre e isting conditions. I am on dialysis now. Do you think i wud have issue getting into french healthcare system? Thanks again

[@tuularampont9341]

Hi Sam, they accept everyone, it’s a very different system than the US. Hope that is helpful. Tuula

[@impartial.observer]

Hi Tuula. I just found your channel. My husband and I are retired American expats living in Spain since 2021. We are contemplating a move to France in the next couple of years and need some guidance in obtaining a long-term visa in France. When. you say we would have to apply from the US, what if you are already living in Europe with a non-lucrative visa? Thank you so much!!

[@maryfurman698]

Tuula, this is a more recent video but I just read that you can’t apply for the health care if you are over 65. Is that true or is it old information ?

[@user-vx7he7lb5i]

Thx for your video! We live in Carqueirranne, which is 15 minutes from your Toulon. Im thinking about moving to the US. And I know that many young french people want to go to Canada or the US. So it would be cool to hear your story why you moved from the USA? Thanks ❤

[@user-vx7he7lb5i]

@@Dms-sn8qj what did you dislike about France? What state are you? Kids? I really appreciate your reply

[@user-vx7he7lb5i]

@@Dms-sn8qj thank you a lot! I would be happy to speak with you more. Do you think that for our kids America will be better in 20 years compared to the US?

[@ericeichstaedt2357]

How do they cover long term convalescent care in a facility or long term home care? Thanks again!!

[@tuularampont9341]

You have both options- get regular visits at home or go to a retirement home. They are regulated by the government, varying prices but lower than US. We have 3 in our village.

[@ericeichstaedt2357]

Do they cover naturopathic doctors, acupuncturists, etc?? Thank you!

[@tuularampont9341]

No, those are not covered, but they’ll be cheaper than the US. Some top up insurance plans cover a certain number of chiropractic visits a year.

[@Mollymc6655]

Hi Tuula! What is the cost like for necessary surgeries in France? Is it 70% reimbursement like for the other doctors? Or is surgery covered differently? Thanks, Molly

[@Ellinillard]

70% like the rest, as well as other hospital related costs including ambulance if needed.

[@georgiannetirre5161]

Process of getting long stay visa???

[@kleefan8]

This is a really great video! Just perfect as I was wondering how generous France was about allowing foreigners onto their public system, as I am considering a long stay visa. But I need to research this visa more. Often having to have a place to live long term before getting such a visa can be problematic, but I haven't learned the details of what France requires yet. Thanks again for the information!

[@nikkiscott4341]

Hello, Might I suggest that you do not show your Carte Vitale with number and so on as clearly legible? Identity theft is rife on internet and the Carte Vitale is such a precious document that many try to get hold of. You might like to cover the identifying info on that shot. 😉

[@DeanRamser]

Bonjour! Thank you for your insightful videos. We are retired educators thinking of moving to France. My wife has MS and is a breast cancer survivor. I heard that France has "medical deserts." What is the wait time for MRIs? Merci! Thank you!! Dean & Cindy

[@DeanRamser]

Thank you! Merci!! May I ask why you needed a MRI? Did you see a neurologist in France? Thanks

[@christiannonirit6786]

just watch your video and it is quite interesting. My name is Christian and my niece Karine. Living in the US just retired we are French Citizens, planning to move back to France. Thinking about moving in the city of Toulon or Perpignan in the next couple of months. We would like to know about the price range of a rental (2 bedrooms, bathroom, kitchen) etc... for 5 months. Looking for short terms or seasonal rental apartments and what is the requirements for a rental lease. Do you belong to any expats group so we may contact as well?

[@MM-jv8di]

Thank you ,I am retired american Citizen and I believe you mentioned after 3 months long stay can apply for health care. What is the health care insurance that France requires to have before coming in to France? insurance company was giving me about$400 a month!? Consulate asking to purchase year advance I am very confused would you please help me to understand. Of course I like your numbers and explanations of coverage ,Thank you again

[@tuularampont9341]

Hi, you need to get a temporary healthcare policy that covers the Schengen zone for a 12 month period to apply for the French visa. Lots of companies can help with that. There’s a France visa video on the IL channel if you’d like to have a look.

[@MM-jv8di]

@@tuularampont9341 Thank you Tuula 💐What IL chanel?

[@YoureMadeOfLove]

@@MM-jv8di International Living T.V. channel, this channel.

[@tinabraxton4906]

I am retired, living in Malta where I have citizenship. I have been told I would need private health insurance to move to France or any other EU country. What insurance companies offer this insurance?

[@davidcamporotondo2617]

Bon jour!! Ca va bien??😍😍

[@maryfurman698]

Hello, does France require an apostille for all your documents from the US, ie. marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc. ? And thank you so much for all your great videos.

[@tuularampont9341]

Hi Mary, You would apply for a long stay visa in the US, so that would not be necessary. They do require official translation of documents- marriage certificate, etc - once you’re in France, if that document is requested. There’s an article on the France visa process on the IL website.

[@fabiennebrooks671]

Please can you type the app name for doctor appointment search Please. I can't find it. I could be spelling it wrong.

[@georgiannetirre5161]

Want to hear about getting à residence permit

[@jcc1412]

I'm verifying...I heard you say, there were no age limits (we are 68, would be still qualify? If so, how long do you wait to be on the system? I think I heard 3 months. Do you have to take out 3rd party insurance in between?) I also heard you say, that they cover you, even with pre-existing conditions. Did I hear correctly? I'm sorry, if I seem annoying, but I've had multiple answers from different resources. I'm trying to lock the truth/facts down, so that we can move. Thank you.

[@tuularampont9341]

Yes, no age limits, no preexisting condition restrictions. You apply for French healthcare after 3 months living in France. You need 12 month international healthcare coverage (easy to get) to apply for the long stay visa -that covers you at the start.

[@YT-Viewer]

@@tuularampont9341 @JaniceInFrance

[@DeanRamser]

Salut! I wonder how the healthcare in France compares with healthcare in Italy? Specifically Multiple Schlerosis care and treatment. or is Switzerland better than both countries? Thank you! Merci!

[@brezhoneg9159]

I'm French. My mother had Multiple Sclerosis. In France, it depends on when your French doctor will give you ALD status (type: ALD Exonérantes (Exonerating ALD) for Multiple Sclerosis). In France, La Sécurité sociale (Social Security) is divided into three systems: URSAAF, CNSA, and l'Assurance Maladie, known as the CPAM (English: the Health Insurance; for sickness and work accident/occupational illness branches). The CPAM provided 100% coverage for all my mother's care and treatments. Also, she had various aid and additional resources (MDPH / CDAPH / MDA). In France, we all have the Carte Vitale ( Vital Card), which contains all the information necessary to reimburse our health costs. From what I have read, there is no ALD in Swiss healthcare.

[@DeanRamser]

@@brezhoneg9159 Bonjour. Thank you for the excellent information. My wife Cindy had been taking Copazone...for decades until her neurologist suggested that the effectiveness may be winning bc of her age (66YO). Every year she'll have an MRI to monitor the progression, but as you know there is little to do except manage the symptoms. It seems France has moderate heat and cold, and the pace is slower than the US. I wonder if CPAM is something we would need in our first year of private medical insurance before La Sécurité sociale would begin for us? Are there preferred MS clinics and neurologists in France? Cindy participated in an early trial study with Dr. Swank in Portland, and she saw Dr. Hart-Cohen at Cedar Sinai Hospital in Beverly Hills. We have also experienced arrogant ill-informed MS doctors. so we know the care varies. Does Lyon or Montpellier have good MS doctors? I read that Paris has a few good MS doctors. Merci!! I appreciate you taking the time and consideration to share your knowledge. Dean & Cindy

[@brezhoneg9159]

@@DeanRamser Managing the symptoms, indeed, my mother took a lot of medication and painkillers towards the end, which, in addition to the disease, had severely affected her kidneys. She had three kidney surgeries. I saw that the World Health Organization (WHO) listed three medications last year that can "slow or delay disease progression". CPAM is the name given to the departmental Assurance Maladie agencies. For example, if you live in Montpellier, you are affiliated with the Caisse Primaire d'Assurance Maladie (CPAM) of Hérault (Hérault is one of the departments in France where Montpellier is located). You need a long-term Visa to settle here. After three months of stable residence, the Assurance Maladie will cover your wife's care at a standardized reimbursement rate, and your private medical insurance will reimburse you for the supplement. We all have our own "complementary health insurance" (known as "Mutual"), which covers the costs remaining unreimbursed. Sometimes, small amounts remain at our own expense. Maybe your wife will go under ALD (100%) (ALD=Affection Longue Durée; English: Long-Term Condition); but you have to live here, I don't know anymore. See the Assurance Maladie's site, scroll down, and click on the British flag. For doctors and neurologists specializing in MS, see the Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière (Centre de Ressources et de Compétences SEP (CRC SEP)) in Paris. Professor Khê Hoang-Xuan is the Head of the Department of Neuro-oncology at the Pitié-Salpêtrière and professor of neurology at the Sorbonne University. There is also Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière (ICM) (English: Brain and Spinal Cord Institute) within the Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital. I read that Professor Jean-Louis Mas is considered the number one ranked neurologist in France and is head of the Neurology Department at GHU Paris. GHU Paris is described as "a leading facility in the field of mental illnesses and the nervous system". See Hôpital Pierre Wertheimer (HCL) in Lyon, one of the largest neurological hospitals in Europe, claiming to have "risen to the top of the management of multiple sclerosis in France for forty years." Yes, we live at a slow pace :-D, even more so in the south. Have a good day.

[@edwardsharpe6234]

The US sourced social security and pensions are not taxed by France. Would you know if that would apply to dual US-French citizens also. I have lived almost all of my life in the US but I also have a French passport. I want to retire in France or Spain and it seems like France would have significantly less taxes.

[@dr.michaellittle5611]

I believe the tax treaties only exempt social security and govt pensions. Corporate or other pensions are not exempt. If you choose Spain, note they have an onerous wealth tax and can tax any asset of value you have anywhere in the world. Tax residency is usually defined on where you live for 183+ days in a year, independent of your passport.

[@edwardsharpe6234]

Thank you I wasn't sure about the corporate pensions in France. I really would prefer Spain but the taxes are oppressive. I was thinking I could buy a home in Spain and only live there less than 183 days a year but I think they would consider me a tax resident by reason of the home unless I had a more expensive home as a primary residence somewhere else which I don't I could afford to do.@@dr.michaellittle5611

[@anastasia10017]

how much did the root canals etc end up costing you out of pocket ?

[@valerieann8007]

How long is a long stay visa for?

[@internationalliving]

Hey Valerie Ann. You can find more info on visa and residency in France on our website: bit.ly/3ahZtHx

[@valerieann8007]

@@internationalliving Okay, Thanks I"ll try it!

[@beckyjo6604]

Our French tour guide told us the average citizen pays 50% in taxes. And if you’re wealthy, it’s 75%. (Sept 2023 tour.) Her comment was that health care is not “free”. I needed care in Paris and was shocked to walk into an urgent care facility that was like walking back into the 1940’s. Old, hot and filthy. After waiting one hour, I lost faith in what kind of care I would receive and I left. Made it until I could be seen at home.

[@Ellinillard]

You’ve been told a total lie : nobody pays 75%. The top bracket is 53%, and it only applies to a small portion of your income. On total nobody pays more than 30%.

[@ellinrock6219]

U.S. healthcare may see good but as a U.S. nurse it’s not. Top it with exorbitant costs and doing unnecessary procedures just to bill for it is sickening.

[@Lostouille]

Where in the world you did go for you to be scared of a "1940ish" looking place ??? 😂😂

[@checkeredflagfilms]

wow...the wealthy actually pay their fair share! unheard of in America.

[@YT-Viewer]

Does anyone know how if France will allow their disabled adult daughter get a visa for France when she has never worked and has no income?

[@archanarao2973]

Can you plz tell me france health insurance company i need for my visa they asked me for international health insurance expat health insurance for one year.

[@YT-Viewer]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/gJbCpGmreb2XftE

[@danielrodriguez5349]

Hi Tuula, Please excuse my ignorance I am sure I’m missing some thing, however, the $12,000 plus annual premium for the top off(?) insurance through AARO seems extremely excessive and much more than what one would pay out-of-pocket. I’ve seen many other videos where people pay $400 a year, granted that is for basic coverage. Are you able to shed some light on my query? Thank you so much for your time and efforts in sharing this information.

[@nadynekasta]

I was wondering the same thing. Why does Tuula say that the cost of healthcare for expat retirees making 35K/year is approximately $1500/year (plus private insurance for the first 3 months) but the linked article to International Living says that expat retirees would need to join an association like the AARO and pay 12K/year? Which one is it?

[@Mollymc6655]

I believe she said it cost $1,200 per year not $12,000.

[@mickeencrua]

You are not an Ex-Pat. You are an immigrant.

[@phillipjaric6518]

Thanks for blogging France 🇫🇷 is beautiful country but visitors mut have fat wallets 🤓

[@francocanuck9435]

when i land in Paris ,the same day i escape to the country side enjoy all my times until the last 2 or 3 days when it is times to go home i visit Paris ,enjoy and go home ( you save that way)

[@PauMaz]

Your lack of knowledge of taxes and finances is scary.