Health insurance is compulsory for all international students. This section will enable you to find out whether you have to register for French state health insurance (“Assurance Maladie”), and know more about the formalities you have to complete before arriving if there is an agreement between France and your home country.
European (EU/EEA) or Swiss students
Before you arrive in France, you must apply for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from the health insurance system in your home country. This document must be valid throughout your stay in France.
On arrival in France, you will not need to complete any other registration procedures if you already have your EHIC.
If you don’t have an EHIC, or you have an S1 form, you must register on the French state health insurance website dedicated to new international students.
> etudiant-etranger.ameli.fr
British students
If you have a European Health Insurance Card or a Global Health Insurance Card valid for the duration of your stay in France, you will not need to complete a registration procedure.
If you do not have one, or if you have an S1 form, you must register on the French state health insurance website dedicated to new international students.
> etudiant-etranger.ameli.fr
Students from Quebec
Before you arrive in France, you must obtain specific forms from your health insurance provider (RAMQ). These will ensure you are covered throughout your period of study in France.
On arrival in France, you will not need to complete any other registration procedures if you have your RAMQ form.
> Find out more on the RAMQ website, in the “Citizens” section, then “Absence from Quebec”
Students from the Principality of Monaco
Before you arrive in France, you must apply to your Monegasque social security office for a certificate confirming that you are registered with and covered by the Monegasque health insurance system.
On arrival in France, you will not need to complete any other registration procedures if you have your certificate of entitlement.
If you do not have one,
contact your social security office in Monaco.
Students from the Principality of Andorra
Before you arrive in France, you must obtain an SE 130-04 form from your Andorran social security office in order to be covered throughout your period of study.
On arrival in France, you will not need to complete any other registration procedures if you have your SE 130-04 form.
If you don’t have one, you must register on the French state health insurance website dedicated to new international students.
> etudiant-etranger.ameli.fr
Students of other nationalities, with a visa
Before you arrive in France, and while you wait to register with the French state health insurance system, we advise you to take out travel insurance or private health insurance to ensure you are covered for the first few weeks of your stay.
> Taking out private health insurance
On arrival in France, and after your administrative enrollment at the university, you must register on the French health insurance website dedicated to new international students.
Please note that copies of supporting documents to be uploaded must be of good quality.
> etudiant-etranger.ameli.fr
Good to know
French state health insurance is free for international students.
If you have a temporary long-stay visa (VLS-T) which is marked “Dispense temporaire de carte de séjour” (Temporary exemption from holding a residence permit), you will not be able to provide a copy of your residence permit, and you will not need to provide a copy of your birth certificate. You will only obtain a temporary social security number (not a permanent number), and your French state health insurance cover will only be valid during the period of validity of your visa.
Other situations
Conditions apply to registration with the French state health insurance system depending on the type of residence permit you have and how long it is valid for. If you have any difficulties, you can
contact the International Students & Scholars Office (ISSO).
And if you are not eligible for state health insurance either in France or in your home country, you must take out private health insurance.
> Taking out private health insurance
