You do not have a French employment contract

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You are registered as a doctoral student at Université Grenoble Alpes

As far as health insurance is concerned, a doctoral student registered in a higher education establishment in France without an employment contract is considered to be a student.

To find out how to obtain health insurance coverage, what formalities you need to complete before you arrive in France, and whether you need to register for French state health insurance depending on your circumstances, visit the section dedicated to new international students.
> Health insurance for international students

You are doing research but are not registered at Université Grenoble Alpes

You are a European (EU/EEA) or Swiss national

Before you arrive in France, contact the health insurance office in your home country to find out whether you are entitled to coverage while you are in France through the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), or whether you need to obtain an S1 form to transfer your health insurance rights from your home country to France.
> Find out more about the European Health Insurance Card and the S1 form on the Cleiss website

If you remain employed by your home university, remember also to ask your employer for information.

If you do not remain covered by your home country’s health insurance system while you are in France, you will have to take out private health insurance to cover your medical expenses in France.
> Taking out private health insurance

You are from another country, and have a visa

Before you arrive in France, contact the health insurance office in your home country to find out whether a bilateral agreement has been signed between France and your country. If there is one, it may allow you to remain registered with the organization in your home country. In this case the health insurance office in your home country will explain the formalities to be completed.

If you remain employed by your home university, before you arrive in France, remember to ask your employer whether you remain covered by your home country’s health insurance, and what formalities you need to complete.

If you do not remain covered by your home country’s health insurance system while you are in France, you will have to take out private health insurance to cover your medical expenses in France.
> Taking out private health insurance
 
Good to know
After 3 months’ regular and continuous residence in France, you can apply for French state health insurance. But bear in mind that you need to meet a number of criteria in order to be entitled to coverage.
If you apply for registration with the French state health insurance system, bear in mind that processing times are long (at least 6 to 10 weeks). In all cases you will have to keep your private insurance coverage until your application has been accepted.
Published on  July 19, 2021
Updated on June 26, 2023