All students in France are required to have health insurance. EU, EEA, and Swiss students who hold a valid EHIC use it directly and don't need to register with CPAM. EU students without an EHIC, and all non-EU students staying longer than 3 months, must register with the CPAM for free. Students who aren't yet eligible for CPAM, or who are staying fewer than 3 months, can take out expat health insurance with us. If you're enrolled with CPAM, you can add a mutuelle to cover costs not fully reimbursed by the public system.
Do international students in France need health insurance?
Yes, health insurance is mandatory for all students in France, whether French or international. The right option depends on your nationality, the length of your stay, and your residency status.
What health insurance applies to EU, EEA, and Swiss students?
If you're a student from the EU, EEA, or Switzerland and you hold a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or provisional certificate, you don't need to register with CPAM. You can access healthcare in France under the same conditions as people covered by the French public health system. Your EHIC must remain valid at least until the end of the current academic year. If your EHIC doesn't cover your entire study period, you may need to take out supplemental private health insurance to cover the remaining time.
If you're a European student but don't hold a valid EHIC, or if you hold an S1 portable document, you must register with CPAM.
How do I register with CPAM as an international student?
Registration with CPAM is free and should be completed as soon as possible after enrolling at your institution. Register online at https://etudiant-etranger.ameli.fr/ (available in French, English, and Spanish).
You must register if any of the following applies:
You are a European student without a valid EHIC or provisional certificate.
You are a European student with an S1 portable document.
You are a non-European student.
Once registered, you'll receive a provisional social security number that allows you to access healthcare straight away while your application is being finalized.
Do students staying fewer than 3 months need private health insurance?
Yes. If your studies last fewer than 3 months, you're not required to register with CPAM, and private health insurance is mandatory. Our expat health insurance plan is fully visa-compliant and is designed to cover exactly this kind of short stay.
It provides comprehensive coverage for hospital stays, doctor visits, and medical providers throughout France and the entire Schengen Area.
You can sign up online before your departure or after arriving, and a visa letter is automatically generated for your visa application.
Can I take out expat health insurance for a longer stay in France?
Yes. If you're not yet eligible for the CPAM (for example, because you're still waiting for your residence permit or have just arrived), you can take out expat health insurance with us as a bridge until your CPAM registration is complete.
Expat health insurance is available for up to 5 years from your arrival date. After 5 years, you'll need to transition to public health insurance with a mutuelle, or a long-term expat health insurance plan if you plan to continue living in France.
Can I add a mutuelle to top up my public health coverage?
Yes. A mutuelle is supplemental private health insurance that covers costs not fully reimbursed by the CPAM, such as dental, optical, and specialist fees. We offer mutuelle plans for anyone enrolled with the CPAM.
For full details on eligibility, coverage, and how to use your mutuelle, see our related articles: