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Register for French health insurance (Assurance Maladie)

Non-European students register online on the ameli student site, get a social security number, then request a Carte Vitale. Prepare your documents first, especially the birth certificate.

Health

Verified

Being verified:Two points. First, EPITA's slide says to wait until you have a permanent address, while ameli says to register as early as possible. The form asks for a French postal address, so register as soon as you have one. Second, EPITA asks for a birth certificate translated into French and issued less than 1 year ago. Ameli's page does not state these rules, so follow EPITA's list and check the ameli screen.

Before you start

France has public health insurance. It is mandatory for non-European students. You pay at the doctor, then Assurance Maladie reimburses you. Affiliation for students is free.

If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, you may be able to use your European Health Insurance Card instead. Ask ameli or Welcome Services.

Documents

Prepare these as scans or photos:

  1. Proof of identity: passport or two-sided ID card.
  2. Proof of civil status: your birth certificate.
  3. A valid student visa.
  4. A certificate of enrolment for this academic year.
  5. Your bank details (RIB).

The birth certificate must be a copy in the original language, issued less than 1 year ago, with a French translation. Depending on your country, it may also need legalisation or an apostille. Order it early, because this takes time.

Steps

  1. Get a French postal address first. The form asks for one.
  2. Register online on the ameli student site (link above) with your documents.
  3. You receive a temporary social security number.
  4. Assurance Maladie reviews your documents.
  5. You receive your definitive social security number. You can now download your attestation de droits, which proves your coverage.
  6. Finish your registration by uploading any remaining documents. Without this, you will not be reimbursed.
  7. Create an account on ameli.fr and request your Carte Vitale online.

Carte Vitale and the paper form

Give your Carte Vitale to every doctor or clinic. It sends the information to Social Security, so you are reimbursed automatically and do not send a paper form.

Before you have the card, the doctor gives you a feuille de soins. Fill in your details, the doctor completes their part, then post it to your local CPAM (Caisse Primaire d’Assurance Maladie).

Common problems

  • Waiting for the card. Keep your attestation de droits and your feuille de soins until the card arrives.
  • Documents rejected. Check the birth certificate first: its date, its language and its translation.
  • No reimbursement. Check that step 6 is complete in your ameli account.

Costs

Affiliation is free. You pay each visit first and are then reimbursed. See the guides on doctors and on mutuelle for what you pay.

Common questions

What does the birth certificate need to look like for Ameli?

EPITA’s slide asks for a copy in the original language, issued less than 1 year ago, with a French translation. Depending on your country, legalisation or an apostille may be required. Order it early, because this can take time.

When should I register for Assurance Maladie?

As soon as you have a French postal address and your documents. EPITA’s slide says to wait until you have your permanent address. Ameli says to register early, and its form asks for a French address. Gather the documents first, especially the birth certificate.

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