French Healthcare

Not only is France a worldwide number one in terms of tourism, in 2000, it was also voted by the World Health Organisation to have the best healthcare system in the world.

With over 3,000 hospitals in France and a well administered social security system, to which employees contribute 20% of their salaries, you are sure to benefit from excellent facilities should you have the misfortune to require medical treatment.

For fellow EU residents, healthcare in France is easily accessible. As a British resident you will be able to benefit from free treatment, provided you have completed one of the following forms:

E111 For short visits for a few weeks at a time, this form entitles you to free emergency treatment. You will need to present it at the French hospital or medical centre in order to seek treatment.

E106 For non-working stays of over 3 months, the E106 allows you to obtain free treatment for up to two years, after which time you will need to either make contributions to the state social security system as a self-employed person or employee, or take out your own private medical insurance.

E121 This form entitles you to free healthcare in France if you are in receipt of a pension from your EU country of origin.

Note: the above forms do not usually cover the cost of all treatments in their entirety, such as for long term or serious illnesses. Any treatment claimed for via a form will have to take place in state approved medical centres or hospitals.

France offers a huge range of general practitioners and health specialists which are famed to
be amongst the best in the world. Medical fees, including dentistry vary enormously in France, so
it is wise to check on prices prior to treatment. The local social security office will be able to
provide you with a list of practitioners in town that will charge the standard social security rates.

There is no state coverage for consultations with psychologists and psychoanalysts, osteopaths
or chiropractors, so you will need to ensure you have a private insurance policy to cover regular
treatment in these fields.

For further information on health, check the British Department of Health's website at: www.dh.gov.uk