The French social security system groups together a set of organizations whose function is to protect each individual from the consequences of various events or situations, generally qualified as "social risks".
We are going to focus on the health branch which allows everyone to be treated according to their needs, this branch is called "health insurance".
How does health insurance work in France?
Health insurance is a system that works on the basis of contributions. All of these contributions are used to cover the health expenses of the insured and guarantee access to care.
It's a mandatory and totally free insurance for all persons residing in France.
It's important to note that health insurance generally reimburses a portion of medical expenses (between 30 and 70% of the costs incurred), the rest being at your expense!
Learn more about reimbursement rate
To complete the missing part, the majority of French people opt for a complementary health insurance, generally called "mutuelle". This will allow you to have an optimal coverage adapted to your needs.
Learn more about complementary health insurance
Do I have to subscribe to the French health insurance?
To find out if you are eligible for French health insurance as a foreign student, we invite you to consult this article: Who is eligible for French Social Security?
Don't hesitate to consult our other articles on French social security on our help center 💙
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