This information is for orientation only. Coverage and timelines depend on status (student, worker, scholarship holder). In an emergency: 15 (SAMU) or 112.

Health coverage roadmap

Enrolment → CPAM registration → NIR → Carte Vitale → Médecin traitant → Mutuelle (recommended)

Student checklist — health

  • EU: EHIC/TEAM + passport; add mutuelle if needed.
  • Non-EU: register on etudiant-etranger.ameli.fr (passport, visa, school certificate).
  • With work: registration via employer (URSSAF) — check NIR on first payslip.
  • Mutuelle: covers ticket moderateur and dentistry — often ~€10–40/month for students.
  • Médecin traitant: declare for full reimbursement on coordinated care paths.

Three main pathways

ProfileCoverageKey step
EU studentEHIC for emergencies; PUMA/CPAM if stable stayCPAM registration if > 3 months
Non-EU studentAssurance Maladie after registrationetudiant-etranger.ameli.fr
Working studentRégime général via salaryCarte Vitale from employer/CPAM

International student registration

  1. Enrolment certificate — From the university (current year).
  2. Online application — etudiant-etranger.ameli.fr with scanned documents.
  3. Waiting for NIR — Can take weeks; keep provisional attestation.
  4. Ameli account — For card, remboursements, médecin.
  5. Carte Vitale — Order online when NIR is active.

Médecin traitant and specialists

  • Médecin généraliste — Book via Doctolib; ask to be your médecin traitant.
  • Specialist — Usually needs ordonnance from GP for better reimbursement.
  • Hospital emergencies — For real emergencies; otherwise prefer GP or SOS Médecins.

Pharmacy and mental health

  • Pharmacie — Green cross; many OTC products; antibiotics with prescription.
  • Mental health: university service + CPAM/conventionné psychologist — waiting lists vary.
  • Scholarships / exemptions: some statuses reduce co-pays — check with CPAM.

Useful numbers

NumberService
15SAMU (medical emergency)
112EU emergencies
18Pompiers
3114Suicide prevention (free)

Common mistakes

  • Not registering with CPAM thinking the visa is enough.
  • Seeing specialists without médecin traitant — reduced reimbursement.
  • Confusing travel insurance with CPAM student coverage.
  • Working off the books — no contributions, no protection.
Without inscription

Full paid visits until activated — do now.

Quick reference

PUMA + social security: medical conventionné, partial refund. Emergencies: 15 SAMU, 112 EU. Mutuelle common top-up.

  • Vital cards after registration
  • 15: SAMU
  • Pharmacie with prescription
  • University health centres

How healthcare works

Access

Good for students

Déclaration médecin traitant. Ticket moderator on visits.

Mandatory insurance

Coverage

National rule

Free student registration. Mutuelle €10–30/month for dental/optique.

Mental health

Moderate

BAPU campus. MonPsy partial refund. Public psychotherapy waiting lists.

Student support

Campus

  • Service santé étudiant
  • Mission handicap
  • International office
Deep dive (optional)

Go deeper

Operational detail and official links—amounts and deadlines change; always confirm on the competent portal before filing or paying.

Statutory health insurance

CPAM (general scheme)

Enrolment after settling in France; Vitale card or temporary certificate; coordinated care via a médecin traitant.

Top-up cover

Many people add a mutuelle for dental, optical, and lower out-of-pocket costs.

Access to care

GP & specialists

Referrals from your declared GP usually optimise reimbursement—check current exceptions.

Pharmacies

Prescription co-payments unless exempt.

Emergencies

15 / 18 / 112

15 medical emergency; 18 fire brigade; 112 European emergency; out-of-hours non-urgent care via local on-call services.

EHIC

Temporary EU visitors may use EHIC; residents need French cover.

Student mental health

France funds a limited number of psychology sessions for students under Mon soutien psy—check the current cap and process on the official page.

Note

This block complements the guide with institutional entry points—not legal or tax advice.

Sources · Last verified: 2026-05

  • ameli.fr (official link being updated)
Trusted sources we used for this content

Official French and EU portals: Eurostat, service-public.fr, impots.gouv.fr, Ameli, OFII, Urssaf, and the Foreign Ministry. Always confirm amounts on the competent site.