European researchers and their family

During your stay in France, it is essential that you and your family are covered by insurance, whether private or provided by a social security system.

Your entitlements differ depending on whether you are a citizen of a European Economic Area (EEA) country or another country. The applicable rules and the procedures to follow depend on your status (employee or otherwise).

Before you leave, remember to request the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from your health insurance provider, if applicable to your situation. Depending on your status, it may also be useful to request a portable document (such as the S1 or E104/S041). This document summarizes the insurance periods completed in a Member State and enables you to establish your entitlement to health insurance coverage.

If you did not request this form before your departure, the local health insurance fund will contact your previous fund directly to obtain it.

More information about health insurance for foreigners in France.

Rules regarding health insurance entitlement during a stay abroad vary from country to country. You should contact the health insurance fund in your country of residence to find out the conditions and duration of your coverage during your stay in France.

You might also contact the CLEISS, the liaison body between the French social security institutions and their foreign counterparts.

European regulations stipulate that if you come to France to work, you will be covered exclusively by the French social security system from your very first hour of work in the country.
Affiliation with the French system becomes mandatory in principle. The impact on your coverage in your home country depends on the regulations applicable there.

At many institutions, the human resources department assists researchers with the affiliation process. Check with your employer to see if such assistance is available; otherwise, you will need to submit your application yourself.

To do this, you must register with the *Caisse Primaire d’Assurance Maladie* (CPAM)—the primary health insurance fund—serving your place of residence by applying for health insurance coverage (using form Cerfa S1106a).
Depending on their situation, your spouse and family members residing in France may be eligible for coverage under the French health insurance system. Eligibility conditions vary according to their status.

Your minor children may be registered as dependents by submitting the application form for the attachment of minor children.

More information about registering with the French scheme for employees.

Enrollment in the French social security system is subject to certain conditions if you do not hold a French employment contract.

Depending on your situation, you may be eligible for the French social security system's Universal Health Protection (PUMA) scheme after establishing stable and legal residence in France, subject to regulatory requirements. Check your eligibility with the CPAM (*Caisse Primaire d’Assurance Maladie* – Primary Health Insurance Fund) serving your place of residence.

You will need to provide documents proving that you no longer have social security coverage in your previous country of residence. You must register with the CPAM serving your place of residence.

Please note: you cannot register in advance. You must wait until you have resided in France for three months before applying for enrollment.

If you still have coverage rights in your previous country of residence, it is strongly recommended that you apply for:

• Your European Health Insurance Card
• If you change your habitual country of residence, you need to complete the S1 form

If you have no entitlements in your previous country of residence, it is strongly recommended that you arrive in France with private insurance; this will also help you prove that you have been present in France for three months.

More information about the S1 form.

It can take several weeks for health insurance coverage to become active. It is recommended to maintain valid health coverage (such as private insurance or coverage from your home country, if applicable) until your enrollment is confirmed.