European PhD students and their family

During your stay in France, it is essential that you and your family are covered by an insurance policy, whether private or provided by a French Social security body.

Your rights are different depending on whether you are a citizen of a member state of the European Economic Area (EEA) or another country. The applicable rules and procedures to follow depend on your status (employee, student, etc.).
More information about health insurance for foreigners in France.

Please note: Before you leave, check with your health insurance provider to find out which documents you need to request based on your situation. Depending on your status, this could be the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or a portable document (such as the S1 or E104/S041).
More information about the EHIC.

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.

Under European legislation, if you come to France to work, you will be affiliated with the French social security system from your very first hour of work in the country. In principle, this affiliation becomes mandatory. The impact on your coverage in your home country depends on the regulations applicable there.

Your employer may handle the affiliation process on your behalf; check with your Human Resources department to see if this applies. Otherwise, you will need to submit the application yourself.

To do so, you must apply to open your coverage rights with the *Caisse Primaire d’Assurance Maladie* (CPAM) serving your place of residence, specifically by using the Cerfa S1106 form.

Depending on their situation, your spouse and family members residing in France may be eligible for coverage under the French health insurance system. The conditions vary according to their status.

Your children who are minors may be registered as dependents via the application form for minors.

More information about registering with the French scheme for employees.

In principle, you do not need to register with the French social security system if you come to France to study temporarily and remain covered by the scheme of your home country.
Before you leave, check with your health insurance provider to find out whether you need to apply for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), an S1 portable document, or another document suited to your situation.

Family members accompanying you must also check with their health insurance provider to obtain, if necessary, a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or a portable document suited to their situation.

Important: make sure to check with your own insurance provider and the French health insurance authorities before you leave.

If you do not have any established social security rights in your previous country of residence, you may apply for affiliation with the French social security system by providing additional documents.

More information on the Ameli website (Check out the exceptions for EU/EEA or Swiss nationals section).

Before leaving your country, don’t forget to bring your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and/or request form S-1 from your health insurance provider. 

Your spouse and children must also bring their EHIC and/or the S1 form.

Please note: before you leave, be sure to check with your affiliated organization regarding the conditions and duration of your coverage during your stay in France.