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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.

Important: Do not forget to request your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from your national health insurance provider before you leave to benefit from cover for medically necessary treatment you may need during temporary stays in the European Union and the European Economic Area.
More information about the EHIC.

The rules concerning entitlement to health insurance during a stay abroad vary from country to country. You must contact your health insurance provider in your country of residence to find out the conditions and period of cover during your stay in France.

PhD student registered in France with a French employment contract

European legislation states that if you come to France to work, you will be exclusively covered by the French social security system from your first hour of employment in France. You will no longer be covered by the social security system in your country of origin.

Your employer can register you on your behalf, please contact your Human Resources department to find out if this is the case. If not, you will have to send your application yourself.

To do this, you need to register with the Caisse Primaire d’Assurance Maladie (CPAM) [local health service office] of your place of residence by submitting a request to entitlement to health insurance (form S1106).

Your spouse or your adult children residing in France on a stable and regular basis may register under the PUMA (Universal Health Protection) scheme without a waiting period.

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.

PhD student registered in France without a French employment contract

You will not be required to register with the French social security system of you are coming to study in France as your stay will be considered temporary. 

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 if you have changed your habitual country of residence.

Your spouse and your children must also bring their EHIC and/or the S-1 form.

Important: get all the information you need before you leave from your local health insurance provider and the French national health service.

If you are not entitled to social security in your previous country of residence, you may register with the French social security system by submitting additional documents.

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

PhD student not registered in France on a research trip

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 your children must also bring their EHIC and/or the S-1 form.

Important: get all the information you need before you leave from your local health insurance provider to find out the conditions and duration of your cover during your stay in France.