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Raising children in France means access to one of Europe’s most comprehensive and preventive healthcare systems. From birth to adolescence, every child benefits from universal medical coverage, structured check-ups, free vaccinations, dental exams, and access to specialists, most of it fully or nearly reimbursed.
For expat families, understanding how the French system works will make settling in smoother and more reassuring.
How Children’s Healthcare Works in France
Children’s healthcare in France is universal and highly accessible. Every child is automatically covered under their parents’ public health insurance (Assurance Maladie), granting access to GP and paediatric visits, hospital care, emergency treatment, routine vaccinations, dental check-ups, and preventive screenings, all at minimal cost.
Coverage applies until a child becomes an adult under France’s Protection Universelle Maladie (PUMA) system. Since 2016, individuals are automatically covered in their own right from age 16, when dependants are detached from their parents’ file at the local Caisse Primaire d’Assurance Maladie (CPAM).
Once registered, your child can be treated in public hospitals, PMI (maternal and child health) centres, or private clinics anywhere in France.
Families who add a mutuelle (top-up insurance) benefit from faster reimbursements and full coverage for extras such as orthodontics, eye care, or private hospital rooms.
👉 Do Children Need Their Own Health Insurance in France?
Infant Healthcare in France
From the first day of life, babies in France receive close and structured medical attention.
The Carnet de Santé
Before leaving the maternity ward, every baby is issued a Carnet de Santé, a small blue health booklet that records all check-ups, vaccinations, and growth through age 18. Parents must bring it to every appointment.
The First Year
➡️ Birth to 6 months: Monthly check-ups with a paediatrician or sage-femme (midwife)
➡️ 9 months: Comprehensive developmental review
➡️ 12 months: Annual milestone visit and vaccination update
Throughout the first year, babies are screened for hearing, vision, hip, metabolic, and genetic disorders to ensure early detection and follow-up where needed.
Routine Health Checks and Preventive Care
France’s preventive child-care programme is one of the most structured in Europe.
From birth to age 16, children must complete 20 compulsory medical examinations, all reimbursed at 100% by Assurance Maladie. These appointments monitor physical growth, cognitive and emotional development, and vaccination compliance.
After age 6, annual check-ups are strongly recommended, particularly before each school year. Most are coordinated by your family doctor or the local Protection Maternelle et Infantile (PMI) centre.
Vaccinations for Children in France (2025 Schedule)
France maintains an extensive vaccination programme for children, managed by Santé Publique France.
As of 2025, there are 11 mandatory vaccines, protecting against 12 diseases. These must be completed before the child’s second birthday to enrol in nursery, crèche, or school.
Mandatory Vaccinations
➡️ Diphtheria
➡️ Tetanus
➡️ Poliomyelitis (Polio)
➡️ Whooping cough (Pertussis)
➡️ Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
➡️ Hepatitis B
➡️ Pneumococcus
➡️ Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)
➡️ Meningococcal C
Recommended (Not Mandatory)
➡️ Meningococcal B (currently recommended, not yet nationally mandatory)
➡️ Rotavirus (infants)
➡️ HPV for boys and girls aged 11–14
➡️ Seasonal influenza
All mandatory vaccines are fully reimbursed by Assurance Maladie, and a mutuelle may cover optional vaccines and any non-refunded costs.
Dental Care for Children: The M’T dents Programme
France places strong emphasis on preventive oral health through its national M’T dents programme, managed by Assurance Maladie.
Children and young adults are invited for free dental check-ups every three years, typically at ages 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, and 24. Parents receive an invitation letter near their child’s birthday from the local CPAM, which must be presented at the appointment to confirm free coverage.
The programme covers the dental exam itself and certain pre-approved preventive treatments, such as basic cleaning, fluoride application, and sealant for cavities if authorised by the scheme. Other treatments, including orthodontics or complex scaling, are partially reimbursed, with a mutuelle often covering the balance.
Eye Care and Specialist Access for Children
Vision and sensory health are a key focus of preventive medicine in France. Vision screenings take place during compulsory medical visits and school check-ups to identify issues such as short-sightedness or lazy eye early.
Children can see an ophthalmologist (eye specialist) directly, minors are not required to follow the médecin traitant pathway. However, access can be limited in some regions due to specialist shortages, and reimbursement anomalies may occur if the claim is not correctly processed.
For other specialists, such as speech therapists, psychologists, or nutritionists, a medical prescription is required for reimbursement under Assurance Maladie. Parents can use Doctolib.fr, France’s main medical booking platform, to find nearby practitioners and filter for English-speaking or bilingual professionals.
Health Insurance and Costs
While France’s public system is generous, it does not reimburse 100% of all healthcare costs. Typically, Assurance Maladie covers around 70% of the official base rate, leaving the remainder to be paid by the family.
A mutuelle (top-up health insurance) fills this gap, covering:
➡️ Hospital stays and private rooms
➡️ Orthodontics and glasses
➡️ Optional vaccines and non-refunded medicines
Families on lower incomes may qualify for Complémentaire Santé Solidaire (CSS), a free or low-cost supplementary plan.
Need health cover for your family? 👉 Get a quote for top-up health insurance
Financial Assistance for Families
France’s social system provides robust financial support to ensure equal access to healthcare for every child, regardless of income.
➡️ Allocations Familiales (CAF): Monthly allowances to help cover the cost of raising children.
➡️ AJPP (Allocation Journalière de Présence Parentale): A daily allowance for parents caring for a seriously ill or disabled child, compensating lost income.
➡️ Disability and Education Benefits: Financial help for special schooling, therapy, and medical equipment.
➡️ Complémentaire Santé Solidaire (CSS): Covers out-of-pocket healthcare costs for low-income households.
Together, these programmes ensure that no child in France is denied access to high-quality healthcare.
Key Takeaways for Parents and Expat Families
✅ Comprehensive coverage: Children’s healthcare is universal and mostly free.
✅ 20 compulsory medical exams: Fully reimbursed through age 16.
✅ Vaccinations: 11 mandatory vaccines covering 12 diseases.
✅ Dental care: Free check-ups every three years via M’T dents.
✅ Eye and specialist access: Broad availability; minors can see specialists directly.
✅ Mutuelle recommended: Ensures full coverage for orthodontics, glasses, and extras.
To Wrap It All Up
France offers one of the most preventive, equitable, and family-friendly healthcare systems in Europe. With the Carnet de Santé, regular check-ups, comprehensive vaccination coverage, and free dental and vision care, children benefit from continuous medical support from birth through adulthood, giving families peace of mind and security.
Official Sources
Service-Public.fr – Santé de l’Enfant
Ameli.fr – Examens médicaux obligatoires
Santé.gouv.fr – Vaccinations obligatoires
Caisse Primaire d’Assurance Maladie (CPAM)
