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France is well known for its excellent public healthcare system, but if you're moving there with children, you might be wondering: Do kids need their own health insurance in France? The short answer is yes, but how they are covered depends on your family's situation.
Whether you’re a new expat family settling in, or a long-term resident, understanding how children are insured in France—and when extra coverage like a mutuelle is needed, will help you avoid unexpected costs and ensure your children have access to the best possible care.
How the French Healthcare System Covers Children
France has a universal healthcare system that aims to provide access to medical care for all residents, including children. Children living in France are generally covered through the public health insurance system (PUMA) as dependents of their parents or legal guardians.
✅ If You’re Employed in France
If one or both parents are working and contributing to the French social security system, your children are automatically entitled to public health coverage. They are added to your file as ayants droit (beneficiaries), meaning they receive the same level of public coverage as you.
✅ If You’re Self-Employed
Self-employed residents who are legally part of the French system can also register children as dependents under their coverage. This is typically done through the CPAM (Caisse Primaire d'Assurance Maladie) when applying for or updating your Carte Vitale.
✅ If You’re New to France
If your family is moving to France and applying for long-stay visas, you’ll need private health insurance that includes coverage for your children. This is essential until you are eligible to apply for PUMA, usually after three months of legal residency.
What Public Health Insurance Covers for Children
Once registered under the public system, children benefit from very good basic healthcare, including:
👉 GP and paediatrician visits
👉 Vaccinations and preventive care
👉 Dental check-ups and fillings
👉 Hospital treatment and surgeries
👉 Emergency care and ambulance services
👉 Specialist care with referrals
Children are entitled to many preventive health services through the public system. For example, France offers a structured vaccination programme, as well as regular medical check-ups throughout early childhood.
However, it’s important to understand that the public system does not cover 100% of healthcare costs. Typically, it reimburses about 70% of the base rate for most services, leaving the rest up to the family.
When Children Need Additional Health Insurance
To avoid paying the remaining 30% (and more in some cases), most families choose to take out a mutuelle, which is a private top-up health insurance policy.
What a Mutuelle Can Cover for Children:
👉 Remaining GP and paediatrician fees
👉 100% hospital stays including private room costs
👉 Dental treatments like braces and crowns
👉 Optical care such as glasses and contact lenses
👉 Physiotherapy and speech therapy
👉 Hearing aids and specialist diagnostics
Certain types of care, such as orthodontics or eyeglasses, are either not reimbursed at all or reimbursed at a very low rate by the public system. A good mutuelle can cover most or all of these extra costs, an important point for growing children and teenagers who may need regular eye exams, dental work, or therapy.
👉 Need cover for you and your family? Get a quote for top-up health insurance
Can Children Have Their Own Mutuelle?
Yes, children can have a mutuelle in their own name or be included under a family policy. Most insurers offer:
👉 Individual policies for each child (useful for separated parents or special medical needs)
👉 Family mutuelles which include one or more children under a single contract
👉 Tiered plans that let you customise levels of cover based on each child’s needs
If you have more than one child, some insurers offer discounts for siblings or even cover additional children for free after the first two.
School Health Requirements in France
Health insurance also plays a role in school life. While enrolment in French schools is free and mandatory from age three, certain medical checks and vaccinations are required for entry into preschool and primary education.
You may also need insurance cover for:
👉 School accidents and liability (assurance scolaire)
👉 Sports and extracurricular activities
👉 Field trips or overnight stays
Some of these insurance types are separate from healthcare and can be added onto a home insurance policy or purchased through your mutuelle provider.
What If My Child Has a Chronic Illness or Disability?
The French system offers additional support for children with ongoing medical needs or disabilities. If your child has a chronic condition (ALD – Affection de Longue Durée), many related treatments and medications may be reimbursed at 100% by the public system.
Still, costs for transportation, home care, or non-listed therapies can remain. In these cases, a mutuelle with extended benefits can be a major help in managing out-of-pocket expenses.
Private vs Public Paediatric Care
Public paediatric care in France is of high quality, but wait times can be long in some areas. If you're in a rural region or need urgent care, private clinics or specialists may be your best option.
A private health insurance policy or a high-end mutuelle can provide:
✅ Faster appointments
✅ Choice of English-speaking doctors
✅ Private hospital rooms
✅ Wider access to private paediatricians or therapists
This can be especially valuable for expat families navigating a new system in a different language.
Final Thoughts: Protecting Your Child’s Health in France
So, do children need their own health insurance in France? In most cases, children are automatically covered under their parents’ public insurance. However, a top-up policy (mutuelle) is highly recommended to cover the gaps left by the state and ensure full access to medical care, especially for dental, optical, and specialist treatments.
Whether you’re already settled in France or planning your move, taking the time to arrange proper coverage for your children means no nasty billing surprises, better access to private care and peace of mind during school years and growth stages.
At FAB French Insurance, we work with over 30 insurers to find tailored health insurance for families and children, from basic plans to full coverage for complex needs.
👉 Start here: Get a quote for top-up health insurance for your family
