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If you’ve recently moved to France or are in the process of registering with the French healthcare system, you’re probably asking: how long does it take to get a Carte Vitale? The Carte Vitale is the essential health card used in France to access medical services and claim reimbursements. Without it, the process of seeing doctors and getting reimbursed becomes more manual and time-consuming.
This article explains the full timeline, from application to arrival, so you can plan your healthcare access accordingly. We also cover what to do while you wait and how to avoid common delays.
What Is a Carte Vitale?
The Carte Vitale is your official French health insurance card, issued once you're enrolled in the national healthcare system (known as PUMA – Protection Universelle Maladie). It contains your name, photo, and French social security number, and is used at doctors’ offices, hospitals, pharmacies, and laboratories.
When you present your Carte Vitale during a medical visit, the system automatically processes your reimbursement, meaning you won’t need to file any paperwork in most cases.
👉 New in 2025? Learn about The Digital Carte Vitale and What Expats Need to Know
When Can You Apply for a Carte Vitale?
You can apply for a Carte Vitale after you’ve:
✅ Been living legally in France for at least 3 consecutive months
✅ Registered with your local CPAM (Caisse Primaire d'Assurance Maladie)
✅ Submitted proof of residence, identity, and income (such as pensions or salary)
✅ Received your French social security number, this is essential
For expats arriving on long-stay visas, the application process usually starts around the 3-month mark, once you meet the eligibility requirements under the PUMA system.
How Long Does It Take to Receive the Carte Vitale?
The full process from registering with the French healthcare system to receiving your Carte Vitale can take up to a year or more. Processing times vary significantly depending on your local CPAM office, how complete your application is, and how many follow-up documents are requested.
Unlike common assumptions, this isn’t a matter of weeks—it’s very much a months-long process, especially for first-time applicants.
Realistic Timeline (For first time applicants)
1️⃣ Month 3+: Submit your application to CPAM. You can download the registration form (Demande d’ouverture des droits à l’assurance maladie) online, complete it, and send it by post with the required supporting documents.
2️⃣ Month 6–9: Receive your temporary social security number (attestation de droits), which allows you to start accessing healthcare services and applying for reimbursements manually.
3️⃣ Month 10–11: CPAM sends a request for ID photos and additional documents in preparation for issuing your Carte Vitale.
4️⃣ Month 12–13: Your Carte Vitale is created and sent to your French address. Once received, you can begin using it for automatic reimbursements at pharmacies, doctors’ offices, and hospitals.
Delays are common, particularly in areas with high volumes of expat registrations or during the summer and end-of-year holiday periods.
Can You Access Healthcare Before Receiving the Card?
Yes. Even without your Carte Vitale, you can still access medical care in France. Here’s how it works:
✅ Use your temporary attestation (social security certificate) when visiting a doctor
✅ Pay upfront for services and request a reimbursement form (feuille de soins)
✅ Send the form along with your temporary number to CPAM for reimbursement
It’s more paperwork, but still perfectly valid. Many expats continue to receive care and get reimbursed while waiting for their card.
What If It Takes Longer Than Expected?
If your Carte Vitale hasn’t arrived after 12 weeks after you sent the application form for ts, or you haven’t received your temporary social security number, it’s worth taking action:
👉 Visit your local CPAM office to follow up in person (appointments may be required)
👉 Call 3646, the French health helpline (from a French number)
👉 Check your Ameli account (online portal) if your access has been created
Missing or incomplete documents are the most common cause of delays. Always double-check:
👉 Birth certificates are officially translated if required
👉 Proof of address includes your full name and is dated within the last 3 months
👉 All copies are legible and clear
What’s Not Covered While You Wait
While you can access care before your card arrives, be aware that some services may not be fully reimbursed, or may require extra admin:
❌ Private hospital stays and room upgrades
❌ Optical and dental costs
❌ Specialist visits without a referral
❌ Long-term condition registration (ALD) benefits
This is where having a mutuelle (top-up health insurance) becomes valuable, as it can cover the unreimbursed portion of your care, whether you have the card or not.
Key Documents You’ll Need to Apply
Here’s a quick checklist of what to prepare when applying for your Carte Vitale:
✅ Copy of passport or national ID
✅ Valid French visa or residency card
✅ Proof of address in France (e.g. utility bill or rental contract)
✅ Birth certificate (official translation may be required)
✅ Proof of income (pension, salary, bank statement)
✅ Completed application form (available from CPAM or Ameli.fr)
Missing any of these can slow the process significantly.
Final Thoughts: Be Patient, But Be Prepared
Getting your Carte Vitale is a major milestone for anyone living in France. It gives you fast, easy access to care and ensures you're reimbursed automatically for most medical services.
While the process can feel slow, often taking two to three months, being proactive, submitting complete paperwork, and following up with CPAM will help keep things on track.
In the meantime, be sure you’re covered with valid private insurance or a top-up policy, so you don’t face out-of-pocket expenses while waiting.
👉 New to the system? Understand the French Healthcare System: A Guide for Expats
👉 Want to avoid gaps in coverage? Explore our top-up health insurance options
