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When family or friends come to visit you in France, one of the most overlooked, but essential, parts of planning is healthcare coverage. Whether your guests are coming from an EU country or beyond, understanding how healthcare works for visitors can prevent costly surprises and ensure peace of mind during their stay.
In this article, we explain how healthcare coverage works for EU vs. non-EU visitors, what to do in a medical emergency, and how to help your guests arrange the right travel insurance before they arrive.
Healthcare for Visitors in France: The Basics
France is known for having one of the best healthcare systems in the world, but it’s not free for tourists. The public system (CPAM/Assurance Maladie) only covers legal residents and long-term stayers.
So, when visitors come for fewer than 90 days (a tourist stay for example), they are not covered by CPAM. They must rely on:
➡️ The EHIC/GHIC card (for EU/EEA/Swiss/UK visitors)
➡️ Short-stay travel medical insurance (for non-EU visitors)
Note: CPAM only becomes available after 3 months of uninterrupted, legal, and stable residence in France, not automatically. This is outlined in Article R.380-1 of the Code de la Sécurité Sociale.
Learn more about the healthcare system in France here.
EU Citizens Visiting France: Use the EHIC or GHIC
If your visitors are from the EU, EEA, Switzerland, or the UK, they can use their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) (for UK citizens) to access medically necessary care during their temporary stay.
What Does the EHIC/GHIC Cover?
✅️ Doctor visits
✅️ Emergency hospital treatment
✅️ Prescription medications, when issued by a French doctor
These services are covered under the same terms as local residents, meaning visitors may still need to pay a co-payment (“ticket modérateur”) and request reimbursement later from their national system.
What the EHIC/GHIC Does NOT Cover
❌ Private or non-conventionné clinics
❌ Elective or planned procedures
❌ Cosmetic or dental treatments
❌ Glasses, hearing aids, or preventive checkups
❌ Repatriation
According to CLEISS (France’s international liaison body for social security), “necessary care” is defined as care that cannot reasonably be postponed until the person returns home.
Additional Limitations
EHIC/GHIC is valid only for temporary stays, such as tourism or VLS-T short-stay visas. It is not valid for long-stay visas (VLS-TS) or residency applications.
Private clinics in France often request full upfront payment, even for EHIC/GHIC holders.
Action Tips for EU Visitors
✅ Bring a valid EHIC or GHIC card
✅ Carry ID or passport
✅ Consider adding private travel insurance for repatriation, private clinics, or extra peace of mind
✅ Keep all “feuilles de soin” (official medical receipts) for reimbursement. Reimbursement via EHIC/GHIC can take several months.
Non-EU Visitors: Travel Insurance Is Essential
Visitors from outside the EU, including the U.S., Canada, Australia, or New Zealand, must have travel medical insurance if they need a Schengen visa to enter France.
What Must Travel Insurance Cover?
According to France-Visas (the official government portal), the policy must:
➡️ Be valid throughout the Schengen Area
➡️ Cover the entire duration of the stay
➡️ Include at least 30,000 € in medical coverage
➡️ Include repatriation in case of serious illness or death
For visa-exempt travellers (like Americans or Canadians), travel insurance is not legally required but strongly recommended. Hospitals can ask for a deposit before providing non-urgent care if no coverage is shown.
What Happens in a Medical Emergency?
Emergency care in France is available to everyone, regardless of nationality or insurance.
However, how the costs are handled depends on the visitor’s status.
In Case of Emergency
Call 15 (SAMU) for medical emergencies
Call 112 from any mobile phone (EU-wide emergency number)
Other useful numbers: 17 (police), 18 (fire), 114 (SMS emergency for deaf/hard-of-hearing)
At the hospital:
Visitors without French coverage may be asked to pay a deposit or full cost for non-urgent care.
EU visitors pay the ticket modérateur and can request reimbursement at home.
Non-EU visitors must claim reimbursement from their travel insurance provider.
Related: What Happens If I Get Sick in France Without Insurance?
Short-Stay Insurance Options: What to Recommend
If you’re hosting friends or family from abroad, helping them choose a reliable travel medical insurance plan is one of the best ways to ensure they’re protected.
Key Features to Look For
✅ Minimum 30,000 € in medical coverage
✅ Repatriation included
✅ Coverage for hospitalisation, emergency dental, and COVID-19
✅ 24/7 assistance and direct billing networks in France
✅ Optional extras: trip cancellation, lost luggage, delays
Trusted Options
Many major insurers offer Schengen-compliant policies. Choosing a provider familiar with the French healthcare system can make claims and reimbursements easier.
Visitors Staying Longer Than 90 Days
If your guests plan to stay longer than 90 days, such as on a VLS-TS long-stay visa, standard travel insurance won’t cut it.
French Consulate Requirements (for Long-Stay Visa Insurance)
A long-stay visa requires comprehensive private medical insurance, which must:
➡️ Cover both in-patient (hospitalisation) and out-patient (GP visits, prescriptions, routine care)
➡️ Be valid for the entire visa duration
➡️ Include repatriation
➡️ Be explicitly valid in France
➡️ Ideally, have no waiting period for treatment
➡️ Coverage should begin on the date of entry into France.
Tips for Hosts in France: Helping Visitors Prepare
If you live in France and plan to host family or friends:
✅ Confirm their insurance status – EHIC/GHIC or travel insurance.
✅ Recommend a trusted provider – especially for older travellers or those with pre-existing conditions.
✅ Explain healthcare costs – A visit to a conventionné GP (sector 1) typically costs 30 €. However, sector 2 doctors (often specialists) may charge more. Non-conventionné or private clinic doctors may charge significantly higher fees, and often require payment upfront.
✅ Keep a copy of their insurance in case of emergency.
✅ Have key emergency numbers handy, in both French and English.
FAQ: Healthcare for Visitors in France
Do visitors have access to the French healthcare system?
Yes, but only if they have a valid EHIC/GHIC (for EU/EEA/Swiss/UK visitors) or private travel insurance. Emergency care is always provided, but it’s not always free.
Can EHIC/GHIC be used for long-stay visas?
No. EHIC/GHIC is for temporary tourism stays only, not for residency visas like the VLS-TS.
Is travel insurance mandatory for entering France?
Yes, for travellers who need a Schengen visa. The policy must include at least 30,000 € in medical coverage and repatriation. For visa-exempt tourists, it’s optional but strongly advised.
What if my visitor is from the EU?
They should bring a valid EHIC or GHIC. It grants access to state-provided or conventionné healthcare at the same cost as residents.
Can my visitors use my Carte Vitale?
No. The Carte Vitale is personal and linked to your own CPAM account. It cannot be shared.
What’s the best insurance for short stays?
Look for a Schengen-compliant plan with at least 30,000 € in medical cover, repatriation, hospitalisation, and ideally direct billing in France.
What’s the reimbursement timeline for EHIC/GHIC?
Reimbursement takes several months and requires the original feuille de soin (medical receipt).
Final Thoughts: Better Safe Than Sorry
Healthcare for visitors in France isn’t complicated, if you plan ahead.
➡️ EU/EEA/Swiss/UK visitors should bring a valid EHIC or GHIC and may wish to add travel insurance.
➡️ Non-EU visitors should never travel without comprehensive Schengen-compliant insurance.
Emergencies can happen anywhere, anytime. The right travel insurance ensures your visitors can access French healthcare quickly, without risking huge bills or bureaucratic headaches. So, when you welcome loved ones to France, make sure they arrive fully covered.
👉 At FAB French Insurance, we offer private medical insurance plans that meet visa requirements and include English-language support, direct billing, and fast claims. Get your instant quote here.
Sources
France-Visas (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs) – Visa insurance requirements (≥ 30,000 € + repatriation, Schengen-wide validity).
European Commission – EHIC official guidance – Coverage limited to state-provided medically necessary care under local cost rules.
CLEISS (Centre des Liaisons Européennes et Internationales de Sécurité Sociale) – French portal explaining EHIC/GHIC use and reimbursement.
Ameli.fr (Assurance Maladie) – Current base tariff for a GP consultation (30 €).
Service-Public.fr – Emergency numbers and healthcare rights for foreigners in France.
