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In recent years, awareness around mental health has grown significantly in France, and access to mental health services is improving as a result. If you’re an expat or foreign resident living in France, you might wonder: what mental health support is actually covered by French insurance?
The good news is that psychological care is partially reimbursed by the French public healthcare system, and recent reforms have expanded access. However, not all services are covered equally, and many people choose top-up insurance (mutuelle) to ensure more complete coverage.
This guide explains what’s included, how to find a provider, and what to expect in terms of costs and reimbursements.
Is Mental Health Covered by French Public Insurance?
Yes, but not always in full, and not all mental health professionals are reimbursed. Under the French Assurance Maladie system, mental health services such as consultations with a psychiatrist, psychologist, or general practitioner (for initial support) are covered partially or fully, depending on several factors:
➡️ The type of provider
➡️ Your referral pathway
➡️ Whether the practitioner is “conventionné” (state-approved)
➡️ Your insurance plan and whether you have a mutuelle
Let’s break it down.
Psychiatrists (Psychiatres)
Psychiatrists in France are medical doctors, meaning they can diagnose mental health conditions, prescribe medication, and are fully recognised by Assurance Maladie.
What’s covered
✅ Psychiatric consultations
✅ Diagnoses and ongoing treatment
✅ Medication prescribed for mental health conditions
Reimbursement
Standard rate: 46 € per consultation (as of 2025).
Public system reimburses 70% of this base rate, or more if you have a chronic condition (ALD). A mutuelle can cover the remaining 30% and any excess fees if the doctor charges above the base.
Note: You may need a referral from your médecin traitant (GP) to receive full reimbursement as part of the “coordinated care pathway.”
Psychologists (Psychologues)
Psychologists are not medical doctors, but they provide valuable talk therapy and assessments. Until recently, sessions with psychologists were not reimbursed at all, but that has now changed.
What’s covered (as of recent reforms)
✅ Up to 8 sessions per year are reimbursed if you have a referral from your GP and you see a state-approved psychologist participating in the public programme.
The first session is billed at 40 €, and follow-ups at 30 €. These rates are reimbursed 100% by Assurance Maladie, but only within the regulated network.
Limitations
You must follow the referral process.
You cannot choose any psychologist, only those in the approved list qualify.
If you go outside the network, you pay the full fee out of pocket unless your mutuelle offers extra support.
General Practitioners (Médecins généralistes)
In many cases, your first stop for mental health concerns will be your GP. French GPs are trained to assess and manage common mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders.
They can provide initial counselling and support, prescribe medications and refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist. Consultations with GPs are reimbursed at 70% of the standard 30 € fee (as of 2025), and most mutuelles cover the rest.
Private Therapists and Counsellors
France has many private mental health professionals who operate outside the public system. These may include specialised counsellors (e.g. CBT, trauma therapy, addiction), coaches or psychoanalysts.
These practitioners typically:
➡️ Do not participate in the public reimbursement system
➡️ Charge between 50 € and 120 € per session
➡️ May offer sessions in English or other languages
➡️ Require private payment or support from your mutuelle
Accessing Mental Health Care in France: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Talk to Your GP
Your médecin traitant is your entry point to most reimbursed care. Explain your concerns, and they can prescribe medication, refer you to a psychiatrist and provide a referral for reimbursed psychologist sessions.
Step 2: Choose a Provider
Depending on your GP’s referral, choose a psychiatrist (if medical intervention is needed), approved psychologist (for reimbursed therapy) or private therapist (if you want more flexibility, language options, or specialised care).
If choosing private care, confirm costs upfront and ask if your mutuelle offers any reimbursement for non-conventionné therapy.
Step 3: Submit Claims (if applicable)
For public providers: Reimbursement is often automatic via your Carte Vitale.
For private therapists: You’ll need to request a receipt (facture) and submit it to your mutuelle.
How a Mutuelle Helps with Mental Health Coverage
A mutuelle (top-up health insurance) fills in the reimbursement gaps left by the public system.
While not all mutuelles cover private therapy, many now offer:
✅ Additional sessions with psychologists or counsellors
✅ Coverage for out-of-network therapy
✅ Enhanced psychiatric cover (e.g. for specialists who charge higher rates)
✅ Access to digital mental health support or helplines
Some mutuelles even offer preventive mental health services, including stress management programmes and workplace wellness support.
👉 Need top-up insurance? Get a quote for a mutuelle with mental health benefits
Final Thoughts: Mental Health Matters, and Help Is Available
Mental health is just as important as physical health, and in France, more and more resources are becoming available. Thanks to reforms, therapy and psychiatric care are increasingly reimbursed, especially when accessed through the proper pathways.
To get the most from the French healthcare system start with your GP, use approved providers for public reimbursement and consider a mutuelle to expand your options and reduce out-of-pocket costs.
👉 Ready to get started with your top-up insurance? Get in touch to discuss mental health coverage today.
