This will top-up the refunds you get from the French CPAM (social security) or things that aren’t covered at all (like orthodontics, private room at the hospital, etc.).
Top-up health insurance is only available once you get an active French social security number.
Top-up health insurance
Top up your coverage
Our expert helps you to understand
« In the wake of Brexit, most French consulates and embassies have tightened the rules (mostly for VISA applications), even for non-UK residents. Nowadays, it's twice as important to make sure you provide a compliant set of documentation, including the insurance policy which is why 82% of French VISAs get denied. »
Fabien Pelissier, Founder of Fab French Insurance
Why choose us?
- We’ve been fabulous for six years! That’s six years of providing fabulous, helpful service to our British clientele and that’s what we’ll keep doing.
- You’ll get a dedicated English-speaking Broker who’s also a French native speaker so that you’ll avoid the pitfalls and headaches of the French system.
- We work with more than 30 insurers and many more providers so we are always able to find an affordable solution for each and every different situation.
100% French
You didn’t come to France to be advised by people who don’t even live here! We are a small team based in the South West of France, all our staff are French and therefore we know all the tricky bits of the French system; we can make your life as hassle free as Frenchly possible.
Understanding Top-Up Health Insurance in France
Moving to France comes with many adjustments, including navigating the healthcare system. While the French public health system covers a significant portion of medical costs, a top-up health insurance (mutuelle) provides essential protection by covering remaining expenses such as hospitalisation, specialist consultations, and prescription medications. This additional coverage is often required for long-term residents and certain visa applications. Our team of experts can provide a personalized estimation of your needs and guide you towards the right plan. With our dedicated service, you can ensure peace of mind and access to the best healthcare options in France.
Benefits of Having a Mutuelle
A mutuelle is essential for anyone living in France, as it provides additional protection against medical expenses not fully covered by the public healthcare system. Whether it’s routine consultations, unexpected hospitalisation, or specialist treatments, having the right coverage ensures you don’t face high out-of-pocket costs. For those applying for a visa, proof of adequate health coverage may be required. Our team of experts offers personalized estimation services to help you choose the best plan tailored to your needs. With our dedicated service, you can access top-quality care with peace of mind, knowing you’re fully covered in any situation.
Verity Hartley
3 months ago
Great 30 minute chat with Lee. He provided me with some really useful insights and lots of follow-up information. Thank you!
Amanda King
3 months ago
Lee was so helpful and was able to provide us with lots of information clear , concise and so personable. Will make our relocation so much easier to navigate over the next year. Thank you
James Neal
3 months ago
Lee was exceptional in his command of the issues I raised, and is simply a lovely person as well. Highly recommend as a trusted counselor for your relocation needs, especially health care insurance.
Martin Meadows
3 months ago
Lee from FAB provided clear, helpful and tailored advice.
Sandra Andersen
3 months ago
Lee was really helpful in giving advice on hurdles I had come up against. I felt much more positive after our conversation. Many thanks
Gary Stevens
3 months ago
Lee is very helpful, polite and efficient at his job. Gave us all the information we needed and a competitive quote. Thoroughly recommended
Alex Faye
3 months ago
Very helpful , answered all our questions and confirmed everything by email
Gregory Stachel
4 months ago
I had a phone call with Nannie and she gave me some really helpful and honest advice about moving to France. I got the impression that she really just wanted to find what would make things easiest for me and just wanted to provide support in the areas that I needed help.
I haven't used their insurance services yet, but it seems like they offer very competitive rates for the services they provide.
Overall, I definitely suggest setting up a phone call with Fab and seeing what areas they could help you in if you are planning on moving to France. They offer a lot of different services and they give great advice.
I haven't used their insurance services yet, but it seems like they offer very competitive rates for the services they provide.
Overall, I definitely suggest setting up a phone call with Fab and seeing what areas they could help you in if you are planning on moving to France. They offer a lot of different services and they give great advice.
Gaynl Keefe
5 months ago
Fabien is a lifesaver. I had missed the date to renew my visa and was having an impossibly difficult time finding how to proceed. I came across his name and he not only waited for 15 minutes for me to figure out how to update to the Zoom link, but was so patient with talking me through my distresss and taking the time to quickly refer me to an immigration attorney to help with the process.
I have moved to France last March and have overcome enough hurdles in establishing myself here, renting an apartment, getting a bank account, getting on the health care system, to really appreciate how useful it is to have someone to work with who can make it seem like you have a friend out there.
I have moved to France last March and have overcome enough hurdles in establishing myself here, renting an apartment, getting a bank account, getting on the health care system, to really appreciate how useful it is to have someone to work with who can make it seem like you have a friend out there.
Leonie Mansbridge
6 months ago
Just had a phone consultation re health insurance for our VLS.T.S Visa. It was so beneficial, not only with insurance information but helpful information about the Visa process, applying to enter the French Healthcare. I took a page of notes and had a follow up email with all the information and other helpful links. Lee was such a friendly voice on the phone, he put me at ease , and acknowledged me as a person not a customer on the other end of the phone.I would highly recommend Fab Insurance to anyone looking at applying for a French Visa.
Dr Leonie Ngahuia Mansbridge
Dr Leonie Ngahuia Mansbridge
darlene davis
8 months ago
I will be eternally grateful to Fab Insurance & Fab Expat for assisting with my dream of emigrating to France.
Fabien provided a free consultation to get the ball rolling and even offered to help answer any follow-up questions via email, which I happily availed myself of. His responses were so quick, sometimes on the same day. With Fabien’s help, I gained a concrete understanding of the process.
Nannie saved me from making a huge mistake when purchasing insurance. The VFS website doesn’t provide the correct information for those wanting to procure a long-stay visa. You must have a certain amount of coverage. Go with Fab French.
Lastly, Lee. After 3 months living in France, you qualify for state health insurance. As my 3 months were approaching, Lee reached out proactively. I hadn’t found permanent lodgings at the time, but he continued to follow-up. Once I had a fixed address, he provided all of the information that I would need to register. He made it so easy.
This team is absolutely brilliant. And by god, for all of this free advice, be sure to leave a tip via the site Tipeee.
Fabien provided a free consultation to get the ball rolling and even offered to help answer any follow-up questions via email, which I happily availed myself of. His responses were so quick, sometimes on the same day. With Fabien’s help, I gained a concrete understanding of the process.
Nannie saved me from making a huge mistake when purchasing insurance. The VFS website doesn’t provide the correct information for those wanting to procure a long-stay visa. You must have a certain amount of coverage. Go with Fab French.
Lastly, Lee. After 3 months living in France, you qualify for state health insurance. As my 3 months were approaching, Lee reached out proactively. I hadn’t found permanent lodgings at the time, but he continued to follow-up. Once I had a fixed address, he provided all of the information that I would need to register. He made it so easy.
This team is absolutely brilliant. And by god, for all of this free advice, be sure to leave a tip via the site Tipeee.
Inna Makarova
8 months ago
We had our first consultation with Fabian this morning and instantly felt a great connection with him. He is very nice, approachable, and clearly experienced. Fabian took the time to answer all our questions in detail and left us feeling completely confident about the visa application process. We would definitely recommend Fabian and his company to anyone — especially expats — looking for reliable guidance.
Many thanks again, Fabian! We look forward to speaking with you soon.
Sincerely,
Chris and Inna
Many thanks again, Fabian! We look forward to speaking with you soon.
Sincerely,
Chris and Inna
dave giles
2 years ago
Fabian is very knowledgeable on all things "moving to France" We are looking forward to working with him. Cheers.
Lisa Goudie
2 years ago
What an absolute pleasure it is meeting this team of people who offer the best, up to date advise on moving to France. Their webinars are just so helpful and useful and you couldn't wish to meet a friendlier team of experts. I've learnt so much from these guys and been introduced to and received links to other highly recommended relocation experts along the journey. Thank you Fabien and your awesome team for such a fantastic service.
Noel Blyler
2 years ago
I scheduled a 30 minute free consultation, and Fabien spent more like 45 minutes with me, answering all my questions clearly. Best 45 minutes I've spent, hands down. I highly recommend Fab Insurance to help manage moving to France.
Stephanie Bickers
2 years ago
In one hour Fabien has helped us understand the visa process and insurance options, as well as how to assist us with buying a car. It has taken away a lot of potential stress and we will definitely take him up on his services so we can enjoy the whole experience of moving to France.
We look forward to working with Fabien and sharing some wine tips too 🤫.Thankyou for sharing an hour of your time.
Stephanie and James
We look forward to working with Fabien and sharing some wine tips too 🤫.Thankyou for sharing an hour of your time.
Stephanie and James
Chris Jones
2 years ago
After spending a ridiculous amount of my own time trying to research the requirements and limitations for a long-stay visitor visa in France, I finally found the amazing services provided by Fabien and his team at Fab Insurance. Not onlly did they set us up with an affordable insurance policy that met all of the visa requirements, but Fabien personally answered a raft of questions about the visa process and referred us to somebody who could guide us through the nitty-gritty details of the application and VFS interview. We are happy to have our visas in hand and will embark on our relocation to France this month! Highly recommended!
M K
2 years ago
Fabien is incredibly resourceful and can accommodate a Visa for Americans and others but as an American, I felt comfortable that he is well versed with United States Taxation and has resourceful tax lawyers that can accommodate all the questions I will have. Fabien was able to answer all my immediate questions and understood what I am trying to achieve. His company is also able to sort out the health care insurance, which is required as well as the ability to handhold one through the entire process, something I definitely appreciate.
David Kirk
2 years ago
My wife and I have just had a 30 free consultation chat with Fabien at Fabfrenchinsurance. It was very, very informative and Fabien couldn't have been more obliging and helpful. He answered every question they we threw at him and even some we didn't! The call went on longer than the 1/2 hour but he wasn't in any hurry to go. The chat left us very reassured and positive and we would have absolutely no hesitation in using his services when the time comes for us to make the move.
Chris Bale
2 years ago
I contacted Fab to get a quote for a new holiday home in France.
I dealt with Elisabeth and Nannie and found both of them to be excellent. Quick responses to my emails and detailed replies to my questions regarding the differences between UK and French property insurance.
Whole process has been very easy and the actual quote was also very reasonable. Happy to recommend this service.
I dealt with Elisabeth and Nannie and found both of them to be excellent. Quick responses to my emails and detailed replies to my questions regarding the differences between UK and French property insurance.
Whole process has been very easy and the actual quote was also very reasonable. Happy to recommend this service.
Richard Payne
2 years ago
As an ex-pat living in France for many years, our experience with the team at Fab Insurance is exceptional. They are knowledgeable, responsive, and simply nice to deal with. We recommend them highly for your insurance needs whether short or long-term. They are extremely experienced with French Visa Requirements and can inform you about choices and insurance carriers. Again, they are simply the best!
Guansheng Du
2 years ago
David Quigley
2 years ago
Very responsive and knowledgeable on changing my medical insurance
T W
2 years ago
We just wanted to pass along to others of our experiences with Fab Insurance that are in need of a reasonably priced health care insurance in France. Just plain outstanding and very professional. First class experience from start to finish. And extremely fair priced. Fabian and Marianne will answer every question you have and help you in every step of the process until you have your certificate to show you have health care coverage in France and all in a very timely manner. We highly recommend Fab Insurance. Thank you very much Thomas & Hilde Wilkens Magnac Laval France.
Clarice Cummins
2 years ago
If I could give 10 stars I would! I wish there was a service like this for more of the aspects of moving to France. My advisor Nannie Bellanger was available to me on more than one occasion to assist me and made the process as easy and seamless as possible. She’s a true professional and I can’t thank her enough!
Adam Gold
3 years ago
These people are fantastic! I dealt with someone called Marianne. She was helpful and informative from the beginning (she really knew everything) and provided support right until the end of the process when I'd obtained what I was looking for. Seems like they provide great ongoing support too. I would definitely recommend them.
Jean Heineman
3 years ago
Our experience with Fab Insurance has been wonderful! Our agent Marianne responded immediately and very thoroughly to all our detailed questions over a period of a couple of months prior to the date when we bought the policy for our visa application. The application process itself was seamless. Thank-you.
Marc Couling-Easton
4 years ago
Excellent insurance broker with very good customer service. Highly recommended.
Martin Joel
5 years ago
What a positive experience. They were very responsive, and when one plan turned out to not work for us due to timing, they quickly offered another solution. We feel that they bent over backwards to meet our tight deadline. We are very pleased, and would highly recommend.
Rob Speakman
5 years ago
Highly recommend fab French insurance. As well as giving a really competitive price, Fabien is really helpful, responsive and a true professional. Thank you!
Lisa Tierney
6 years ago
Novelia Assurance, & specifically Fabien, we're highly efficient, quick to deal with my request and very professional. Their website was easy to use, everything was clear, and it was a pleasure to deal with them. All my paperwork & communications were given in English so it was extremely helpful to me. Thank you, I will continue to use this company and would definitely recommend it.
Julie Livesey
6 years ago
Fabien was extremely helpful to me when I was looking for health insurance 2 years ago. He speaks excellent English and helped guide me through several quotes for me to consider. I asked Fabien to clarify a few details I didn't quite understand before I actually signed up for the policy I chose and his replies were always prompt and clearly explained. l am very happy with Fabien's company and I highly recommend to others.
FAQs about Top-Up Health Insurance
Who is behind Fab Insurance?
We’re an independent insurance broker. Established in 2015 and founded by Fabien, we’re a small team of insurance advisors (in-house) located in the Southwest of France and operating in various EU countries (France, Portugal, Spain, Italy and more…).
Who am I buying my policy from?
You will be insured directly through the insurance company you’ve selected, although your broker (us) will remain with you all the time, whatever it is for your application, questions on the policy, claims, etc. We’ll always be there, and our advice will always be for free.
More than 50 partner companies
Comparing private medical insurance across different providers can help you find an affordable policy for you
Need help? Just ask!
We handle entire applications for you. Our partners have dedicated admin team that can push your application forward with the authorities and will give you regular updates.
