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First published in March 2022
Updated in July 2025
If you’re planning to move to France for more than a few months, securing the right visa-compliant health insurance is essential. The VLS-TS (Visa Long Séjour valant Titre de Séjour) allows you to stay in France for up to one year and is often the first step toward long-term residency.
While the official guidelines on France-Visas.gouv.fr are available, they’re often vague or incomplete when it comes to health insurance requirements. In this article, we’ll walk you through what you actually need to know to avoid a rejection, and how to make sure your insurance policy meets French visa expectations.
Do You Need Private Health Insurance for the VLS-TS Visa?
Yes, unless you’re a UK state pensioner with an S1 form, you are legally required to show proof of private medical insurance when applying for your long-stay visa in France, including specific categories such as the French Talent Passport.
Here’s what the official French visa portal says:
“For stays over 6 months: Private Health insurance covering the entire validity of the visa (up to 1 year), except for retirees receiving a British retirement pension who may provide the S1 Form delivered by the NHS.”
While that sounds simple enough, many visa applications are still rejected, and health insurance is one of the most common reasons why. The key issue? It’s not just any policy that will do. You need a visa-compliant policy, and the certificate of coverage must include very specific wording.
Why Health Insurance Is So Important for French Visa Applications
France has a high standard for healthcare access, and expects new arrivals to demonstrate they won’t be a financial burden on the system. That’s why your insurance policy must:
➡️ Provide comprehensive medical coverage from day one
➡️ Cover the entire duration of your visa
➡️ Include repatriation, public liability, and hospitalisation
If your insurance policy lacks any of these elements, or if the certificate isn’t crystal clear, you could receive a visa refusal, even if the rest of your file is perfect.
What Makes an Insurance Policy Visa-Compliant in France?
Over the past few years, Fab French Insurance has worked with hundreds of expats applying for long-stay visas to France. Based on real-world feedback from consulates and TLScontact centres, we’ve identified the five essential elements your insurance certificate must include:
1. Full Duration of Coverage
Your insurance certificate must show that you're covered for the entire length of your visa. If your policy is renewable, it should clearly mention that automatic renewal is in place. Short-term policies or unclear end dates often trigger rejections.
2. Medical Expenses + Hospitalisation
Make sure your certificate explicitly states that you’re covered for both outpatient medical care and hospitalisation. Some policies only mention hospital coverage, which is not enough.
3. Minimum 30,000 € Medical Cover
Your policy must include a minimum of 30,000 € in medical coverage, as per Schengen and French requirements. Policies with lower limits or unclear sums will not be accepted.
4. No Medical Exclusions
The certificate should not mention any exclusions for pre-existing conditions or other limitations. If there are restrictions in the policy, they should not appear on the certificate presented to the consulate.
5. Repatriation and Public Liability
Your insurance must include coverage for medical repatriation and civil liability (public liability in the EU). This ensures that, in the case of a major medical event or accident, the financial burden is covered.
Why Many Insurance Policies Get Rejected
Even when people purchase travel or health insurance, they often make two big mistakes:
➡️ They choose a tourist or travel policy, which doesn't meet the long-term coverage requirements of a VLS-TS visa. Your insurance should cover you as a resident.
➡️ They submit certificates that are not detailed enough, or worse, raise red flags by listing exclusions
The layout and wording of the certificate matter more than most people realise. That’s why working with a provider familiar with French visa requirements is the best way to avoid costly delays or denials.
Explore Visa-Compliant Health Insurance Plans
At Fab French Insurance, we specialise in health insurance for expats moving to France. Our policies are carefully selected to meet visa guidelines, and every certificate is formatted to match what consulates are looking for.
We offer:
✅ Fully visa-compliant insurance certificates
✅ Coverage tailored to retirees, remote workers, families, and individuals
✅ Fast processing to meet your visa timelines
✅ English-speaking support and documentation
👉 Get your visa-compliant health insurance quote now
Bonus Tip: Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute
Visa applications can take time, especially if you're applying through TLScontact or a busy consulate. To avoid stress:
➡️ Apply for your visa at least 2–3 months in advance
➡️ Purchase your insurance early, so the certificate can be submitted with your full application
➡️ Double-check the start and end dates on your certificate match your intended travel dates
If your visa is denied due to insurance issues, you’ll lose the application fee and may need to restart the entire process.
To Wrap it All Up
If you're moving to France for more than six months, private health insurance isn't optional, it’s a legal requirement for your long-stay visa. With so many visa applications being rejected over minor issues, getting your insurance certificate right is one of the smartest things you can do.
By choosing a trusted provider like Fab French Insurance, you can tick off this vital task with confidence and focus on your exciting new life in France.
